Method for treating underground formations

摘要

Disclosed is a method for treating subterranean formations such as underground petroleum-containing formations penetrated by a well, and particularly a formation penetrated by a producing well which formation contain a plurality of zones, one or more of which are producing petroleum and one or more of which are producing water. The treatment selectively reduces the permeability of the water-producing intervals without adversely affecting the permeability of the oil producing intervals, thereby reducing the production of water and reducing the water-oil ratio of the fluid being produced from the well. The treatment method involves introducing an effective amount of a liquid comprising a hydrocarbon having dispersed therein an unhydrated water swellable clay such as bentonite, a sodium montmorillonite. The clay swells on contacting water in the water-producing intervals and plugs or reduces the permeability of the flow channels in the water-producing intervals.