Comparison of Gelation Behavior and Morphology of Resorcinol–Hexamethylenetetramine–HPAM Gel in Bulk and Porous Media

• Published in: Transport in porous media Vol. 109; no. 2; pp. 377 - 392
• Main Authors: He, Hong, Wang, Yefei, Zhang, Jian, Xu, Xiaoli, Zhu, Yuejun, Bai, Shixun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Blocking; Civil Engineering; Classical and Continuum Physics; Correlation; Dynamics; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Gelation; Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences; Hexamethylenetetramine; Hydrogeology; Hydrology/Water Resources; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Media; Morphology; Oil fields; Placement; Polymer gels; Porous media; Transport; Porous media; Gelation behavior; Resorcinol–hexamethylenetetramine–HPAM gel; Scanning electron microscopy (SEM); Morphology
• ISSN: 0169-3913; 1573-1634
• DOI: 10.1007/s11242-015-0524-7

Polymer gel treatment is a proven cost-effective method to control excessive water production and improve sweep efficiency in many mature oilfields; however, it is worth noting that there exist differences between gelation behavior and morphology in bulk and porous media, which are directly related to the success of a gel treatment. In this study, the gelation behavior and morphology of resorcinol–hexamethylenetetramine–HPAM gel in bulk and porous media were studied. Results revealed that the differences between the gelation time and morphology in bulk and porous media were obvious. The relationship between bulk gelation time and static gelation time in porous media was correlated. Dynamic gelation behavior in porous media confirmed that the gelation could occur during flow in porous media and the gelation location can be inferred to determine gel placement. This study could provide the basis for determining well shutoff time and understanding the blocking mechanism in porous media.