초록 ▼

The permeability of subterranean formations, and hence, the mobility of fluids through the formation, can be controlled by introducing a carboxamide polymer and a hypohalite such as sodium hypochlorite to the formation at conditions such that the polymer has been cross-linked, either prior to its in

The permeability of subterranean formations, and hence, the mobility of fluids through the formation, can be controlled by introducing a carboxamide polymer and a hypohalite such as sodium hypochlorite to the formation at conditions such that the polymer has been cross-linked, either prior to its introduction or in situ, to form a gel. By this method, the permeability of highly porous zones can selectively be reduced. Therefore, in an enhanced recovery operation wherein a drive fluid is injected into the subterranean formation to force hydrocarbon therefrom, the drive fluid can more uniformly sweep the formation resulting in a more effective recovery process.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved method for the enhanced oil recovery of a hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation, the enhanced oil recovery method comprising injecting an aqueous drive fluid through an injection wellbore into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to drive the hydrocarbon from the formation to a producing

An improved method for the enhanced oil recovery of a hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation, the enhanced oil recovery method comprising injecting an aqueous drive fluid through an injection wellbore into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to drive the hydrocarbon from the formation to a producing wellbore wherein the improvement in the method comprises introducing, through the injection wellbore, into the formation, a water-soluble carboxamide polymer and a hypohalite salt cross-linking agent in amounts and at conditions such that the polymer is or has been cross-linked to form a gel, thereby restricting the passage of the drive fluid through the more permeable zones of the formation.