Experimental Analysis of Conformance Control Methods - DGMK 844

01.07.2020 - 30.06.2022

Prof. Dr. Leonhard Ganzer

This research project aims to extend the research efforts undertaken in
DGMK 704 utilizing the microfluidic technology established during DGMK 746 and core flooding.
It will summarise the current State-of-the-Art for mechanisms of conformance
improvement in reservoirs with a detailed insight into the development of the last
decade.
Based on this update of the literature research, further methods, including
promising in-situ cross-linking polymer gels and microgels, are evaluated for an
experimental screening. Their performance is observed in customised micromodels
featuring properties of mature oil fields including common conformance control
root causes. In a comparative test series, the selected methods are applied in microfluidic
experiments using identical experimental parameters. Fluid flow can be
controlled in reverse direction to observe the performance of the agent when injected
either into the injection well or the production well. Several analysis methods
are utilised to closely investigate the mechanism responsible for a reduction of the
water-cut and a higher oil recovery. The effective permeabilities of oil and water
are determined by additional core flooding experiments.
This project shall enhance the understanding of conformance control processes
for provided products to be applied in the field. It will set the parameters for
further experiments performed under reservoir conditions including temperature,
crude oil and reservoir brine to test the performance of the chosen methods for
selected oil and gas fields.