Effect of Nanoclay on Heavy Oil Recovery During Polymer Flooding

Polymer flooding for improving sweep efficiency has been studied extensively in laboratory and tested in fields for conventional oils. A novel nanofluid based on polyacrylamide clay has been developed and its properties have been experimentally tested as a suitable candidate in polymer flooding for oil field projects. This authors review the polymer flood fundamentals as they are applied to heavy oil recovery. In this study, they focus on roles of clay nanoparticles on polymer viscosity and improve recovery in heavy oil recovery. The theory is supported with coreflood and physical model results for several oils ranging in viscosity from 200 to 4200 mPa.sec. For some of these coreflood tests the nanopolymer flood was able to increase the oil recovery in comparison to a baseline polymer flood. These laboratory results will be helpful for the planning of nanoclay polymer flooding for heavy oil reservoirs. Also flooding test showed a 5% increase in oil recovery for nanoclay polymer solution in comparison with polymer solution after one pore volume fluid injection.