Review on Polymer Flooding: Rheology, Adsorption, Stability, and Field Applications of Various Polymer Systems

TLDR

Polymer flooding is a promising technique for recovering remaining oil from light oil reservoirs, using water‑soluble polymers to increase displacing fluid viscosity and improve sweep efficiency. This review surveys water‑soluble polymers used in chemical enhanced oil recovery and examines efforts to extend polymer flooding to high‑temperature and high‑salinity reservoirs. The authors discuss conventional and modified polymers, their thermal stability, rheology, adsorption behavior in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs, and present field and laboratory core‑flooding data. The review highlights polymer systems effective in low‑temperature, low‑salinity reservoirs and identifies current and future challenges to polymer flooding.

Abstract

Polymer flooding is one of the most promising techniques for the recovery of remaining oil from light oil reservoirs. Water soluble polymers are used to enhance the viscosity of displacing fluid and to improve the sweep efficiency. In this paper, water soluble polymers used for chemical enhanced oil recovery are reviewed. Conventional and novel modified polymers are discussed along with their limitations. The review covers thermal stability, rheology, and adsorption behavior of various polymer systems in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs. Field and laboratory core flooding data of several polymers are covered. The review describes the polymer systems that are successfully applied in low-temperature and low-salinity reservoirs. Comprehensive review of current research activities aiming at extending polymer flooding to high-temperature and high-salinity reservoirs is performed. The review has identified current and future challenges of polymer flooding.