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PETROMAKS-Maksimal utnyttelse av petroleumsreserver

MECHANICAL DEGRADATION OF EOR/IOR POLYMERS CAUSED BY PROCESS EQUIPMENT

Tildelt: kr 0,20 mill.

Mechanical degradation of polymers is a well known technical problem in the industry. Polyacrylamide molecules are flexible chain molecules that can be broken when submitted to high shear rates. This causes an irreversible loss of viscosity of the solutio n, and higher weight polymers will be more sensitive to shear. Analyses of shearing conditions done by TOTAL (Morel 2008 and 2010) have identified that the highest shearing device would be the well head chokes. As much as 25% to 50% in viscosity loss due to shearing conditions of the choke has been observed. Our experience indicates that the Typhoon® technology can reduce the negative effect of shear forces significantly, and our idea is to validate our proposition through experiments with existing equipm ent and test loops already available in our laboratories. We also have ideas with regards to the transportation (pumping) and the preparation of the polymer solutions, which could lead to a significantly improved process system and to an overall improved efficiency of polymer flooding operations. This pre project will focus on validation of the use of Typhoon® low shear technology within handling and injection of polymer solutions. We will, with the assistance from IRIS, try to indicate a quantifiable ef fect of reduced mechanical degradation on the reservoir flooding. 1. A desk study, literature review and process review. 2. Laboratory testing with, primarily water and polymer solutions. We will test the effect of the Typhoon® technology on pumping and f low control. We shall apply rheometer analyses to compare viscosity of unaffected polymer solutions with solutions exposed to shear. 3. Establish a consortium of research providers, suppliers and end users and file in an application to Petromaks for a ma in project within 17. October 2012.

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PETROMAKS-Maksimal utnyttelse av petroleumsreserver