Interfacial interactions of resin-based plugging agents for formation plugging in oil and gas fields: A review

Based on interface science, research and application analysis are carried out on the interface action mechanism of resin-based plugging agents in the field of formation plugging. This paper outlines the classification, structural characterization, and performance evaluation of resin-based plugging agents. It reviews the research progress and current applications of thermosetting, swelling filling, temperature-sensitive adhesive, and composite resins in the plugging engineering field, elucidating their interfacial mechanisms, which include: dynamic crosslinking curing at the fluid-formation interface, adaptive swelling-filling at the interface of plugging agents, interfacial adhesion enhancement induced by thermal response, and multiphase composite synergism at complex interfaces. The paper also proposes future directions and application prospects for resin plugging agents. Current technologies face challenges such as interfacial adaptability under extreme environments in ultra-deep formations, ecological safety of interface interactions, and accuracy of intelligent interfacial response. Future research should focus on controllable crosslinking for thermosetting resins to optimize interfacial curing, intelligent response for swelling filling resins to enhance interface adaptation, interface strengthening for temperature-sensitive adhesive resin (TSAR) to improve adhesion stability, and multiphase synergy with eco-design for composite systems to regulate complex interfacial behaviors, providing efficient and environmentally friendly solutions for malignant lost circulation control.