Systematic Approach to Develop Colloidal Silica-based Gel System for Water Shut Off

摘要

Undesirable water production can significantly affect the economic life of producing wells. Excess water production results in loss of productivity, corrosion, and scaling. Also, the need for water handling facilities and reinjection of unwanted water can further add to the total cost of the project, which consequently increases the cost of production. In offshore operations, produced water can have an adverse impact on the environment. The use of a colloidal silica (CS) based fluid system was developed for a water shut off application. A systematic experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effect of key parameters on the gelation properties of this system; that is: particle size, pH, temperature, and silica concentration. Also, the effect of different salts, as an activator agent, were tested to initiate in situ gelation of the CS. The performance of this system was evaluated by conducting static gelation tests as well as high-pressure, high temperature (HPHT) viscosity measurements upto 150 °C.