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Method of reducing permeability in subterranean formation by use of alkali metal silicate foam

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6311369
;
A method is described of reducing permeability in an area of a subterranean formation, comprising the steps of: injecting into the subterranean formation a solution comprising alkali metal silicate and a chemical surfactant in an amount sufficient to produce a volume of foam capable of reducing permeability in the desired formation area; injecting into the formation prior to solidification a non-condensable gas in an amount sufficient to contact substantially the entire quantity of the sodium silicate solution so that the non-condensable gas reacts with the solution to produce a foam; and permitting the foam to harden to a substantially impermeable solid.
Assignee:
Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX
Patent Number(s):
US 4676318
OSTI ID:
6311369
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ADDITIVES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOAMS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HARDENING
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RECOVERY
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SODIUM SILICATES
SOLIDIFICATION
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
SURFACTANTS
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS