Does polymer viscoelasticity reduce residual oil beyond the viscous contribution?
The screened record does not resolve it. Thirty-nine published studies reduce, through logged admission criteria, to seven holding a matched-viscosity inelastic reference, yielding 49 elastic-versus-reference contrasts on one declared velocity and capillary-number basis. The primary quantity is the paired within-study high-minus-low velocity difference across the four studies carrying both regimes: +0.047, +0.005, +0.024 and −0.037 saturation units, mean +0.010 s.u., paired interval at three degrees of freedom [−0.046, +0.066]. Only an effect larger than approximately 0.06 saturation units in magnitude would have been resolvable at this corpus size, so the record measures the literature’s resolving power rather than the effect.
These statistics are computed in the browser from the 49 published contrasts in Section 02; none of them is a SAMPLE value. SAMPLE values on this page are limited to the injectivity calculator defaults.
Manuscript status: In preparation. This page is a synthesis of published evidence.
This report examines viscoelastic-polymer evidence reported in the cited literature. Included datasets, screening criteria and calculated results are identified with their sources and assumptions.
- Of thirty-nine inventoried published studies, seven satisfy the matched-inelastic-reference screen, yielding 49 elastic-versus-reference contrasts. The screen, the per-value provenance, the exclusion log and the statistical guards against non-independence are the methodological contribution; the extensional capillary number used for replotting is prior art (Azad and Trivedi 2021, 2023).
- The corpus does not resolve an independent velocity effect attributable to polymer viscoelasticity; this is the central finding. At the stage level the velocity-only tertiary cells do not separate (+0.052 against +0.059, n = 15 and 17); an ordering appears only under boundary reassignment (+0.068 against +0.036) or under the superseded classifier; and every salinity-unconfounded tertiary increment of at least 0.10 saturation units lies at 1 ft/D (0.3048 m/d) or above. The record likewise contains no matched-reference support for a secondary-mode elastic advantage.
- Two quantified channels inflate apparent scatter in compiled desaturation curves: stage-wise salinity change (exceeding the unconfounded elasticity channel) and the endpoint-krw convention (a 1.3–2.9-fold capillary-number bias, saturation-dependent and therefore systematic rather than random).
- The constructive output is a proposed minimum reporting checklist and a proposed matched-reference carbonate experiment.
Corpus and screening funnel
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Contrast dataset
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Velocity classifier
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How this was computed
Every statistic in this section is computed in the browser from the 49 elastic-versus-reference contrasts of Section 02, each read from a published coreflood study. The primary pool is the tertiary, salinity-unconfounded subset. A comparison is assigned to the high cell when its interstitial velocity exceeds the cut (strict rule) or reaches it (inclusive rule). Study means are formed per cell; the paired difference is taken within each study that carries both cells; the t interval uses the two-sided 95% critical value at S − 1 degrees of freedom.
The study-resampling bootstrap is not re-run in the page. Its mean, interval and effective draw count are quoted as computed at seed 20260731 and do not move with the cut.
Injectivity bounds
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How this was computed
Eq. 7 is evaluated directly: r* = q/(2πhφvonset), with the interstitial onset converted at 0.3048 m/d per ft/D. Porosity and onset velocity open at SAMPLE values chosen for illustration; neither is a measurement. The onset velocity has to be measured for the fluid–rock system in question; the calculator does not supply one.
The bound assumes a single unfractured layer around a vertical injector. Fractures, thin high-flux layers and horizontal wells extend the region above onset.
Proposed minimum reporting checklist
Proposed two-core carbonate experiment
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Model & equations
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- Abrams, A. 1975. The Influence of Fluid Viscosity, Interfacial Tension, and Flow Velocity on Residual Oil Saturation Left by Waterflood. Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal 15 (5): 437–447. SPE-5050-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/5050-PA.
- Alfazazi, U., Chacko Thomas, N., Al-Shalabi, E.W., and AlAmeri, W. 2021. Investigation of Oil Presence and Wettability Restoration Effects on Sulfonated Polymer Retention in Carbonates Under Harsh Conditions. Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 15–18 November 2021. SPE-207892-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/207892-MS.
- Azad, M.S., and Seright, R.S. 2025. Are Field Polymer Enhanced Oil Recovery Projects Reaping the Benefits of Residual Oil Saturation Reduction Due to Polymer Viscoelasticity? SPE Journal 30 (6): 3792–3809. SPE-223155-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/223155-PA.
- Azad, M.S., and Trivedi, J.J. 2019. Quantification of the Viscoelastic Effects During Polymer Flooding: A Critical Review. SPE Journal 24 (6): 2731–2757. SPE-195687-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/195687-PA.
- Azad, M.S., and Trivedi, J.J. 2021. Quantification of Sor Reduction during Polymer Flooding Using Extensional Capillary Number. SPE Journal 26 (3): 1469–1498. SPE-204212-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/204212-PA.
