Chevron U.s.a. Inc.

Anette Poulsen

Varadarajan Dwarakanath

Taimur Malik

Dennis Arun Alexis

Do Hoon Kim

Sophany Thach

Sumitra Subrahmanyan

Robert Matthew Dean

Embodiments of a polymer composition are disclosed for use in enhancing the production of oil from a formation. In one embodiment, the composition includes a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from the group of surfactants, glycol ethers, alcohols, co-solvents, and mixtures thereof, at a weight ratio of powder polymer to water soluble solvent ranging from 20:80 to 80:20. The polymer composition is substantially anhydrous. The polymer composition is hydrated in an aqueous fluid for an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and having a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 &#x3bc;m filter.

Polymer compositions

A method for making a polymer suspension for use in enhancing the production of oil from a formation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises mixing a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons into a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 for less than or equal to 24 hours. The water soluble solvent is selected from a group, at a weight ratio from 20:80 to 80:20. The polymer suspension is stable, pumpable, and substantially anhydrous; and it is hydrated for an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours, containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and having a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 &#x3bc;m filter, by mixing a sufficient amount of the polymer suspension in an aqueous fluid.

An injection solution for injecting into a subterranean reservoir to enhance production and recovery of oil from the reservoir is disclosed. In one embodiment, the injection solution is prepared by mixing a sufficient amount of a pumpable, stable and substantially anhydrous polymer suspension in an aqueous fluid for the polymer to be hydrated in less than or equal to 4 hours, resulting in the injection solution containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm. The injection solution has a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 &#x3bc;m filter. The polymer suspension comprises a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from a group, at a weight ratio from 20:80 to 80:20.

A method of enhancing oil recovery in a subterranean reservoir is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a wellbore and a polymer suspension. The polymer suspension comprises a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from a group, at a weight ratio of 20:80 to 80:20. The method comprises providing an aqueous fluid, mixing a sufficient amount of the polymer suspension in the aqueous fluid for the polymer to be hydrated resulting an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours, and injecting the injection solution into the wellbore. The injection solution contains a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and has a filter ratio of less than 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 &#x3bc;m filter.

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Oyne, United Kingdom

Anette Poulsen