Lessons Learned from Laboratory Study and Field Application of Re-Crosslinkable Preformed Particle Gels RPPG for Conformance Control in Mature Oilfields with Conduits/Fractures/Fracture-Like Channels

Abstract

Abstract This paper surveys the role of re-crosslinkable preformed particle gels (RPPG) in addressing conformance challenges within mature oilfields. Despite widespread preformed particle gel (PPG) application in 15,000+ wells, their limitations in sealing fractures and conduits prevalent in mature reservoirs have driven the development of RPPG formulations. Synthesized in various sizes from micrometer to millimeter levels, these environmentally friendly RPPGs are tailored for diverse reservoir conditions. Findings showcase the successful laboratory-scale creation and upscaling of RPPG products, offering adaptability to temperatures from 20 to 175°C, customizable sizes, swelling ratios (5 to 40 times), and re-crosslinking times spanning minutes to days. Field applications, notably in Alaska's West Sak field, demonstrate the efficacy of RPPG in resolving Wormhole/Void Space Conduit issues. The paper outlines preferred functionality, properties, evaluation methods, application conditions, and field outcomes, emphasizing RPPG's amalgamation of PPG advantages and in-situ gels into a singular composition, mitigating uncertainties while markedly improving plugging efficiency in fractures and conduits through a rubber-like bulk gel formation. This comprehensive review presents RPPG as a pivotal innovation, poised to revolutionize conformance strategies in many mature oilfields, offering a promising solution to prevailing reservoir challenges