Acrylamide-Polymer/Chromium(III)-Carboxylate Gels for Near Wellbore Matrix Treatments

Abstract

SUMMARY Acrylamide-polymer/chromium(III)-carboxylate gels have been developed for application to matrix reservoirs as near-wellbore total-shutoff treatments. Laboratory development, testing, and characterization of the new chromium(III) (CrIII) aqueous gels are reported. Results of this study indicate that these gels can be applied to elevated-temperature (up to 260°F) and high-salinity reservoirs. The single-fluid gels are produced by crosslinking low-molecular-weight Polyacrylamide with a CrIII-carboxylate-complex crosslinking agent. Use of low-hydrolysis Polyacrylamide facilitates the application to high-temperature reservoirs.