Application of EOR Technology by Means of Polymer Flooding in Bohai Oil Fields

Abstract

Abstract Enhanced oil recovery by means of polymer flooding is considered as an important technology for the strategic development of offshore oilfields in China. The implementation of polymer flooding in the offshore oilfields requires overcoming several major technical problems caused largely by the absence of a fresh water source and limited space on the platform. A pilot test of polymer flooding was conducted in SZ36-1 Oilfield located in Bohai Bay, China. The problems mentioned above were solved through the development of (1) a hydrophobically associating polymer tolerant to salts in the brine and produced water and (2) a portable automatic injection unit. The significant incremental oil and decrement of water cut were observed after 8 months of polymer injection. The successful implementation of polymer flooding makes three breakthroughs: (1) the first polymer flooding pilot test in offshore oilfields in China; (2) initial application of a hydrophobically associating polymer as the driving agent in the field; (3) significant increment of oil in the trail of a single well injection of polymer. The practice illustrates the feasibility of polymer flooding under current production conditions of offshore oilfields that lead to applications in a larger scale.