Patent · US Expired

Method for reducing the permeability of subterranean formations

US4387769A · kind A · utility

229Cited by
9References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 10, 1981
Grant dateJun 14, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 10, 2001

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S507/935
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the composition and method for reducing the permeability of subterranean formations penetrated by a wellbore. The composition of the present invention comprises a wellbore fluid having dispersed therein a fluid loss control agent comprising a polyester polymer which is substantially insoluble in the wellbore fluid. The polymer degrades in the presence of water at an elevated temperature to form small molecules which are soluble in a fluid in the subterranean formation. The method of the present invention comprises reducing the permeability of subterranean formations penetrated by a wellbore by placing the composition of the present invention down the wellbore.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.