Abstract:
Cross-linked polymeric microparticles having a volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 10 μιη and comprising from about 0.01 to about 5 mol% of one or more hydrolytically labile, crystallisable cross-linking structural units based on the total structural unit content of the polymeric microparticles and wherein the cross-linking structural units are derived from one or more hydrolytically labile, crystallisable cross-linking monomers having a number average molecular weight in the range of from about 1,500 to about 40,000 Daltons and comprise at least one polyester chain having at least five -RC(0)0- ester groups in a linear arrangement wherein the R groups each represent an alkanediyl group or a substituted alkanediyl group and wherein the cross-linking monomers have at least two sites of ethylenic unsaturation. The microparticles also comprise structural units derived from a hydrophilic monomer. When a dispersion of the microparticles in an aqueous fluid is injected into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the labile cross-linking structural units hydrolyze thereby releasing free polymer chains that are soluble or dispersible in the aqueous fluid such that a viscosified aqueous solution is generated within the formation,
Abstract:
A process plant has a process control system and a plurality of production lines, each production line having a predetermined equipment configuration. The process control system further includes a controller for interfacing to each production line. The process control system has information pertaining to the equipment configuration of each production line stored in an equipment data base, the operations performed by each production line stored in an operations data base, and raw materials information of the process plant stored in a raw materials data base. A method for controlling the production of a product by a production line comprises the steps of building a formula based on the product to be produced. The formula data provides information relating to relative quantities of raw materials included in the product and the manner of combining the raw materials. The formula also provides a sequence of operations for combining the raw materials compatible with production line operations and consistent with the formula data, the formula being independent of equipment. Based on the formula and a selected production line, a recipe is built for the product, the recipe being a set of procedures unique to the selected production line necessary to produce the product. The recipe is executed by the controller, the controller causing the equipments of the production line to perform the specified operations in the specified sequence as called for in the recipe to generate the product.
Abstract:
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.