Novel polymeric nanogel as diversion agent for enhanced oil recovery

The authors discuss the nanogel application as deep diversion agent for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Experimental studies of nanogel show that its utilization allows combining the advantages of gels used in bulk and sequential injection. Addition of light metal nanoparticles subsequently increases the gel system strength while crosslinking, however it has no impact on flow ability of polymer solution. The nanogels application as deep diversion agent for EOR was studied in treatment experiments at two crossflow layered artificial cores. Nanoparticle addition increases residual resistance factor of polymer gel up to 22% and show a more long-lasting effect. Oil recovery increase for nanogel application was 6% original oil in place (OOIP) in comparison with gel without nanoparticles. It has been shown the gel bank's position impact on oil recovery efficiency at in situ fluid diversion operations. The series of experiments for both types of gels with three different gel blank positions were conducted. Experimental results showed the best value of 19% and 28% OOIP recovery increase in near production line position for gel and nanogels, respectively.