CPC E21B 43/20 (2013.01) [C09K 8/588 (2013.01); E21B 43/162 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
1. A method for enhanced oil recovery in a reservoir, comprising:
injecting a microsphere suspension, comprising polymeric microspheres dispersed in seawater, into an injection well in the reservoir, wherein the polymeric microspheres are between about 10 nm and about 100 nm;
injecting SmartWater into the injection well in the reservoir to swell the polymeric microspheres diverting flow of the SmartWater into unswept regions of the reservoir;
injecting saltwater into the injection well to shrink the polymeric microspheres and move the polymeric microspheres in the reservoir;
injecting a second slug of Smartwater into the injection well to swell the polymeric microspheres and diverting flow into another unswept region in the reservoir; and
producing oil from a production well in the reservoir.
|