The present invention provides a method for restricting a fluid flow path in subterranean geological formations to facilitate the removal of hydrocarbons from the subterranean geological formation during enhanced oil recovery techniques. The method includes the steps of injecting a first water volume into the fluid flow path thereby displacing fluids present in the fluid flow path. The next step is injecting an alkaline volume into the fluid flow path thereby displacing the first water volume ah...

This specification discloses a method of producing oil from an oil-containing subsurface formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well. An oxygen-containing gas is injected into the formation to rapidly oxidize a portion of the oil therein and establish a stabilized in situ combustion zone. The oxidation of the oil forms organic acids within and surrounding the in situ combustion zone. An aqueous caustic solution is injected into the formation to quench the combustion within th...

A method for safely disposing of a waste gas from produced hydrocarbons. The waste gas is mixed with a surfactant to form a foam which, in turn, is placed within a disposal zone of a subterranean formation. The waste gas is effectively "trapped" within the foam thereby substantially reducing the mobility of the gas in the formation which, in turn, restricts the ability of the waste gas to readily flow out of the disposal zone and into the producing zone of the formation. The waste gas foam can b...

A gelation system for reducing the permeability of a subterranean region is provided by sequentially injecting slugs of a polymer solution and a crosslinking agent solution capable of crosslinking the polymer. The viscosity of the crosslinking agent solution is adjusted to facilitate mixing of the slugs in the desired treatment region to a form gel therein and minimize premature gelation outside of the treatment region.

Methods and compositions are provided for selectively plugging the water-rich strata of subterranean formations, including injection into the formation of a water-insoluble, oil-soluble resin emulsion. A series of chemical reactions is initiated in-situ such that the emulsion demulsifies, resulting in the coalescence of resin droplets. The coalesced water-insoluble, oil-soluble resin droplets are effective to selectively plug the water-rich strata over a relatively long distance and over a relat...

Novel carboxylic acid esters of 5-hydroxy-2-benzothiazolesulfonamide are shown to be useful for the topical treatment of elevated intraocular pressure. Ophthalmic compositions including drops and inserts are also disclosed, as well as methods for preparing the novel compounds.

A rotary fluid pressure device has a first oil passage with relatively high pressure fluid therein surrounding the gear set; a plurality of second oil passageways connecting the first oil passageway to the expanding and contracting oil chambers; and fluid non-return valves in each of the second oil passageways to permit the flow of oil therethrough only in a direction from the oil chambers to the first oil passageway.

Recovery of oil from a subterranean reservoir employing an alkaline agent-sulfonate surfactant system in conjunction with the injection of a sacrificial system comprising an inorganic polyphosphate and an alkali metal carbonate. An aqueous initiaion slug containing an inorganic polyphosphate, an alkali metal carbonate and an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and ammonium hydroxides is injected into the reservoir. The initiation slug is followed by the injection of...

An improved process for decreasing the permeability of a subterranean oil-bearing formation which comprises injecting an aqueous surfactant solution containing a chemically crosslinkable, water-dispersible polymer which prevents the surfactant from foaming until it is in the formation and after the polymer breaks down due to heat in the formation caused by steam which is used to carry the aqueous solution into the formation. In accordance with one embodiment, gelled or ungelled cellulose ether p...

The permeability of a subterranean reservoir can be more easily controlled by first injecting a crosslinking agent solution and then subsequently injecting a scleroglucan solution to thereby form, in situ, crosslinked scleroglucan gel. This reverse order of injection allows for a more homogeneous gel propagation without substantial risk of plugging.