Water Shutoff Technology Employing Gel-Forming Systems

A003 WATER SHUTOFF TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYING GEL-FORMING SYSTEMS Abstract A novel water shutoff technology has been developed to improve the exploitation efficiency of mature oil fields. According to the technology bottom holes of both injection and production wells are treated with thermoreversible gel-forming ROMKA systems. ROMKA systems are based on cellulose ether. They are capable to generate gels in situ. Using inorganic and organic additives one can control the temperature and the time of gelation within the interval of 40 to 120 o C and thereby to adjust them to specific reservoir conditions. During 2001 pilot tests were carried out in