Workshop Summary
Gelled Polymers and Their Applications
December 6, 2000 - Wichita, KS
Gelled Polymers and Their Applications
December 6, 2000 - Wichita, KS
The North Midcontinent PTTC presented a workshop titled "Gelled Polymers and Their Applications" on December 6, 2000 in Wichita, Kansas. The purpose of the workshop was to acquaint operators with the different types of polymer gels on the market, the situations they are best used for and how they may be utilized for excess water production problems and increase sweep efficiency in waterfloods. Attendance was excellent with 52 participants from Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado and Illinois.
Topics presented were:
- "Development and Application of Polymer Gels for Water Control" by G. Paul Willhite of TORP,
- "Basics of Polymers and Gelled Polymers" by Stan McCool of TORP,
- "A Strategy of Conformance Solutions" by Randy Seright of PRRC,
- "The Technology of Conformance Solutions" by Dwyann Dalrymple of Halliburton Energy,
- "Gel Treatment Modifications Provide Effective Methods for Reducing Water Production in Carbonate Reservoirs" by Dan Pender of Gel Technologies,
- "Alkaline Surfactant Polymer Flood and Brief Case History Review" by Jim Sutphen of Ciba Specialty Chemicals,
- "Thirty Years of Gelled Polymer Experience Improves Results of Recent Treatments in U.S. Midcontinent Reservoirs: A Medley of Case Studies" by J. T. Portwood of TIORCO, Inc., and
- "Long-term Results of Polymer Gel Treatments for Water Control" by Randy Prater of Polymer Systems, Inc."
Some additional workshop topics requested by operators were waterflooding, hydraulic fracturing, polymers used for gas wells, EPA assessments - fines and remedies, new logging techniques - EMRIL, horizontal drilling update, down-hole injection, and methods of reducing lifting costs in carbonate reservoirs. Comments from operators were favorable, including "Excellent workshop and do more of the same", "These workshops are my primary access to new/better technology", and "Very good program and excellent speakers."