Investigating the application of reactive polymers in fluid loss control

Abstract

Abstract Water reactive polymers are rapid setting fluids that exhibit high viscosity after being exposed to water to control severe fluid loss. In this study, the performance of a water reactive polymer is studied through a series of fluid loss experiments. Various unconsolidated and permeable formations were simulated using different sand size grades, with the change in permeability being recorded after applying the reactive polymer under different operating conditions. The results showed 62–100% permeability reductions depending on the initial value of permeability and operating conditions. In addition, the setting time of the reactive polymer was obtained at different water concentrations and temperatures by monitoring the viscosity of the reactive polymer using a Brookfield viscometer. The results indicate that a hydration time of 30 min is satisfactory to reach an acceptable viscosity for all hydration volumes tested. At lower hydration volumes, the viscosity increased rapidly at the same rate and reached the same maximum viscosity. As hydration volume increased, both the rate of increase and maximum viscosity were reduced.

Keywords

• Fluid loss
• Drilling fluid
• Reactive polymer
• Polymer
• PHPA
• LCM