Experimental and Modeling Study of the Transport of Chromium Acetate Solutions Through Carbonate Rocks

Abstract

Summary Gelled polymer systems are applied to oil reservoirs to reduce water production and to increase sweep efficiencies in recovery processes. A common system consists of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide with a chromium (III) crosslinker. Transport of these chemicals through the reservoir rock is essential for a successful treatment. In carbonate reservoirs, dissolution of the carbonate raises the pH of the gelant to levels where chromium precipitates, robbing the gelant of crosslinker. The transport of chromium acetate solutions through dolomite rock material was studied by injecting various solutions through short cores and measuring Cr, Mg, and Ca concentrations and pH in the effluent. Chromium retention in the cores caused by precipitation was a rate-controlled process. A mathematical model was developed that described convection, dispersion, kinetic reactions of carbonate dissolution and chromium precipitation, and chemical equilibrium for reactions between aqueous components. Experimental data from this work and taken from literature were simulated by the model. One rate equation with one set of parameters described the steady-state values of chromium concentration exiting the cores after the breakthrough of the injected solutions.