Compositions and processes for treating subterranean formations

• US 5,883,210 A
• Filed: 09/19/1997
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Conocophillips Company (ConocoPhillips)
• Original Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company (ConocoPhillips)
• Inventors: Eriksen, Odd Ivar, Hamouda, Aly-Anis, Ahmed, Iqbal, Moradi-Araghi, Ahmad
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffery T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cheng, Wu C.
• Application Number:
  US08/951,213
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 526/263, 526/90, 526/287, 526/310, 526/313, 526/315
• US Class Current: 526/263
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 237/04 the carbon skeleton being acyclic and saturated
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 309/14 containing amino groups bound to the carbon skeleton
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 231/12 with only hydrogen atoms, hydrocarbon or substituted hydrocarbon radicals, directly attached to ring carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 233/56 with only hydrogen atoms or radicals containing only hydrogen and carbon atoms, attached to ring carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 249/08 1,2,4-Triazoles; Hydrogenated 1,2,4-triazoles
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 295/185 from aliphatic carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 20/56 Acrylamide; Methacrylamide
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 20/60 containing nitrogen in addition to the carbonamido nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 220/58 containing oxygen in addition to the carbonamido oxygen , e.g. N-methylolacrylamide, N-(meth)acryloylmorpholine
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 220/585 and containing other heteroatoms, e.g. 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid [AMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 220/603 and containing oxygen in addition to the carbonamido oxygen and nitrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 220/606 and containing other heteroatoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2800/20 as weight or mass percentages
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2810/20 leading to a crosslinking, either explicitly or inherently
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 8/00 Chemical modification by after-treatment graft polymers, block polymers, crosslinking with unsaturated monomers or with polymers C08F251/00 - C08F299/00; of conjugated diene rubbers C08C
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 8/28 Condensation with aldehydes or ketones
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/12 containing synthetic organic macromolecular compounds or their precursors
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/24 Polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/588 characterised by the use of specific polymers polymeric surfactants C09K8/584
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/608 Polymer compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/685 : containing cross-linking agents
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/887 : containing cross-linking agents

Abstract

A gelling composition and a process for using the gellimg composition for oilfield applications are provided. The gelling composition comprises a water-soluble polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a liquid wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises repeat units derived from a nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer and optionally an olefinic comonomer. The gelling composition can be used in drilling fluids, workover fluids, completion fluids, permeability corrections, water or gas coning prevention, fluid loss prevention, matrix acidizing, fracture acidizing, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

Claims

1. A process comprising introducing into a subterranean formation a gelling composition which comprises a water-soluble polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a liquid wherein

said polymer comprises repeat units derived from a nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer having the formula selected from the group consisting of ##STR12## and combinations of any two or more thereof;

said crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of multivalent metal compounds, a two-component system, and combinations of any two or more thereof wherein the first component of said two-component system is selected from the group consisting of phenol, substituted phenols, aspirin, p-aminobenzoic acid, resorcinol, catechol, hydroquinone, furfuryl alcohol, R'"'"'ArO (C═

O)_m R'"'"', HOAr (C═

O)_m OR'"'"', HOArOH, R'"'"'OArOH, R'"'"'OArOR'"'"', or combinations of any two or more thereof and the second component of said two-component system is selected from aldehydes, derivatives of aldehydes, aldehyde precursors, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

R¹, R₁, and R₂ are the same or different and are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radical, aryl radical, aralkyl radical, alkaryl radical, and combinations of any two or more thereof wherein each radical contains 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

M is a substituted or unsubstituted morpholine group;

each Y is independently selected from the group consisting of alkylene radical, phenylene group, imidazolium group, naphthylene group, biphenylene group, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

Ar is an arylene group; and

each m is independently 0 or 1.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said polymer comprises repeat units derived from at least one olefinic comonomer having the formula selected from the group consisting of R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--W, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --Z, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--Y--W, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --N(R₂)--Y--R₂, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --G--Y--Z, R₁ C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --G--Y--W, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --Y--Z, and combinations of any two or more thereof wherein

R₁ and R₂ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radical, aryl radical, aralkyl radical, alkaryl radical, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

each m is independently 0 or 1;

