SPE 50798

Laboratory Studies on Polymer Gels for CO2 Mobility Control at Bat Raman Heavy
Oilfield, Turkey
Nazan N. Senol Topgder, SPE, Turkish Petroleum Corp.
Copyright 1999, Society of Petroleum Engineers, Inc.
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 1999 SPE International Symposium on Oilfield
Chemistry held in Houston, Texas, 1619 February 1999.
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Abstract
This paper is based on the laboratory studies that are performed
to establish the applicability of crosslinked polymer gels for
mobility control in CO2 injection project that is going on at
Bat Raman field. Two different approaches are suggested for
CO2 mobility control in this field: either a small volume,
strong gel treatment for near-wellbore profile modification or
a large volume, weak gel treatment for in-depth reduction of
CO2 permeability is considered. Regarding the 2 approaches,
2 different kinds of polyacrylamide, being Alcoflood 254 S
for a strong gel and Alcoflood 935 for a weak gel; were
used. Both of these polymers were crosslinked with Cr +3
acetate. The laboratory studies consist of the bottle tests
to determine the gelation times and core flooding tests to
evaluate the gel performance under CO2 injection conditions.
The strong Alcoflood 254 S gel prohibited the gas flow under
2000 psi pressure drop and there was no breakthrough. At the
other test with Alcoflood 935, there was gas breakthrough but
still the CO2 permeability was reduced significantly as shown
by the 1800 psi pressure drop. Consequently, both of these
polymer gels behaved as expected under Bat Raman reservoir
conditions. Therefore; when the economic analysis is finalized,
these gel compositions may be applied in the field either for
in-depth treatment or CO2 profile modification purposes.
Introduction
Bat Raman oilfield in southeast Turkey, is a fractured limestone
reservoir containing about 1.85 billion STB of low gravity (
1013  API ) oil at an average depth of 4300 ft. However,
because of unfavorable oil properties such as low gravity and
high viscosity, low reservoir energy and driving mechanism
depending on rock and fluid expansion; primary recovery
prospects are very low. It is estimated that only about 1.5
% of initial oil in place can be produced ultimately by primary
production.The low primary recovery, the rapid decline in
reservoir pressure and especially the existence of a close CO2
field, named Dodan, proposed the utilization of CO2 to enhance

the recovery of Bat Raman field. The CO2 injection began in

1986 and has been going on with recycling started in late 1991.
Generally, a major problem encountered with the CO2
flooding is the poor sweep efficiency of the injected gas;
because of the adverse mobility ratio, fingering, gravity
segregation and early breakthrough inherent with the low
viscosity and density of the gas relative to oil. The existence
of high permeability zones and natural fractures make these
negative effects more pronounced. Therefore, any reduction
in the permeability of these high permeability zones will be
beneficial in improving the sweep efficiency. If the CO2
mobility of high streaks is reduced by some means and the
injected gas is diverted to other low permeability zones; then
the areal and volumetric sweep efficiency will be improved
providing incremental oil recovery.
The crosslinked polymer gels are the major means to provide permeability reduction in high permeability zones, which
is accomplished by one of two ways: either a small volume,
strong gel treatment for near-wellbore profile modification or
a large volume, weak gel treatment for in-depth reduction of
CO2 permeability. In order to investigate the applicability of
these procedures in CO2 injection project that is being carried out in Bat Raman heavy oilfield; a series of laboratory
tests have been performed at the Research Center of Turkish
Petroleum Corp. The laboratory studies consisted of the bottle
tests to determine the gelation time and gel quality; and core
flooding tests for determination of CO2 permeability reduction.
Chemical System
The main procedure to provide permeability reduction in high
permeability zones is to utilize crosslinked polymer gels.
Although these polymer gels have been developed mainly for
water mobility control and profile modification; in recent years
they are also applied for CO2 profile modification and mobility
control (1-2,3) .
The most widely used type of these polymer gels are the
gels obtained by polyacrylamide crosslinked with Cr +3 acetate.
Previously employed gels were called Cr redox gels which
were obtained by crosslinking of polyacrylamide with Cr +6
crosslinker (e.g. sodium dichromate) reduced to Cr +3 state
by a reducing agent (e.g. sodium thiosulfate ) in order to be
crosslinked with the polyacrylamide. These redox gels have
been used extensively both in the lab and in the field. However,
because of the concern about the environmental aspects of Cr
+6 ; crosslinkers having directly Cr +3 rather than reduced from
Cr +6 have been developed in recent years. Cr +3 acetate is
the most common crosslinker involving Cr +3. The utilization
of direct Cr +3 crosslinkers have relieved the environmental
concerns and also enabled a chemical system that is simple

