Petroleum Engineering Commons^™

Dissolution Mechanism Of Nonionic Polyether Surfactants In Supercritical Co2, Ning Xu, Yanling Wang, Baojun Bai, Shizhang Cui, Zan Gao, Yu Zhang, Di Li, Wenjing Shi, Wenhui Ding, Peixu Ma

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Polyoxyethylene ether is an efficient CO₂-philic compound with significant potential applications in CO₂ flooding, which requires CO₂-philic surfactants with high solubility in supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂). This study elucidates the molecular and atomic-level dissolution mechanism of the fatty alcohol polyoxyethylene ether (AEO) in scCO₂ by combining phase-behavior experiments and molecular dynamics simulations. The solubility of AEO in scCO₂ is measured using a semiconductor laser. AEO containing three polyoxyethylene (EO) groups exhibited the highest solubility in scCO₂.The solubility of AEO in scCO₂ decreased with an increase in the number …

Mantle Flow And Crustal Deformation Revealed By Seismic Anisotropy In The Subduction Zone Beneath Myanmar, Enbo Fan, Mingming Jiang, Yinshuang Ai, Stephen S. Gao, Kelly H. Liu, Yumei He, Yiming Bai, Guangbing Hou, Yuan Ling, Chit Thet Mon, Myo Thant, Kyaing Sein

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The oblique convergence of the Indian and Eurasian plates drives significant deformation in the crust and mantle beneath Myanmar. However, the crustal deformation in the Indo-Burman Ranges (IBR) and mantle flow beneath Myanmar and adjacent areas remain unclear due to limited studies. We utilized data from the newly deployed second phase of the China-Myanmar Geophysical Survey of the Myanmar Orogen array to perform shear wave splitting analysis of PKS, SKKS, and SKS (XKS) phases. Our results, together with previous findings, provide new insights into mantle flow and crustal deformation across central Myanmar. In the IBR, we observed a transition from …

Detection Of Oil Pollution On The Tigris River In Iraq Using Fluorescence And Reflecting Techniques, Ahmad K. Ahmad, Thamer M. Mohammed

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

In this study, a broadband light source (visible and ultraviolet) was used to name minerals via fluorescence spectra and estimate slick oil thickness, ranging from sub-millimetres, using the reflecting spectrum technique. Using a fluorescent technique, we obtained fluorescence spectra of the samples, converting and processing the signals to produce high-resolution data, which enabled the identification of the types of dissolved elements and oil slicks in the Tigris River, highlighting pollution sources and potential control measures. This system aims to show the faint signal in fluorescence samples collected from the cooling system outlet water throughout the refining process from AL-Dora (Baghdad) …

Data-Driven Machine Learning Applications For Predictive Modeling Of Petrochemical And Ecofrendly Systems, Noora Al Mansoori

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Traditional experimental approaches in industrial processes, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and well-drilling operations, are often constrained by time, cost, and operational limitations. This research explores the application of data-driven Machine Learning (ML)-based predictive modeling to improve efficiency and reduce dependency on resource-intensive experimentation. The study develops ML models for three distinct processes: FTIR intensity prediction of bitumen thermal cracking products, thermal degradation of Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) using TGA data, and Rate of Penetration (ROP) prediction in petrochemical industry. Six algorithms: Linear Regression (LinReg), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Gradient …

Engineering Bio-Based Poly (Ethylene Furanoate) Blends And Nanocomposites, Safa Fadl Eldin Mohamed

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

The growing demand for sustainable materials has directed attention toward bio-based polymers such as poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF), a 100% bio-derived alternative to PET. While PEF offers excellent gas barrier and thermal properties, its limited mechanical strength restricts its use. This study explores polymer blending and nanocomposite strategies to enhance PEF’s mechanical and electrical performance.
Blending PEF with linear low-density polyethylene (PE) using reactive compatibilizers (SEBS-g-MA, PE-g-MA) significantly improved ductility and tensile toughness. Interfacial reactions between PEF and compatibilizers transformed the blend morphology, resulting in improved flexibility suitable for packaging applications.
Electrically conductive composites were developed by localizing graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) …

Quantifying Wellbore Effects During Co2 Sequestration In A Saline Aquifer, Uzoma Johnpaul Ajugwe

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a strategy for mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from large stationary sources like fossil-fuel-fired power stations. One method of CCS involves carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in deep saline aquifers, where supercritical CO2 is injected into an aquifer. The success of such projects depends on accurate predictions of CO2 behavior within the subsurface, which are obtained through numerical simulations.

