Study and Application of Oily Sludge Profile Control Technology in Heavy Oil Reservoir

Abstract

In the process of steam injection development of heavy oil, due to the serious heterogeneity and interference of steam channeling in the high-permeability layer, there is a lot of oily sludge in the produced liquid of oil wells, which is difficult to deal with. According to existing profile control technology and the related properties of oily sludge, a profile control system was developed by using oily sludge as the main agent and by adding other additives. At the same time, the properties of sludge, the matching relationship between the particle size of sludge and the formation of pore roar, the temperature resistance, the plugging ability, and other contents were studied. The agent featured an adjustable curing time (3 to 300 h) and resistance to pressures greater than 6 MPa and temperatures greater than 350 °C. After the agent was injected into the high-permeability steam channeling, the system was cemented with the formation rock and the sealing rate was more than 85%, without any damage to the low- and medium-permeability layers. According to the different characteristics of the production well and steam injection well, the construction technology was optimized, the oily sludge profile control technology suitable for heavy oil reservoirs was formed, and the field test was carried out. At present, more than 150 wells have been used in the field, with a cumulative oil increase of 10,756 tons. The technology not only solves the environmental pollution caused by oily sludge but also reduces the cost of thermal recovery of heavy oil, with great significance for improving the final recovery efficiency and commercial benefits of the oilfield.