CA2041584A1 - Method for steam flooding profile control - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT
A method for minimizing well recompletions in a multiple zone hydrocarbonaceous fluid containing formation. A steam flooding enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is conducted in the upper zone of said formation via fluidly communicating injector and producer wells which penetrate the upper and lower zones. The wells are unperforated and do not communicate with each other in the lower zone. Thereafter, a temperature activated gellable composition is injected into the upper zone where it forms a solid gel. Afterwards, both wells are perforated so as to fluidly communicate with each other in the lower productive interval. Subsequently, a steam-flooding EOR operation is conducted in the lower level and hydrocarbonaceous fluids are removed therefrom. Polymers utilized in the gellable composition include polyvinyl alcohol and polyacrylamide cross-linked with phenol and an aldehyde producing compound sufficient to form a phenolic resin in situ.

Description

~ ,~,? ~ J !l 57S7.s ~?. F~

~*la~L~ca~
Thi~ applica~ion i~: a continUa~ion-i.n-par~ o~ Se~ial No.
29~, 795 whi~h WAE~ ed on Janu~ry 3, ~9 . I'c i~ so r~lat~d tD .5erial No. 2~2,8qs whi~h wa~ d on Janua~y 3, 198~.

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Th~s invention rel~e~ to t:lle U~Q ~:E temp~ratur~ ac:tivated g~l~ that can ~e us~d fc~r prs:~llo ~ont~ol a~r a ~e~m flood ~o thak increa~;ed amoun~s of hydr~ca~on~oUs ~luLds oan b~
ob~inetl ~o~ a ste~m und~r~wep~ zc~ne in ~ ~orm~tlon.

B~p~ ~ of_th~ I nV~n~
~ n ~ho re~ ry of o~l ~rom oil-aon~alning Xo~mationE;, i~ i~
usually E~ ible to re~over ~nly ~ninor porti~n~; o~ the original ol~in-pl~ae l~y 6D~c~llod prima~y ~ecovery mQ~hods whiah u~ilixe only natur~l Por~ D ina~ea~ ~h3 reco~ry oP oil a v~ie~y ~ ~upplementa~y recovery teah~iyu~ are en)~yed. The~e techniqu~6 lnclu~e wa~cerf loodiny, m~aible floodir~g, and ther~l recov~ry.
A pr~blem thAt arisQ~ ln v~xiou~ ~looding proaes~e~ i~ th~c dl~erent ~t~ta or zone~ in the re~ oi~ o~en p~
diP~sren~ perme~abill~s, 'rhu~, di.epl~ain~ f~uid~ enter high p~ abil~ty or "thief" ~one~ in px~Rfer~ncs to zcms~s o~ lower ~eabill'cy. s~gn~ ant quAn~iti~ o~ oll m~y bQ left in zhne~
o~ w~r pe~meabllity. ~o ~ircum~nt this dlP~lc~lty l:h~
~e~hnique o~ pro~ control 1~ ap~ d to plu~ ~he high perm~ab~ llty 7.0ne~ with polynle~ia ~el~ and thu~ divert t~e 2 ~J~ 3 h displac~rlg ~luid into l:h~ ~JIda~wep'c low pe~cm~ ity, oil rich zones, A~n~ng the pc,lym~x~ ex~mlned ~or imp~P~ins~ w~ter100cl con~cxm~n~e ar~ ~net~l cro~ link~3d poly~aah~rid~s, m~al aros~ n~etd poly~o;rylam~e~, and t~r~ania-¢xo~sl1nked pol~ r~laLni~e~
Pc\lymsrla ~els are: di~3clo~Qd in ~eve~l U. s . pAtan~S. ~mong ~h~Y~ 5. Patent N~, 4 ,157, 32~ whlch i~ue~ ~o Coleqrove on JunB 5, 1979. rrhi~ gr31 i~ fc)rm~d ~rom w~t:e~, a poly~ h~ride polymer, ~n a~id ~en~aratlng ~alt arld a mel~minia res~n.
polymeric g~ clo~ed in U.S. I~a~en1: ~o. ~,65B,~s~ which i~ued ~o P~ul e~ al1 on .~.pril 21, 1~7. This patent dlsclc~e~
an aq~ou~; ~o~U~icn o~ he~R~op~ly~ har~de S-130 ::omb~n~d wi~h ~lDns C1~ ba~$c organ~c: compoundf~ which catiorl~; cont~ined at l~st two posl~lvely char~ed cen~csrs~. U.S. Paten~ No. 4,71~,9~6, is~ued to Shu on January 5, 1~8, di~lo~e~ a gel ~oxmed ky amino re~in~ ~uoh ~ melamln~ ~02~n~ld~3hyde which modi~y biopolym~r~ in c:omb~n~t:ion with ~ran~itional mQtal ion~. Th~3 pat~nt~ axe hex~by inc~rpor~ted by ref~enc~ hexein.
Bzlsla ~o th~ pr~ n o~ er~ing di~pla¢ing ~luld wit~
p~lymeria ~el~ is ~he nR~ ity o~ plac~.ng ~h~ polymer whe~e it i~ na~d~}, i.o. ln the hign permoa}: ility ~n~ . Thi~ i~ po~sible wh~n Xanthan ~lopolymer~ ~r~ c:ro~s-llnk~d wL~h met~ n~ ~u~h ~3 abcl~rQ ~ro~nd t~ iVQ gelB. The~e ~}e~ ar~ sha2~r ~t~b~e elnd ~ear thlnnir~ hey c:an be ln~ ~c'c6~d into t~ ~orma'clon 6~1her~
~hay the3~ rehQal. I~Ue to th~ gel ~ rh~olo~ical propertles, ~hey will of nec~ity qo into high p~r~ bil iky æone~ owever, nlany c~the~ gel ~y~temEa ~r~ form~d in~ . One ~:y~t~m di~lo~ed ln U.S~ Patent 3,~57,5~2 contain~ a~ryl~mide monom~r, m~thylen~-bi~-acr~lamlde as àn org~ni~ croE~ ink~r, and a ~re~
radi~al init~at~. T~ y~tem under~aes polymerl.~atio~ ln ~he ~or~tlon tD ylv8 ~ poly~c~ylamide cro~s-link~d ~ith - 2 w ~ ,'? '~ ? L~

