Non Ionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM) for Water Treatment

As the world's energy needs continue to increase, the efficient extraction and management of oilfield resources are becoming increasingly crucial. One important element in this process is the use of Non-ionic Polyacrylamide (NPAM), a versatile water-soluble polymer. NPAM has become a vital component in improving oil recovery and optimizing operational efficiency within the petroleum industry.

Features:

NPAM demonstrates outstanding resistance to high-salinity environments, commonly found in oilfield brines. Unlike ionic polymers, its non-ionic structure prevents precipitation or viscosity loss in saline conditions, ensuring consistent performance in water injection and drilling fluids.

Capable of withstanding temperatures exceeding 80°C (176°F), NPAM remains stable in high-temperature reservoirs. This thermal resilience allows it to maintain viscosity and functionality during enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes, even in deep or harsh formations.

NPAM solutions exhibit shear-thinning properties. This means their viscosity decreases under high shear stress (e.g., during pumping) but recovers once the stress is removed. This feature reduces energy consumption during fluid injection while ensuring effective oil displacement in reservoirs.

The long-chain molecular structure of NPAM enables efficient adsorption onto suspended particles and emulsified oil droplets in produced water. This promotes rapid flocculation and sedimentation, simplifying water purification and supporting sustainable water reuse practices.

NPAM functions reliably across a broad pH range (3–10), making it suitable for diverse oilfield environments. Its non-ionic nature prevents interactions with charged ions in acidic or alkaline conditions, ensuring stable performance in varying wellbore chemistries.

As a non-toxic and biodegradable polymer, NPAM meets increasing regulatory and environmental demands. Its use minimizes ecological risks in sensitive oilfield regions while meeting stringent discharge standards for treated water.

• Friction reducer in drilling fluids, lowering operational resistance.
• Soil stabilizer for preventing erosion during pipeline construction.
• Clay inhibitor to protect reservoir permeability.

Applications:

Non-ionic polyacrylamide is widely recognized for its unique molecular structure, which enables it to function effectively in high-salinity and high-temperature environments common in oilfields.

Its primary applications include:

• Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR):
  NPAM improves the viscosity of water injected into reservoirs during tertiary recovery processes. By thickening the injection fluid, it displaces trapped crude oil more effectively, increasing overall extraction rates.
• Drilling Fluid Additive:
  As a friction reducer, NPAM minimizes resistance in drilling fluids, reducing energy consumption and equipment wear while stabilizing wellbores.
• Produced Water Treatment:
  Oilfield-produced water often contains emulsified oil and suspended solids. NPAM acts as a flocculant, aggregating contaminants for easier removal, thereby supporting water reuse and regulatory compliance.
• Soil Stabilization:
  In pipeline and well construction, NPAM-based solutions help prevent soil erosion, maintaining structural integrity in sensitive environments.