Abstract

Profile control is utilized to redirect the injection water to low permeability region where a large amount of crude oil lies. Performed gel particles are the commonly used agent for redistributing water by blocking the pores in high permeability region. But the capability of deep penetration of performed gel particles is poor. Here, we formulate nanoparticle stabilized emulsion (NSE). The stability and the effect of NSE on the fluid redirection in a three-dimensional porous medium were investigated. By using μ-PIV (particle image velocimetry), it was found that the velocity gradient of continuous fluid close to the nanoparticle stabilized droplets is much higher than that close to surfactant stabilized droplets. NSE behaves as solid particle in preferential seepage channels, which will decrease effectively the permeability, thereby redirecting the subsequent injection water. Furthermore, NSE shows high stability compared with emulsion stabilized by surfactant in static and dynamic tests. In addition, water flooding tests also confirm that the NSE can significantly reduce the permeability of porous media and redirect the fluid flow. Our results demonstrate NSE owns high potential to act as profile control agent in deep formation.