High-Temperature-Resistant Epoxy Resin Gel Behavior and Profile Control in Heavy Oil Steam Drive

Ying Shi, Hong He (), Yu Li, Fei Ding, Zhuo Zhou and Nuolin Xiong
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Ying Shi: School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Hong He: College of Petroleum Engineering, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China
Yu Li: Exploration and Development Research Institute, PetroChina Qinghai Oilfield Company, Jiuquan 736200, China
Fei Ding: School of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, China
Zhuo Zhou: Petroleum Engineering Technology Research Institute of Jianghan Oilfield Administration Bureau of Sinopec Group, Wuhan 430030, China
Nuolin Xiong: Sinopec Jianghan Oilfield Fuling Shale Gas Company, Chongqing 408000, China

Energies, 2023, vol. 17, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: In recent years, the prominence of conformance control technology in heavy oil steam flooding has significantly increased in oilfield development. However, the high-temperature demands of heavy oil steam flooding require more resilient plugging agents. Resin-based plugging agents, known for their exceptional temperature resistance and strength, have emerged as a viable solution within this domain. Yet, they face issues like rapid curing at high temperatures and limited sealing reach. Thus, we introduce a novel approach: epoxy resin gel (EHRB), consisting of epoxy resin (ER) as the curing agent, urotropine (HMTA) and pyrocatechol (RO) as cross-linking agents, and n-butyl glycidyl ether (BGE) as a diluent. EHRB gels at 130 °C in 5.4 h, with curing commencing at 160 °C, extending resin curing time and expanding the sealing radius. This study assessed EHRB’s performance and high-temperature stability through displacement experiments, TGA, and DSC analysis. The results indicate that the EHRB has low viscosity, high compressive strength, and minimal mass loss at high temperatures. At 260 °C, the mass loss is less than 15%. The plugging rate exceeds 90%, and it can withstand steam flushing for over 6 PV. Additionally, it demonstrates a 17% improvement in EOR. EHRB demonstrates outstanding capabilities in proficient channel control for heavy oil steam flooding, offering vital technical support for conformance control in this challenging environment.

Keywords: heavy oil reservoir; profile control; steam injection; resin gel; EOR (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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