Polymer Flooding Posts

Polymer Flooding Posts. Explore the newest updates and ideas in polymer flooding for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). This section brings together key trends, project examples, and expert insights to help you stay informed. Learn about successful applications, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of polymer injection. Whether you’re looking for real-world case studies, technical tips, or fresh ideas, this is the place to find useful information. Stay up to date and discover new ways to improve polymer flooding performance!

What You’ll Find Here

We gather and share a variety of resources to keep you informed about the latest developments in polymer flooding, including:

  • Conference Highlights. Summaries of key insights from industry events such as the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference and the EAGE Workshop on Chemical EOR, where experts present the latest advancements in polymer flooding.
  • Technical Papers & Case Studies. Reviews of new research and field applications, such as successful polymer flooding projects in high-salinity reservoirs or deep offshore fields.
  • Webinars & Videos. Links to expert presentations and technical discussions, including YouTube talks from leading petroleum engineers and oil companies sharing best practices.
  • Podcasts & Interviews. Featuring discussions with industry leaders on challenges, cost-effectiveness, and innovations in polymer EOR.
  • Industry News & Trends. Updates on regulatory changes, sustainability in polymer flooding, and technological breakthroughs.

No matter your role—engineer, researcher, or EOR enthusiast—you’ll find valuable content to help you stay ahead in the world of polymer flooding. Check back often for the latest updates!

Early polymer flooding achieves higher recovery factors, reduces water cut, and maintains stable injectivity, whereas tertiary flooding struggles with injectivity challenges and inefficiencies inherited from prior waterflooding
Polymer Flooding 101 - Training Course Online
Microgels and nanogels used for conformance are trending on some parts of the world. When facing significant permeability contrasts (think 10:1), spot treatments with these particles might be an interesting idea to explore before heading straight into polymer flooding. But this isn’t a simple plug-and-inject operation.
I tried to revisit the polymer selection workflows for chemical EOR, showing that a majority of tests could be more representative of the reality in the field. Working on new industry standards would greatly benefit all the researchers. Also, understanding the logic behind the tests and what they were initially designed for would save time and avoid disappointments.
Polymer retention is one of the most critical parameters for the success of a polymer flooding project. A high retention means a poor propagation and therefore a delay in the oil bank production but also a much lower viscosity at the front, creating instability.

For instance, @1000ppm and with a retention of 50 µg/g in a sandstone, that’s already a 40% delay factor in % of pore volume. At 3$/kg of polymer in a 40 acres/20ft thick zone, it’s a bit more than 1,2 million USD to satisfy retention… (you can do your own spreadsheet using the SPE166265 for instance)
The first time I was confronted to the way polymer flooding was modeled, I was struck by the number of parameters needed and the complexity of the whole thing. It feels like everyone wanted to be sure to capture absolutely everything: from the molecular interactions to the rheological behavior. The first image that came to my mind was a DJ mixing table: a lot of buttons and no idea which to touch to obtain the desired music without the help of an “expert”.

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 online courses.