DGMK 746

Experimental and Numerical Analysis of Polymer Flooding Processes Using Micromodels

Duration

01.01.2018 - 30.06.2020

Administration

Prof. Dr. Leonhard Ganzer

Description

Polymer flooding is a process for the mobility-controlled deoiling of deposits. Due to the de-oiling mechanism, the low system engineering effort and the relatively low costs, it is one of the low-risk and often economically attractive enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. Understanding the nonlinear physical and chemical processes that dominate polymer flooding plays a critical role in the efficient design of polymer flooding projects. The aim of the project is the fundamental analysis of these processes using micromodels.

When considering the polymer flood process, the properties of the oil, the polymer solution, but also the interaction between the fluids and the interactions between fluids and rock must be understood. The approach of using micromodels to research the polymer flood process offers the possibility to visualize and investigate the most diverse effects that play a role in the context of Polymer EOR.

Compared to flood tests on cores, micromodels allow detailed visual access to the flood process. In this way, the local distribution of static and dynamic flow parameters can be read from the model, which should enable a fundamental investigation of the flooding process.

Current Phase 3

The last phase of the project is intended to extend the range of application of the microfluidics developed in the first two phases of the project to other areas, such as production optimisation. Interesting questions relate to the stability of foams in the porous medium, the deposition of asphaltenes and their removal or the filtration of drilling muds. In addition, the design and production of models of new chips with a permeability in the range of a few hundred millidarcy shall be performed. The pore structure of a natural rock sample is imitated and its properties transferred to a two-dimensional model. The results of the microfluidic experiments are validated by means of core flooding in rock samples used for the design. In addition, methods for changing the inner surface, which initially has water-wetting properties, by adsorption of a self-organizing monolayer (SAM) are being developed.

Earlier phases of the project

Phase 1

Completed in 2014. This first phase of the project of the German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology was supported by ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, GDF SUEZ E&P Deutschland GmbH, RWE Dea AG und der Wintershall Holding GmbH.

In the first phase of the project, our own micromodels were developed, which show some improvements compared to commercially available models. The models developed at ITE are a "sandwich" made of two layers of glass that enclose a layer of silicon. The models therefore have water-wetting surface properties, similar to the sandstones that are found in many deposits. Furthermore, the models are resistant to most chemical influences and can withstand high temperatures and pressures. Artificial structures and a realistic structure based on the thin section of a rock sample served as porous structures. The flow across the square micro model, which was designed according to a "quarter-to-five-spot" borehole pattern, enables the analysis of the efficiency of the vertical displacement.
To carry out the tests, an experimental setup including a holder for the model is designed, which records the continuous image acquisition of the porous structure and the media flowing through, as well as the pressures before and after the model. The evaluation of the measured values ​​and the image material takes place automatically via algorithms, which calculate the proportion of different fluids. A simulation toolbox also enables numerical analysis of the tests.
For the analysis of polymers, a selection of different products relevant for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) was analysed at different concentrations, temperatures and different mixing waters with varying salinity and composition in a rheometer. The results were collected and sorted in a database.
After several single-phase tests with Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, EOR tests were carried out with polymers in the secondary (polymer flooding in the oil-saturated model) or tertiary mode (polymer flooding after a water flood) mode. The data obtained were used for numerical analysis and simulation of flood tests in the micromodel.

Phase 2

Completed in 2017. This second phase of the project of the German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology was supported by ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, Neptune Energy Deutschland GmbH, DEA Deutsche Erdoel AG and Wintershall Holding GmbH.

In the second phase of the project, the experimental set-ups were expanded to carry out tests at high temperatures. A coreflooding device was set up to compare the experimental results from the microfluidic experiments. Here, flooding experiments were carried out on the Bentheim sandstones. For a comparison with microfluidics, new chips were developed, whose porous structure was derived from a µCT scan of a Bentheim sandstone and whose porosity and permeability are comparable to real rock samples. Instead of the "quarter-to-a-five-spot" configuration, a linear geometry of the models was chosen for direct comparison with coreflooding results. In various single-phase and multi-phase tests in micromodels, cores and sand fillings, measurement data was collected and the results anlysed in the simulator. In addition, extended rheological investigations were carried out for biopolymer and HPAM solutions, in addition to standard rheology, also oscillatory rheology and elongational viscosity evaluation.

