PROCESS FOR REDUCING THE PERMEABILITY TO WATER OF A THIEF ZONE OF A SUBTERRANEAN HYDROCARBON RESERVOIR

摘要

A process for reducing the permeability to water of a thief zone of a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir, said process comprising injecting an injection fluid down a well and into a thief zone. The injection fluid comprises a dispersion of particles in water, which particles are capable of flocculating at a critical flocculation temperature (CFT) which is at or below the maximum temperature encountered in the thief zone and greater than the maximum temperature encountered in the well, and which particles comprise a carbon allotrope selected from graphene, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and graphite, having adsorbed at its surface: (a) a non-ionic surfactant, and/or (b) a two-headed surfactant, and (c) optionally an ionic surfactant. The particles flocculate in the thief zone so as to reduce the permeability of the thief zone to water.