New advancements in oil well management aim to improve efficiency and reduce costs during the production process. Specifically, the ball-pitching plugging-selection profile control technology demonstrates promising results for fine profile control within layered waterflooding wells.
This innovative approach, which utilizes polymer balls to plug up perforations in the well, aims to optimize waterflooding by enhancing the movement of fluids through the reservoir. The research paper led by multiple authors presents findings from both numerical simulations and practical experiments to showcase how this technique can significantly boost oil production.
Prior to the emergence of this technology, conventional methods of waterflooding faced numerous challenges such as high labor intensity, inability to maintain consistent efficiency, and wasted resources due to water rushing along high permeability layers. These barriers impeded the efficacy of oil recovery operations, emphasizing the urgent need for new strategies.
Through thorough investigation, the researchers found several key factors influencing the plugging effect, including the waterflooding flow rate, the density, diameter, and quantity of the plugging-selection balls. Specifically, key findings revealed optimal conditions for effective well plugging, such as maintaining the waterflooding flow rate at approximately 2 m3/h, using balls with densities similar to the waterflooding fluid, and selecting balls with diameters of 10 mm. It was also determined the quantity of balls must exceed the number of perforations to achieve maximum plugging efficiency.
The observed plug dynamics showed notable variations across different conditions with balls exhibiting both single and multiple plugging effects as they migrated within the waterflooding process. This dual effect is particularly beneficial for managing varying water absorption capacities across reservoir layers.
Practical applications have already indicated the effectiveness of this profile control technology within typical well setups. For example, implementing the technology across five waterflooding wells resulted not only in significant cost savings—by up to 200% compared to traditional methods—but also improved overall operational efficiency. Enhanced plugging minimized water production and optimized oil yield, demonstrating the method’s vast potential for application across similar scenarios.
Insights from this research will enable operators to fine-tune their oil extraction methods, tailor their approaches to specific well conditions, and maximize productivity. Going forward, the integration of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and big data analytics could facilitate even greater efficiency and adaptability within oil production processes.
With proven efficacy, the ball-pitching plugging-selection profile control technology clearly paves the way for enhanced oil recovery and presents exciting prospects for future exploration and application within this sector.