Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
6.7
4.6
Journals
Molecules
Special Issues
Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China
molecules-logo
Submit to Molecules Review for Molecules Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecular Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 10839

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Kaoping Song

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The Unconventional Oil and Gas Institute, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
Interests: polymer flooding; water flooding; waterflood optimization; invalid water circulation treatment
Dr. Daigang Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Unconventional Petroleum Research Insititute, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing 102249, China
Interests: porous media flow; discrete fracture modeling; upscaling; digital rock physics; closed-loop production optimization and enhanced oil recovery in subsurface hydrocarbon engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Feng Yan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Chemistry, Tiangong University, Tianjin 300387, China
Interests: enhanced oil recovery; surfactant-polymer flooding; emulsification and oil-water separation; membrane preparation, and membrane separation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer flooding is the most mature chemical-enhanced oil recovery (EOR). When water-soluble macromolecule polymers, such as synthetic partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide(HPAM), biopolymers (xanthan gum, Sclerolglucan, Schizophyllan) were injected, the viscosity ratio of water and oil can be improved, which leads to a significant improvement in the sweep efficiency. The improved oil-water viscosity or mobility ratio can alleviate viscous fingering. Polymers can also improve the displacement efficiency due to its viscoelastic effects, as many researchers believed. Polymer flooding in China was first field tested in 1971 in Daqing and put into commercial application in 1996 in many oilfields. Incremental oil recovery can be as high as 15% original oil in place in Daqing, where oil production from polymers remained the highest for a long time. A summary of polymer flooding theory and practice in China could thus be helpful to reduce the cost and improve performance. All aspects regarding polymer flooding are welcome for the Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Kaoping Song
Dr. Daigang Wang
Prof. Dr. Feng Yan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymer flooding
  • chemical EOR
  • produced water with polymers
  • biopolymers
  • viscous oil recovery
  • polymer thermal stability
  • high temperature high salinity reservoirs
  • polymer gels

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 4322 KiB  
Article
The Synergistic Effects between Sulfobetaine and Hydrophobically Modified Polyacrylamide on Properties Related to Enhanced Oil Recovery
by Qi Sun, Fu-Tang Hu, Lu Han, Xiu-Yu Zhu, Fan Zhang, Gui-Yang Ma, Lei Zhang, Zhao-Hui Zhou and Lu Zhang
Molecules 2023, 28(4), 1787; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28041787 - 14 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1507
Abstract
In order to explore the mechanism responsible for the interactions in the surfactant–polymer composite flooding and broaden the application range of the binary system in heterogeneous oil reservoirs, in this paper, the influences of different surfactants on the viscosity of two polymers with [...] Read more.
In order to explore the mechanism responsible for the interactions in the surfactant–polymer composite flooding and broaden the application range of the binary system in heterogeneous oil reservoirs, in this paper, the influences of different surfactants on the viscosity of two polymers with similar molecular weights, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide (HMPAM), were studied at different reservoir environments. In addition, the relationship between the surfactant–polymer synergistic effects and oil displacement efficiency was also investigated. The experimental results show that for HPAM, surfactants mainly act as an electrolyte to reduce its viscosity. For HMPAM, SDBS and TX-100 will form aggregates with the hydrophobic blocks of polymer molecules, reducing the bulk viscosity. However, zwitterionic surfactant aralkyl substituted alkyl sulfobetaine BSB molecules can build “bridges” between different polymer molecules through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction. After forming aggregates with HMPAM molecules, the viscosity will increase. The presence of two polymers all weakened the surfactant oil–water interfacial membrane strength to a certain extent, but had little effect on the interfacial tension. The synergistic effect of the “bridge” between HMPAM and BSB under macroscopic conditions also occurs in the microscopic pores of the core, which has a beneficial effect on improving oil recovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 5149 KiB  
Article
Demulsifier-Inspired Superhydrophilic/Underwater Superoleophobic Membrane Modified with Polyoxypropylene Polyoxyethylene Block Polymer for Enhanced Oil/Water Separation Properties
by Mengmeng Zhang, Mingxia Wang, Junwei Chen, Linfang Dong, Yuqin Tian, Zhenyu Cui, Jianxin Li, Benqiao He and Feng Yan
Molecules 2023, 28(3), 1282; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031282 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1331
Abstract
Demulsifiers are considered the key materials for oil/water separation. Various works in recent years have shown that demulsifiers with polyoxypropylen epolyoxyethylene branched structures possess better demulsification effects. In this work, inspired by the chemical structure of demulsifiers, a novel superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic membrane modified [...] Read more.
