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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Method of treating subterranean formations with aqueous gels

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6919830
A water-soluble biopolysaccharide is desribed that is produced by the action of bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas on a carbohydrate. The polysaccharide can be crosslinked by a water-soluble compound of a polyvalent metal wherein the metal present is capable of being reduced to a lower polyvalent valence state. The polysaccharide thickens water and is useful in secondary recovery, hydraulic fracturing, temporary plugging, and formation plugging. The viscosity can be varied from relatively low values to gels that are rigid. (18 claims)
Assignee:
Phillips Petroleum Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3908760
OSTI ID:
6919830
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English