Potassium silicate clay stabilization process

Patent · Tue Dec 02 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7041357

Sydansk, R D

A process is described for stabilizing clays present in a water-sensitive, subterranean sandstone formation having a matrix. The sandstone formation contains fine particles which interact with aqueous solutions having ionic makeup distinct from connate water to reduce permeability of the formation and fluid flow therethrough. The sandstone formation is penetrated by a well bore in fluid communication therewith, the process comprising: injecting into the matrix of the subterranean sandstone formation via the well bore an aqueous solution consisting essentially of water, potassium silicate and potassium hydroxide and one or more potassium salts. The potassium silicate and potassium hydroxide exist in the aqueous solution as potassium ions, silicate ions and hydroxide ions, the silicate and hydroxide ions interacting with the sandstone formation in the presence of the potassium ions to effectively render the fine particles relatively insensitive to the aqueous solutions having a distinct ionic makeup. The potassium silicate and potassium hydroxide is dissolved in the aqueous solution in a quantity sufficient to effectively render the fine particles relatively insensitive to the aqueous solutions having a distinct ionic makeup for a substantial period of time, thereby preventing substantial permeability reduction of the formation matrix.

• Assignee: Marathon Oil Co., Findlay, OH
• Patent Number(s): US 4625802
• OSTI ID: 7041357
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CLAYS
CONNATE WATER
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROXIDES
INTERSTITIAL WATER
MIXTURES
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDES
POTASSIUM SILICATES
RECOVERY
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SOLUTIONS
STABILIZATION
STIMULATION
TIME DEPENDENCE
WATER
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS