Aqueous Polymer-Surfactant Mixtures for Wellbore Treatment and Completion

Tuesday, April 3, 2012: 2:00 PM
Grand Ballroom H (Hilton of the Americas)
Mario R. Rojas, School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, Jeffrey Harwell, Chemical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK and Bor-Jier Shiau, School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

The rheological properties of mixtures of associative and non-associative polymers with anionic and non-ionic surfactants was studied in natural and artificial brines for their application in wellbore cleaning.  The designed fluids offer enhanced rheological properties for high solid suspension, minimum invasion to the formation and removal of the filter-cake.  Different surfactants were tested for their ability to interact with the polymers to increase viscosity and improve the cleaning process while reducing the amount of polymer needed in the formulation.

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