Polyacrylamide (PAM/HPAM) Polymers Unlocking Extra Barrels in Mature Oilfields

Many oilfields today are no longer in the easy-production phase. Water cut rises, decline rates accelerate, and conventional waterflooding delivers less and less incremental oil. At the same time, operators face pressure to improve recovery from existing assets instead of relying only on new exploration.

In this context, polymer flooding with high-performance polyacrylamide (PAM/HPAM) has emerged as a reliable enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology. By carefully controlling mobility and sweep inside the reservoir, operators can tap into remaining reserves that standard waterflooding cannot reach.

Bluwat Chemicals specializes in manufacturing engineered PAM/HPAM polymers for EOR projects, supplying oilfields in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America with consistent, field-proven products.

From Simple Waterflooding to Engineered Polymer Flooding

In a classic waterflood, low-viscosity water tends to rush through high-permeability channels and fractures. The injected water bypasses large areas of the reservoir, creating an uneven displacement front and leaving pockets of oil behind.

By dissolving PAM/HPAM polymers into the injection water, operators can redesign this process:

• Viscosity of injection water is increased in a controlled way
• Mobility ratio between oil and water is improved
• Sweep becomes more uniform across different layers
• Water breakthrough becomes slower and more predictable

The net effect is a more efficient displacement of oil, higher recovery factors, and a longer productive life for mature fields.

The Role of PAM/HPAM in Mobility Control

Polyacrylamide polymers used in EOR are usually partially hydrolyzed (HPAM), giving them the right balance of water solubility, charge density, and molecular weight. When properly selected and prepared, these polymers provide:

• High thickening efficiency at practical field dosages
• Stable viscosity under reservoir temperature and salinity
• Good shear resistance in pumps, pipes, and wellbore
• Good propagation through porous media

These properties allow EOR engineers to fine-tune the viscosity profile of injected water to achieve the desired flow behavior and sweep pattern inside the reservoir.

Key Design Parameters for EOR Polymer Selection

Choosing the right polymer is not just about molecular weight. Several reservoir and brine parameters must be evaluated before finalizing the product:

• Temperature: reservoir and surface temperatures influence polymer stability and viscosity
• Salinity and hardness: total dissolved solids (TDS) and divalent ions affect polymer hydration
• Permeability and heterogeneity: layer contrast and rock properties drive injectivity and sweep behavior
• Brine composition: compatibility with injection water and existing chemical program
• Shear environment: expected shear rates in mixing systems, pipelines, and completion

Bluwat Chemicals works with operators and service companies to match PAM/HPAM grades to these conditions, ensuring that the selected polymer will perform efficiently under real field constraints.

Bluwat’s EOR Polymer Portfolio

To address different types of reservoirs and operational needs, Bluwat offers a comprehensive range of polyacrylamide products, including:

• Conventional HPAM for low to moderate salinity waterfloods
• Salt-tolerant polymers for high TDS and high hardness brines
• Temperature-resistant grades for medium to high temperature reservoirs
• Ultra-high molecular weight polymers for strong viscosity at low dosage
• Specialty PAM grades optimized for low-permeability or heterogeneous formations

Each product is manufactured under strict quality control, with a focus on molecular weight distribution, residual monomer content, and consistent performance in field brines.

From Laboratory Screening to Field Deployment

An EOR polymer project typically moves through several steps. Bluwat supports operators throughout this workflow:

1. Laboratory Evaluation

Brine samples and temperature data are used to screen suitable PAM/HPAM grades. Viscosity, stability, and filterability are tested to identify the most appropriate products and dosage ranges.

2. Core Flood and Simulation

Selected polymers are evaluated in core flooding or sand-pack tests to study injectivity, resistance factor, and residual resistance factor. Results support reservoir simulation and field design.

3. Pilot Polymer Flood

A limited number of injection and production wells are used to test the polymer flood under real operating conditions. Performance data is collected and compared against offset waterflood wells.

4. Full-Field Expansion

Once the pilot confirms technical and economic benefits, polymer flooding is extended to a larger part of the reservoir, supported by reliable product supply and optimized mixing/injection systems.

Operational and Economic Advantages for Operators

When designed correctly, polymer flooding with PAM/HPAM can offer multiple advantages compared to conventional waterflooding alone:

• Higher ultimate oil recovery from existing reservoirs
• Reduced water production and more favorable oil–water ratio
• More stable and predictable production profiles
• Better utilization of existing infrastructure and wells
• Improved economics per barrel produced in mature fields

These benefits help operators extend the productive life of their assets while managing cost and operational risk.

Why Polyacrylamide from Bluwat Chemicals

With decades of experience in polyacrylamide manufacturing and global export, Bluwat Chemicals is recognized as a dependable partner for oilfield EOR chemicals. The company provides:

• Factory-direct production with steady capacity for long-term projects
• Tight quality control to ensure consistent polymer performance
• Technical support for product selection, testing, and implementation
• Flexible packaging and logistics tailored to oilfield operations
• A portfolio of PAM/HPAM products proven in multiple international reservoirs

By combining robust polymer technology with practical field understanding, Bluwat Chemicals helps operators design and execute EOR programs that recover more oil from existing reservoirs in a controlled, predictable way.