Z has the formula selected from the group consisting of N(R₂)(R₂), N⁺ (R₂)(R₂)(R₂)X^-, and combinations thereof in which X is an anion selected from the group consisting of halide, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfonate, phosphonates, sulfinate, phosphinate, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

G is N(R₂) or O;

each Y is independently selected from the group consisting of alkylene radical, phenylene group, imidazolium group, naphthylene group, biphenylene group, and combinations of two or more thereof; and

W is an acid moiety selected from the group consisting of phosphinic acid, phosphonic acid, sulfinic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid, carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid, ammonium salt or alkali metal salt of any of these acids, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

3. A process according to claim 1 wherein

said polymer comprises repeat units derived from at least one olefinic comonomer having the formula selected from the group consisting of R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --Z, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --Y--W, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--W, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)--G--Y--W, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

each R₁ is the same or different and is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radical, aryl radical, aralkyl radical, alkaryl radical, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

each m is independently 0 or 1;

Z has the formula selected from the group consisting of N(R₂)(R₂), N⁺ (R₂)(R₂)(R₂)X^-, and combinatins thereof in which X is an anion selected from the group consisting of halide, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfonate, phosphonates, sulfinate, phosphinate, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

G is N(R₁) or O;

each Y is independently selected from the group consisting of alkylene radical, phenylene group, imidazolium group, naphthylene group, biphenylene group, and combinations of two or more thereof; and

W is an acid moiety selected from the group consisting of phosphinic acid, phosphonic acid, sulfinic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid, carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid, ammonium salt or alkali metal salt of any of these acids, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

4. A process according to claim 1 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is selected from the group consisting of N-acryloyl morpholine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-propyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-(thyl piperazinium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propane ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propane ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propane ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propane ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethane ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethane ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethane ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethane ammonium inner salt, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

5. A process according to claim 1 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoelthyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl) piperazinium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, N-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

6. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is selected from the group consisting of N-acryloyl morpholine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-propyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(acrylol amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

7. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer has the formula selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl) piperazinium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, N-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

8. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl piperazine.

9. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt.

10. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride.

11. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt.

12. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride.

13. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride.

14. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt.

15. A process according to claim 3 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-acryloylmorpholine.

16. A process according to claim 3 wherein said olefinic comonomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, styrene sulfonic acid, salt of styrene sulfonic acid, N-methylacrylamide, N,N-dimcthylacrylamide, acrylic acid, salt of acrylic acid, N-vinylpyrrolidone, methyl acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl sulfonic acid, salt of vinyl sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

17. A process according to claim 3 wherein said olefinic comonomer is acrylamide.

18. A process according to claim 1 wherein said crosslinking agent is a multivalent metal compound wherein the metal of said metal compound is selected from the group consisting of Al, Cr, Fe, Ti, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

19. A process according to claim 1 wherein said crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of a zirconium compound, a titanium compound, a chromium compound, an aluminum compound, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

20. A process according to claim 1 wherein said crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of zirconium citrate, zirconium complex of hydroxyethyl glycine, ammonium zirconium fluoride, zirconium 2-ethylhexanoate, zirconium acetate, zirconium neodecanoate, zirconium acetylacetonate, tetrakis(triethanolamine)zirconate, zirconium carbonate, ammonium zirconium carbonate, zirconyl ammonium carbonate, zirconium lactate, titanium acetylacetonate, titanium ethylacetoacetate, titanium citrate, titanium triethanolamine, ammonium titanium lactate, aluminum citrate, chromium citrate, chromium acetate, chromium propionate, chromium malonate, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

21. A process according to claim 2 wherein said crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of zirconium citrate, zirconium complex of hydroxyethyl glycine, ammonium zirconium fluoride, zirconium 2-ethylhexanoate, zirconium acetate, zirconium neodecanoate, zirconium acetylacetonate, tetrakis(triethanolamine)zirconate, zirconium carbonate, ammonium zirconium carbonate, zirconyl ammonium carbonate, zirconium lactate, titanium acetylacetonate, titanium ethylacetoacetate, titanium citrate, titanium triethanolamine, ammonium titanium lactate, aluminum citrate, chromium citrate, chromium acetate, chromium propionate, chromium malonate, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