m~thylena-bi~;~a¢rylamide~ ~wever, ~h~ os.lty ~ thç~ G~lu~ion w~en inj eated ~ ce t~a~ o~ wat~ . Unl~s~ mec~h~ni~ qtion i~ u~sd, ~he~3e ~olutl~n~ a~3 qU~ pa~ o~ pen~tra~ing lo~
permeabllity, o~l b~a~ing z~ne~ noth~2~ f~nn o~ tn~ u ~atlon involve~ ~hs in~e~ n of p~ cr~lamid~ ~nntaining ahxomium ; n tlle ~or~n oP chromate . )~ dll~in~ aqen~ such a~
thloUrQ~ or ~c~dium thlo~U~ t~ ~ a al~o inj eGte~ to reduae ~che ¢hroma~e ~n~E~itu ~o C~r~3, ~ ~pecie,s capalble o~ oro~G-llnking hydr~ly~ad polyaorylamid~. Ev~ thc)ugh ~c~e pol~a~ryl~nide 801U~i 9n ha~ 05ity gre~tex th~n wat~r, it 1~ not c:apabl~ oL
~hc~win~ the ~electlvity tl~t ~ qel can~ ~hus, PO~Q~rY1a~nide8 aroEIs~linke~ w:Lth chronlium in~ u c:an al;o go in'c-:~ low p~ aabllity ~ont3~ ie not uE~ ul to ~ro~ llnX
polyac~ryl~mid~e above g~:ound and in~ ~a~ khem a3 g01 s, b~¢~u~2 po~ya~rylamide ~el~ unde~gc~ shear degr~dA~lon~ There are ~3r~
~ew g~ h~t are sele~va and th~rmally ~tabla.
:~n addltion tc~ the ~r~Htion o ~Ithie~ z~ne~ durin~ a wat:elr~l~odln~ ~eCo~rRry toahni~, steam flo~diT)g o~ m ~t:imu~ion proce~ r~3ate ~ unique ~i~uat ~ on in a ~ormatlon which i~ ~ravity o~rex~ride due to the ~'ce~m ' B low d(3nBi~y~
B~a~u~e o f the s~Ram ~ ~ low den~ y, ~chel ~.wRep path o~ the E;~e~m 1~ ~her~ore bi~E~ed toward~ the ~op o~ th~ p~yzon~. ThU~, ~h~
area im ad~d by tho ov~rricle~ eam may o~ m~y not be o~ low permeability. Alt~ou~h s~eam pr~f~renkiall~ enter~ ~ hi~h per~e~bill~ hl~f zone, thæ hlgh ~mp~ ur~ o~ th~ ~t~m wlll ~1~3o remove hydr~ rbonaaec~u6: ~luida ~rc~m~ por~ion~ o~ lo~
pRrme~bilLt~ zone~ thQ dl~k~nc~ incs~e~q~; ~xom ~eaad entry lnto the~ ~or~atiPn~ th~ t~mperature will decr~A~o. A8 long as tl~o temperatur~ i~; hot enou~h hyc~roaarbonac~vu~ flUlds wlll b~
rsmoved from the "thie~1~ zon~ a~ w~ portion~ oP l~w perm~ablli~ ~ona~.

