Introduction
The two non-renewable energy fuels with the greatest demand are natural gas and
crude oil. Enhancing oil recovery from existing resources is essential given global
trends, energy demands, and the evident decline in oilfield production. This is
because primary and secondary oil recovery strategies can only produce
between one-third and two-fifths of the original oil in place (OOIP).
Furthermore, the Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) goal typically surpasses 40% of
OOIP for light oil reservoirs, whereas it is significantly higher for heavy oil
reservoirs. Waterflooding is a secondary oil recovery technique that displaces crude
oil toward the production well without affecting the rock and fluids' physical or
chemical characteristics. Because of the high mobility ratio that causes viscous
fingering, the process's sweep efficiency and recovery factor are comparatively low.
A few decades ago, polymer flooding was introduced as an efficient chemical EOR
technique to solve this issue. A better (reduced) mobility ratio, increased sweep
efficiency, stable oil/water emulsion, and less water channeling are all
benefits of adding polymer to the injected water, which controls the solution's
rheological characteristics and increases oil recovery. Thermal conditions, salinity,
temperature, and the characteristics of the crude oil all have a significant impact on
how well polymer flooding works. (Ali, 2019)
Polymer flooding is the most widely chemically enhanced oil recovery
(CEOR) technique used in the world. This is mostly because it is less expensive
than other CEOR techniques like surfactant flooding. Additionally, reservoir
engineers around the world are familiar with its application due to its
established technique. Despite its widespread use, many applications of polymer
flooding in reservoirs continue to fail. The intricacy of reservoirs and efforts to
broaden the use of polymers in novel domains and applications, like microfluidics,
are to blame for this. A current guide to the variables that may affect the use of
polymer flooding in both lab research and field projects is necessary because
of the wide range of polymer flooding and polymer types. (Kamel, 2023)
Thus, in this study, we try to offer recommendations regarding the elements
influencing polymer flooding and describe each element and how to get around it
for both lab and field applications of polymer flooding. The various uses of polymer
flooding in the lab and the ways in which polymers can break down in the field are
the main topics of this study. This can lessen polymer flooding issues and failures
in field research as well as laboratory applications.
Guar gum
Guar gum, also known as guaran, is a biopolymer made from Cyamopsis
tetragonoloba. Guar gum, which is primarily made up of mannose
and galactose, has been widely used as an emulsifier, thickener, and stabilizer—
properties that could be helpful in EOR. Applying an external force to it has been
shown to cause pseudoplastic behavior, which is strongly influenced by molecular
weight. Guar gum's relative affordability, resistance to mechanical and thermal
deterioration, and environmental biodegradability have all contributed to its use in
the oil industry. It is now utilized in the chemical flooding process after having
previously been utilized as a fracturing fluid and in the creation of drilling muds. Up
to 35% more oil can be extracted from a reservoir using guar gum polymer for
chemical flooding than from water flooding. Oil recovery is accomplished by
the polymer by decreasing the displacing fluid's mobility. Guar gum
nanocomposite is used because it is thought that combining it with a nanoparticle
will increase recovery by combining the macroscopic and microscopic efficiency of
the polymer and the nanoparticle to achieve greater overall efficiency. (A Sowunmi,
2021)
Factor effecting on Guar gum polymer
Guar gum, a natural polycecaride, is used favorably in the process of oil recovery,
due to its favorable rheological properties. Its efficiency in these applications is
affected by many factors, including temperature, salinity, pH, wind speed, and
microbial decline. At high temperatures, guar gum undergoes a thermal decline,
which reduces viscosity and damages fluid efficiency. To combat this, chemically
modified guar varieties such as hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) are often used to increase
heat resistance. Guar gum is most stable in a neutral to slightly alkaline atmosphere.
On the other hand, high acidity or base conditions can accelerate erosion and low
solubility can be more susceptible to microbial decline in the gum reservoir, which
can further reduce its effectiveness. (Musa, 2021)
Challenges and Considerations
While guar gum powder presents several advantages in oil recovery, there are certain
challenges and considerations to consider. The dosage and concentration of guar
gum powder must be carefully optimized to achieve the desired results. Additionally,
factors such as temperature, salinity, and reservoir conditions can influence guar
gum powder's performance and should be considered during application. (Agro,
2025)
Application of Guar Gum Powder in Oil Extraction
The application of guar gum powder in oil recovery primarily involves its injection
into the reservoir through wells. The gel-like substance created by mixing guar gum
powder with water is injected into the reservoir, where it interacts with the oil and
rock formations. The viscosity of the gel assists in displacing the trapped oil and
improving the sweep efficiency.
Guar gum powder can be applied in various oil recovery techniques, including
hydraulic fracturing and water flooding. In hydraulic fracturing, it is used as a
thickener in fracturing fluids to carry proppants and create fractures in the reservoir
rock, allowing better oil flow. In water flooding, guar gum powder is employed to
modify the properties of injected water, improving its ability to sweep the reservoir
and displace oil. (Agro, 2025)
Properties and Advantages of Guar Gum Powder
Guar gum powder has a number of advantageous qualities for applications
involving oil recovery. It is a better option than synthetic chemicals because it is
non-toxic, biodegradable, and environmentally benign. Guar gum gel's high
viscosity enables it to create a stable barrier between the reservoir
and injected fluids, avoiding early breakthroughs and guaranteeing an effective oil
sweep. Guar gum is also appropriate for a variety of oilfields due to its
compatibility with a range of reservoir conditions. (Agro, 2025)
Water cut
Water cuts are an important parameter in petroleum engineering, which represents
the ratio of water for total liquid production (oil + water) from a well. It is expressed
as one percent and serves as an indicator of the reservoir performance, production
efficiency and potential water -related challenges in hydrocarbon extraction
(Ahmed, 2018).
Causes of High Water Cut
Water coning and cresting: When the pressure difference around the Wellbore draws
water into the production stream from an underlying aquifer (Mohan et al., 2020).
Change in reservoirs: Poor cementing or high-corrosion streaks in formation can
cause water to bypass the oil areas and reach wellbore directly (Shalm 2019).
Lack of reservoirs: such as pressure declines, water saturation increases, causing
high water cut over time (Deck, 2001).
Impact on production
A high water cut increases operational costs due to dealing with water, separation
and disposal requirements. It also reduces oil recovery efficiency and can cause scale
formation, rust and emulsion in production features (lakes, 2010). Effective water
control strategies, such as downhole water shutoff technology and polymer floods,
can help manage excessive water production and increase oil recovery (Thomas,
2015).
Aim of the project
This research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of guar gum polymer floods
for increased oil recovery (EOR), especially aiming to reduce water consumption
and improve oil recovery. The study will assess major factors such as polymer
concentration, injection rate, and wholesale size to customize the flooding process
for maximum oil recovery, reducing water production and polymer use. The
economic and environmental stability of using guar gum as a natural polymer will
also be detected, as well as technical challenges such as polymer fall and reservoir
clogging will be addressed. A simulation structure will be developed using CMG
stars and core flood experiments to predict the performance of guar gum floods under
various reservoir conditions.