TOUGHREACT, a renowned simulation tool, models subsurface fluid flow, geochemical interactions, and solute transport, providing insights into the feasibility of CO2 sequestration projects. A critical aspect of these simulations is the apportioning of …

Investigation Of Retention And Dehydration Of Preformed Particle Gel For Conformance Control In Fractured Carbonates, Abdulaziz A. Almakimi, Abdullah O. Almansour, Junchen Liu, Baojun Bai, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Preformed particle gel (PPG) treatment has proved to be among the most effective methods to reduce excessive water production in fractured reservoirs. The blocking ability of PPGs to fractures or fracture-like features is highly dependent on injected gel properties and volume. Gel dehydration during extrusion through fracture is common and has a considerable effect on gel properties, transport, and plugging efficiency. As the gel particles propagate through the fracture, continuous dehydration is often associated and causes the gel to concentrate and require high-pressure gradients to move. Dehydration might be desirable to a certain limit because it can help to form …

Investigation And Prediction Of Excessive Water Production In Bottom Water-Drive Naturally Fractured Reservoirs Using Machine And Deep Learning, Sami Abderraouf Belkhir

Theses

Naturally Fractured Reservoirs (NFRs) are characterized by dual-porosity and dual-permeability systems, posing significant challenges in managing water production due to highly conductive fracture networks that facilitate rapid water migration from bottom aquifers, often bypassing oil stored in the matrix, thus resulting in early water breakthrough and water channeling phenomena. The main objective of this thesis is to develop and validate deep learning and machine learning models to predict water production, water breakthrough time (tbt), and ultimate water cut (WCult) in NFRs, thereby enabling more effective reservoir management strategies. This work also aims to evaluate the sensitivity of water behavior to …

Experimental Evaluation Of Novel Nano Polymer Hybrid Enhanced Oil Recovery In Carbonate Reservoir, Altamish Ahmed Pakeer

Theses

Innovative enhanced oil recovery (EOR) strategies are needed to unlock additional reserves in heterogeneous, oil-wet carbonate reservoirs. This study evaluates hybrid nano-polymer flooding by integrating silica nanoparticles (SiO₂) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) with novel HPAM polymers (Sav10 and Sav10 VHM) to optimize wettability alteration, rheological parameters, and recovery mechanisms.

A comprehensive experimental approach was employed, where rheological tests assessed viscosity enhancement under varying shear conditions, and wettability alteration was quantified via contact angle measurements using HPAM-SiO₂, HPAM-CNT, Sav10 VHM-SiO₂, and Sav10 VHM-CNT systems. Core floods were performed in three consecutive phases; waterflooding (baseline), standalone nanoparticle flooding, and hybrid nano-polymer …

Data-Driven Machine Learning Applications For Predictive Modeling Of Petrochemical And Ecofriendly Systems, Noora Saleh Al Mansoori

Theses

Traditional experimental approaches in industrial processes, such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and well-drilling operations, are often constrained by time, cost, and operational limitations. This research explores the application of data-driven Machine Learning (ML)-based predictive modeling to improve efficiency and reduce dependency on resource-intensive experimentation. The study develops ML models for three distinct processes: FTIR intensity prediction of bitumen thermal cracking products, thermal degradation of Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) using TGA data, and Rate of Penetration (ROP) prediction in petrochemical industry. Six algorithms: Linear Regression (LinReg), Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Gradient …

Utilizing Date Fruit Pomace As A Corrosion Green Inhibitor For Non Ferrous Alloys, Sardor Rustam Odilov

Theses

This thesis explores a novel green corrosion inhibitor derived from date fruit pomace extract (DFPE) for the protection of aluminum alloy 3003 in highly corrosive environments, specifically hydrochloric acid (HCl) and natural seawater. The central aim is to promote the sustainable reuse of agro-waste as an effective and eco-friendly alternative to conventional toxic inhibitors, aligning with environmental and industrial safety goals.