When ~ rn haF; brok.en ~hrough 'GO a proc~uc~i~n l~ell during a s~e~mPlo~d, a he~tec~ p~ ion o~ dch~ for~na~.ion will communicate witl~ an i.n~ct~r we~l. Th~E~ h~ d p~rtiorl may include por~on~
~t' bo~'ch high ~nd l~w p~nee~ y ~eam override zc~nes. Fo~ this reaE3on, a gel ~yEIt~am w~liah ~an ~el~c~ rel~ ~nter a hlgh p~rm~ y "~hie~ zone may no~ en'c~r e~ low perme~b$11ty ~one.
Tl~u~, a ~t~e ~leat~e ~el m~y no~ preven~ s~e~m ~rom entaring lnto ~ hea~6~d low permeabili~y zon~3 whl~h has beell depl~ted of hydrDc!arbonaceou~ d~.
Th~3xefore, what 1B n0eded 1~; a me~hc~d ~f 2~or~nin~ a ~ol~d gel in ~rea~3 of ~ m~ iple produck~e zone ~orm~tion which ax~e~s have b~n hea~ed to 21 t~i3mperel~urf3 above 300DF BO as to minlml~e well r~~o~plet~ons .

~L~
q~h~ ~ invent.ion is ~Ir~ted tc3 ~ me~hod for minimizing w~ll recomple~lotl~ in a hydroc:arbonaceou: ~lui~ antainin~ form~ n having ~nultipl* produc~ive int~ An upp~ pr~ductlvQ
int~rval i~ hRatad to a t~mpe~r~ uro ln exce~ o~ abou'c 300F.
PreP~rably ~ ~aam ~la~d enhanc~3~3 oi~ recovery me~hod 1~ u~ o h~at tha upper p~oductlve ~one. Th~ upper produc1:ivQ zon~ is p~n~trated bsr ~lu~dly ~ommunlcat~ng inj6~cltor and produ~3er w~
~he~e w~lls ax~ n~t petfox~at~d ~t ~ lower ln~e~l arld dD no~
fl~dly ~ nuni~ate with each otller.
Wh4~n ~tQ~ r~akthrough occU~ at th~ p~oductlon w~ n~ a te~npar~ture in ~3xa~ o~ about 3 00 ~ F i~ reach~d in the upp~r produc~iv~ zone, ~ .m lnjec~ion 1~ ce~ d. A~'cerw~rd~
tomp~atur~ ac~ivated g~lla?~le c~mpo~it1on i5 inj~ct~d into sald uppe~ prDduatl~6l interv~l 'ch~ough both th~ tn~ectc3r anù producer w~lls. He~e it ~or~n~ a ~lid gel 'chereby blool~in~ said upper p~oductlv~ rval to ~luld ~low.