22. A process according to claim 7 wherein said crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of zirconium citrate, zirconium complex of hydroxyethyl glycine, ammonium zirconium fluoride, zirconium 2-ethylhexanoate, zirconium acetate, zirconium neodecanoate, zirconium acetylacetonate, tetrakis(triethanolamine)zirconate, zirconium carbonate, ammonium zirconium carbonate, zirconyl ammonium carbonate, zirconium lactate, titanium acetylacetonate, titanium ethylacetoacetate, titanium citrate, titanium triethanolamine, ammonium titanium lactate, aluminum citrate, chromium citrate, chromium acetate, chromium propionate, chromium malonate, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

23. A process according to claim 1 wherein said crosslinking agent comprises two components in which the first component is selected from the group consisting of phenol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, p-aminosalicylic acid, furfuryl alcohol, phenyl acetate, phenyl propionate, phenyl butyrate, salicylic acid, phenyl salicylate, aspirin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, methyl p-aminobenzoic acid, o-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, hexyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

and the second component is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, decanal, glutaraldehyde, terephthaldehyde, hexamethylenetetramine, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

24. A process according to claim 2 wherein said crosslinking agent comprises two components in which the first component is selected from the group consisting of phenol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, p-aminosalicylic acid, furfuryl alcohol, phenyl acetate, phenyl propionate, phenyl butyrate, salicylic acid, phenyl salicylate, aspirin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, methyl p-aminobenzoic acid, o-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, hexyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

and the second component is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, decanal, glutaraldehyde, terephthaldehyde, hexamethylenetetramine, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

25. A process according to claim 7 wherein said crosslinking agent comprises two components in which the first component is selected from the group consisting of phenol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, p-aminosalicylic acid, furfuryl alcohol, phenyl acetate, phenyl propionate, phenyl butyrate, salicylic acid, phenyl salicylate, aspirin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, methyl p-aminobenzoic acid, o-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, hexyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

and the second component is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, decanal, glutaraldehyde, terephthaldehyde, hexamethylenetetramine, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

26. A process according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is a produced brine.

27. A process according to claim 22 wherein said liquid is a produced brine.

28. A process according to claim 25 wherein said liquid is a produced brine.

29. A process comprising introducing into a subterranean formation a gelling compositoin which comprises a water-soluble polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a liquid wherein

said polymer comprises repeat units derived from at least one nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer and at least one olefinic comonomer;

said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is selected from the group consisting of ##STR13## and combinations of any two or more thereof;

said olefinic comonomer is selected from the group consisting of R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--W, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --Z, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--Y--W, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --N(R₂)--Y--R₂, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --G--Y--Z, R₁ C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --G--Y--W, R₁ --C(R₁)═

C(R₁)--(C═

O)_m --Y--Z;

R₁ and R₂ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl radical, aryl radical, aralkyl radical, alkaryl radical, and combinations of any two or more thereof wherein each radical contains 1 to about 30 carbon atoms;

M is a substituted or unsubstituted morpholine group;

each Y is independently selected from the group consisting of alkylene radical, phenylene group, imidazolium group, naphthylene group, biphenylene group, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

Ar is an arylene group;

G is N(R₁) or O;

Z has the formula selected from the group consisting of N(R₂)(R₂), N⁺ (R₂)(R₂)(R₂)X^-, and combinations thereof wherein X is an anion selected from the group consisting of halide, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfonate, phosphonates, sulfinate, phosphinate, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

each m is independently 0 or 1;

