POLYVINYL ALCOHOL BASED-POLYVINYL ALDEHYDE GELS FOR RETARDING FLUID FLOW

摘要

POLYVINYL ALCOHOL BASED-POLYVINYL ALDEHYDE GELS FOR RETARDING FLUID FLOWSABSTRACTA gel-forming composition is provided comprising a PVA basedsubstance selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl alcohol, apolyvinyl alcohol copolymer, and mixtures thereof, polyvinyl aldehyde,and water. The gel-forming composition is useful for retarding the flowof fluids in subterranean formations. For example, a method is providedfor retarding the flow of water in high permeability channels in an oilreservoir. Such method is particularly useful in waterflood operationsto increase the sweep efficiency of the oil recovery process.