Delayed gelling agents
AssigneesConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
InventorsYing-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
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Abstract
The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
Claims14
A method of improving sweep efficiency of a fluid flood of a reservoir, said method comprising:
- a) injecting a composition into a reservoir, said composition comprising:
- i) a polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticle of size of less than one micron comprising a polyalkylenimine of less than 800 Da and a polyanion, ii) an acrylate-based polymer that can crosslink said composition, and iii) a fluid;
- b) aging the composition until viscosity increases;
- c) injecting an injection fluid into said reservoir to mobilize oil in said reservoir;
- and
- d) producing said mobilized oil.
An improved method of sweeping a reservoir, wherein an injection fluid is injected into a reservoir to mobilize and produce oil, the improvement comprising injecting a composition comprising:
- i) a polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticle comprising a polyalkylenimine of less than 800 Da and a polyanion, said nanoparticle having a size of less than one micron, and
- ii) a polymer, and
- iii) a fluid,
- into a reservoir, aging said composition until viscosity increases, injecting additional injection fluid into said reservoir to mobilize oil, and producing said oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.