Patent · US Expired

Aqueous and petroleum gel method for preventing water-influx

US5150754A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
14References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 28, 1991
Grant dateSep 29, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 28, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC09K8/50
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method to prevent damage to a water-sensitive hydrocarbonaceous fluid-producing zone of a formation which is penetrated by a well which has a water-influx problem. A gellable petroleum mixture is injected into the well where it forms a solid hydrophobic gel in situ sufficient to temporarily close pores in the water-sensitive zone. The mixture is allowed to remain in the water-sensitive zone for a time sufficient to form a solid gel so as to preclude fluid entry into the water-sensitive zone. Afterwards, an aqueous based gel mixture is injected into the water-influx zone where it forms a solid hydrophilic gel which is substantially stable thereby precluding fluid entry into the well. Subsequently, the solid petroleum gel degrades at formation conditions and opens the water-sensitive zone to production of hydrocarbonaceous fluids. Thereafter, substantially water-free hydrocarbonaceous fluids are produced from the water-sensitive zone.

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