W is an acid moiety selected from the group consisting of phosphinic acid, phosphonic acid, sulfinic acid, sulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid, carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid, ammonium salt or alkali metal salt of any of these acids, and combinations of any two or more thereof; and

said crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of mutiltivalent metal compounds, two-component crosslinking systems, and combinations of any two or more thereof in which

the multivalent metal compound is selected from the group consisting of zirconium citrate, zirconium complex of hydroxyethyl glycine, ammonium zirconium fluoride, zirconium 2-ethylhexanoate, zirconium acetate, zirconium neodecanoate, zirconium acetylacetonate, tetrakis(triethanolamine)zirconate, zirconium carbonate, ammonium zirconium carbonate, zirconyl ammonium carbonate, zirconium lactate, titanium acetylacetonate, titanium ethylacetoacetate, titanium citrate, titanium triethanolamine, ammonium titanium lactate, aluminum citrate, chromium citrate, chromium acetate, chromium propionate, chromium malonate, and combinations of any two or more thereof; and

the first component of the two-component system is selected from the group consisting of phenol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, catechol, p-aminosalicylic acid, furfuryl alcohol, phenyl acetate, phenyl propionate, phenyl butyrate, salicylic acid, phenyl salicylate, aspirin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, methyl p-aminobenzoic acid, o-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, hexyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and combinations of any two or more thereof, and the second component of the two-component system is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, decanal, glutaraldehyde, terephthaldehyde, hexamethylenetetramine, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

30. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is selected from the group consisting of N-acryloyl morpholine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-propyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

31. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoelhyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl) piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl) piperazinium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, N-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-vinylimidazolium chloride, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

32. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl piperazine.

33. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt.

34. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride.

35. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt.

36. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride.

37. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride.

38. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt.

39. A process according to claim 29 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is N-acryloylmorpholine.

40. A process according to claim 29 wherein said olefinic comonomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, styrene sulfonic acid, salt of styrene sulfonic acid, N-methylacrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, acrylic acid, salt of acrylic acid, N-vinylpyrrolidone, methyl acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl sulfonic acid, salt of vinyl sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

41. A process according to claim 29 wherein said olefinic comonomer is acrylamide.

42. A process according to claim 29 wherein the second component of said two-component system is hexamethylenetetramine.

43. A process according to claim 31 wherein the second component of said two-component system is hexamethylenetetramine.

44. A process comprising introducing into a subterranean formation a gelling composition which comprises a water-soluble polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a produced brine wherein

said polymer comprises repeat units derived from at least one nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer and at least one olefinic comonomer;

said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is selected from the group consisting of N-acryloyl morpholine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-propyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-ethyl piperazinium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(2-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N-(3-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N-(3-amino-3-oxopropyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N-(4-amino-4-oxobutyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-3-(acryloyl amino)-1-propaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, N,N-diethyl-N-(4-sulfobutyl)-2-(acryloyl amino)-1-ethaneammonium inner salt, and combinations of any two or more thereof;

said olefinic comonomer is selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, styrene sulfonic acid, salt of styrene sulfonic acid, N-methylacrylamide, N,N-dimethylacrylamide, acrylic acid, salt of acrylic acid, N-vinylpyrrolidone, methyl acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl sulionic acid, salt of vinyl sulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, salt of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, and combinations of any two or more thereof; and

said crosslinking agent comprises two components in which the first component is selected from the group consisting of phenol, substituted phenols, aspirin, p-aminobenzoic acid, resorcinol, catechol, hydroquinone, furfuryl alcohol, R'"'"'ArO (C═

O)_m R'"'"', HOAr (C═

O)_m OR'"'"', HOArOH, R'"'"'OArOH, R'"'"'OArOR'"'"', and combinations of any two or more thereof wherein Ar is non-substituted or substituted arylene group;

each R'"'"' can be the same or different and is each independently selected from the group corsisting of hydrogen, carboxylic group, a C₁ -C₆ alkyl, a phenyl group or combinations of any two or more thereof; and

each m is independently 0 or 1; and

the second component is selected from the group consisting of aldehydes, aldehyde-generating compounds, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

45. A process according to claim 44 wherein said nitrogen-containing olefinic monomer is selected from the group consisting of N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-methyl piperazine, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(3-sulfopropyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium inner salt, N-acryloyl-N'"'"'-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N'"'"'-methyl piperazinium chloride, N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium inner salt, N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-N-(4-vinylbenzyl) ammonium chloride, N-(2-amino-2-oxoetliyl)-N'"'"'-vinyl imidazolium chloride;

and

said olefinic comonomer is acrylamide.

46. A process accordin to claim 45 wherein said second component of said two-component system is hexamethylenetetramine.

47. A process according to claim 46 wherein said liquid is a produced brine.