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US 5,291,949 AGranted
Method for inhibiting caustic flood breakthrough
AssigneeUnion Oil Company of California
InventorsHoai T. Dovan, Richard D. Hutchins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Polymers (and especially hydroxyethylcellulose) are crosslinked using a lanthanide as a crosslinking agent. The crosslinked polymers have utility in well completion, well stimulation, enhanced oil recovery, and subterranean fluid containment operations.
Claims20
A method for inhibiting caustic flood breakthrough at a production well, the method comprising sequentially injecting into the formation through the production well:
- (a) a first slug of a spacer fluid;
- (b) a slug of a composition capable of forming a gel, the composition comprising:
- (i) a crosslinkable polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose ethers, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkyleneoxides, carboxyalkylhydroxyethyl celluloses, substituted hydroxyethylcellulose, lignosulfonates, ammonium and alkali metal salts thereof, and alkaline earth salts of lignosulfonates;
- and
- (ii) a lanthanide;
- and
- (c) a second slug of a spacer fluid.
4 more elements
A method for inhibiting caustic flood breakthrough at a production well, the method comprising sequentially injecting into the formation through the production well:
- (a) a first slug of a spacer fluid;
- (b) a slug of a composition capable of forming a gel, the composition comprising:
- (i) hydroxyethylcellulose;
- and
- (ii) a lanthanide;
- and
- (c) a second slug of a spacer fluid.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.