The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Feb. 15, 2011

Filed:

Apr. 20, 2009
Applicants:

John D. Morris, Naperville, IL (US);

Kin-tai Chang, Sugar Land, TX (US);

Inventors:

John D. Morris, Naperville, IL (US);

Kin-Tai Chang, Sugar Land, TX (US);

Assignee:

Nalco Company, Naperville, IL (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
C09K 8/60 (2006.01); E21B 43/16 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract

This invention is directed to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles comprising hydrophobic polymers having a backbone with labile pendant groups, the microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 5,000 microns. Labile pendant groups on the backbone are subject to hydrolysis under a change in environmental conditions that results in expansion of the microparticle. The invention is further directed to the use of the composition for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.


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