Mobility control is one of the most important concepts in any enhanced oil recovery process. Polymers are added to the water phase to increase its viscosity and reduce water permeability and thus decrease its mobility. To choose the best polymer for your conditions several factors have to be taken into account:

Reservoir permeability and oil viscosity largely determine the choice in molecular weight of a suitable polymer.

Reservoir temperature and brine composition have major influence on polymer stability and solubility under given conditions.

Polymer injectivity, propagation profile, and retention behavior need to be considered to identify the most efficient solutions for your field.

RUNZE offers a variety of Polymers which can be used to match diverse crude oils and particularly diverse field conditions.

Standard hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) is the most widely used polymer in enhanced oil recovery applications. HPAM can be obtained either by post hydrolysis of acrylamide homopolymers or by copolymerization of acrylamide and sodium acrylate. Advantages and disadvantages of the different products are summarized here.

When long term stability in highly saline brines at moderate to high temperatures is required, the stability of standard polyacrylamide sodium acrylate copolymers against hydrolysis and degradation might not be sufficient. In this case RZ offers the range of sulfonated polymers. This polymer class is known to be less sensitive to high temperature, high salinity conditions.