Other

Alberta Science and Research Authority

Bernard Tremblay

Douglas A Lillico

Haibo Huang

Bradley W Brice

Ron Sawatzky

Zhihong (John) Zhou

Giovanna Boccardo

Zhihong (john) Zhou

A method for controlling driving fluid breakthrough caused by zones of pressure communication, i.e., a matrix bypass event ('MBE') or a wormhole, having a void space and possibly areas of enhanced permeability (a halo region) associated with the void space, within a subterranean formation arising from use of a driving fluid in reservoirs where heavy/viscous oil is being produced. In embodiments, the method includes injection of a slurry of a cementitious material into the zone, which upon setting, provides a cement plug in the void space that reduces the pressure communication and flow of driving fluid within the zone. Another step injects a gel precursor within the zone, which upon setting, produces a gel plug that also reduces pressure communication and driving fluid flow through the halo region of the zone.

Method to control driving fluid breakthrough during production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir

A method of blocking a high permeability channel in communication with a wellbore, including the steps of introducing an amount of an unreinforced gel into the high permeability channel via the wellbore and introducing an amount of a reinforced gel comprising an amount of a reinforcing material into the high permeability channel via the wellbore. The method may further include the step, after introducing the unreinforced gel and the reinforced gel into the high permeability channel, of introducing an amount of a chaser fluid into the wellbore.

Method for controlling water influx into wellbores by blocking high-permeability channels

Growing community of inventors

Regina, Canada

Bernard Tremblay