Abstract
With oilfields around the world becoming older and more mature, there is an increasing focus on the large quantities of water that are being produced and how these should be managed; both from an economic and environmental perspective. Relative Permeability Modifiers (RPMs) may be a simple and effective method of controlling water production without risking damage to any oil-producing zone. This is of particular interest for marginal wells where the operator cannot justify spending a significant budget allocation on fully diagnosing the nature of the problem for a blocking treatment or zonal isolation is not possible.
The selective nature of RPM type treatments allows for a minimal amount of diagnosis to be used, however the degree to which water production is reduced will not be as significant as that for a blocking treatment. Modelling studies have shown however that, under certain circumstances, Bullhead Application of RPM Treatments in the Near Wellbore region (5-10 ft) can lead, not only to a reduction in the volume of water produced but also an increase in oil production.
This paper describes the area of Relative Permeability Modifier treatments and the approach that Baker Petrolite takes in the selection, design, and evaluation of potential field applications. This includes the laboratory evaluation of the impact of the RPM treatment on a typical piece of reservoir core and the assessment of this laboratory response on the well in question, using a near wellbore treatment design model.
We stress, however, that we view RPM technology as simply one option in the area of water management and is not universally in all cases for water control.