An integrated 3D model of water shutoff considering the gelation kinetics of nanosilica gel

The latest developments in nanosilica gel technology hold great promise for mitigating excessive water production in oil and gas wells. Nevertheless, to unlock the full potential of this technology, advanced modeling techniques are required to accurately predict and design optimal placement strategies, ensuring effective and efficient treatment outcomes. Numerical simulations play a vital role in the design and optimization of water shutoff treatments, but their potential is frequently compromised by two significant shortcomings: the oversimplification of gel behavior and the neglect of formation heterogeneity. These limitations can result in inaccurate predictions, suboptimal treatment designs, and reduced effectiveness, underscoring the need for more sophisticated and realistic simulation approaches that can accurately capture the intricate interactions between the gel, formation, and fluid properties. By addressing these limitations, advanced numerical simulations can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex processes involved, enabling the development of more effective and efficient water shutoff treatments that maximize well performance and minimize environmental impact. This study presents a groundbreaking 3D modeling approach that simulates water shutoff operations using Nanosilica gel, addressing the complexities of gel behavior and formation heterogeneity. By integrating experimental data, mathematical formulations, and computational simulations, the model reveals the intricate relationships between key factors such as injection rate, fluid temperature, treatment volume, activator concentration, and formation properties. The simulation results emphasize the need to strike a delicate balance between competing factors, including gel penetration, temperature cooldown, and gelation time, to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. Furthermore, the model demonstrates the significant impact of formation heterogeneity on gel distribution and performance, highlighting the importance of considering localized variations in permeability and porosity during the design phase. This innovative approach provides a powerful tool for optimizing treatment success, reducing water management costs, and improving overall efficiency in oil and gas fields.