A novel enhanced oil recovery technology using pore-scale elastic microspheres after polymer flooding

Abstract

In this study, a novel enhanced oil recovery method using pore-scale elastic microspheres after polymer flooding was proposed. Using single-tube sand pack models, the resistant coefficient of polymer flooding and elastic microspheres profile control and flooding was contrastively studied. Then the resistant coefficient of injecting elastic microspheres after polymer flooding was studied. At last, physical simulation of elastic microspheres flooding after polymer was conducted. The results show that polymer and elastic microspheres have synergistic effect; the polymer can make the migration of elastic microspheres easily; the elastic microspheres can prevent polymer from crossing flow along the high permeability channel and extend the polymer output time of oil well. Compared to polymer flooding (1000 mg/L) and (2000 mg/L), elastic microspheres flooding (1000 mg/L) after polymer flooding (1000 mg/L) can enhance oil recovery by 5.6 and 4.4%, respectively. The results confirm that elastic microspheres can enhance oil recovery effectively after polymer flooding. This novel technology will become an effective technical measure for polymer flooding oilfield to enhance oil recovery further. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2013.