Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for the treatment of a rock formation or cavity, comprising the step of injecting, into said rock formation or cavity, a water solution of a water-soluble thermo-thickening polymer, said thermo- thickening polymer being able to form a gel at a threshold temperature (T g ), an inner temperature (T int ) of the rock formation or cavity being equal or superior to said threshold temperature (T g ), said process being characterized in that the thermo-thickening polymer is a cellulose chain, partially etherified with C 1 -C 6 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, or a polyacrylamide-based copolymer including N-isopropylacrylamide and/or N-vinylpyrrolidone groups. Such a process is advantageous for water shutoff in gas- or oilfields, or to solve to water channelling problems between injection wells and production wells.