Demulsifiers are considered the key materials for oil/water separation. Various works in recent years have shown that demulsifiers with polyoxypropylen epolyoxyethylene branched structures possess better demulsification effects. In this work, inspired by the chemical structure of demulsifiers, a novel superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic membrane modified with a polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene block polymer was fabricated for enhanced separation of O/W emulsion. First, a typical polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene triblock polymer (Pluronic F127) was grafted onto the poly styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA). Then, the Pluronic F127-grafted SMA (abbreviated as F127@SMA) was blended with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) for the preparation of the F127@SMA/PVDF ultrafiltration membrane. The obtained F127@SMA/PVDF ultrafiltration membrane displayed superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic properties, with a water contact angle of 0° and an underwater oil contact angle (UOCA) higher than 150° for various oils. Moreover, it had excellent separation efficiency for SDS-stabilized emulsions, even when the oil being emulsified was crude oil. The oil removal efficiency was greater than 99.1%, and the flux was up to 272.4 L·m−2·h−1. Most importantly, the proposed F127@SMA/PVDF membrane also exhibited outstanding reusability and long-term stability. Its UOCA remained higher than 150° in harsh acidic, alkaline, and high-salt circumstances. Overall, the present work proposed an environmentally friendly and convenient approach for the development of practical oil/water separation membranes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 2050 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Interfacial Tensions of Surfactant and Polymer Solutions Related to High-Temperature and High-Salinity Reservoir
by Xiang-Long Cui, Yi Pan, Fu-Tang Hu, Lu Han, Xiu-Yu Zhu, Lei Zhang, Zhao-Hui Zhou, Gen Li, Gui-Yang Ma and Lu Zhang
Molecules 2023, 28(3), 1279; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28031279 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1364
Abstract
Betaine is a new surfactant with good application prospects in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs. The interfacial properties of two kinds of betaine mixtures with a good synergistic effect were evaluated in this paper. On this basis, the effects of temperature-resistant, salt-resistant polymers with [...] Read more.
Betaine is a new surfactant with good application prospects in high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs. The interfacial properties of two kinds of betaine mixtures with a good synergistic effect were evaluated in this paper. On this basis, the effects of temperature-resistant, salt-resistant polymers with different contents of 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) on dynamic interfacial tensions (IFTs) against n-alkanes and crude oil were studied. The experimental results show that the IFTs between betaine ASB and n-alkanes can be reduced to ultra-low values by compounding with anionic surfactant petroleum sulfonate (PS) and extended anionic surfactant alkoxyethylene carboxylate (AEC), respectively. ASB@AEC is very oil-soluble with nmin value ≥14, and ASB@PS is relatively water-soluble with nmin value of 10. The water solubility of both ASB@PS and ASB@AEC is enhanced by the addition of water-soluble polymers. The HLB of the ASB@AEC solution becomes better against crude oil after the addition of polymers, and the IFT decreases to an ultra-low value as a result. On the contrary, the antagonistic effect in reducing the IFT can be observed for ASB@PS in the same case. In a word, polymers affect the IFTs of surfactant solutions by regulating the HLB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6537 KiB  
Article
Study on Oil Recovery Mechanism of Polymer-Surfactant Flooding Using X-ray Microtomography and Integral Geometry
by Daigang Wang, Yang Song, Ping Wang, Guoyong Li, Wenjuan Niu, Yuzhe Shi and Liang Zhao
Molecules 2022, 27(23), 8621; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238621 - 06 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1168
Abstract
Understanding pore-scale morphology and distribution of remaining oil in pore space are of great importance to carry out in-depth tapping of oil potential. Taking two water-wet cores from a typical clastic reservoir in China as an example, X-ray CT imaging is conducted at [...] Read more.