NAZAN N. SENOL TOPGDER

and easy to use as a one-component additive rather than a

two-component additive system of the redox process.
As the utilization of polyacrylamide-Cr +3 acetate gel
for CO2 permeability reduction is well established by the
laboratory and even field tests (3) ; in order to test the
applicability of this CO2 mobility control process in Bat
Raman CO2 injection project; a series of laboratory tests
have been performed. Laboratory samples of polyacrylamide
and Cr +3 acetate have been obtained from Allied Colloids.
Polyacrylamide manufacturer Allied Colloids has proposed
two different kinds of polyacrylamide to be used in polymerCr +3 acetate gel effective in CO2 mobility control. The two
different kinds of polyacrylamide proposed by Allied Colloids
are Alcoflood 254 S and Alcoflood 935 respectively. When
these polymer and Cr +3 acetate samples were supplied by
Allied Colloids, both of these polymers were tested in the
laboratory for gelation time and quality by bottle tests, and
by core flooding tests the effectiveness in CO2 permeability
reduction was determined.

SPE 50798

also enable the utilization in the field for different purposes;

both of these polymers were suggested by the manufacturer,
Allied Colloids. If in Bat Raman field, a near-wellbore profile
modification treatment of small volume gels for CO2 injection
wells is intended; then Alcoflood 254 S is the proper polymer
for this purpose. However, if a mobility reduction gel of large
volume and penetrating deep into the formation is intended,
then use of Alcoflood 935 polymer is suggested.
Regarding these two approaches; in order to investigate the
effectiveness of each polymer in reducing CO2 permeability,
a core flooding test was performed with each polymer. The
gel composition that was going to be used in core flooding
test was selected by taking into account the two following
criteria: the polymer concentration should not be too high (in
terms of chemical cost, economics) and the gel composition
should provide a reasonable gelation time and result in a gel
providing the intended properties. Complying to these factors,
the following gel compositions were determined to be used in
core flooding tests.
For 100 gr gel solution:

Laboratory Studies
The laboratory studies consisted of two phases. First of all,
the gelation time and gel quality under reservoir temperature
were determined by the bottle tests. Then the optimum gel
compositions that were determined by the bottle tests were
used in the core flooding tests to determine their effectiveness
in CO2 mobility control.
Gelation Time and Gel Quality . Gelation time and gel
quality were determined by the so-called bottle tests. In these
tests; numerous compositions with different concentrations of
polyacrylamide and Cr +3 acetate crosslinker were prepared
and placed in the oven at reservoir temperature where the
gelation properties such as cloudiness, viscosification, gelation,
and syneresis of these mixtures were evaluated visually. The
evaluation is not performed by a specific measurement, it rather
depends on visual observation according to the criteria given
in the literature.
In laboratory tests, the quality and uniqueness of the mixing
water to be used in the field test and the formation water
are of great importance as they have a distinct impact on
the performance of the gel in the field. Because of this
importance, the actual mixing water that will be used in the
field in preparation of polymer gel solutions was supplied from
the field and this original water was used in the laboratory tests
in preparation of polymer gel mixtures.
In bottle tests, the mentioned amounts (by weight) of
polyacrylamide and crosslinker were added to 100 gr of
mixing water and the solutions were placed in the oven at
reservoir temperature of 60 C (140 F). The gelation time
that is determined visually was recorded. The polymer gel
compositions and gelation times for Alcoflood 254 S and
Alcoflood 935 polymers and Cr +3 acetate crosslinker are given
in Table-1 and Table-2 respectively.
As it is obvious from the gelation results given in above
Tables-1 and 2; Alcoflood 254 S and Alcoflood 935 polymers
show different gelation behavior. Generally, Alcoflood 254 S
is a polymer that makes gels of 1.5 - 3 hours gelation time and
in the end form a rigid gel. On the other hand; however,
Alcoflood 935 is a polymer showing a gradual and slow
gelation behavior and the resulting gel is a weak, flowing gel.
In fact, because of these different gelation characteristics which

Core Flooding Tests for CO2 Permeability Reduction Determination . In core flooding tests; core plugs of Bat Raman
field were used. The core plugs were saturated with the formation water and then, the previously determined gel solution
was injected. The core was shut-in for overnight for gel set.
Then, the test was finalized by injection of CO2 (Dodan) gas.
Core flooding tests were also performed at 60C.
Core Flooding Test of Alcoflood 254 S Gel. The gel
solution of the given below composition was used in the test.
For 100 gr of solution; 3 gr Alcoflood 254 S and 1.46 gr Cr
+3 acetate were added.
In the first phase of the test where formation water was
flowing, the pressure drop was about 30 35 psi. While the
gel solution was being injected for 3 PVs, although the flow
rate was reduced gradually, still the pressure drop increased up
to 1980 psi. After the shut-in period for the gel set-up, CO2
was injected. During the CO2 injection the flow pressure was
up to 1910 psi but still there was not any flow of gas. CO2
injection was stopped, and upon waiting for several days, still
there was no gas flow through the core.
Core Flooding Test of Alcoflood 935 Gel . The gel solution
of the given below composition was used in the test. For 100
gr of solution; 1 gr of Alcoflood 935 and 0.1 gr Cr +3 acetate
were added.
In the first phase of the test, the formation water flow
pressure drop was about 35 40 psi. While the gel solution
was injected for about 3 PVs , pressure drop increased up to
1800 psi, although the flow rate was also decreased gradually.
After the shut-in period for the gel set-up, the CO2 injection
was started and when the pressure drop reached 2100 psi,
there was gas breakthrough and one to two cc of gel was
extruded. However, when the CO2 injection was stopped and

