Method for decreasing the permeability of a subterranean stratum

Patent · Tue Jun 06 04:00:00 EDT 1967

OSTI ID:6411876

Harvey, R R

A method or process for decreasing or reducing the permeability of an oil-bearing stratum consists of injecting into a selected area of the stratum an aqueous slug containing a non-ionic surfactant in solution and containing suspended particles of carbon black, talc, or kaolin. The concentration of the particles (0.001 to 1 mm size) is in the range of 0.05 to 2 wt % and the concentration of surfactant is in the range of 0.001 to 5 wt %. The injected slug is then contacted in the stratum with a salt solution so as to precipitate the particles in the stratum and reduce the permeability in the selected area. The surfactant may consist of polyethylene oxide ethers and thioethers having an average ethylene oxide length at the hydrophillic end in the range of about 3 to 100 moles. (14 claims)

• Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3323589
• OSTI ID: 6411876
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ADDITIVES
ALCOHOLS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON
CARBON BLACK
CHALCOGENIDES
CLAYS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GLYCOLS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KAOLIN
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM SILICATES
MINERALS
NONMETALS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM
PLUGGING
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
RESERVOIR ROCK
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SIZE
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACTANTS
TALC
WELLS