Paper: New Chemical And Mechanical Technology For Injection Profile Control

Injection profiles of West Texas waterflood projects have been improved by the application of sequential zirconium complexed polymer treatments. Alternating stages of polymer and a new zirconium complexor were applied using specially designed skid mounted injection units. These units automatically monitor waterflood rate and adjust chemical pumps to maintain constant chemical concentrations. A small scale injection unit has been built to imitate the larger unit. This unit enables on-site, pre-treatment adjustments to design concentrations, to account for the effects of injection water variables. Mechanisms behind sequential metal complexed polymer treatments are discussed, along with field variables which affect these mechanisms, and the advantages of the new zirconium complexor. Treatment design theory is presented, as well as the change from theoretically to empirically based job designs. Design of the skid mounted injection unit is described recording capabilities, the automatic tracking feature, and shut-off controls, including monitoring and pressure activated Field results of 100 sequential zirconium complexed polymer treatments are summarized, with results of three treatments presented in detail.