Water Shutoff in the North Sea: Testing a New Polymer Gel System in the Heather Field, UKCS Block 2/5

Abstract

Summary: A new polymer gel system developed for high-temperature applications was successfully employed on Well H-43 of the Heather Field to isolate a high-rate water production zone. The high-temperature, organic polymer gel system has demonstrated long-term stability when mixed with seawater at temperatures as high as 350°F. Gel times can be delayed, allowing a large volume of polymer gelant to be placed. For Well H-43, 1,095 bbl of gelant were pumped through 1½-in. coiled tubing into a 15-ft layer of the Brent Group. The treatment increased oil production by 300 B/D and decreased water production by 2,290 B/D. A production log run 8 months later confirmed effective isolation, allowing the lower Brent to produce.