Application of a stabilized polymer gel to an alkaline treatment region for improved hydrocarbon recovery

A process for substantially reducing the permeability of or fluid mobility within a carbonate-containing treatment region in or proximate to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation below an earthen surface penetrated by a well bore, the process comprising:

• a) preparing a gel at an earthen surface from a gelation solution including;
• i) an acrylamide polymer;
• ii) a stabilizing agent selected from a group consisting of acid additives, acidic pH buffer systems, and delayed acid generators, and mixtures thereof;
• iii) a chromium(III) complex having one or more chromium(III) cations and one or more carboxylate anions selected from the group consisting of mono-carboxylates, poly-carboxylates, substituted derivatives of mono- and poly-carboxylates, and mixtures thereof, and
• iv) an aqueous solvent;
• b) injecting said gel into a well bore in fluid communication with a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation and a carbonate-containing treatment region;
• and
• c) displacing said gel into said carbonate-containing treatment region to substantially reduce the permeability of or fluid mobility within said treatment region.

A process for substantially reducing the permeability of or fluid mobility within a carbonate-containing treatment region in or proximate to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation below an earthen surface penetrated by a well bore, the process comprising:

• a) admixing an acrylamide polymer, a stabilizing agent selected from a group consisting of acid additives, acidic pH buffer systems, and delayed acid generators, and mixtures thereof, a chromium(III) complex having one or more chromium(III) cations and one or more carboxylate anions selected from the group consisting of mono-carboxylates, poly-carboxylates, substituted derivatives of mono- and poly-carboxylates, and mixtures thereof, and an aqueous solvent at an earthen surface to form a gelation solution;
• b) injecting said gelation solution into a well bore in fluid communication with a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation and a carbonate-containing treatment region;
• c) displacing said gelation solution into said carbonate-containing treatment region;
• and
• d) gelling said gelation solution in said carbonate-containing treatment region to form a gel substantially reducing the permeability of or fluid mobility within said treatment region.

A process for substantially reducing the permeability of or fluid mobility within a carbonate-containing treatment region in or proximate to a hydrocarbon-bearing formation below an earthen surface penetrated by a well bore, the process comprising:

• a) admixing an acrylamide polymer, a stabilizing agent selected from a group consisting of acid additives, acidic pH buffer systems, and delayed acid generators, and mixtures thereof, a chromium(III) complex having one or more chromium(III) cations and one or more carboxylate anions selected from the group consisting of mono-carboxylates, poly-carboxylates, substituted derivatives of mono- and poly-carboxylates, and mixtures thereof, and an aqueous solvent at an earthen surface to form a gelation solution;
• b) gelling said gelation solution at said earthen surface to form a gel;
• c) injecting said gel into a well bore in fluid communication with a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation and a carbonate-containing treatment region;
• and
• d) displacing said gel into said carbonate-containing treatment region to substantially reduce the permeability of or fluid mobility within said treatment region.