Publications

In Books and Journals
  • Födisch H. 2019. Investigation of Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery Core Flooding Processes with Special Focus on Rock-Fluid Interactions. Papierflieger Verlag, Clausthal-Zellerfeld. ISBN: 978-3-86948-697-0.
  • Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2017. How Microfluidic Solutions using a rock-on-a-chip approach look set to revolutionise IOR/EOR process visualisation. Oilfield Technology Junal 7: pp. 15-18.
  • Duffy J, Hincapie R. 2016. Using Rheology to Optimize the Performance of EOR Fluids. Oil and Gas Innovation Magazine 10: 42-43.
  • Rock A, Hincapie R, Wegner J, Födisch H, Ganzer L. 2016. Pore-scale Visualization of Polymer Viscoelasticity Using Particle Tracing in Glass-Silicon-Glass Micromodels. EAGE first break 34: DOI 10.3997/2214-4609.201600917.
  • Födisch H, Hincapie R, Wegner J,  Ganzer L. 2015. Visualization of connate water replacement during flooding experiments using Glass-Silicon-Glass micromodels. EAGE First Break 33: DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.201412500.
  • Hincapie R. 2016. Pore-Scale Investigation of the Viscoelastic Phenomenon during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Polymer Flooding through Porous Media. Papierflieger Verlag, Clausthal-Zellerfeld. ISBN: 978-3-86948-531-7.
  • Wegner J. 2015. Investigation of Polymer Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) in Microfluidic Devices that resemble Porous Media – An Experimental and Numerical Approach. Shaker Verlag, Aachen. ISBN: 978-3-8440-3520-9.
  • Ganzer L, Wegner J, Buchebner M, 2014. Benefits and Opportunities of a “Rock-on-a-Chip” Approach to Access New Oil. OIL GAS-EUROPEAN MAGAZINE 39: pp. 43-47.
  • Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2013. Numerical Analysis of Polymer Micro-Model Flooding Experiments. In Proceeding of 3rd Sino-German Conference “Underground Storage of CO2 and Energy”, Goslar, 21-23 May 2013, (ed. Hou MZ, Xie H, Were P), pp. 131-142. Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg.
Conference Papers
  • Tahir M, Hincapie R E, Gaol C, Säfken S, Ganzer L. 2020. Describing the Flow Behavior of Smart Water in Micromodels with Wettability Modified Pore Structures. Society of Petroleum Engineers. DOI: 10.2118/198948-MS.
  • Säfken S, Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2019. Wettability Alteration of Microfluidic Rock-on-a-Chip Devices to Replicate Reservoir Conditions. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2019-1, pp. 461-468. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Hincapie RE, Rock A, Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2017. Oil Mobilization by Viscoelastic Flow Instabilities Effects during Polymer EOR: A Pore-scale Visualization Approach. Society of Petroleum Engineers. DOI: 10.2118/185489-MS.
  • Rock A, Hincapie RE, Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2017. Rock-on-a-Chip Devices for High p, T Conditions and Wettability Control for the Screening of EOR Chemicals. 79th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition. DOI: doi.org/10.2118/185820-MS.
  • Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2017. Advanced Flow Behavior Characterization of Enhanced Oil Recovery Polymers. 79th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition. DOI: 10.2118/185814-MS.
  • Be M, Hincapie RE, Rock A, Gaol CL, Tahir M, Ganzer L. 2017. Comprehensive Evaluation of the EOR Polymer Viscoelastic Phenomenon at Low Reynolds Number. 79th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition. DOI: 10.2118/185827-MS.
  • Tahir M, Hincapie RE, Be M, Ganzer L. 2017. Experimental Evaluation of Polymer Viscoelasticity during Flow in Porous Media: Elongational and Shear Analysis. 79th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition. DOI: 10.2118/185823-MS.
  • Rock A, Hincapie RE, Wegner J, Födisch H, Ganzer L. 2017. Pore-scale Visualization of Oil Recovery by Viscoelastic Flow Instabilities during Polymer EOR. 19th European Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery. DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.201700273.
  • Hauhs F, Födisch H, Hincapie R, Ganzer L. 2017. Novel Application of Foam and Air Flooding in Glass-Silicon-Glass Micromodels. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2017-1, pp. 249-259. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Rock A, Hincapie RE, Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2017. Advanced Flow Analysis of Viscoelastic EOR Polymers in Porous-media-resembling Micromodels. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2017-1, pp. 485-492. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Gaol CL, Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2017. A New Approach of Micromodels Construction Based on X-ray Micro-computed Tomography (µCT) from Core Plug. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2017-1, pp. 239-247. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology,  Hamburg.
  • Elhajjaji RR, Hincapie RE, Tahir M, Rock A, Wegner J,  Ganzer L. 2016. Systematic Study of Viscoelastic Properties during Polymer-Surfactant Flooding in Porous Media. Society of Petroleum Engineers. DOI:10.2118/181916-RU.
  • Rock A, Hincapie R, Wegner J, Födisch H, Ganzer L. 2016. Pore-scale Visualization of Polymer Viscoelasticity Using Particle Tracing in Glass-Silicon-Glass Micromodels. 78th EAGE Conference and Exhibition. DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.201600917.
