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US 6,550,542 B2Granted
Fluid profile control in enhanced oil recovery
AssigneeConocoPhillips Company
InventorMichael E. Vienot
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Fluid profile in an oil field waterflood operation is controlled after water breakthrough occurs by injecting a hydrate forming hydrocarbon gas into the highly permeable breakthrough zone. The injected gas on contact with water in the breakthrough zone forms a solid gas hydrate to restrict fluid flow in the breakthrough zone.
Claims10
A method for restricting fluid flow in a highly permeable fluid flow path in a subterranean formation created during a waterflood operation in an oil field, said method comprising the following steps:
- (a) injecting a water drive into said highly permeable fluid flow path during said waterflood operation, wherein said water displaces a previous fluid in said highly permeable flow path;
- (b) ceasing said waterflood operation after water breakthrough occurs, whereby said water remains in said highly permeable fluid flow path on ceasing said waterflood operation;
- and
- (c) injecting a hydrate forming hydrocarbon gas into said highly permeable fluid flow path, wherein said hydrocarbon gas reacts with said water remaining in said highly permeable flow path to form a solid gas hydrate which restricts flow in said highly permeable fluid flow path.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.