Interpretation of permeability-dependent residual resistance factors caused from polymer retention using selection of mechanical trapping constant

Abstract

Polymer retention is challenging issue in transport of polymer through porous media. Previous studies have not researched retention considering pore size related to permeability substantially. The retention is of importance with respect to not only polymer loss but also permeability reduction. For this reason, accurate representation of polymer retention affected by pore size is necessary. This study proposes a new method to correlate permeability reduction with pore radius. The proposed method improves estimation of permeability reduction for both low and high permeability cores. In addition, polymer flood is assessed with estimated permeability reduction by proposed method in field-scale model.