SPE 50798

LABORATORY STUDIES ON POLYMER GELS FOR CO2 MOBILITY CONTROL AT BAT RAMAN HEAVY OILFIELD,
TURKEY

flooding tests indicated that the gels made with Alcoflood 254
S and Alcoflood 935 were effective in providing a stable and
residual reduction in CO2 permeability. If a treatment of nearwellbore profile modification type is required then the rigid
Alcoflood 254 S gel would be selected. However, if a mobility
reduction type, deep penetrating treatment is intended then the
weak and flowing Alcoflood 935 gel would be appropriate.

upon waiting for several days for CO2 flow by itself, the
pressure was still around 1850 psi and there was no other gas
flow or gel extrusion.
In summary, the following conclusions can be drawn from
the core flooding tests.
The Alcoflood 254 S gel has proved its durable and rigid
behavior, that was observed in bottle tests, in the core flooding
test too; by prohibiting the gas flow under about 2000 psi
pressure drop.
On the other hand; Alcoflood 935 gel which was a weak
and flowing gel in the bottle tests, has been successful in the
core flooding test. Although, because of its weakness, there
has been gas breakthrough and some gel extrusion, still the gel
provided a reduction in gas permeability under about 1800 psi
pressure difference.
Consequently, in porous media, both of these polymer
gels have performed according to their intended properties by
providing a stable gas permeability reduction effect.

Acknowledgments
The author thanks to Turkish Petroleum Corp. for permission
to publish this paper and to Allied Colloids for providing the
laboratory samples of polymers and crosslinker.
References
1. Woods,P., Schramko,K., Turner,D., Dalrymple,D. and Vinson,E:. In-situ Polymerization Controls CO2 / Water Channeling at Lick Creek paper SPE/DOE 14958 presented at the
Fifth Symposium on Enhanced Oil Recovery, Tulsa, OK, April
2023, 1986.
2. Martin,F.D., Kovarik,F.S., Chang,P.W., Goldman,I.M. and
Philips,J.C. : Gels for CO2 Profile Modification , paper
SPE/DOE 17330 presented at the SPE/DOE Enhanced Oil
Recovery Symposium , Tulsa, OK, April 1720, 1988.
3. Borling, D.C. : Injection Conformance Control Case Histories Using Gels at the Wertz Field CO2 Tertiary Flood in
Wyoming, U.S.A. , paper SPE/DOE 27825 presented at the
SPE/DOE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, OK,
April 1720, 1994.

Conclusions
These laboratory studies were performed in regard of testifying
the applicability of polymer gels for mobility control in CO2
injection project at Bat Raman heavy oilfield. Polyacrylamide
(Alcoflood 254 S and Alcoflood 935) and crosslinker (Cr
+3 acetate) samples for the gels were supplied from the
polyacrylamide manufacturer Allied Colloids.
Gel compositions determined by the bottle tests were
employed in core flooding tests. The results of the core
TABLE 1 : GEL COMPOSITIONS OFALCOFLOOD 254 S
Alcoflood 254 S , gr

Cr+3Acetate ,gr

Gelation Status

1.46

No gelation

10

1.46

Gel in 1.5 hours

1.46

Gelation starts in

1.46

Gel in 2 hours

1.46

Gelation starts in

2.92

Gel in 1.5 hours

2.19

Gelation starts in

2.5 hours, gel in 3.5 hours

2.5 hours, weak gel

2 hours, gel in 3 hours

TABLE 2 : GEL COMPOSITIONS OFALCOFLOOD

935
+3

Alcoflood 935 , gr

Cr Acetate ,gr

Gelation Status

0.5

0.44

Gelation stars in

1.46

Gelation stars in

2.5 hours, weak gel

1
1 hour, weak gel

Alcoflood 935 , gr

Cr+3Acetate ,gr

Gelation Status

0.5

0.1

Viscous solution

0.1

Very weak,

0.3

Weak gelation in

flowing gel
0.5
3.5 hours and
syneresis*

NAZAN N. SENOL TOPGDER

Alcoflood 935 , gr

Cr+3Acetate ,gr

Gelation Status

0.3

Gelation starts in

2.5 hours, gel in 4

hours
syneresis : degradation of gel, free water phase

SPE 50798