To address the challenges of conventional temporary plugging agents in oilfield development, such as inefficient gel breaking at later stages, prolonged degradation time, low gel strength, and significant permeability damage caused by residues, this study developed a self-degrading nano-composite gel temporary plugging agent (PAE) based on a physicochemical cross-linking strategy. The PAE was synthesized via free radical polymerization in aqueous solution using acrylamide (AM), acrylic acid (AA), polyethylene glycol diacrylate (AE), and hydrophobic monomer stearyl methacrylate (SMA), with nano-silica (SiO₂) incorporated to reinforce the cross-linked network. The effects of cross-linker (MBA) dosage, hydrophobic monomer content, initiator (APS) concentration, and temperature on gelation time and strength were systematically investigated. The degradation behavior of PAE under varying temperatures (70-120 ℃), pH (3-12), and salinity (20-50 g/L) was elucidated. Characterization techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were employed to analyze the microstructure, chemical composition, and thermal stability of PAE. Experimental results demonstrated that under the optimized conditions (monomer concentration 8%, APS 0.2%, SMA 0.4%, and temperature 70 ℃), PAE exhibited controllable gelation time (30-120 min) and formed a dense three-dimensional network with a gel strength of grade 9 (no deformation upon inversion). The degradation time of PAE ranged from 3 to 10 h at 70- 120 ℃, with post-degradation viscosity below 10 mPa·s, significantly outperforming conventional agents (>96 h). Sand-packed tube tests revealed a breakthrough pressure gradient of 1.870 MPa/m and a plugging efficiency exceeding 90%. Core flooding experiments confirmed a permeability recovery rate above 90% after gel breaking, indicating minimal formation damage. Mechanistic studies revealed that the high plugging strength of PAE originated from the synergistic enhancement of physicochemical dual-crosslinking networks and nano-SiO2, while self-degradation was achieved through ester bond saponification under alkaline conditions and dissociation of hydrophobic association networks. This research provides a theoretical foundation and technical solution for developing high-performance, environmentally friendly temporary plugging agents in oilfield applications
Key words:
nanomaterials; unstable crosslinkers; hydrophobic monomers; composites; polymer; gel
收稿日期: 2025-06-13
PACS:
基金资助:
通讯作者:
jinhuicq@petrochina.com.cn
引用本文:
金辉. 纳米复合凝胶自降解暂堵剂制备及性能评价. 石油科学通报, 2025, 10(03): 590-602 JIN Hui. Preparation and performance evaluation of composite nano gel self-degrading temporary plugging agent. Petroleum Science Bulletin, 2025, 10(03): 590-602.