Reducing the permeability of a rock formation
US4819723A · kind A · utility
19Cited by
9References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 11, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/2401
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Permeability of a highly permeable zone in a subterranean formation is reduced by injecting an oil external emulsion of an aqueous solution of alkali metal silicate. Emulsion adjacent the well bore is broken by the application of microwave. Released alkali metal silicate then forms a plug of gel at this point, through contact with formation brines, which holds the rest of the emulsion in place until it breaks down and gels. In one aspect a second internal phase containing a gelation agent is provided to accelerate gelling.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.