A polymer-crosslinker-nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formations

Abstract Sand production in weakly consolidated sandstone reservoirs presents a significant challenge for hydrocarbon recovery, affecting both the reservoir stability and productivity. This study introduces a novel chemical sand consolidation formulation comprising polyacrylamide, chromium(III) acet...

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Main Authors: Mysara Eissa Mohyaldinn, Emmanuel Bullen Lado Solomon, Moamen Hassan Mohamed, Fahd Saeed Alakbari, Mohammed A. Ayoub
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-025-02035-2
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author Mysara Eissa Mohyaldinn
Emmanuel Bullen Lado Solomon
Moamen Hassan Mohamed
Fahd Saeed Alakbari
Mohammed A. Ayoub
author_facet Mysara Eissa Mohyaldinn
Emmanuel Bullen Lado Solomon
Moamen Hassan Mohamed
Fahd Saeed Alakbari
Mohammed A. Ayoub
author_sort Mysara Eissa Mohyaldinn
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Sand production in weakly consolidated sandstone reservoirs presents a significant challenge for hydrocarbon recovery, affecting both the reservoir stability and productivity. This study introduces a novel chemical sand consolidation formulation comprising polyacrylamide, chromium(III) acetate, and nano-silica, aimed at enhancing sand control while minimizing permeability reduction. The stability, rheological properties, and compressive strength of the formulation were experimentally evaluated at reservoir-relevant temperatures (25–80 °C) using bottle tests, rheometry, and unconfined compressive-strength measurements. The optimal formulation, containing 9500 ppm polyacrylamide, 2612.5 ppm chromium(III) acetate, and 6500 ppm nano-silica, achieved a compressive strength exceeding 3552.23 kPa, surpassing the typical requirements for weak sandstones. Core flooding experiments indicated a permeability reduction, which was attributed to modifications in the post-gelation pore structure rather than extensive pore blockage. Although the formulation effectively consolidates the formation, minimizing the impact on permeability is crucial for maximizing hydrocarbon recovery. Future research should focus on refining the formulation and injection strategies to further mitigate permeability reduction and optimize the balance between sand control and permeability retention. This innovative approach, incorporating nanoparticles and a lower concentration of the less toxic chromium(III) acetate, offers a promising alternative to conventional sand consolidation methods, with the potential for improved environmental compatibility.
format Article
id doaj-art-8b4657fb98bc4948845f7c10b9f19496
institution Kabale University
issn 2190-0558
2190-0566
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
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record_format Article
series Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology
spelling doaj-art-8b4657fb98bc4948845f7c10b9f194962025-08-24T11:09:23ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology2190-05582190-05662025-07-0115812310.1007/s13202-025-02035-2A polymer-crosslinker-nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formationsMysara Eissa Mohyaldinn0Emmanuel Bullen Lado Solomon1Moamen Hassan Mohamed2Fahd Saeed Alakbari3Mohammed A. Ayoub4Petroleum Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONASPetroleum Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONASPetroleum Engineering Department, Universiti Teknologi PETRONASCenter of Flow Assurance, Institute of Subsurface Resources, Universiti Teknologi PETRONASChemical and Petroleum Engineering Department, United Arab Emirates UniversityAbstract Sand production in weakly consolidated sandstone reservoirs presents a significant challenge for hydrocarbon recovery, affecting both the reservoir stability and productivity. This study introduces a novel chemical sand consolidation formulation comprising polyacrylamide, chromium(III) acetate, and nano-silica, aimed at enhancing sand control while minimizing permeability reduction. The stability, rheological properties, and compressive strength of the formulation were experimentally evaluated at reservoir-relevant temperatures (25–80 °C) using bottle tests, rheometry, and unconfined compressive-strength measurements. The optimal formulation, containing 9500 ppm polyacrylamide, 2612.5 ppm chromium(III) acetate, and 6500 ppm nano-silica, achieved a compressive strength exceeding 3552.23 kPa, surpassing the typical requirements for weak sandstones. Core flooding experiments indicated a permeability reduction, which was attributed to modifications in the post-gelation pore structure rather than extensive pore blockage. Although the formulation effectively consolidates the formation, minimizing the impact on permeability is crucial for maximizing hydrocarbon recovery. Future research should focus on refining the formulation and injection strategies to further mitigate permeability reduction and optimize the balance between sand control and permeability retention. This innovative approach, incorporating nanoparticles and a lower concentration of the less toxic chromium(III) acetate, offers a promising alternative to conventional sand consolidation methods, with the potential for improved environmental compatibility.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-025-02035-2Chemical sand consolidationPermeabilityPolymerNanoparticlesCross-linker
spellingShingle Mysara Eissa Mohyaldinn
Emmanuel Bullen Lado Solomon
Moamen Hassan Mohamed
Fahd Saeed Alakbari
Mohammed A. Ayoub
A polymer-crosslinker-nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formations
Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology
Chemical sand consolidation
Permeability
Polymer
Nanoparticles
Cross-linker
title A polymer-crosslinker-nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formations
title_full A polymer-crosslinker-nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formations
title_fullStr A polymer-crosslinker-nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formations
title_full_unstemmed A polymer-crosslinker-nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formations
title_short A polymer-crosslinker-nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formations
title_sort polymer crosslinker nanoparticles formulation for effective sand consolidation in loose sandstone formations
topic Chemical sand consolidation
Permeability
Polymer
Nanoparticles
Cross-linker
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s13202-025-02035-2
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