Laboratory Investigation and Empirical Modelling of Polymer Solution Viscosity

Abstract

Polymer flooding, an improved oil recovery technique, is a well-established method for improving oil production. Although numerous polymers have been suggested in the literature, identifying suitable ones for applications in high-temperature and high-salinity carbonate reservoirs remains a challenging task. The viscosity of polymer solutions depends on various parameters, including polymer concentration, temperature, and shear rate. Therefore, screening polymers for these demanding conditions necessitates meticulous experimental work. In this experimental study, polymer solutions' physical property—viscosity—was measured as a function of polymer concentration, temperature, and shear rate. Subsequently, the generated rheological data were used to develop empirical models capable of predicting the viscosity of polymer solutions under various conditions. An acceptable match was achieved between the experimental and model-predicted data. Furthermore, a validation was conducted for the empirical models, yielding a root mean square error of 1.75. These models will significantly reduce the number of experiments required for the screening process and prove valuable for optimization procedures.