Isolation of Water Inflow to Production Wells

Abstract

This article examines the isolation of water inflow to oil production wells using water-oil emulsions and gel-forming grouting mortars. It notes that oil extraction is accompanied by mixing of oil with water and the formation of water-oil emulsions, whose stability and viscosity are linked to their dispersed composition. The research aimed to conduct laboratory filtration experiments to determine the effectiveness of nanoclay in improving the mechanical properties of gels and emulsions used in water-insulation work. Grouting mortars were prepared from liquid glass and hydrochloric acid with added laponite. With 3% liquid glass, 0.66% hydrochloric acid and 1% laponite, a volume of mortar equal to 60% of the pore volume could be pumped, re-injection of water raised the injection pressure to 2 MPa without displacing the gel, and the permeability of the model decreased approximately 400 times. The article also describes forming water-oil emulsions directly in the productive layer by electric and acoustic action, which detaches resin-asphaltene deposits from pore walls and produces viscous emulsions that clog the more permeable pores. Electric treatment of 34 wells of the Uzen deposit reduced water cut by an average of 9% and increased oil production by 3.2 tons per day; acoustic treatment of 3 wells gave an average 11% reduction in water cut and an increase of 2.2 tons per day.

Abstract prepared by the editorial office from the full text of the article; the authors did not supply one.