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In Situ Nanosilica-Based Fluid for Water Shutoff: A Kinetic Study
Mohammed Alabdrabalnabi1, Murtada Saleh Aljawad2,3, Mustafa Al-Ramadan2,3
1EXPEC ARC, Saudi Aramco, 31311 Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
ACS Omega
|March 10, 2025
Summary
This study presents nanosilica as a cost-effective solution for water shutoff, developing a kinetic model to predict gelation time (GT) for optimized field applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
Background:
- Water shutoff is crucial in oil and gas production to manage water production.
- Nanosilica offers a sustainable and economical alternative for in situ gelation.
- Accurate prediction of gelation time (GT) is vital to prevent premature gelation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reaction kinetics of a nanosilica-based in situ gel system.
- To develop and validate a kinetic model for predicting gelation time (GT).
- To assess the impact of temperature and activator concentration on GT.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring viscosity development using a high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) viscometer.
- Examining chemical properties before, during, and after gelation.
- Developing and validating a kinetic model based on experimental data.
Main Results:
- Gelation time (GT) is exponentially related to temperature and activator concentration.
- The reaction order of nanosilica was found to be higher than that of the activator.
- A robust kinetic model was developed and validated against laboratory experiments.
Conclusions:
- The developed kinetic model accurately predicts nanosilica gelation time (GT).
- The model enables optimization and design of nanosilica treatments for water shutoff.
- Nanosilica presents a viable, economical, and sustainable solution for targeted water control.