A comprehensive methodology was employed, including Soxhlet extraction (using both non-polar n-hexane and polar methanol-water solvents), rotary evaporation, and FTIR analysis to identify the active functional groups responsible for inhibition. Corrosion behavior was systematically evaluated using both mechanical (weight …

Enhancing Oil Recovery With Novel Nano-Particle-Infused Surfactant Biopolymer Composite: A Comprehensive Investigation, Attia Attia, Amira Shafaay Dr., Michael Sami Alfonse Eng., George Azmi Eng., Rania Ramadan

Petroleum Engineering and Gas

The oil industry worldwide is searching for a new way to increase oil recovery. Chemical flooding has been used worldwide to improve oil recovery. In this research, the study of Enhanced Oil Recovery was carried out by using an Egyptian oil of API 42◦; the experiments were done by using Xanthan biopolymer (XG) gum with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) as a composite for the EOR process and studying the impact of different composite concentrations on oil recovery. Design Expert software was used to determine the optimum concentrations of the composite. 500 ppm concentration of graphene cobalt samarium ferrite nanoparticles (NP) …

Approach Formula To Increase Energy Efficiency Of Internal Combustion Engines In The “Green Economy” And Impact On The Natural Ecosystem, Zakirjon Ergashevich Musabekov, Hilola Zokir Qizi Uralova, Sayyodbek Ilxomjon O‘G‘Li Abdullajonov

Technical science and innovation

This article discusses, analyzes, and proposes solutions for the role of internal combustion engines in forming a "green economy", as well as ways to replace or modernize them. The relationship between internal combustion engines and the "green economy," as well as their energy efficiency and impact on natural ecosystems, is a crucial and urgent issue. These engines primarily generate energy through the combustion of petroleum-based fuels such as gasoline and diesel. However, this process releases harmful gases into the atmosphere, contributing to environmental degradation. The green economy is an economic model designed to protect the environment, ensure the efficient management …

Exploring The Impact Of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes On Enhancing Water-Based Mud Performance, Attia Attia, Mohamed Saad Elhossieny Dr., Hesham Abuseda Dr., Ahmed Gouish Prof., Adel Salem Prof.

Petroleum Engineering and Gas

Drilling fluids are critical components in hydrocarbon and geothermal well construction, particularly in extreme downhole environments such as deep reservoirs and high-temperature geothermal systems. Key challenges in designing water-based drilling muds (WBDM) for these applications include effective thermal management, maintenance of rheological stability, and enhancement of thermal conductivity under high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) conditions. Recent advances in nanotechnology suggest that nanoscale additives, such as uniformly dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs), can significantly improve the thermorheological performance of drilling fluids compared to conventional formulations. However, stabilizing critical fluid properties—including viscosity, filtration efficiency, mud cake integrity, and gel strength—remains a persistent challenge in WBDM …

Rheological, Interfacial, And Filtration Behavior Of Lignocellulosic Nanomaterials In Suspension And Emulsion Drilling Fluids, Meen Sung Koo

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In recent years, the rheological aspects of suspensions/emulsions applied by cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) have been gained considerable interests due to high gel-forming properties ascribed by hydrophilicity, crystallinity, ease functionalization, and high aspect ratio. Introducing residual lignin in CNMs (LCNMs) seemed to be capable of achieving various advantages in the application of CNMs ascribed by hydrophobicity, binding effects, and abundant aromatic groups derived from complexity of lignin. This dissertation dedicates to the characterizations of (L)CNMs, and rheological properties of (L)CNMs applied fluids (i.e., suspension and emulsion). In the suspension system, the presence of lignin in LCNMs decreased gel strength, viscosity, and …

Experimental Study For Improving Oil Recovery Using Organic Alkaline And Nano-Silica For An Egyptian Oil Field, Attia Attia, Mohamed Sadek Hamedi Al, Mayar Abdelrahman Hassan Eng.

