Discussion of this paper is invited. Three copies of any discussion should be sent to the Society of Petroleum Engineers office. Such discussion may be presented at the above meeting and, with the paper, may be considered for publication in one of the two SPE magazines.
Polymer solutions used to increase oil recovery by waterflood are prepared with automated equipment which dissolves dry polymer powder in flood brine. Proper equipment design, powder in flood brine. Proper equipment design, compatible brine and correct polymer selection are essential to providing a polymer solution which exhibits good mobility control at lowest cost and which retains mobility control throughout the life of the flood. Brine requirements, equipment arrangements and additives for a variety of field conditions are discussed.
High molecular weight polymers are increasingly used to improve sweep efficiency in waterfloods. Improved sweep is obtained because the polymers reduce the mobility of the water polymers reduce the mobility of the water Polymer is used during a substantial part of the Polymer is used during a substantial part of the flood life, a period of several years, so that efficient, economical means of preparing the polymer solutions are required. polymer solutions are required. Preparation of the polymer solution require the blending of dry polymer powder with brine to form a slurry, this slurry is given sufficient dissolving time and finally the solution is injected into the formation. This paper will discuss the properties of the polymers used, required properties of the brine, mechanical equipment needed and the methods of solution quality control used.
POLYMER PROPERTIES POLYMER PROPERTIES Prior to the start of the field operation, the proper polymer is selected on the basis of laboratory studies using cores and fluids from the field in question. The mobility of the crude oil, of the brine used, and of the polymer solutions at various strengths is measured in the field cores. From these measurements, a flood play is developed for the most profitable operation. This plan specifies the amount and use rate of polymer and the laboratory measurements define the properties of the solution which must be handled in the plant.
Specifically the properties to be discussed in this paper refer to PUSHER chemicals. These are a family of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides especially manufactured for waterflood use. polyacrylamides especially manufactured for waterflood use. As furnished, PUSHER chemical is a finely ground, moderately hygroscopic powder supplied in 50 pound sacks, 250 pound drums or as bulk material pound sacks, 250 pound drums or as bulk material in hopper cars or trucks. Bulk density of PUSHER chemical is 42 pounds per cubic-foot. PUSHER chemical is 42 pounds per cubic-foot.
