Polymeric gel system and methods for making and using same in hydrocarbon recovery

Abstract

Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol and an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound sufficient to increase the viscosity of coacervate gels up to 3 times as compared to the gels in the absence of the phosphorus-containing compound. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids.

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         43 . A method of separating two portions of fluid for movement in a pipe comprising the steps of:
 placing between the portions of fluid in the pipe an aqueous gel separating pig comprising:
 water and, by weight based on the water, 
 0.1% to 5% of an anionic or cationic polymer, 
 a lesser amount but at least 0.01% of a surfactant having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and a charge opposite that of the polymer, 
 from 0.001 to 5% of a hydrophobic alcohol, 
 an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound, 
 up to 5% of an amphoteric surfactant, and 
 up to 5% of an amine oxide, 
   
       where the gel has a Zeta Potential of an absolute value of at least 20 millivolts. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising the step of:
 forming an isolated segment of at least one of the portions of fluid by placing an additional aqueous gel pig in the pipe a desired distance from the separating pig, the additional aqueous gel pig comprising:   water and, by weight based on the water,   0.1% to 5% of an anionic or cationic polymer,   a lesser amount but at least 0.01% of a surfactant having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and a charge opposite that of the polymer,   from 0.001 to 5% of a hydrophobic alcohol,   an effective amount of a phosphorus-containing compound,   up to 5% of an amphoteric surfactant, and   up to 5% of an amine oxide,   
       where the gel has a Zeta Potential of an absolute value of at least 20 millivolts and where the effective amount of the phosphorus-containing compound is sufficient to increase the viscosity of the gel.