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NAERINGSPH-Nærings-phd

Understanding Polymerizable Tracers for Quantifiation of Variable Flows

Alternative title: Økt forståelse av polymeriserte sporstoffer for kvantifisering av variable strømninger

Awarded: NOK 2.4 mill.

Project Manager:

Project Number:

324032

Application Type:

Project Period:

2021 - 2024

Funding received from:

Organisation:

RESMAN technology focuses on downhole inflow monitoring of oil, water, and gas in producing wells using unique proprietary tracer systems embedded in a polymer matrix. The technology provides a low cost and low risk solution to gain long-term insight into what is flowing where, how much, in what well and in which zone of the well, which is highly valuable input for oil companies in their quest to increase oil recovery. Understanding of the mechanisms that will selectively allow tracer to be released dependent on amount of water in contact with the tracer systems, i.e., quantification of water, is part of the evolution of this technology and one of the main focuses of the project. The polymerizable tracer methodology has the potential to bring generational enhancement to the RESMAN water tracer systems, by allowing finer control and very low tracer release rates over an enhanced period of time, even at high water levels. Fundamental questions with respect to successful polymerization of the matrix and how the resulting polymer structure affects the tracer release rates need to be answered. It will require a thorough study of the tracer/polymer interactions, which must be predictable and tuned to fit typical well- and reservoir parameters. If the required release properties are achieved with the polymerizable tracer systems, RESMAN will be able to offer a new generation of its core technology with long lifetime under variable flows.

Resman technology focuses on downhole inflow monitoring of oil, water, and gas in production wells using unique chemical tracers embedded in polymer matrix. Typical information provided is what flows where, when, and how much. One of the key features is that the tracers can monitor petroleum fields without the risk and cost of well intervention. Resman’s technology continues to evolve, and current focus includes improvements to the analytical methodology whereby even lower concentration of tracers can be detected. Control of tracer release rate from the polymer is vital for determining the lifetime of the system, as tracer levels in the matrix are finite, e.g. release needs to be significant enough to determine water levels/change to water level over time, but slow enough that installed system has an operating life attractive to the customer. Understanding the mechanisms that will selectively allow tracers to be released dependent on amount of water in contact with the tracer systems. i.e., quantification of water, is part of the evolution of this technology. This 'polymerizable tracer' methodology has the potential to bring generational enhancement to the Resman water tracer systems, by allowing finer control and very low tracer release rates over an enhanced period of time, even at high water levels. Proof of concept work has been undertaken showing that polymerizable tracers can be prepared and incorporated into polymer matrix suitable for Resman use. The work however, has presented a series of significant, fundamental questions that need to be answered, particularly with respect to successful polymerization of the tracer into the matrix and how the resulting polymer structure affects the tracer release rate. These fundamental questions are very well suited to a PhD project, and secondly when successfully answered will allow Resman to proceed with development of a new generation of polymerizable water tracers with long lifetime under difficult well conditions.

Funding scheme:

NAERINGSPH-Nærings-phd