Status of Polymer-Flooding Technology

Polymer flooding is the most commonly applied chemical enhanced-oil-recovery technique. This paper provides an update on the status of polymer-flooding technology, focusing more on field applications than on theoretical and laboratory research. It covers the following topics: • Mechanisms of polymer flooding • Polymers used • Polymer-solution stability • Technical screening criteria • Laboratory and simulation work • Performance-monitoring technique • Summary of pilots and large-scale applications • Experience and learning from field projects • Polymer flooding in heavy-oil reservoirs • Polymer viscoelastic properties • Problems associated with polymer flooding and their solutions • Future developments The data and analysis presented in this paper will give readers updated information describing polymer flooding, as well as a guide to the relevant research. Survey data will also provide operators with reference data for project design and optimization.