Excessive water production in gas
wells causes recovery problems and decreased
economic benefits of gas extraction in the area.
When drilling for gas, water reservoirs are also
presents and are hit. The influx of water into the
gas well requires the gas to lift the water from the
bottom to the surface. As the water influx increases
the gas production decreases and eventually the gas
well stops flowing.
Many research groups like the
Alberta Research Council are working on water
abatement strategies. One idea is to develop gels to
block the water influx. A polymer gel rod or slug is
placed near the well bore where the water is
interrupting the gas flow. Nitrogen gas is injected
into the well that will displace the gel away from
the well bore but opens new channels for the gas to
escape through to the well bore. The gas avoids the
water and can be then extracted.
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