Petroleum Engineering and Gas

The oil and gas industry continually seeks innovative methods to enhance hydrocarbon recovery due to the declining productivity of conventional techniques. Current recovery methods, such as water flooding and chemical flooding, often face limitations like high interfacial tension, unfavorable wettability, and reduced mobility of oil, especially under harsh reservoir conditions of high salinity. To address these challenges, this study explores the implementation of nanotechnology in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), focusing on the distinct and unique properties of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles, particularly SiO2, were chosen for their ability to significantly decrease interfacial tension, alter wettability, and improve oil mobility. SiO2 nanoparticles exhibit …

Effect Of Pre-Adsorbed Species On High-Pressure Adsorption Of Methane In Zeolite 5a Using Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (Gcmc) Simulations, Kanhamardi Lao, Brooks D. Rabideau

Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters

Natural gas upgrading, which removes impurities from methane (CH4), is essential for industrial applications, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) production and power generation, as well as for residential use. Removing non-hydrocarbon impurities such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), and water vapor (H2O), among others, along with separating heavier hydrocarbon gases from raw natural gas, is required to achieve high- purity methane and prevent pipeline corrosion. Zeolite 5A is a microporous aluminosilicate material with a pore size of approximately 5 Å, containing sodium and calcium cations that balance the framework’s negative charge. Its structure offers high thermal stability and a …

Determining The Limitations Of Class F Fly Ash Compared To Class G Cement In Hydrocarbon Wells Application, Youssef Helmy

Theses and Dissertations

Cement is a material commonly used in multiple applications in different industries. Among the industries that uses cement is the oil and gas industry. API (American Petroleum Institute) Class G cement that is the most incorporated form of cement used in the cementation of oil and gas wells to provide several forms of protection and stabilization for the casings. However, Class G cement is contested in terms of efficiency, costs, and environmental awareness against Class F fly ash geopolymers by researchers. This research aims to explore the potential limitations that fly ash geopolymer might have for its use in the …

A Comparative Study On Natural Vs. Synthesized Polymers Combined With Silica Nanoparticles To Maximize Secondary Oil Recovery, Attia Attia, Mohamed Sadek Hamedi Al, Waleed Abd-Alsabour Ali Eng., Zeyad Tamer Elshony Eng.

Petroleum Engineering and Gas

Polymer flooding is a well-established technique for enhancing oil recovery from reservoirs. In this study, we investigate the performance of two different polymers, Xanthan Gum, and HPAM for secondary oil recovery in the sand pack. The effects of polymer concentration and high salinity on oil recovery are studied. The polymers are characterized using various measurements and tests, including viscosity, shear rate, and interfacial tension. The sand pack flooding experiments are conducted under various conditions, including varying polymer slugs, and nanosilica (silicon dioxide SiO2) concentration. The results are analyzed to determine the optimal conditions for polymer flooding for enhanced oil recovery. …

Reinforcing Polymer Flooding System With Dendritic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles For Improved Oil Recovery, Di Li, Yanling Wang, Baojun Bai, Ning Xu, Wenjing Shi, Yu Zhang, Wenhui Ding, Peixu Ma, Zan Gao

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs), characterized by a high specific surface area and abundant hydroxyl groups, offer a promising approach to enhancing the performance of amphiphilic polymers in challenging enhanced oil recovery (EOR) conditions. In this study, DMSNs were successfully synthesized, and systematically evaluated for their impact on the solution properties of a betaine amphiphilic polymer (PADC). The unique "flower-like" mesoporous structure of DMSNs provided approximately 7-fold higher surface area than conventional SiO2, facilitating enhanced polymer-nanoparticle interactions. The DMSN/PADC composite system exhibited significantly improved viscosity, salt resistance, thermal tolerance, and shear resistance compared to PADC and SiO2/PADC systems. Quantum chemical …