~1 lb:~ FI~UI'I llOBIL FFI!R n~s CC1111~ 10 ~ 1613563g86g P.08 ,~ a ~

Th~re,af~r, ~he ln~6~c~or ~nd prc~cluce:~ w~lls ar~ per~ora~d a~ a lowar produa~ 3 ln~rval ~ A~; ~0 Al10W l!o~ ~luit3, oo~muni~at~on b~w~nn sai~ w~ n~ id w~ h~ve beon ~eaompl~ed at ~he ~oWer produc~v~ e~ , a ~am-Plooùlng enhana3~ r~cclvery opelr~tion 1~ ~ommenaed ln~ aid lDw~r pro~ucti~ in~ral to rsmove hyAruo~bonacs~ouE~ ~luid~ thsrs~rom.
'rh~ llab~e compD~;~ti~n u~iliz~ hor<~in fo~m~ a ~l~id ~olid ~ol upc~n re~hinsJ a temper~ure o~ abou~ 3so~F to aboutc ~sO~F ln th~ uppex producc~v~ lnt~2tl. The ~e~ble o~npo~lon con~aln~
~ wa~ar disperEl~le polym~3r, ~n ~ld*hyd~ con~aini~g compDund whi~h daa~mpo~ee ~o yield ~ malduhyde, and a l?h~nolic c~mpound.
Upon r~ahlng ~ activ~inq tempe~a~ure the~ ~yal~c dlmor d~:OmpO8Q~ tD ~ield an aldehyde which in ~urn rQZ~Clt~ with th~
ph~nolla ~ompound to ~orm phonolic re6:in, ~h~ ge~an~, ~n ~ u.
~he~Q~ r, ~hl3 phenoli~ resin g~ th~ p~lymer thereby fc~rming a rigid ~el.
~ hl~ rlgld gel r~dua~ 'che~ tr~n m~ ility o~
hydro~bonac:~ou~ ~luld~ ~hrou~h ~che upp~r px~ductiv~ in~rvaL.
In adclit~n tD reducin$~ the 'cran~mi~:ibili~y o~ ~luid~ ~h~ough the heAt~d upper in~e~l, the ri~ld ~B}. ~au~e~ am ~rom B
~ub~ent ~tea~ ~l~oding ur ~team ~ mulati~n opera~ i~n ~o be dlv~rted ~o a deep~ Ye1 in th~ produalnq ln~xval, thexeby pr~ducing addltlonal ~ydr~aar~on~eou~ ~uids to ~he ~;us~ e.
G~lla~l~ aqu~ou~ omp~ ions w~i~h c~a~n ;eorm a ~ol~d g~l upon ro~ct~lng ~ temper~uro above 300'~ ~re o~mp~i~;od ~
wat~ di~per~ibl~ polymar~, phQn~ compound~, and aldRhyde produaing aomp~und~, Polyn~er~ wh~ah ~r~ d her~in aa~o ~Qleate~ ~rom a member of ~he ~r~up aonsi~tin~ o~ poly~lnyl alcoh~l, po~yvin~l Alcohol ~opolymers, pol~acryl~mide, polyvinyl ~mine, ~ul~on~te~ polyvinyl ~laohc~l, and poly~aa~ylamide-~arylaJn~ 2-me~hylpropann ~ul~on~). Phenoli~ aompound~

w~ioh can be u~:ed ~.nclud2 phenol, c~cho~, r~E~o~inol, phlo~ogluc~nol, 4, ~ iphenc~ , 3-dihy~r~xy- nap~thalene, and r~lated ~mllar compound~, Aldehyd~ produc~lng compoun~ which can bl3 u~ llzEtd herein upo~ reach~.ng ~ np~ratu~e ~bo~ ab~Ut 3 00 F ~noludo trlox~, pa~P~rmaldQhyda, ~nd tetra~xane .
~ t is t~eref~re ~n ~b~ct o~ thls inventlon ~o provid~ ~or a tQmpsra~.ur~ actlva~ed gella~l~ composi~l~n which c:an be deli~rer~d inl-~ a ~eated upp~r produa'clve zon~ hav~ ng a kemp~ature ~u~ ient t:o ac~ ate ~ld compo~;itlon and 6~1QCtiV~1Y ~rm ~ol~d gel ~hereln.
nothe~ ob~ec~ o~ ~hi~ inv~ntic1n to pr~rid~ ~or a ~e~nper~turG~ ~ck~va~d gellabl~ co~npDeitlon wh~a~ can be dQlivsr~d ~n~ a ~o~matl~n ' ~ ~'cQam ~ d~d zon~ h~vln~ ~ tempHrature above ~bout 300F and th~reaftex fo~m a ~ d gel ~her#in.
It is ~t ano~he~ ~b~ ~ct D2~ ~hl~ ~nvention t~ pro~ e ~or ~ompo~l~lon which ~idQ ~oxming a solld g~l in a ~o~ler 30ne of les~e~ permo~bili~y or an unhe~t~d zone o~ a f~natlon, It is an~the~ Purthe~ ~b~ ~ct o~ lnven~i~n to provid~
~r a compo~itlon ~hat w~11 minimlze gql damag6~ a cool3r znn~
o~ low0r perm~bili~y w~ ing pore~ ln a hi.gher perm~ahil~ty ~on~ having ~ temper~ku~ ab~ve A~hUt 300~, It i~ a ~tlll ye~ ~ur~her c~ec~ o~ ~hl~ inven~lon to pr~vld~ so~npos;L~ion ~hich will inc:r~a~e ~h~ e~cienay o~ A
dri~ ~luid thr~u~h ~ ~or~na~c~on ther~by incr~a~ing th~ yield o~
hydroc~rbonaa~ou3 ~luld~ th~e~rom.

