Molecular Degradation, Injectivity, and Elastic Properties of Polymer Solutions

Abstract

Summary New features of polymer rheology in porous media were observed when hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide (HPAM) solutions were flowed through sandstone, gravel packs, and glass-bead packs at high rates. Independent measurement of elongational viscosity, µe, with a ductless-siphon technique demonstrates that the enhanced resistance seen at high flow rates is not directly proportional to µe. Furthermore, significant permeability trends in resistance factor and mechanical degradation are observed when plotted vs. strain rate. When these results are translated to field flow rates and geometries, they indicate that HPAM solutions can be injected at reasonable injection pressures with minimal viscosity losses, provided that perforated completions are designed with either sufficient perforation density or perforation size.