Using Preformed Particle Gels To Control Transport In Geothermal Reservoirs: Mathematical Modeling, Philip Winterfeld, Baojun Bai, Yu Shu Wu

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

We are developing swellable Preformed Particle Gels (PPG), which can control preferential fluid and heat flow through fracture networks to increase the performance of EGS reservoirs. Part of this development is a mathematical model and numerical simulator to simulate PPG treatments by considering coupled thermal-hydraulic-mechanical effects, and gel swelling kinetics and plugging efficiency, from which an optimized gel treatment design and operation can be achieved. The starting point for our mathematical model is the TOUGH2-CSM formulation and code. The TOUGH2-CSM fluid and heat flow formulation is based on the TOUGH2 one for multiphase, multicomponent, and multi-porosity systems, with the latter …

Visual Understanding Of Rock Wettability Distribution To Contact Angle Regions And Oil Displacement Patterns In The Silty Sand Reservoir Via 2d Pore-Scale Modeling, H. Al-Ajaj, W. Al-Bazzaz, Ralph E. Flori, S. Alsayegh, H. Almubarak, D. S. Ibrahim, H. Al-Saedi

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study, conducted using a silty sand reservoir rock extracted from a Kuwait-producing oilfield, provides crucial insights into fluid distribution patterns and mineralogy, as well as wettability contact angle preferences. The method used for visual identification not only captures rock physics but also suggests effective oil recovery displacement strategies. Visual identification is presented using 2D image technology and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Analytical data are presented from electron bombardments and backscattering reflections collected in the BSE detector. These analyses were used to characterize the various surface boundary morphology parameters of the silty sand mineral surfaces, including area, perimeter, mineral …

Identifying Potential Risk Areas Close To The Oil And Gas Pipelines Due To Subsidence In Qazvin Plain, Mahmoud Rajabi, Sanaz Vajedian, Ryan Smith, Neil Grigg, Hossein Nahavandchi, Mehdi Goli

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Surface displacement caused by natural and anthropogenic activities poses a significant risk to subsurface pipelines, particularly in areas experiencing subsidence. Stress and strain induced by deformation can lead to pipeline buckling and potential vulnerability. This study applies a multidisciplinary approach integrating interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) deformation analysis, well data, and geological context to assess the risk to oil and gas pipelines in Iran's Qazvin plain. The focus is on evaluating the impact of an unconfined aquifer, which has a lower risk of subsidence compared to a confined aquifer, on pipeline infrastructure. We analyzed multitemporal Sentinel-1 data collected between 2014 …

Investigation Of Dynamic Adsorption And Desorption Of Polymer Nanogel In Porous Media Through Microfluidics, Junchen Liu, Fuqiao Bai, Abdulaziz A. Almakimi, Mingzhen Wei, Xiaoming He, Ibnelwaleed A. Hussein, Baojun Bai

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Understanding the transport and retention of elastic nanogel and microgel particles in porous media has been a significant research subject for decades, essential to the application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR). However, a lack of dynamic adsorption and desorption studies, in which the kinetics in porous media are seldom investigated, hinders the design and application of polymer nanogel in underground porous media. In this work, we visualized and quantified the transport and dynamic adsorption of polymer nanogel in 3D glass micromodels that were manufactured by packing glass beads in capillaries. Calibrating the linearity of fluorescence intensity to concentration, we calculated …

Experimental Investigation Of Surfactant Impact On Surfactant-Oil-Brine System For Surfactant Enhanced Oil Recovery, Chananpat Worpattanaluk

