Polymer Flooding – The Essentials

Polymer Flooding The Essentials – a list if the most important aspects to successfully deploy the technology in the field.

Overview of Polymer Flooding

Polymer flooding is an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique that improves sweep efficiency by increasing the viscosity of the injected water. This process reduces water mobility, allowing for a more uniform oil displacement and minimizing bypassed zones. It has been successfully applied in a variety of reservoirs to extend field life, boost recovery rates, and improve economic returns. This page will take you to different sections where we discuss the most important aspects.

Overview – Polymer Flooding The Essentials

On this page you will find general resources on the technology.

Reservoir Screening

Not all reservoirs are suitable for polymer flooding. Key screening criteria include:

  • Reservoir temperature and salinity (compatibility with polymers)
  • Permeability and heterogeneity (to ensure effective polymer propagation)
  • Oil viscosity and API gravity (polymer efficiency depends on oil properties)
  • Water cut and mobility ratio (polymer helps correct unfavorable mobility ratios)

Laboratory Studies

Before field implementation, laboratory studies are required to optimize polymer selection and performance. These studies include:

  • Polymer rheology and stability testing
  • Core flooding experiments to assess oil recovery efficiency
  • Compatibility tests with reservoir fluids and formation water
  • Thermal, chemical and mechanical degradation studies

From Pilot to Full-Field Implementation

Successful polymer flooding requires a stepwise approach, starting with pilot testing before scaling up. The key phases include:

  1. Designing the polymer injection strategy
  2. Pilot project execution and monitoring
  3. Analyzing results and optimizing injection parameters
  4. Scaling up to full-field deployment

Injectivity Considerations

Effective polymer flooding relies on proper injectivity management. On this page we discuss the main challenges when trying to predict injectivity using 3D simulators and why people tend to worry too much.

  • Shear degradation during injection
  • Formation damage risks (plugging and permeability reduction)
  • Pressure build-up affecting well performance

Simulation & Economics

Reservoir simulation is a good tool for predicting polymer flood performance and optimizing injection strategies, but with great limitations. We review some aspects here.

Operations & Monitoring

Continuous monitoring is required to ensure polymer flooding success. Key operational aspects include:

  • Injection rate control and polymer concentration monitoring
  • Produced water management (separation and reinjection challenges)
  • Well surveillance and tracer studies

Water Treatment

Produced water in polymer flooding projects might require specialized treatment due to increased viscosity and potential polymer residue. Water treatment strategies focus on:

  • Separation efficiency improvements
  • Filtration and de-oiling techniques
  • Recycling and reinjection considerations

Polymer Flooding Field Cases

A variety of field cases demonstrate the effectiveness of polymer flooding under different reservoir conditions. Reviewing past projects provides insights into:

  • Success stories and best practices
  • Lessons learned from challenges and failures
  • Adaptations for different field types (sandstones, carbonates, offshore, etc.)

Polymer Flooding in Carbonates

Carbonate reservoirs present unique challenges for polymer flooding, including:

  • High salinity and hardness effects on polymer stability
  • Dual-porosity systems and polymer retention
  • Wettability and permeability contrast issues

You can also check our YouTube channel for additional videos and podcasts and navigate the Polymer Flooding Guide for more content or our Academy for training courses.