Modified acrylamide polymers for enhanced oil recovery

Abstract

Abstract Copolymers of sodium acrylate and N ‐methyl‐, N ‐isopropyl‐, N‐n ‐butyl‐, and N‐t ‐butylacrylamide were prepared. The viscosities of these copolymers in 0.01% and 2.00% NaCl and their resistances to shear were compared with those of several partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides. The poly( N ‐alkylacrylamide‐co‐sodium acrylate demonstrated somewhat better retention of viscosity in brine than did analagous partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamides. N ‐alkyl substitution increased sensitivity to shear in low salt solutions.