USE OF RADIATION-INDUCED POLYMERS TO INHIBIT THE INTRUSION OF CONTAMINATING FLUIDS INTO RESERVOIRS

摘要

Intrusion of contaminating fluids, e.g. salt water, into a fresh water aquifer is inhibited by injecting into the aquifer, preferably in advance of the intruding fluids, an aqueous solution containing a polymer obtained as a product of radiation-induced polymerization of acrylamide and/or methacrylamide and acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and/or alkali metal salts thereof. The polymerization is preferably carried out in 10-60 percent aqueous monomer solution with gamma radiation. A mixture of monomers, before radiation, preferably contain 25-99 percent acrylamide and 75-1 percent sodium acrylate. The polymer can be postioned within the aquifer by withdrawing fluids therefrom. The properties of the polymer permit "plugging" of the reservoir rock to the advance of the contaminating fluids.