Oil reservoir permeability profile control with crosslinked welan gum biopolymers
US4991652A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 1989 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/514
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A composition capable of selectively plugging highly permeable zones in a subterranean formation. The composition forms a gel subsequent to its injection into the formation via an injection wall. The composition comprises an aqueous solution of a welan gum heteropolysaccharide biopolymer produced by the fermentation of a microorganism of the genus Alcaligenes, a phenolic compound, an aldehyde and water. The compositions of this invention will form stable gels even in low salinity brines. Also provided is a process for selectively plugging regions of higher permeability within an oil-bearing subterranean formation to improve sweep efficiency during a fluid flood oil recovery process using the gel-forming compositions of this invention.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.