Permeable zone and leak plugging using cross-linking composition comprising zirconium triethanolamine complex
AssigneeE.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
InventorDonald Putzig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for plugging a permeable zone or leak in a subterranean formation comprises introducing into the formation a cross-linkable organic polymer and a cross-linking composition which comprises a zirconium triethanolamine complex, a tetra(hydroxyalkyl)ethylenediamine, water and optionally, a polyol. The method can be used for cross-linking organic polymers over a wide range of pH. By varying the composition and optionally adding a delay agent, the method provides flexibility in rate of cross-linking.
Claims14
A method for plugging a permeable zone or leak in a subterranean formation which comprises introducing a cross-linking composition comprising a zirconium triethanolamine complex, a tetra(hydroxyalkyl)ethylenediamine, a cross-linkable organic polymer, water, and optionally, a polyol, into the permeable zone or the leak.
A method for plugging a permeable zone or leak in a subterranean formation comprising:
- (a) preparing a cross-linking composition by mixing a zirconium triethanolamine complex, a tetra(hydroxyalkyl)ethylenediamine, water and optionally, a polyol;
- (b) preparing a base gel by mixing a cross-linkable organic polymer with a solvent, wherein the solvent is water, or mixed water/organic solvent or with an aqueous solution;
- (c) introducing the base gel into the into the permeable zone or the site of the subterranean leak;
- (d) simultaneously with or sequentially after, introducing the base gel into the into the permeable zone or the leak, introducing the cross-linking composition into the into the permeable zone or the leak;
- (e) permitting the base gel and the cross-linking agent to react to form a cross-linked aqueous gel to plug the zone or leak.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.