~.~h~
FIG. ~ ~ a diagramn~tlc plall ~lew o~ a ~orm~tien wh~3re ~t~am ha~ p~ed ~21rough a hl~h pe~ne~h~llty zc~ne or upper productive inter~r~l intcl a p~duc~ion w~

'~ ~, ? ~
J ' 1;, ' 1~,7 '~ ,~

FI~. 2 :i~ a dlag~mn~tic: pla~ vi~w where ~cht3 hig~
p~me~bilit~ ~one ~r upp~r p~c,duc~ive intu~v~l h~ be~3n clo~ed With ~ he~t ~ tlv~ gel whlle ~eam is p~~1ng through a low p~r3neabl~ity zon6~ c~r ~ow~ p~uc~iVG~ int~

FIG~ 3 i~ ch~matl~ repr~ n~ation which ~llu~trate~
tempe~Ur~ d1E~t~l~u~ion in~o hlgh and low psrm~abili'c~ ~on~ o~

a ~o~matlon durln~ ~eam ~loo~lng or ste~m ::tlmulationO

D~srlng tho re~ov~r o f hydrocarbonAcG~ou~ f lulc~s ~om a multipl~ produatlv~ in~erval i~orm~t~on where~n a ~ m ~loodin~
proc0~t is utilized, a~ is ~lown in PIG. 1, ~ m en'c~r~ oonduit ~ o~ in~ection welL 10. A~te~arclE;, ~'ceam exi'Cs in~ectiG~n well 10 vla pe~o~ion~ 12 ~nd en~r~3 high p~rme~bility zGne or ~app~r p~odu~t~e in~rval 14. St~m ~nd hydrocarbonEI ob~cainad ~rom h~c~h p~rmeability zone or upper p~oduct~v~ int~rval 12 axit ~h~ough p~oduc:t~on well 16 via per~oration~ 1~. The~e~tQr, s~e~m and hydroc~rbonaceou~3 ~l uids exi~ produ¢tion w~ll 12 via c:ondult ~. Du~in~ this E;t~am 1OD~in~ proces~ e high p~r~e~bill~y Zone or upp6~r produ~ ve in~E3rva~ 14 is heat~:d up by ~che st~am. Whil~ being heelta~ t~mp~rature contaur is d~v~loped in elth~r a ~ am ~lo~ded o~ a ~t~am stlmul~d ~o~ma~i~n. Thu~, ~he uppe~ produ~L~r~ lntorval or z~n~ ~wept by ~t~am in ~ld p~odua~ivs3 lnt~3rv~1 h~vo the high~t3t temper~ture~
ln th~ ~orm~tion whll~ th~a un~W~pt ar~ or ~Xfl~ not: reCBiVi ~team in the fc~r~na'cl~n h~ he lowe8t. Thl~ conc!epl~ iR
lllu~tr~ted ln ~IB. 3.
Th~ ~onc:ept lllu~ated ~n F~ equ~lly appllcsabl~ t~ a th~ l t~ct~ni~sue wh~re ~3tea~ ; utillzed wLth ~ sin~) e w~Ll in multi.ple produa~v~ ~n~ex~al Eormat~on. 0~ course thl~ weli 1 not per~ra~d ~ a lower p~odu~tlve intorval, Thls t~h3~1~ue i~

