Selective plugging of formations with foam

Patent · Tue Nov 23 04:00:00 EST 1976

OSTI ID:7228406

Clampitt, R L

An improved process for decreasing the permeability of a subterranean oil-bearing formation which comprises injecting an aqueous surfactant solution containing a chemically crosslinkable, water-dispersible polymer which prevents the surfactant from foaming until it is in the formation and after the polymer breaks down due to heat in the formation caused by steam which is used to carry the aqueous solution into the formamation. In accordance with one embodiment, gelled or ungelled cellulose ether polymers in an aqueous surfactant solution are injected with steam into the more permeable or more depleted portions of a subterranean oil-bearing formation to produce a selective blocking due to the formation of foam in the more permeable sections of the formation which forces the remaining injection steam to produce oil from less depleted portions of the formation. 7 claims

• Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3993133
• OSTI ID: 7228406
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CARBOHYDRATES
CELLULOSE
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ETHERS
FLUID INJECTION
FOAMS
MIXTURES
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
PLUGGING
POLYMERS
POLYSACCHARIDES
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCKS
SACCHARIDES
SOLUTIONS
STEAM
SURFACTANTS
WELL COMPLETION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS