Polymers are known to degrade chemically under reservoir conditions. In this paper we simulate the effect of chemical degradation on polymer flooding, using a modified chemical flooding code. We particularly investigate layered reservoirs, in which vertical crossflow is shown to be the leading oil recovery mechanism. The calculated effects of degradation are explained in terms of the effects of polymer on fluid flow patterns. Results are presented for different polymer and reservoir types, and the effect of non-uniform reservoir temperature on degradation rates is also studied. It is shown that there are a number of types of polymer flood in which the effects of chemical degradation are less severe than might initially be expected.

Keywords:
polymer, oil recovery, low permeability layer, permeability layer, high permeability layer, calculation, injection, chemical degradation, incremental oil recovery, crossflow
Subjects:
Well & Reservoir Surveillance and Monitoring, Reservoir Characterization, Fluid Characterization, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Reservoir Simulation, Formation Evaluation & Management, Fluid modeling, equations of state, Flow in porous media, Waterflooding
Copyright 1985, Society of Petroleum Engineers
You can access this article if you purchase or spend a download.