~J (J/ ', 'i" S ~ J~

known aG ~hE~ ~hu~ d puP~ method. Thi~ m~3thod 1~3 de~crib~d Ln U.6, P~t~nt Nc). 3,~59,1~ff ~hich i~ hur~by lnc~rpor~ted by refe,~63nae h~reln. Irl t~.B me~chod, E3~ am 1~ in~c~e~ via ~ w~
~n qu~ntit~e~ :uf~ nt to heat an upper ~ub~erranean hydrooarbon-be~a~"g form~tl.on in ~ vic~ it,y o~ ~.h~ w~ll. The w411 1~ then shu~-in ~or a E~oa~lng perio~, a~ter whiah it i~
pl~aed on p~o~uction. Arter p~o~ua~ion ha~ d~(:lined in ~he upper procluctive inte~v~l the "hu~ ~nd puf P~ me~hod may ag~in be employod ~n the ~ame w~l at ~ low2x produc~ivH ln~arv~l to agalr~
~tin~ulate produoti~n. Fl~id communicatlnn With the lower procluctiv~ lntar~al i~ ~b~ained ~y recomple~ing or p~or~lng the~ well at ~h~3 low~ ~nt~al a~e~ ~o~min~ lid ~el in the upp~r p~oduat~ve inter~10 The applia~ion of ~lngle we~l scheme~ employing ~te~m lnje~-ion as applied to heavy o~ ur bltum~n i~ desc:rib~d in U.S. Paten~ No. 2,~ 3~, whlch utllize~ g~avi~y ~r~nag~. Thi~
patent i~ incerpl)ra~d ~y re~erenc~ l~erein. An improvement o~
tht ~ ms~od i~ de~ibe~ ~n a la~ce~ paten~, U. S . Patont No.
3,1~5,1~;0, in whioh ~3teAm i~3 in~ected and app~opr~ately ~imed whll~ p~es~uring and deprç~6uring ~3p~ ~X'R employed. Whe~
applloable to a ~ield p~te~rn, ~he "hu~ ar~d pu~ hniquo may be ph~ed ~t~ th~t numerou~ w~ 3 a~e on an in~ation cycl~ whlle ~ther~ aro on ~ productloxl ay~le: ~he cyc:le6 m~y t:hen b~
ra~r~ed~ 'rhl~ pa~en'c is h~reby incorp~r~e~ by r~r~nce l~ere~n.
U. ~. Pa~n~ No. ~, ~57, 650 d~ ibe~ a method f~r r~ov~in~
h~h ~l~a~sity olls ~om su3~ur~ orm~til~n~ u~n~ ~team and an in~rt g~ to pre~ r~ze and hea~ the ~orma~ion and the oil whi~
t aon'caltl~ . Th~ ~t~3~m flnd the inert ga~ y be in~eot~d eith~r ~mul'can~ot~sl~,r or s6~u~n~1ally, a.g. ~te~n in~ ion, ~ollow~d by a ~oak period, ~ollowed ~y ln~e~ion o~ inext ga~ Inert ga~

JL~ r~ lL ~ hlR Of lK5 C0~ i ro 9 161~63g~ P. lZ
' ' ~

raferred ko inc:lude helium, m~thane, aar~on d~c:xid~, ~lue ga~, s'c~k ~ And oth~r ga~ whic:h ar~ nonconden~;~ble in char~ater and wh~h do not ira~arala~ ~lther wlth ~he ~orma~ion ma~rlx or ~h~
oil or ~ther ea,~h material~ c:on~,in~sd in ~h~ natrlx. Th~
paten~ 1~ he~reby inc~rporateca ~y re~e~r~nc~e h~rein.
Wh~n it becom~ n~ orlo~nia~.l to aon~ nue~ ln~ ec~.ng s~eam to rQ~C~r hyàroa~r~on~ceou~ ~luld~ ~rom an upper producs~ro ln~en~al ViA a "hu~ ~nd pu8`~" me~hod o~ ~rc)m a ~sm ~looding m~hod wher~ an in~ ection and ~ producer w~ r~ ~3mployed a~
~ho~n ln FIG~ aam in~ea~lon ir~o injec:~ion well lO i~
coQ~ed. ~vc~ntually, ~ a~ ~n~ hydroaa~bonz~ 30s ~luid~ ce~s~ ~o ~low int:o produa~r well 1~ ~rom ~che upp~3r pr~d-~c~lve int~rval.
P~duo~ well 16 i~ t~d to al ~empE~r~ure o~en in exc~ o~
300''~. ~n or~er to obtElln hydroc:arbona~eau~ ~luids fxos~ low~r produative int~rval 18, skeam ~ant~y ~nto heated upper interval 14 eaq~d. Communia~ion ther~ore ha~ ~co ~ t~bli~hed b~ween ln~ec~/~r ~4ell 10 and produoer well 16 ~ th~ l~wer produo~ci level 18., ~o ~a~mpli~h ~ e, in ~no Qmbodirnent o~ ~hi~ in~r~ntion, a te~np~ra~ur~ ~tivat~d gellabl~ compe~ition i~ dire¢t~à down produoo~ well lG. Pr~or to dlrec~lng ~ald compo~ition irlto prod-~c~ w~ll 16, ~ch~ temp~ra~urla wl~hln ~he well i~: detfl~snined.
Th~ ~emp~ra~ur~ qan b~s m~aa~u~d by A dowa~hc)l~ d~ a~ i~ known by thO~ ~kiLlled in th~ a~ ch~ w~ll temper~ r~ ~ ho'c enough to actlvat~ ~he gellab~e co2npo~ition ~o as t~ cau~e ~olid or r~gid ~el to ~o~n ln the well~ ~h~a well iB c~ol~d.
5Qveral m~'chcd~ can be u~e~ to aool the well~ vn~ embo~ nt a ~o~llnç~ ~luid pr~ferably w~er, ~n be lnj~f3d af3 ~ spac~r prtor to ir~ectlng th~ gellable aompo~Lti~n into ~ell 1~ and tl ro~mation~ Xn~eo~ n o~ th~ coolln~ ~luld i~ n~inued until ' ,,i?~ s,? /.~

