Numerical simulation study of factors affecting relative permeability modification for water-shutoff treatments

The results indicated that there are nine parameters which can enhance or downgrade the success of DPR treatments, treatments at oil/gas wells when use of DPR polymer or gel results in Disproportionate Permeability Reduction of treated formation. The performance of DPR treatment was more pronounced at low oil density, low oil viscosity, high gel penetration depth, and at high permeability heterogeneity among layers (linear flow is more dominated). However, the performance of DPR treatments was downgraded if the treatments were applied at high production flowrate, low ratio of residual resistance factor for water (Frrw) to residual resistance factor for oil (Frro), and high G-shape (crossflow indicator) values. Moreover, when the capillary forces dominate the flow (capillary-viscous number > 10), RPM results were not largely encouraging due to water blocking effect. On the other side, in the viscous dominated flow, RPM performance was more pronounced. These factors which were studied in this work can promote a short-term successful remedy, a long-term successful treatment, or even a failed treatment. Some of these factors can be controlled; the operator can choose the optimum level of the parameter, like production flowrate. However, other factors cannot be controlled, but the value of this study is still increase probability of success the treatment prior to field application.