Preconditioning Concepts in Polymer Flooding in High-Salinity Reservoirs: Laboratory Investigations and Case Histories

Abstract
Summary: In polymer-flood field projects with partially hydrolized polyacrylamide (PH PAA) solutions, Deutsche Texaco A.G. (DTA) has applied two methods of preconditioning: a preflush with fresh water and the use of a relatively small slug of a less-salt-sensitive polymer. Results of laboratory work that led to an improved preconditioning concept with polymer are described. Case histories of two projects with two different preconditioning processes are presented and discussed in detail.