~ro~uc~r well 1.~ haf3 ~n aoolf~d ~o ~ k~mp~rz~ture o~ ou~ 3~F
~o ~bot~t 4 5 o ~ ~ ~
Xn Anoth~r em~o~ nt, ~ch~ coollny ~luid can be oi~c~l~t~d lnto produc~ well ~ ~hrouyh ~ n-::entr~c s~ri~ conE~ ing o~
aJl lnn~r and an outer tu~ing . ~hEI cool ing ~lu~d ~1~3WE~ down tha in~er tub~ng and ou~ o~ t:h~ ~oncQn~rl~ ~crlng by th~ o~'ce~
tul31ng~ ~urin~ the c~r :ul~loh of the cooling ~luid ln~o and out:
o~ produaer wæll 16, t,h~ concen~la Ei~rir~y r~maln~ in oon~eac~
wi~h p~duc~r w~ c~ a~3 ~o cc~ a te~np~ tu~e o~ ~bout 300'F to abo~c 450~F. ~oollng producer w~ll 16 ln 'chi~ manne~
allow~ ~r mo~e p~ec~.~e con~rol o~ ~h~ coo~ proce~. Upo~
obta~n ~ ng a des~ed t~mp~r~ure su~lci~nt ko pr~vent pren~atux~
~llatlon o~ ~h~ g~llablQ c~o~po~i~lon, ciraul~ion o~ co~lin~
~luld in~o p~o~ucsr well 16 i~ ~topped~
~ te~ cir~u?~iDn o~ c:Doling ~luid ln~o ~h~ c:on~en~cric:
~trlng is ~topp~ e ~omp~turq~ ac:t~JA~ed g~llable c~r~p~ lvn 1~ injea~63d d~wn prcduc:~ w6311 1~ vi~ ~ch~ conc:~n~rlc strlng. ~o accosnplish ~hi~ a ~ur~ r~turn valYe on th~ cont:~n~ri~ ~rlng 1~ cl~o~ ther~by ~oppang ~he c~ul~t~on o~ ~Luld ~rom ~h3 ~on~en~rlc ~rirlg. The a~ va~ed g~llable compo~i~ion i~
dl6pl~cad i~to hi~her productive intet:v~l 14 by ~ontlnu~d c~ion ~ pumplr~g into th~ ~:onc~ntrl~: s~rlng. Dl~pla~em~7~t o~
~he t~nperatur~ aati~JAt~d gell~blQ c~omposi~lon a~n b~ alded by plaaing a ~railing ~luid e.g, w~a~ in'co p~odu<:ar we~l 16 through ~ prns~ur~ aa~ated valvo or ~uptur~ dl~k.
Alternativ~ly, a --,-- A pre~ure act~va~ed v~lve or ru~ur~
di~k is ~l~o u~d ~o aau~:~ a ~empera~urt3 ~c'civ~ted g~lla~le colnpositlon ~o ~low into thQ produc~r w~ r~m th~ concentrio strinq af~er th~ e;~lrface return v~ ; clo~ed on salcl cono~ntrl~ ~trln~
Pve~- ~F; '~'ca K6~ep ~n~ gella~le ~ompc~aitlon in ~ ~ool~d ., 7 ~or~ltion, thr~ in~3ction e,kr~.n~ c~n be ln~ul~k~d. ~di~l~n~lly, ~he gel~a~le cc,mpo~it~on ca.ll be k~:pt c:o~l by u~ing an ~ lon strln~ ln ~om~hat~orl ~ith ~.h~ concendcrlc s~riny.
Ona~ the lnje~d g~llab~ e compo~tlc7n ~ ate~ up p~oduc~r well 1~ ~ heated upper pro~uc~g in~er~al 14, it Porm~R
a ~l~id s~l~d gol, ill produc:ing :In~Br~al 20 upon r~ h1n0 a temp~ratu~e o rom a~3ou~ 3 oo D ~0 abou~ 450 ~ F . Sin~ ~hf~ lower pro~Uc~ive inte~val 18 1~ les~ t:~an zlbout 3 00 ~ F, k~ abLe aompo~it~on ~emain~ ungell~d ln ~:h~ interv~,l, Un~elled material can ~e ~emo~ rom lower produ~ive int~rv~l 18 by pUmping it oU~ or in~ectirlg Water to circ1ulat:e lt eu~.
