Effect of Rheology on Gel Placement

Summary This study investigates whether rheology can be exploited to eliminate the need for zone isolation during gel placement. Eight different Theological models were used to represent the properties of existing non-Newtonian gelling agents. Gel placement was examined in linear and radial parallel corefloods and in fractured and unfractured injection wells. The analysis indicates that, compared with water-like gelling agents, existing non-Newtonian gelling agents will not reduce the need for zone isolation during gel placement in radial-flow systems.