Conformance improvement additive, conformance treatment fluid made therefrom, method of improving conformance in a subterranean formation

Abstract

For conformance treatment to plug an opening in subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation, a conformance additive including water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, a filter aid that is preferably diatomaceous earth, and optionally a reinforcing material. The method of forming a conformance fluid includes contacting the additive with water or an aqueous solution, with a method of conforming the formation further including the step of injecting the fluid into the formation to plug the opening.

1 . A conformance additive comprising a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid. 
     
     
         2 . The additive of  claim 1 , wherein the filter aid is selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, perlite, glass beads, magnesium silicate, solid thermoplastic or thermoset polymer beads, talc, and calcium silicate. 
     
     
         3 . The additive of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is an a carboxylate-containing polymer, and the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of chromium (III) carboxylate complexes, aldehydes, dialdehydes, formaldehydes, glutaraldehyde, dichromates, titanium chelates, phenols, substituted phenols, ethers, aluminum citrate, and aluminates. 
     
     
         4 . The additive of  claim 3 , wherein the filter aid comprises at least one of diatomaceous earth or pearlite. 
     
     
         5 . The additive of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer comprises a low molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight less than 500,000, and a high molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight of at least 500,000. 
     
     
         6 . The additive of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer is a water soluble, carboxylate containing acrylamide, and the crosslinking agent is a chromium (III) carboxylate complex. 
     
     
         7 . The additive of  claim 6 , wherein the filter aid is diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         8 . The additive of  claim 6 , wherein the filter aid is pearlite. 
     
     
         9 . The additive of  claim 6 , further comprising reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, and comminuted plant material. 
     
     
         10 . A well fluid comprising a conformance fluid, water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a filter aid. 
     
     
         11 . The well fluid of  claim 10 , wherein the filter aid is selected from the group consisting of diatomaceous earth, perlite, glass beads, magnesium silicate, solid thermoplastic or thermoset polymer beads, talc, and calcium silicate. 
     
     
         12 . The well fluid of  claim 11 , wherein the polymer is an a carboxylate-containing polymer, and the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of chromium (III) carboxylate complexes, aldehydes, dialdehydes, formaldehydes, glutaraldehyde, dichromates, titanium chelates, phenols, substituted phenols, ethers, aluminum citrate, and aluminates. 
     
     
         13 . The well fluid of  claim 12 , wherein the filter aid comprises at least one of diatomaceous earth or pearlite. 
     
     
         14 . The well fluid of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer comprises a low molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight less than 500,000, and a high molecular weight polymer having a molecular weight of at least 500,000. 
     
     
         15 . The well fluid of  claim 13 , wherein the polymer is a water soluble, carboxylate containing acrylamide, and the crosslinking agent is a chromium (III) carboxylate complex. 
     
     
         16 . The well fluid of  claim 15 , wherein the filter aid is diatomaceous earth. 
     
     
         17 . The well fluid of  claim 15 , wherein the filter aid is pearlite. 
     
     
         18 . The well fluid of  claim 15 , further comprising reinforcing material selected from the group consisting of hydrophilic fibers, hydrophobic fibers, and comminuted plant material.