Aqueous gels for plugging fractures in subterranean formation and production of said aqueous gels
US3955998A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 18, 1974 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 18, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/261
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Aqueous gels suitable for plugging fractures in subterranean formations are produced by (1) thickening water by incorporating therein a thickening amount of a water-soluble cellulose ether (e.g.,CMC), (2) incorporating a water-soluble compound of a polyvalent metal (e.g., sodium or potassium dichromate) wherein the valence state of the metal therein is capable of being reduced to a lower polyvalent valence state, in an amount sufficient to cause gelation when the valence of at least a portion of said metal is reduced to said lower valence state, (3) incorporating a water-soluble reducing agent (e.g., a sulfite, hydrosulfite, metabisulfite or thiosulfate of sodium or potassium, sodium sulfide, hydrogen sulfide or mixtures thereof) in an amount effective to reduce at least a portion of said metal to said lower valence state and cause gelation, and (4) incorporating a finely divided solid (e.g., diatomaceous earth) in an amount sufficient to cause an increase in gel strength.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.