Reducing the permeability of a rock formation
A method is described for reducing a permeability in a highly permeable subsurface zone surrounding a well bore which comprises: injecting down the well bore and into the zone an emulsion of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal silicate liquid in a hydrocarbon; thereafter transmitting microwave energy into the zone adjacent the well bore to break the emulsion, release alkali metal silicate to form a plug of gel through contact with formation brines adjacent the well bore and thereby seal off the remainder of the zone from the well bore; and thereafter allowing the emulsion in the remainder of the zone to break and release alkali metal silicate to gel and plug the remainder of the zone over a period of time.
- Assignee:
- Conoco Inc., Ponca City, OK
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4819723
- OSTI ID:
- 5922644
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Method of protecting a permeable formation
Reducing the permeability of a rock formation
Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EMULSIONS
GELATION
GELS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUGGING
PLUGGING AGENTS
RESERVOIR ROCK
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
STIMULATION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS