Method for selectively reducing subterranean water permeability

Patent · Tue Sep 08 04:00:00 EDT 1992

OSTI ID:6994329

Hutchins, R D; Sandiford, B B; Dovan, H T

This patent describes a method for selectively reducing the flow of an aqueous fluid with respect to the flow of a nonaqueous fluid in a subterranean formation. It comprises injecting into at least a portion of a subterranean formation a composition comprising a gas precursor and one or more ingredients capable of reacting to form a gel; allowing the composition to form the gel; and subjecting the gas precursor to conditions that convert at least a portion of the gas precursor into a gas during at least a portion of step (b) so that at least a portion of the gel has pathways therein containing the gas. This patent also describes a method for selectively reducing the flow of an aqueous fluid with respect to the flow of a nonaqueous fluid in a subterranean formation, the method it comprises: injecting into at least a portion of a subterranean formation a composition comprising one or more ingredients capable of reacting to form a gel; allowing the composition to form the gel; and injecting a gas into at least a portion of the composition so that at least a portion of the gel has gas-containing pathways therein.

• Assignee: Union Oil Co. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5145012; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-631863
• OSTI ID: 6994329
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
023000 -- Petroleum-- Properties & Composition
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400201 -- Chemical & Physicochemical Properties
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DRILLING FLUIDS
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
GAS INJECTION
GELS
KINETICS
OIL WELLS
PERMEABILITY
REACTION KINETICS
RESERVOIR ROCK
WATER INFLUX
WELLS