Using wide ranges of gel age, gel velocity, and fracture conductivity or tube diameter, Cr(III)-acetate-HPAM gels were studied as they extruded through fractures and tubes. Gels exhibited shear-thinning behavior in fractures and tubes that correlated with the gel superficial velocity and the fracture width or tube diameter. In fractures with sufficiently small widths, gels dehydrated during extrusion, thus reducing the rate of gel propagation. This effect was more pronounced as the fracture width decreased. Using the experimental results, a numerical study was conducted to compare placement of preformed gels and water-like gelants.

Keywords:
gel propagation, fracture, fracture 2, enhanced recovery, fracture 1, pressure gradient, annular pressure drilling, well control, upstream oil & gas, gel resistance factor
Subjects:
Chemical flooding methods, Drilling fluid selection and formulation (chemistry, properties), Drilling Fluids and Materials, Flow in porous media, Formation Evaluation & Management, Hydraulic Fracturing, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Pressure Management, Reservoir Characterization, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics
Copyright 1997, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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