- Azad, M.S., and Trivedi, J. 2023. Quantification of polymer viscoelastic effects on SOR reduction using modified capillary. US Patent No. 11,761,331 B2, issued 19 September 2023.
- Barri, A., Azad, M.S., Al-Shehri, D., Ayirala, S.C., Patil, S., Al-Hamad, J., Abdullah, E., and Al Abdrabalnabi, R. 2023. Is There a Viscoelastic Effect of Low-MW HPAM Polymers on Residual Oil Mobilization in Low-Permeability Rocks at a Darcy Velocity of 0.2 ft/Day? Energy & Fuels 37 (14): 10188–10199. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c00955.
- Chatzis, I., and Morrow, N.R. 1984. Correlation of Capillary Number Relationships for Sandstone. Society of Petroleum Engineers Journal 24 (5): 555–562. SPE-10114-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/10114-PA.
- Clarke, A., Howe, A.M., Mitchell, J., Staniland, J., and Hawkes, L.A. 2016. How Viscoelastic-Polymer Flooding Enhances Displacement Efficiency. SPE Journal 21 (3): 675–687. SPE-174654-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/174654-PA.
- Cottin, C., Bourgeois, M., Bursaux, R., Jimenez, J., and Lassalle, S. 2014. Secondary and Tertiary Polymer Flooding on Highly Permeable Reservoir Cores: Experimental Results. Paper presented at the SPE EOR Conference at Oil and Gas West Asia, Muscat, Oman, 31 March–2 April 2014. SPE-169692-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/169692-MS.
- Dafaalla, M., Azad, M.S., Ayirala, S., Alotaibi, M., Fahmi, M., Saleh, S., Al Shehri, D., and Mahmoud, M. 2025. Potential of polymer’s viscosity and viscoelasticity for accessible oil recovery during low salinity polymer flooding in heterogeneous carbonates. Fuel 379: 133008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2024.133008.
- Dhahir, D., Azad, M.S., Ayirala, S., Seright, R.S., Al Shehri, D., and Alotaibi, M. 2026. Examining the Desaturation Potential of Low and High-Salinity Viscoelastic Polymer Solutions at High Salinity and High Temperature Carbonate Reservoir Conditions. Paper presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 21–23 April 2026. SPE-231553-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/231553-MS.
- Du, Y., Xu, K., Mejia, L., and Balhoff, M. 2021. A Coreflood‐on‐a‐Chip Study of Viscoelasticity's Effect on Reducing Residual Saturation in Porous Media. Water Resources Research 57 (8): e2021WR029688. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR029688.
- Erincik, M.Z., Qi, P., Balhoff, M.T., and Pope, G.A. 2017. New Method to Reduce Residual Oil Saturation by Polymer Flooding. Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 9–11 October 2017. SPE-187230-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/187230-MS.
- Erincik, M.Z., Qi, P., Balhoff, M.T., and Pope, G.A. 2018. New Method To Reduce Residual Oil Saturation by Polymer Flooding. SPE Journal 23 (5): 1944–1956. SPE-187230-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/187230-PA.
- Fabbri, C., Al Saadi, H.A., Wang, K., Maire, F., Romero, C., Cordelier, P., Prinet, C., Jouenne, S., Garnier, O., Xu, S., Leon, J.M., Baslaib, M., and Masalmeh, S. 2021. Polymer Injection to Unlock Bypassed Oil in a Giant Carbonate Reservoir: Bridging the Gap Between Laboratory and Large Scale Polymer Project. Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 15–18 November 2021. SPE-208121-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/208121-MS.
- Guo, H., Song, K., and Hilfer, R. 2022. A Brief Review of Capillary Number and its Use in Capillary Desaturation Curves. Transport in Porous Media 144 (1): 3–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-021-01743-7.
- Huh, C., and Pope, G.A. 2008. Residual Oil Saturation from Polymer Floods: Laboratory Measurements and Theoretical Interpretation. Paper presented at the SPE Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A., 19–23 April 2008. SPE-113417-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/113417-MS.
- Irfan, M., Stephen, K.D., and Lenn, C.P. 2021. An experimental study to investigate novel physical mechanisms that enhance viscoelastic polymer flooding and further increase desaturation of residual oil saturation. Upstream Oil and Gas Technology 6: 100026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.upstre.2020.100026.
- Jain, H., Azad, M.S., Ayirala, S., Mahmoud, M., Al Shehri, D., and Fahmi, M. 2026. Viscoelasticity vs. viscosity: what dominates the Sor reduction at shear thinning flux in low permeable limestone cores at low salinity polymer flood conditions? Results in Engineering 30: 110897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.110897.
- Jameel, M.F., Azad, M.S., Adebayo, A.R., Ayirala, S., Al Shehri, D., and Mahmoud, M. 2026. IFT Vs. Viscoelasticity: What is the Most Potent Microscopic Light Oil Recovery Mechanism in Water-Wet High-Permeable Formations? Paper presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 21–23 April 2026. SPE-231475-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/231475-MS.
