Conformance control gels - Formation by contact with brine

New technology for gel treatments has been developed. The gel is formed when a solution of a water-soluble polymer (hydroxypropylcellulose, HPC) and a surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) mixes with brine. While conventional gels use a chemical initiator or activator, such as a heavy metal like chromium, to form the gel, the new HPC/SDS gel uses the salinity of the connate brine to initiate the gel formation.