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We have developed a phenolic resin with a structure modified according to the mechanism for its consolidation with sand. Application of the new resin allows us to reduce the cost of sand control measures because less resin must be used. We have studied the factors affecting the resin sand consolidation strength. We propose a method for injecting the resin into the formation, on the surface of calcium carbonate particles suspended in water.

An oil displacement agent consisting of nonionic and anionic surfactants and emulsion stabilizers has been developed to enhance oil recovery from heavy oil reservoirs. The experimental results show that the proposed displacement agent enhances oil recovery by more than 20 % compared with water flooding and that the emulsion contained in the fluid produced can be easily broken (demulsified). The mechanism of action for the displacement agent is described.

The effect of oil displacement agents (alkali, surfactant, and polymer) on the stability of the emulsion produced by alkaline surfactant polymer (ASP) flooding can be rapidly and accurately determined using a FORMULACTION (France) stability analyzer. The analyzer detects backscattered light and change in transmittance. We observed that when displacement agents are used, the stability of a water-in-oil emulsion gradually increases with displacement agent concentration and consequently the emulsion dehydration rate gradually decreases, while the stability of an oil-in-water emulsion increases. This is evidence that the oil content in the waste water increases. But the reverse is observed when the alkali content in the water phase is no more than 700 mg/L.

Crudes from the Shengli and Tuha oil fields (China) and the PetroKazakhstan oil field (Kazakhstan) containing macromolecular paraffins were investigated by gas chromatography, 1H NMR spectroscopy, etc. The mechanism of inhibition of the paraffin deposits in the wells in these fields was investigated by microscopic studies and measurement of the contact angle of wetting of steel with water. It was shown that a low content of asphaltenes and resins in the crude, high gas:crude ratio in the field, high molecular weight of the paraffins with low branching of their molecules, and a temperature in the wellhead lower than the initial crystallization temperature of the paraffins are the basic causes of deposition of macromolecular paraffins. The effectiveness of inhibition of paraffin deposits in such crudes is greater than 60%. The mechanism of inhibition consists of preventing formation of a three-dimensional structure in the paraffins and depositing them on the surface by modifying the structure of the paraffin crystals and changing the wettability of the surface of steel with water.

The development and use of a demulsifier for separation of the fluid obtained after flooding of an oil layer using ASP (alkaline surfactant polymer) are described. The mechanism of separation of the emulsion was investigated. As a result of laboratory studies and tests in the field, it was shown that the demulsifier produces excellent results in separation of such emulsions.