  • Elhajjaji RR, Hincapie R, Ganzer L. 2016. Evaluation of Viscoelastic Behavior during Surfactant-polymer Flooding in Porous Media Using Microfluidics. 78th EAGE Conference and Exhibition. DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.201600918.
  • Födisch H, Wegner J, Hincapie RE, Ganzer L. 2015. Impact of Connate Water Replacement on Chemical EOR Processes. Society of Petroleum Engineers. DOI: 10.2118/177196-MS.
  • Hincapie RE, Duffy J, O'Grady C, Ganzer L. 2015. An Approach to Determine Polymer Viscoelasticity under Flow through Porous Media by Combining Complementary Rheological Techniques. Society of Petroleum Engineers. DOI: 10.2118/174689-MS.
  • Wegner J, Hincapie RE, Foedisch H, Ganzer L. 2015. Novel Visualisation of Chemical EOR Flooding Using a Lab-on-a-Chip Setup Supported by an Extensive Rheological Characterisation. Society of Petroleum Engineers. DOI: 10.2118/174648-MS.
  • Hincapie R, Ganzer L. 2015. Assessment of Polymer Injectivity with Regards to Viscoelasticity: Lab Evaluations towards Better Field Operations. Society of Petroleum Engineers. DOI: 10.2118/174346-MS.
  • Födisch H, Hincapie R, Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2015. Visualization of Connate Water Replacement during Flooding Experiments Using Glass-Silicon-Glass Micromodels. 77th EAGE Conference and Exhibition in Madrid. DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.201412500.
  • Muhammad T, Hincapie R. 2015. Coexistence of Shear and Elongational Components of Flow Paths through Porous Media during Polymer-Flooding Applications. 77th EAGE Conference and Exhibition. DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609.201412503.
  • Hincapie RE, Duffy J, O'Grady C, Ganzer L. 2015. Using DLS Microrheology, Rotational Rheometry and Microfluidics to better understand the Behaviour of Polymeric Materials for Use in Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications. 10th Annual European Rheology Conference.
  • Muhammad T, Hincapie R. 2015. An Experimental Approach to Analyze Polymer Mechanical Properties. International Student Petroleum Congress & Career Expo.
  • Romero JA, Hincapie R. 2015. Sand Pack Processing for Polymer Flooding Injectivity Purposes: Workflow and Experimental Set-Up. International Student Petroleum Congress & Career Expo.
  • Herbas J, Wegner J, Hincapie R, Ganzer L. 2015. Comprehensive Micromodel Study to Evaluate Polymer EOR in Unconsolidated Sand Reservoirs. 19th Middle East Oil & Gas Show and Conference. DOI: 10.2118/172669-MS.
  • Ganzer L., Wegner J, Buchebner M. 2014. Benefits and Opportunities of a “Rock-on-a-Chip” Approach to Access New Oil. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2014-1, pp. 385-394. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology , Hamburg.
  • Qi M, Wegner J, Falco L, Ganzer L. 2013. Pore-Scale Simulation of Viscoelastic Polymer Flow using a Stabilized Finite Element Method. Society of Petroleum Engineers. DOI: 10.2118/165987-MS.
  • Qi M, Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2013. Numerical Study of Viscoelastic Polymer Flow in Simplified Pore Structures using a Stabilized Finite Element Model. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2013-1, pp. 453-462. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Zheng S, Hincapie R, Ganzer L. 2013. Laboratory and Simulation Approach to the Polymer EOR Evaluation in German Reservoir Characteristics. DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2013-1, pp. 431-440. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Kouchaki S, Hincapie R, Ganzer L. 2013. Rheological Evaluation of Polymers for EOR: Proper Procedures for a Laboratory Approach. DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2013-1, pp. 367-378. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Födisch H, Wegner J, Hincapie-Reina R, Ganzer L. 2013. Characterization of Glass Filter Micromodels Used For Polymer EOR Flooding Experiments. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2013-1, pp.  325-334. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Hincapie R, Wegner J, Buchebner M, Zheng S, Ganzer L. 2012. Laboratory Investigation of Parameters Affecting Viscosity of Enhanced Oil Recovery Polymers. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2012-2, pp. 495-500. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Wegner J, Ganzer L. 2012. Numerical Simulation of Oil Recovery by Polymer Injection Using COMSOL. COMSOL Conference 2012.
  • Hincapie R, Wegner J, Buchebner M, Ganzer L. 2012. Experimental Set-Up and Workflow for Polymer Flooding Processes Using Micromodels. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2012-2, pp. 501-504. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.
  • Wegner J, Buchebner M, Hincapie R, Ganzer L. 2012.Development of a Numerical Polymer EOR Toolbox to Facilitate the Design and Interpretation of Micromodel Flooding Experiments. In DGMK-Tagungsbericht 2012-2, pp. 505-514. German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology, Hamburg.

Contact

Stefanie Säfken

Sponsors and Partners

This research project of the German Society for Petroleum and Coal Science and Technology (DGMK) is supported by ExxonMobil Production Germany GmbH, Neptune Energy Germany GmbH, Vermilion Energy Germany GmbH & Co. KG and Wintershall DEA. Additional support is gratefully received from Hallibuton, Poweltec and SNF.