Understanding pore-scale morphology and distribution of remaining oil in pore space are of great importance to carry out in-depth tapping of oil potential. Taking two water-wet cores from a typical clastic reservoir in China as an example, X-ray CT imaging is conducted at different experimental stages of water flooding and polymer-surfactant (P-S) flooding by using a high-resolution X-ray microtomography. Based on X-ray micro-CT image processing, 3D visualization of rock microstructure and fluid distribution at the pore scale is achieved. The integral geometry newly developed is further introduced to characterize pore-scale morphology and distribution of remaining oil in pore space. The underlying mechanism of oil recovery by P-S flooding is further explored. The results show that the average diameter of oil droplets gradually decreases, and the topological connectivity becomes worse after water flooding and P-S flooding. Due to the synergistic effect of “1 + 1 > 2” between the strong sweep efficiency of surfactant and the enlarged swept volume of the polymer, oil droplets with a diameter larger than 124.58 μm can be gradually stripped out by the polymer-surfactant system, causing a more scattered distribution of oil droplets in pore spaces of the cores. The network-like oil clusters are still dominant when water flooding is continued to 98% of water cut, but the dominant pore-scale oil morphology has evolved from network-like to porous-type and isolated-type after P-S flooding, which can provide strong support for further oil recovery in the later stage of chemical flooding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3476 KiB  
Article
A New Method for Calculating the Relative Permeability Curve of Polymer Flooding Based on the Viscosity Variation Law of Polymer Transporting in Porous Media
by Wenchao Jiang, Zhaowei Hou, Xiaolin Wu, Kaoping Song, Erlong Yang, Bin Huang, Chi Dong, Shouliang Lu, Liyan Sun, Jian Gai, Shichun Yao, Yunchao Wang, Chunlin Nie, Dengyu Yuan and Qinghua Xu
Molecules 2022, 27(12), 3958; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123958 - 20 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1584
Abstract
Relative permeability of polymer flooding plays a very important role in oil field development. This paper aimed to measure and calculate the relative permeability curves of polymer flooding more accurately. First, viscosity variation law of polymer in porous media was studied. Rock particles [...] Read more.
Relative permeability of polymer flooding plays a very important role in oil field development. This paper aimed to measure and calculate the relative permeability curves of polymer flooding more accurately. First, viscosity variation law of polymer in porous media was studied. Rock particles of different diameters and cementing agent were used to make artificial cores and hydrophobically associating polymer solutions were prepared for experiments. Polymer solutions were injected into the cores filled with crude oil and irreducible water. In the process of polymer flooding, produced fluid was collected at different water saturations and locations of the core. Polymer solutions were separated and their viscosities were measured. With the experimental data, the viscosity variation rule of polymer transporting in porous media was explored. The result indicates that the viscosity retention rate of polymer solutions transporting in porous media has power function relationship with the water saturation and the dimensionless distance from the core inlet. Finally, the relative permeability curves of polymer flooding were measured by unsteady state method and the viscosity variation rule was applied to the calculation of the relative permeability curves. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

35 pages, 24926 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China
by Kaoping Song, Jianwen Tao, Xiuqin Lyu, Yang Xu, Shaopeng Liu, Zhengbo Wang, Huifeng Liu, Yuxuan Zhang, Hongtao Fu, En Meng, Mingxi Liu and Hu Guo
Molecules 2022, 27(20), 6978; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27206978 - 17 Oct 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2935
Abstract
Polymer flooding is drawing lots of attention because of the technical maturity in some reservoirs. The first commercial polymer flooding in China was performed in the Daqing oilfield and is one of the largest applications in the world. Some laboratory tests from Daqing [...] Read more.
Polymer flooding is drawing lots of attention because of the technical maturity in some reservoirs. The first commercial polymer flooding in China was performed in the Daqing oilfield and is one of the largest applications in the world. Some laboratory tests from Daqing researchers in China showed that the viscoelasticity of high molecular weight polymers plays a significant role in increasing displacement efficiency. Hence, encouraged by the conventional field applications and new findings on the viscoelasticity effect of polymers on residual oil saturation (ROS), some high-concentration high-molecular-weight (HCHMW) polymer-flooding field tests have been conducted. Although some field tests were well-documented, subsequent progress was seldom reported. It was recently reported that HCHMW has a limited application in Daqing, which does not agree with observations from laboratory core flooding and early field tests. However, the cause of this discrepancy is unclear. Thus, a systematic summary of polymer-flooding mechanisms and field tests in China is necessary. This paper explained why HCHMW is not widely used when considering new understandings of polymer-flooding mechanisms. Different opinions on the viscoelasticity effect of polymers on ROS reduction were critically reviewed. Other mechanisms of polymer flooding, such as wettability change and gravity stability effect, were discussed with regard to widely reported laboratory tests, which were explained in terms of the viscoelasticity effects of polymers on ROS. Recent findings from Chinese field tests were also summarized. Salt-resistance polymers (SRPs) with good economic performance using produced water to prepare polymer solutions were very economically and environmentally promising. Notable progress in SRP flooding and new amphiphilic polymer field tests in China were summarized, and lessons learned were given. Formation blockage, represented by high injection pressure and produced productivity ability, was reported in several oil fields due to misunderstanding of polymers’ injectivity. Although the influence of viscoelastic polymers on reservoir conditions is unknown, the injection of very viscous polymers to displace medium-to-high viscosity oils is not recommended. This is especially important for old wells that could cause damage. This paper clarified misleading notions on polymer-flooding implementations based on theory and practices in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Polymer Flooding in China)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop