Permeability modifying composition for use in oil recovery

• US 5,654,261 A
• Filed: 07/26/1996
• Issued: 08/05/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nalco Company (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: TIORCO, Inc. (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Julie E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TUCKER, PHILIP C
• Application Number:
  US08/686,188
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 507/113, 507/120, 507/121, 507/123, 507/124, 507/125, 507/140, 507/215, 507/225, 507/226, 507/228, 507/229, 507/230, 507/269, 556/183
• US Class Current: 507/269
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 51/412 by conversion of the acids, their salts, esters or anhydrides with the same carboxylic acid part
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 59/265 Citric acid
• CPC Class Codes: C07F 5/069 without C-aluminium linkages
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/512 containing cross-linking agents

Abstract

A method and use for a dry composition comprising a mixture of water-soluble polymer and an aluminum citrate preparation is disclosed. The polymer is capable of cross-linking in the presence of water and aluminum ions. Any water-soluble polymer known to the art is suitable. Cross-linked polymer forms a gel in highly permeable, watered-out regions of oil-containing rock, allowing for increased oil recovery and decreased water use and recycling.

Claims

1. A permeability-modifying composition in dry form comprising a mixture of a water-soluble polymer capable of cross linking in the presence of water and aluminum ions, and an aluminum citrate preparation having at least about 7 percent aluminum by weight, at least about 1.1 percent chloride by weight, and a molar ratio of aluminum to citrate of between about 0.5:

1 and about 2.2;

1 in an amount sufficient to enhance cross linking of said polymer.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymer is partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polystyrene sulfonates, polyvinylpyrrolidone, AMPS (2-acrylamide-2-methyl propane sulfonate), and combinations thereof.