Abstract

Research Article 

Investigation on guar gum and chitosan based polymer composite for oilfield water shut off fluid

Siti Nuraffini Kamarulizam and Suzylawati Ismail^*

School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.

^*Corresponding author e-mail: chsuzy@usm.my

(Received: 25/04/2020; Revised: 15/05/2020; Accepted: 21/05/2020)

ABSTRACT

The present study highlights the performance of guar gum and chitosan based polymer composite (GG-CH-g-PAN/AA) as water shut off polymer solution for oilfield application. Study on salinity percentage, type of salts, pH and temperature for the salt present in formulation and salts contact with the polymer were investigated. The results of physical-chemicals parameters show that the composite polymer gave positive feedback as water shut off fluid at 60◦C and strength of fully developed polymer was obtained at 0.68 bar.  The alteration in the appearance of GG-CH-g-PAN/AA from liquid gel to rigid polymer was achieved at the time difference between 120 minutes and 720 minutes, respectively. Expansion of polymer was noticed at high temperature due to excessive imbibition, meanwhile at low temperature for the same polymer showed shrinking behavior due to syneresis. Polymer GG-CH-g-PAN/AA exhibited 99.98% water permeability reduction and resulting to a significant characteristic as polymeric water shut off fluid. 

Keywords: Guar Gum, Chitosan, Water Shut Off Fluid, Water Control