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Introduction
In oilfield extraction, improving oil recovery is a constant goal in the petroleum industry. As oilfields enter the mid-to-late development stage, reservoir energy decreases. Traditional extraction methods are no longer efficient. Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a high-performance, water-soluble polymer. Due to its unique physical and chemical properties, PAM plays an increasingly important role in oilfield extraction.
Basic Properties of Polyacrylamide
Polyacrylamide is a linear polymer made from acrylamide monomers. It can be classified into non-ionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric types. In oilfield extraction, anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) is the most commonly used. It has the following properties:
- High viscosity – PAM solutions have high viscosity, which helps improve fluid flow.
- Good thickening ability – It increases water viscosity, making it suitable for oil displacement and profile control.
- Excellent adsorption – It can adhere to rock surfaces, change rock wettability, and enhance oil mobility.
- Shear resistance – It remains stable in high-temperature and high-salinity environments.
- Environmentally friendly – It is non-toxic and meets environmental standards for oilfield applications.
These properties make PAM an essential functional material in oilfield extraction.
Main Applications of Polyacrylamide in Oilfield Extraction
- Oil Displacement Agent: Enhancing Oil Recovery (EOR)
Polymer flooding is a key technology in tertiary oil recovery (EOR). Injecting a PAM solution into a water injection well can increase water viscosity, improve mobility ratio, and enhance oil recovery.
- How it works: PAM increases water-phase viscosity and reduces the water-oil mobility ratio. This minimizes “fingering” and ensures even displacement.
- Real-world example: In Daqing Oilfield, China, the use of polymer flooding increased oil recovery by 10%-15% and boosted single-well production.
- Cost: The cost of chemicals in a PAM flooding project accounts for about 20%-30% of the total investment.
- Return on investment: By improving oil recovery, the return on investment (ROI) can reach 1:5 or higher.
- Profile Control and Water Blocking: Optimizing Water Injection
In water injection development, reservoir heterogeneity causes water to flow through high-permeability zones, leaving low-permeability zones poorly swept. PAM helps solve this issue.
- Selective plugging: PAM forms a gel-like substance in high-permeability zones, blocking water channels and forcing water into lower-permeability areas. This improves the overall sweep efficiency.
- Improving water injection profiles: Adjusting the PAM injection volume and concentration enhances water injection efficiency.
- Field application: In a block of Shengli Oilfield, after using PAM for profile control, the water content dropped from 95% to 85%, and daily oil production increased by 30%.
- Fracturing Fluid Additive: Enhancing Fracturing Performance
PAM is commonly used in oilfield fracturing operations to improve fracturing efficiency.
- Increases fracturing fluidviscosity – PAM enhances fluid viscosity, allowing it to carry proppants deeper into fractures.
- Reduces fluid loss – It forms a filter cake on fracture surfaces, reducing fluid loss and improving efficiency.
- Enhances flowback performance – PAM reduces surface tension, increasing the flowback rate and minimizing formation damage.
- Economic benefits:
- Reduces fracturing fluid usage and lowers operating costs.
- Increases single-well production and shortens the payback period.
- Drilling Fluid Additive: Improving Drilling Efficiency
PAM is widely used in drilling operations to optimize drilling fluid properties.
- Enhances cutting transport – PAM increases drilling fluid viscosity, improving its ability to carry rock cuttings and reduce bottom-hole sediment.
- Stabilizes borehole walls – PAM forms a protective film on borehole walls, preventing collapse and ensuring drilling safety.
- Reduces friction resistance – It lowers the friction coefficient, reducing drill string wear and enhancing drilling efficiency.
- Produced Water Treatment: Water Recycling and Environmental Protection
Oilfield produced water contains suspended solids and oil. Discharging this water without treatment can cause environmental pollution. PAM acts as a high-efficiency flocculant to separate oil and water quickly.
- Technology advantages:
- Fast flocculation – High sedimentation efficiency.
- Adaptability – Suitable for high-salinity water.
- Cost reduction – Lowers treatment costs.
- Application example: In Daqing Oilfield, PAM was used in produced water treatment. It achieved 99% removal efficiency for suspended solids, meeting reinjection water quality standards.
Selection and Usage Considerations for Polyacrylamide
- Choosing the Right Polyacrylamide Type
Selecting the correct PAM type is critical based on reservoir conditions:
- High-salinity environments – Use salt-resistant PAM.
- High-temperature environments – Use heat-resistant PAM.
- Controlling Concentration and Injection Volume
The concentration and injection volume of PAM affect its performance.
- Excessive concentration may cause formation plugging.
- Insufficient concentration reduces effectiveness.
- Optimization is necessary based on field conditions.
- Ensuring Proper Dissolution
PAM must be fully dissolved before use.
- Undissolved PAM affects performance.
- Use professional dissolution equipment to control time and temperature.
- Regular Performance Monitoring
During PAM application, regular monitoring is essential.
- Adjust injection parameters as needed.
- Optimize performance for the best results.
Conclusion
This article has provided a detailed overview of polyacrylamide applications in oilfield extraction. If you need high-quality PAM products, our company offers a variety of models to meet different oilfield development needs.
Feel free to contact us for more information and customized solutions. 🚀
