There is a need for a new water-soluble po@ for indepthniobflity control in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes at in iate temperatures of 165 to 20(rF in the Mid-Continent area,including Oklahoma and Kansas. Historically, partially hydrolyzedpolyacrylamides and natural polymers have been used in this region. However, in many cases, the polymers cannot withstand temperaturesabove 165F. Also, in essentially all of the earlier EOR pro@, theoperators had to use fresh water when using polyacrylamidesalthough the most available injection fluid is Arbuckle brine. Most polyacrylamides are unstable in the hard brines from Frost ofthe region's reservoirs because of the high concentration ofcalcium and magnesium cations. Furthermore, in Oklahoma any EORproject using fresh water is not eligible for the seven percentexclusion in State severance taxes. Therefore, industry mustdevelop a new " of water-soluble polymer that can be mixed intypical field brines for EOR projects. Phase I will comprise asystetmtic preparation and testing of a series of new copolymers,which potentially have superior performance in the Mid-Continentreservoirs. The copolymers will contain large amounts of theactylan-dde n-tonorrket, which is low cost and readily available,and a second monomer known to protect acrylamide at elevatedtemperatures and salinities. A systematic assessment ofviscosities, temperature stability, solubilities in brines, andother characteristics will be recorded for the new polymem Phase nwill develop and optimize the best of the copolymers and test themin reservoir cores. This testing will be followed by injection andEOR tests with an off operator.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:This Phase I project will identify and demonstratenew polymers that can be applied to Mid-Continent reservoirs with hostile environments, high temperatures, and hard and where nofresh water is available. New and superior polymn for this areawill facilitate n-tore EOR projects in hostile environments.
