Process for improving conformance and flow profiles in a subterranean sandstone formation

Patent · Tue Sep 08 04:00:00 EDT 1981

OSTI ID:5784945

Gucwa, P; Sydansk, R D

An aqueous caustic solution and an aqueous solution containing a polyvalent cation dissolved therein are sequentially injected into the near well bore environment of a subterranean sandstone formation interposed by an aqueous spacer. The aqueous caustic solution is caused to reside within the near well bore environment for a period of time sufficient to allow the caustic to interact with the sandstone formation so as to cause a portion of the caustic injected to be held within the near well bore environment. The subsequently injected polyvalent cation and the portion of caustic react within the near well bore environment and form an insoluble precipitate which preferentially reduces the permeability of the relatively highly permeable zones in the near well bore environment thereby improving vertical conformance and flow profiles of fluids subsequently injected into or produced from the formation.

• Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
• Patent Number(s): US 4287951
• OSTI ID: 5784945
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BOREHOLES
CATIONS
CAUSTIC FLOODING
CAVITIES
CHARGED PARTICLES
DISPERSIONS
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
IONS
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDES
MIXTURES
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM HYDROXIDES
SOLUTIONS
WATERFLOODING
WELLS