Composition and method for recovering hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorsPious V. Kurian, Mingli Wei, Kin-Tai Chang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composition including crosslinked expandable polymeric microparticles capable of hydrolysis at or below neutral pH and a method of modifying the permeability to water of a subterranean formation by introducing such compositions into the subterranean formation. This disclosure further relates to compositions and methods for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir or formation subjected to CO2 or CO2 Water Alternating Gas flooding at low pH and increases the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the subterranean formations.
Claims21
1-19. (canceled)
An injection fluid for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean formation, comprising an aqueous medium and about 100 ppm to about 50,000 ppm of crosslinked polymeric microparticles based on polymer actives in the fluid, wherein the crosslinked polymeric microparticles comprise about 0.9 to about 20 mole percent of one or more labile crosslinkers, wherein the particles have an expanded particle size distribution and rheology suitable to impede a subterranean flow of water.
A method of increasing the recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids in a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
- injecting an injection fluid into the subterranean formation;
- and
- recovering a hydrocarbon fluid;
- wherein the injection fluid comprising an aqueous medium and about 100 ppm to about 50,000 ppm of crosslinked polymeric microparticles based on polymer actives in the fluid, wherein the crosslinked polymeric microparticles comprise about 0.9 to about 20 mole percent of one or more labile crosslinkers, wherein the particles have an expanded particle size distribution and rheology suitable to impede a subterranean flow of water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.