Gel-forming composition to increase the efficiency of water isolation in horizontal wells

Abstract

The need to develop new technical and technological solutions to improve the efficiency of water isolation in wells with horizontal termination in reservoirs with layered heterogeneity of the formation. Aim. To identify and propose a promising gel-forming composition for conducting water isolation in wells with horizontal termination in reservoirs with layered heterogeneity of the formation. Object. A well with a horizontal termination in reservoirs with layered heterogeneity of the formation. Methods. Laboratory and bench studies of the gel-forming composition for isolating water inflow in wells with different reservoir permeability by modifying it with functional additives and further adapting its application to various mining and geological conditions of the well; technology of injection of compositions with different viscosity in wells with horizontal termination in reservoirs with layered heterogeneity of the formation. Results. The paper considers the theoretical aspects of a hydrophobic layer formation on a watered reservoir surface effected by a hydrophobic composition, when it enters the reservoir. The paper introduces the mechanism of a water-insulating screen formation during injection of a gel-forming composition. The authors have defined the basic requirements for the gel-forming composition. They developed the formulation of the gel-forming composition with a different gelation time from 1 to 8 hours. Due to the composition injection, a water insulation screen is formed that can withstand significant water flow pressure. The water breakthrough pressure varies and depends on the initial permeability: with an increase in gas permeability from 0.1 to 1 mm2 of the breakthrough pressure it decreases by water and ranges from 4.5 to 11.5 MPa/m.