Study and pilot test on a novel EOR method -- coupling PPG conformance control and surfactant flooding

The interest in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods has re-emerged in recent years; however, significant challenges remain for the widespread deployment of these methods. One major downside to the successful application of EOR technologies in mature reservoirs is conformance problems (e.g. heterogeneity). To mitigate these problems, a novel EOR method which couple preformed particle gel (PPGs) conformance treatment with traditional surfactant flooding in one process is introduced.;This dissertation provides a comprehensive study for the proposed method. A series of laboratory tests were carried out to understand the chemical interaction between PPGs and surfactants. A new method to evaluate PPGs strength in the oilfield and laboratory was introduced. Core flooding tests were run to investigate to what extent the coupled method can improve oil recovery using fractured carbonate and sandstone cores. Oilfield pilot tests were implemented in several injection wells located in Kansas.;The chemical interaction experiments showed that surfactants concentrations influenced the swelling ratio and strength of PPGs. Fractured core flooding tests showed a higher increase in oil recovery through surfactant forced imbibition process by PPGs than a single method. The new PPG strength measurement apparatus provided a reliable technique to quantitatively evaluate PPG properties in the field. Oilfield pilot tests were implemented successfully in several candidate wells. The treatment s effectively increased the injection pressure of injection wells and reduced water production of adjacent production wells. Overall, this method provides a cost-effective approach for improving oil recovery while also reducing excess water production in mature and fractured reservoirs.