An Experimental Investigation of Silica Nanoparticles Effect on the Rheological Behavior of Polyacrylamide Solution to Enhance Heavy Oil Recovery

The use of polymer flooding as one of enhanced oil recovery methods has recently increased. The occurrence of high shear rates in reservoir and near well bore through perforation nozzles during polymer flooding cause shear degradation of polymers and therefore polymer viscosity has decreased. Rheological behavior of polymer solution in different conditions of oil reservoir is one of the key factors to develop use of polymer solutions. A few researches are available regarding improving rheological behavior of polymeric solution. In this study, to investigate the effect of nanoparticles on rheological behavior of polymer solutions two samples were prepared: polyacrylamide solution in water and suspension of silica nanoparticles in polyacrylamide solution. The sample viscosities in different shear rates were measured. The best rheology models were developed to state rheological behavior of prepared samples and the measured data were compared to power law model. An increase in the viscosity of the suspension solution with respect to polymer solution in different shear rates was observed. Rheological analysis showed that power law model is a good rheology model to demonstrate rheological behavior of suspension in low and medium shear rates and is an acceptable model for polymer solution in low shear rates. Two types of flooding test were performed in a glass micromodel: flooding by polyacrylamide solution and suspension of silica nanoparticles in polyacrylamide solution. The results of flooding test showed a 10% increase in oil recovery for nanosuspension solution in comparison with polymer solution after one pore volume fluid injection.