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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Treatment of formations containing fresh-water swelling clays

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5311819
A method is described for treating subterranean formations containing fresh-water swelling clay materials and oil and water whereby swelling of these clays when contacted with fresh water is greatly reduced. Use of this invention enables the realization of a greatly increased injectivity of aqueous fluids into the formation. This technique is particularly applicable for use in conjunction with secondary recovery techniques, such as steam injection techniques and waterfloods. A solution of metal halide salt, wherein the metal has an atomic weight of more than 24, dissolved in a miscible solvent is injected into the formation via a well penetrating the formation. This solution may be injected into the formation either prior to, concurrent with, or subsequent to the injection of an aqueous fluid into the formation. (8 claims)
Assignee:
Mobil Oil Corp.
Patent Number(s):
US 3710863
OSTI ID:
5311819
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English