Polymer solutions tested at Santa Cruz oilfield in Cuba

KFU’s research appeared in Russian-language journal Neftyanoye Khozyaystvo.

One of the main problems in oil production is the watering of formations and wells. At present, the production of 1 ton of oil in the world accounts for 3 to 10 tons of associated water, and the cost of water disposal adds up  to $40 billion a year.

Geologically, the Santa Cruz field is located in the Northern Heavy Oil Sector. The field has three blocks – 100, 200, and 300. In this paper, the scientists of KFU’s World-Level Research Center in Liquid Hydrocarbons studied block 300, is characterized by high water content, which requires the search and use of chemical reagents.

“Softpusher and Seurvey R1 brand solutions, produced by Kazanian company Mirrico, were tested in various concentrations in distilled water and deposit water,” explains Irek Mukhamatdinov, Senior Research Associate of the In-Situ Combustion Lab.

The use of polymer reagents helps in reducing the watering of deposits. Polymers can form gels and influence the rheological properties of water systems.

“Xanthan gum, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAA), acrylic acid copolymers can be used as polymer flooding agents,” adds Mukhamatdinov.

 

Source text: Adelya Shemelova

Translation: Yury Nurmeev