Method for sealing off porous subterranean formations and for improving conformance of in-situ combustion
In this method, the pores of a formation may be sealed to prevent or substantially reduce the flow of fluids through it by precipitating dissolved solids in it. The procedure is useful in preventing water or gas from flowing into the well bore, to prevent sand production, and in controlling an in-situ combustion process. In this method, the in-situ combustion process is interrupted and the channels in the formation are plugged by a solution containing dissolved material. As it reaches the hot rock, evaporation occurs, thereby plugging or partially plugging the formation. This technique is selective. The combustion process is then reinstated. Any combination of organic or inorganic solvent and inorganic or organic solute is useful, provided the solvent will evaporate in less than burning temperature and sufficient solute will deposit in the pore space. The preferred solution is ordinary sugar or sucrose in water to form a hard, carbonized mass which is both impermeable and insoluble.
- Assignee:
- Esso Production Research Co.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3198249
- OSTI ID:
- 6649201
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
DISACCHARIDES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM
PLUGGING
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
RESERVOIR ROCK
SACCHARIDES
SACCHAROSE
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WELLS