Aqueous Foams for Control of Gas Migration and Water Coning in Aquifer Gas Storage

Abstract

Abstract Two causes of poor recoverability are migration of stored gas far from the injection well and upward coning of water into withdrawal wells. The authors conducted laboratory and numerical simulation investigation of the use of aqueous foams to block the flow of gas or liquid to ameliorate these problems. Experiments in sandstone cores showed that foam reduces the permeability to gas and liquid by approximately three orders of magnitude. A numerical simulation study showed that water coning could be significantly delayed by placing a horizontal foam lens just above the gas-water interface. Also discussed are the conditions for forming foam in situ, the feasibility of emplacing a foam bank, and the durability of permeability reduction. Laboratory experiments and numerical simulation indicate potential for significantly improving the efficiency of aquifer gas storage with aqueous foams. A field trial of foam to prevent water coning is recommended.