Nonionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM) for Oildrilling

CAS No.:

9003-05-8

Molecular Formula:

(C₃H₅NO)_n

Structural Formula:

Property:

Nonionic polyacrylamide (NPAM) is a water-soluble polymer whose molecular chains lack ionic groups. It functions through intermolecular adsorption and bridging effects, playing an irreplaceable role in multiple stages of oilfield extraction.

Nonionic polyacrylamide features a long molecular chain. It adsorbs suspended particles and colloids in water, forming large flocs through bridging action to accelerate solid-liquid separation. It exhibits minimal sensitivity to salinity and pH levels. In highly mineralized oilfield water systems, its stability surpasses that of anionic polyacrylamide.

Upon dissolution, NPAM forms a high-viscosity solution where minimal addition significantly increases liquid viscosity. Its viscosity is relatively unaffected by electrolytes, making it suitable for complex mineralized environments in oilfields.

Nonionic polyacrylamide (NPAM) adsorbs onto reservoir rock surfaces, reducing rock hydrophilicity and improving oil-water flowability ratios. It simultaneously lowers oil-water interfacial tension, aiding in enhanced oil recovery. NPAM exhibits good chemical stability and is resistant to hydrolysis in weakly acidic, weakly alkaline, and high-salinity environments. It adapts well to complex formation water conditions in oilfields (e.g., formations containing high concentrations of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions).

Specification:

Application:

1. Drilling Fluid Treatment Agent

Nonionic polyacrylamide can be used as a drilling fluid loss reducer. The NPAM adsorbs onto clay particles in drilling fluid, forming a dense filter cake that minimizes fluid loss into formations and protects reservoirs from contamination. It also increases drilling fluid viscosity, enhances its ability to suspend and transport cuttings, and prevents stuck pipe incidents.

It is also used as a flocculant. Treats drilling wastewater by flocculating and settling cuttings and clay particles, enabling solid-liquid separation and wastewater recycling.

2. Oil Recovery Phase Additive

In tertiary oil recovery (polymer flooding), when formation water exhibits extremely high mineralization and significant calcium-magnesium ion content, anionic polyacrylamide (APAM) is prone to salt-sensitivity effects that cause viscosity reduction. In such cases, NPAM (nonionic polyacrylamide) is the superior choice. It enhances the viscosity of injected water, reduces water phase permeability, and expands the swept volume, thereby improving crude oil recovery rates. Simultaneously, it can be blended with surfactants to form a dual-phase flooding system, further enhancing oil displacement efficiency.

3. Oilfield Wastewater Treatment

Treatment of Production Wastewater (Oily Sewage): NPAM flocculates oil droplets and suspended solids in wastewater, enabling oil-water separation and solid-liquid separation through flotation or sedimentation processes. This facilitates compliant discharge or reinjection of treated wastewater into formations.

Treatment of Drilling Fluids and Fracturing Flowback Fluids: Flocculation removes suspended solids from waste fluids, reducing turbidity and COD levels to facilitate subsequent treatment.

4. Fracturing Fluid Additives

As a thickener and sand carrier in fracturing fluids, NPAM increases fluid viscosity, suspends proppants (e.g., silica sand), and transports them into formation fractures. Post-fracturing, its degradability (e.g., oxidative degradation) reduces viscosity for surface return, minimizing formation damage.

Usage:

Dissolution Preparation

Dissolution Medium: Use clean water or low-mineralization water for dissolution. Avoid direct use of high-salinity or high-turbidity water to prevent adverse effects on dissolution efficiency.

Dissolution Ratio: Standard concentration ranges from 0.1% to 0.5%. Adjust according to application (e.g., drilling fluid additive concentration: 0.2%~0.3%; wastewater treatment: 0.1%~0.2%).

Dissolution Procedure: First add the measured volume of clean water to the mixing tank and activate the agitator (speed controlled at 200~300 rpm). Slowly and evenly sprinkle the NPAM powder into the water to prevent clumping. Stir for 30~60 minutes until completely dissolved. Allow to settle for 10~20 minutes before use.

Drilling Fluid Addition Method

Slowly add the dissolved NPAM solution to the drilling fluid circulation tank according to the formulation ratio of the drilling fluid system, continuously stirring until thoroughly mixed. Adjust the addition rate in real time based on fluid loss and viscosity changes during drilling operations.

Polymer Injection Method for Oil Recovery

Mix with injection water in specified proportions to prepare a polymer solution meeting viscosity requirements. Inject steadily into the reservoir via injection pumps. Monitor solution viscosity and injection pressure during the process to prevent polymer adsorption loss within the wellbore.

Wastewater Treatment Addition Method

Implement staged dosing: First add the NPAM solution to the wastewater equalization tank. After mixing, observe floc formation. If flocs are small, combine with an inorganic flocculant (e.g., polyaluminum chloride) to enhance flocculation efficiency.

Control pH: Maintain wastewater pH between 5~9, where NPAM exhibits optimal flocculation performance.

Attention:

NPAM powder readily absorbs moisture and must be stored in a sealed container in a dry, well-ventilated area to prevent caking. When dissolving, water temperature should not exceed 40℃, as high temperatures cause molecular chain degradation and reduce performance. Formation conditions vary significantly across different oilfields; laboratory testing is required prior to use to determine the optimal concentration and dosage.

Package and Storage:

25Kg/bag(Powder), 25Kg/bag(Colloid), inner bag is PVC film, outer weaved plastic bags. Keep dry.

Keywords:

Nonionic polyacrylamide ,NPAM,N-PAM,Polyacrylamide, PAM, PHPA Coagulant,Flocculation, Cationic flocculant,Cationic polyelectrolyte,Cationic polymer,Cationic PAM,Cationic acrylamide copolymer,Cationic polymeric coagulant,Cationic polyelectrolytic flocculant,Cationic water-soluble polymer,Cationic emulsion polymer,Cationic synthetic polymer,Positively charged polyacrylamide.