The global demand for energy necessitates maximizing the extraction of oil from existing reservoirs. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques are vital in achieving this, and polyacrylamide (PAM) plays a pivotal role in many of these advanced methods, particularly in polymer flooding.

In conventional oil extraction, a significant portion of the oil often remains trapped in the reservoir rock. EOR techniques are designed to mobilize this residual oil. Polymer flooding, a widely used chemical EOR method, utilizes high-molecular-weight PAM solutions to increase the viscosity of the injected water. Crude oil is typically much more viscous than water. Without viscosity modification, the injected water tends to bypass the oil, flowing through the most permeable pathways in the reservoir and leaving a substantial amount of oil behind.

By injecting PAM solutions, the viscosity of the water is significantly increased. This higher viscosity water is more effective at displacing the oil, pushing it towards the production wells. Essentially, the PAM solution creates a more stable displacement front, preventing viscous fingering (where the less viscous injected fluid bypasses the oil) and improving the sweep efficiency across the reservoir. This leads to a substantial increase in the amount of oil recovered compared to water flooding alone.

The effectiveness of PAM in EOR is influenced by several factors, including its molecular weight, concentration, and stability under reservoir conditions (temperature, pressure, salinity, and shear forces). Specific grades of PAM are engineered to withstand these harsh conditions and maintain their viscosity-imparting properties. Understanding the polyacrylamide applications in the oil industry, especially for enhanced oil recovery, requires careful consideration of reservoir characteristics.

Furthermore, PAM's role extends to other aspects of oilfield operations, such as in drilling fluids, where it helps to control viscosity and stabilize shale formations, and in produced water treatment, where it aids in removing residual oil and suspended solids before discharge or reinjection.

NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD. supplies high-performance polyacrylamide for the oil and gas industry. Our specialized PAM grades are designed to optimize EOR processes, enhance drilling fluid performance, and support efficient produced water management. We are dedicated to providing solutions that improve extraction efficiency and operational profitability.