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is a vital technique for improving hydrocarbon extraction efficiency from mature or low-production reservoirs. Among various EOR methods, chemical flooding, particularly surfactant-based EOR, has gained attention due to its ability to reduce interfacial tension (IFT), to alter rock wettability, and to mobilize trapped oil. However, the performance of surfactant systems is highly sensitive to reservoir salinity, temperature, and rock-fluid interactions, leading to surfactant precipitation, adsorption losses, and interfacial tension reduction. Therefore, understanding the effects of salinity, surfactant concentration, and the role of scale inhibitors on the physicochemical stability of surfactant-oil-brine systems is essential for designing robust …

Evaluating Co2 Storage Criteria : Focusing On Thailand's Petroleum Basins For Carbon Storage, Paul Tivere Benjamin

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from large point sources remain central to Thailand’s climate challenge, and geological carbon capture and storage (CCS) is now included in national mitigation plans. However, Thailand still lacks a transparent way to compare candidate saline aquifers and petroleum basins in terms of storage performance, containment, and socio-economic conditions, while allowing for uneven data quality. This thesis develops a Thailand-specific, two-stage framework that combines threshold-based screening with a multi-criteria ranking framework based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Data Confidence Scores (DCS). Twenty-one criteria in three groups (capacity and injectivity, containment, and socio-economic constraints) were …

Simulation On Hydrogen Production From Mae-Moh Lignite Coal Gasification, Pitatchai Arunwong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Hydrogen energy has attracted significant attention due to its cleanliness, efficiency, and sustainability. Gasification is considered one of the most promising thermochemical routes to convert coal into high-quality syngas, which can subsequently be utilized for hydrogen production. Mae-Moh lignite, a low-rank coal with low carbon content and high moisture and volatile matter, is selected as the feedstock for this study. This research aims to develop a comprehensive simulation model of a hydrogen production process, integrating gasification, water-gas shift (WGS), acid gas removal, and hydrogen purification using the software simulator. The model predicts hydrogen product gas composition from Mae-Moh lignite under …

Predictive Modeling For Optimal Gel Treatment Design In Brownfields Using Ensemble Machine Learning And Data Upsampling Via Generative Ai, Munqith Aldhaheri, Baojun Bai, Mingzhen Wei

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Efficiently designed gel treatments play a vital role in extending the lifespan of brownfields through rejuvenating oil production. Recently, a three-mode mathematical methodology named the VCR approach has been proposed for designing effective treatments. To optimize this approach, it is crucial to determine the appropriate design mode systematically rather than relying solely on the intuitive judgments of field operators. This study introduces an advanced methodology for predicting the optimal design type of gel treatments using 12 reservoir and production variables. The methodology integrates ensemble machine-learning (EML) models with historical data from 65 field projects across 11 countries (1985-2020). The Random …

Transport And Plugging Behavior Of Co2-Resistant Preformed Particle Gels In High Conductive Channels For Conformance Control, Adel Alotibi

Doctoral Dissertations

"Improving oil recovery is essential with rising global oil demand and declining production in mature fields. CO₂ flooding has been widely applied as a major Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) method due to its effectiveness in boosting oil recovery while enabling safe carbon storage in the subsurface. However, in fractured and highly heterogeneous reservoirs, CO₂ often flows through paths of least resistance, leading to early breakthrough or quick excessive CO₂ production and leaving substantial oil in unswept zones or areas. Traditional in-situ polymer gels have been applied to control CO₂ flooding conformance, their performance has been varied, …

Investigation Of The Transport And Plugging Behavior Of Preformed Particle Gels (Ppgs) In Fractures For Conformance Control In Carbonate Reservoirs, Abdulaziz A. Almakimi

Doctoral Dissertations

This study aims to systematically evaluate the performance of preformed particle gels (PPGs) in fractured carbonates mainly through a series of core flooding experiments. Carbonate reservoirs exhibit unique features of heterogeneity and pore geometry, while (PPGs) are known for their plugging efficiency, deformability, and dehydratable nature. The main goal of gel injection in fractured reservoirs is to place a gel pack appropriately into the fracture, diverting injected fluid to the oil-bearing matrix and reducing excessive water production. However, considerable dehydration of (PPGs) is possible at the adjacent matrix and within the fracture, which could lead to a filter-cake formation and/or …