Method of controlling production of excess water in oil and gas wells
US5465792A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 20, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/512
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The production of excessive water in oil and gas wells and other subterranean formations is reduced by introducing a hydrocarbon fluid containing dispersed superabsorbing particles formed using invert emulsion polymerization techniques wherein the superabsorbing particles are formed from hydratable polymers which are cross-linked so that they are insoluble in water. By introducing these superabsorbing particles into fluid passages of the formation, the water producing zones can be selectively blocked off by allowing the superabsorbing particles to swell with the absorption of water within the aqueous fluid containing fluid passages, while the superabsorbing particles remain small and unswollen in the hydrocarbon conducting fluid passages. Thus, the ability of fluids to flow through the aqueous fluid containing fluid passages is selectively reduced resulting in the reduced production of aqueous fluids while maintaining production of hydrocarbons.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.