Methods of reducing the water permeability of subterranean formations
US6364016B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 26, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/508
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Improved methods of treating water and hydrocarbons producing subterranean formations to reduce the water permeabilities of the formations without substantially reducing the hydrocarbons permeabilities thereof are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing into the formation a chemical which does not resist water flow and attaches to adsorption sites on surfaces within the porosity of the formation but slowly washes off the sites as another fluid flows through the treated formation. Thereafter, a water flow resisting polymer is introduced into the formation so that it flows deeply into the porosity of the formation before the previously introduced chemical washes off and attaches to the adsorption sites as the chemical washes off.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.