Neftyanaya Provintsiya
electronic peer-reviewed scholarly publication
Neftyanaya provintsiya No. 2(46), 2026

Justification of the use of polymer flooding in oil fields with low viscosity

K.D. Tagirov, A.A. Podkorytov, A.D. Mukhametdinova
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25689/NP.2026.2.129-140

Abstract


The article is devoted to the justification of the use of polymer flooding technology to increase oil recovery in fields with low-viscosity oil. The well-established opinion is refuted that polymer flooding is effective only for high-viscosity oils, while low-viscosity ones should use technologies based on surfactants (surfactants). The authors prove that the key efficiency factor is not only the viscous, but also the viscoelastic properties of polymer solutions. These properties, which manifest themselves at high concentrations of polymer (polyacrylamide), contribute to the formation of a more even displacement front and the involvement of residual oil in the development. The paper analyzes the parameters affecting the manifestation of elastic properties: the concentration of PAA, its molecular weight and mineralization of reservoir water. Polymer flooding may be a more cost-effective and efficient technology for increasing oil recovery compared to surfactant polymer flooding for low-viscosity oil fields.

Key words:

enhanced oil recovery, polymer flooding, oil recovery coefficient, viscoelastic properties, displacement coefficient, displacement front, water mineralization, molecular weight

References

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Authors

K.D. Tagirov, Chief Manager, RN-Geologiya Research and Development LLC
42 Maxim Gorky St., Tyumen, 625048, Russian Federation
E-mail: kdtagirov@rn-gir.rosneft.ru

A.A. Podkorytov, Senior Manager, RN-Geologiya Research and Development LLC
42 Maxim Gorky St., Tyumen, 625048, Russian Federation
E-mail: AA_Podkorytov2@rn-gir.rosneft.ru

A.D. Mukhametdinova, Specialist, RN-Geologiya Research and Development LLC
42 Maxim Gorky St., Tyumen, 625048, Russian Federation
E-mail: AD_Mukhametdinova@rn-gir.rosneft.ru

For citation:

K.D. Tagirov, A.A. Podkorytov, A.D. Mukhametdinova Obosnovanie primeneniya polimernogo zavodneniya na mestorozhdeniyax malovyazkoy nefti [Justification of the use of polymer flooding in oil fields with low viscosity]. Neftyanaya Provintsiya, No. 2(46), 2026. pp. 129-140. DOI https://doi.org/10.25689/NP.2026.2.129-140. EDN EEVTQQ (in Russian)

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