APPLICATION OF MICROSPHERES TO IN SITU SEPARATION OF WATER AND OIL

摘要

To combat the problem of water infiltration into an oil reservoir, a technique of injecting a fluid into the reservoir to cause separation between the oil and water is now available. This fluid will have a specific gravity matched to the conditions of the reservoir so as to float on the water and sink in the oil. In this way, it can be assured that the fluid will form a separation barrier between the water and oil. This invention contains two procedures, one to create a hard barrier and the other to create a soft barrier. Once the barrier is in place, it is possible to resume profitable production of the well yet again.