Viscous-Elastic Polymer Fluids Rheology and Its Effect Upon Production Equipment

OverviewThe rheology of polyacrylamide solutions and the effect of viscous-elastic fluids upon production equipment are described. Methods to solve the negative effects of viscous-elastic fluids on equipment are also introduced.The results of the modification(s) on the system and equipment show that the service life of equipment more than doubled, mechanical degradation of polymer decreased more than 50%, and energy consumption decreased markedly.SummaryMost flow systems and equipment for the injection, production, and gathering of large amounts of fluid are designed for Newtonian fluids. Now, an increasing number of oil fields are on viscous-elastic flooding. After flooding by polyacrylamide (PAM) fluids, it was seen that the flow of this type of fluid in production and surface systems and equipment has its special characteristics, which in turn require special designs for the equipment and flow process.This paper introduces the actual performance of the production and surface flow systems and equipment, and points out the influence that the special rheologic characteristics, especially the viscous-elastic nature of the fluid, has on the system and the modification made. For example, there is a normal force acting on the beam pump sucker rods that causes pronounced eccentric mechanical wear on one side of the sucker rods and thereby very short service life for beam-pump wells. This normal force significantly lowers the efficiency of centrifugal pumps, increases the vibration and mechanical degradation in triplex pumps and the whole system, lowers the efficiency of maturing tanks and static mixers, etc.The modifications on the system and equipment and their results are shown. For example, the service life of beam pumps more than doubled; mechanical degradation of polymer in the system and triplex pumps decreased more than 50 and 70%, respectively; and the energy consumption of mixing equipment decreased 80%, among other results.