Comparison of Polymer Flooding and Waterflooding at Huntington Beach, California

Abstract

Pilot waterflood tests, with and without Polymer chemical additives for mobility control, have been conducted in the intermediate viscosity oil reservoirs of the Huntington Beach Field of Orange County, Calif. Polymer treated water was injected into 3 wells completed in the Lower Garfield sand, and untreated water was injected into 2 wells completed in the Upper Garfield sand. These sands are of Pliocene age. The 2 pilots have been observed for approximately 3 yr. The Polymer flood pilot, with an average oil gravity of 13.2 API, responded within 3 mo. with both increased oil production rates and decreased water production rates. The waterflood pilot, with an average oil gravity of 18.9 API and mobilities which should be more favorable to water, generally exhibited continued primary oil decline rates and increased water production rates. The results of the operation of the 2 pilots are that the Polymer flood is successful, and will prove to be economic, while the waterflood was uneconomic and has been curtailed.