- Jiang, H., Wu, W., Wang, D., Zeng, Y., Zhao, S., and Nie, J. 2008. The Effect of Elasticity on Displacement Efficiency in the Lab and Results of High Concentration Polymer Flooding in the Field. Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Colorado, USA, 21–24 September 2008. SPE-115315-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/115315-MS.
- Jin, J., Qi, P., Mohanty, K., and Balhoff, M. 2020. Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Polymer Viscoelasticity on Residual Saturation of Low Viscosity Oils. Paper presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Virtual, 31 August–4 September 2020. SPE-200414-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/200414-MS.
- Koh, H., Lee, V.B., and Pope, G.A. 2018. Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Polymers on Residual Oil Saturation. SPE Journal 23 (1): 1–17. SPE-179683-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/179683-PA.
- Laudon, S., Balhoff, M., and Mohanty, K. 2024. The Effect of Polyethylene Oxide on Residual Oil Saturation of Low Permeability Carbonates. Paper presented at the SPE Improved Oil Recovery Conference. SPE-218150-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/218150-MS.
- Laudon, S., Balhoff, M., and Mohanty, K. 2026. The effect of polyethylene oxide polymer injection on residual oil saturation of Indiana limestone. Geoenergy Science and Engineering 264: 214549. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoen.2026.214549.
- Masalmeh, S., AlSumaiti, A., Gaillard, N., Daguerre, F., Skauge, T., and Skauge, A. 2019. Extending Polymer Flooding Towards High-Temperature and High-Salinity Carbonate Reservoirs. Paper presented at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 11–14 November 2019. SPE-197647-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/197647-MS.
- Qi, P., Ehrenfried, D.H., Koh, H., and Balhoff, M.T. 2017. Reduction of Residual Oil Saturation in Sandstone Cores by Use of Viscoelastic Polymers. SPE Journal 22 (2): 447–458. SPE-179689-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/179689-PA.
- Qi, P., Lashgari, H., Luo, H., Delshad, M., Pope, G., and Balhoff, M. 2018. Simulation of Viscoelastic Polymer Flooding - From the Lab to the Field. Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, 24–26 September 2018. SPE-191498-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/191498-MS.
- Sandengen, K., Melhuus, K., and Kristoffersen, A. 2017. Polymer “viscoelastic effect”; does it reduce residual oil saturation. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering 153: 355–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2017.03.029.
- Seright, R.S., and Wang, D. 2023. Polymer flooding: Current status and future directions. Petroleum Science 20 (2): 910–921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2023.02.002.
- Seright, R.S., Azad, M.S., Abdullah, M.B., and Delshad, M. 2023. Effect of Residual Oil Saturation and Salinity on HPAM Rheology in Porous Media. Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 16–18 October 2023. SPE-215060-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/215060-MS.
- Vermolen, E.C.M., van Haasterecht, M.J.T., and Masalmeh, S.K. 2014. A Systematic Study of the Polymer Visco-Elastic Effect on Residual Oil Saturation by Core Flooding. Paper presented at the SPE EOR Conference at Oil and Gas West Asia, Muscat, Oman, 31 March–2 April 2014. SPE-169681-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/169681-MS.
- Wang, D., Cheng, J., Yang, Q., Gong, W., and Li, Q. 2000. Viscous-Elastic Polymer Can Increase Microscale Displacement Efficiency in Cores. Paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Texas, 1–4 October 2000. SPE-63227-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/63227-MS.
- Wang, D., Cheng, J., Xia, H., Li, Q., and Shi, J. 2001a. Viscous-Elastic Fluids Can Mobilize Oil Remaining after Water-Flood by Force Parallel to the Oil-Water Interface. Paper presented at the SPE Asia Pacific Improved Oil Recovery Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8–9 October 2001. SPE-72123-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/72123-MS.
- Wang, D., Xia, H., Liu, Z., and Yang, Q. 2001b. Study of the Mechanism of Polymer Solution With Visco-Elastic Behavior Increasing Microscopic Oil Displacement Efficiency and the Forming of Steady "Oil Thread" Flow Channels. Paper presented at the SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Jakarta, Indonesia, 17–19 April 2001. SPE-68723-MS. https://doi.org/10.2118/68723-MS.
- Wang, D., Han, P., Shao, Z., Hou, W., and Seright, R.S. 2008a. Sweep-Improvement Options for the Daqing Oil Field. SPE Reservoir Evaluation & Engineering 11 (1): 18–26. SPE-99441-PA. https://doi.org/10.2118/99441-PA.
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- Zeynalli, M., Mushtaq, M., Al-Shalabi, E.W., Alfazazi, U., Hassan, A.M., and AlAmeri, W. 2023. A comprehensive review of viscoelastic polymer flooding in sandstone and carbonate rocks. Scientific Reports 13 (1): 17679. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44896-9.
Nomenclature
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Abbreviations▶
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