Petroleum Technology
Superabsorbent polymer particles, also called preformed particle gels (PPGs), have been successfully applied to reduce water production and enhance oil production in mature reservoirs with fractures or super-high-permeability streaks/channels. The applied particles usually range in size from a few hundred micrometers to a few millimeters and are irregular in shape.
[Zhang et al, (12284–12293) Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 49 #23 (2010)]
Recent Journal Articles
12/3/2010
Using Screening Test Results to Predict the Effective Viscosity of Swollen Superabsorbent Polymer Particles Extrusion through an Open Fracture
(12284–12293) Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 49 #23 (2010)
Zhang et al showed that swollen preformed particle gels are a shear-thinning materials described by a power-law equation from which an apparent consistency constant and an apparent flow index can be obtained. These equations correlated effective viscosity with flow rate, fracture width, apparent consistency constant, and apparent flow index together. The newly developed correlations were validated, and the results showed that a single group of screen test measurements can be applied to determine the effective viscosity of these particles in a fracture with limited errors. (RDC 12/8/2010)