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Experimental investigation of the effect of elasticity on the sweep efficiency in viscoelastic polymer flooding operations
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- Author / Creator
- Urbissinova, Tolkynay
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This study aims to investigate the effect of elastic properties of viscoelastic polymer solutions on the microscopic sweep efficiency in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations.
The effect of elasticity was studied as isolated from the shear viscosity effect using polymer blends with identical shear viscosity behavior but different elastic characteristics. Oil displacement results were compared and the individual effect of elasticity on the sweep efficiency was investigated.
A detailed rheological characterization of the polymer solutions was done to measure their viscoelastic properties. A series of polymer flooding experiments were performed using a radial core holder.
Results of the experiments indicated that the sweep efficiency of a polymeric fluid could be effectively improved by adjusting the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the solution at constant shear viscosity and polymer concentration. An attempt was made to find a rheological parameter of polymer solutions that correlates better with the resultant oil recovery. -
- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Fall 2010
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.