Disproportionate permeability reduction using a viscoelastic surfactant
AssigneeSchlumberger Technology Corporation
InventorsArthur Milne, Manuel Jose Lastre Buelvas
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Abstract
The invention discloses a method of for changing the water permeability of a subterranean formation of a well, the method comprising: providing a fluid comprising a liquid carrier and a viscoelastic surfactant; introducing the fluid into the well; and contacting the fluid and the subterranean formation wherein the action of the liquid carrier and the viscoelastic surfactant is able to change the water permeability of the subterranean formation. The fluid may further comprise methanol, or a salt which can be embodied within the carrier fluid. Advantageously, no further RPM polymer is used. In a first aspect the method is used for reducing the amount of water produced, in as second aspect for improving the oil recovery.
Claims15
A method for changing the water permeability of a subterranean formation of a well, the method comprising:
- a. providing a fluid comprising a liquid carrier with a salt, methanol and a viscoelastic surfactant, wherein methanol is present in an amount of 5% to 15% by weight and the salt is present in an amount of 1% to 3% by weight and the viscoelastic surfactant is a cationic surfactant present in an amount of 0.01% to 0.5% by weight;
- b. introducing the fluid into the well;
- and
- c. contacting the fluid and the subterranean formation wherein the action of the liquid carrier, methanol and the viscoelastic surfactant is able to change the water permeability of the subterranean formation.
A method for reducing the amount of water produced from a subterranean formation of a well, the method comprising:
- a. providing a fluid comprising a liquid carrier, a salt methanol and a viscoelastic surfactant, wherein the fluid has relative permeability properties, wherein methanol is present in an amount of 5% to 15% by weight and the salt is present in an amount of 1% to 3% by weight;
- b. introducing the fluid into the well and the viscoelastic surfactant is a cationic surfactant present in an amount of 0.01% to 0.5% by weight;
- and
- c. contacting the fluid and the subterranean formation.
A method for improving the oil recovery from a subterranean formation of a well, the method comprising:
- a. providing a fluid comprising a liquid carrier with a salt, methanol and a viscoelastic surfactant, wherein methanol is present in an amount of 5% to 15% by weight and the salt is present in an amount of 1% to 3% by weight and the viscoelastic surfactant is a cationic surfactant present in an amount of 0.01% to 0.5% by weight;
- b. introducing the fluid into the well;
- and
- c. contacting the fluid and the subterranean formation wherein the action of the liquid carrier and the viscoelastic surfactant is able to improve oil mobility in the subterranean formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.