A~ter ~llowillg ~uffl~;ient ~ima for the gQllable cornpoaiti4n o~n a ~olld gel i~ upp~ lev~al 14, ~ e~m ~l~od ~nha~ od oll recovery ~ hod i ~ub~qu~ntly comm~ sd ln ln~eation well 10 and ~ommunic~clon is ~t~.bli~ d wi~h prot3ua~ w~ll lG v~ lowsr p~oduGtive~ level 1~ thro~gh ~ntp~ perPorationE; 12. 13oth we~ r~ ompl~3t~d ~t lower 1~3vel l~ Por ~luid ~ommunicakion~.
Utlliza~ion o~ thl~ met~od in~r~a~;~a ~weep o~ aien~r in the PO~Ati On W~ 3 enhanc:lng ~h~ r~acovery ~ additional h~dxoc~r~on~c~ou~ ~lu~d~3. The ontir~ p~ae~ aan 1~* rG~p~ated until a ~le~ire~ ~t~3a~n ~r wa~ o oil ra~io ha~; be~n obta~n~d.
Should it ~ecom~ ne~e~ y, ad~ion~l p~3rforati~n~ ~an b~a di~e~ted ~hrough injoctor W~311 lO and pr~ducq~ wQll lG lrl~o low~r pxoduQtive ln~s~rval 1~.
~ u~ou~ gsll~ble heA~ ac:~lv~t~d ~omp~ lon~ whlch c~n ~e utlllzed herein ~re compri~ed oP ~ p~lynl~r, a phenolia compound, anæ an al~eby~e~ Poly~n~r~: u~cillzed here:Ln ar~ w~t~ perE~lb~a polyJn~r~. The, t~rm "po~ or~ iG employRd ~enerlca~ly ~o lJ~¢lud~
both homopolymer~ and cop~lymer~. The ~erm ~'w~t~-d~pe~ibl~
polymer~ u~Rd genericEIlly to ~ clu~ tho~ polymorE~ which are truly w2it~r soluble ~nd tho~e pol~n~ whiah ~re ~i~p~r~ lo lrl water or in c~h~r El~u~ou~3 medl~ o ~orm G~able colloid~l ~u~p~n~3ionE3 whle:h c~n be gell~ 1$ ~ h~ term l'aqueo~
dl~p~rslon~ t~llz~d g~nerl~ally to in~ud~ b~kh tr~B
so~utic~ns and st~bl~ collo.t.dal E~u~p~ on~: o~ componen~ o~ the aon~po~ on c~ ~h~ ~nv~n~lon whi~h c~n b~ g~lle~ a~ will b~
de~x~bod l~e~reln. WAter-di~:p~r~:1bl~ pol~nor~ whiah ar¢ u~d her9i~ ar6~ t~ad ~r~m ~ me~nbor o~ the group c:on~lsting of polyvinyl alcohol, polya~zryla~i~e, gul~ ated polyvinyl a~cohcl, and poly(ac~rylamidel-co-acr~lAmido 2-m~hylpropane ~ul~n~t~).
Polyv~nyl al~ohol (PVA) at VAriC)U~3 d~grGl~BE~ O~ hydroly~ls axe useful~, other polym~r~ cont~ ng OH, Nll2, CONH2, 4nd ~;~
~un~t~oh~l g~oup~ are ~lao us~ul. P~l~v~nyl a~ine, an~
oopc~lymar~ con~ining t~le prev1ou~ly ment~ oned ~un~ L~n~ group~
ar~ use~ul. Any ~i~ thesE~ wa~er-dispe~iblç polym~r~ ~re plac~d into ~n a~ueous~ mix~uxe in ~noun~ o~ ~rom ~bou~ o . 5 ~o about ~. 0 wt~ rhs aq~2~0u~ m~dium aan ~ompr1~ ~r~h water, b~ack~
~t~r, ~ ~S3fl wa~qr, ~nd m~x~ureE~ ~hereo~. Polya~ryl~mldQ and poly~-Acrylantid~2-me~hylpropane ~ ona~e) ar~ di~u~ed ~n U~. P~ n~ No~ 4,44~,22~ whi~h i6~ued c)n Apr~l 3, 19~4 to ~w~n~on. ~hl~ patent 1~ hex~h~r in~orp~r~ed her~in in its en~1rety.
A~t~ p~clng tha ~o~e~te~ water-dl~p~r~ible polym~r into the ~queou~ mediu~, a phsnoli~ c~pound 1~ ~dd~d ~o t~ mix~ua~e.
Phenolia co~poun~ w~l~h can ~ u~ed her~ln inal~de ph~nol, naph~hol, c~te~hol, re~orclnol, phla~ogluainul, 4,~' diph~nol, 1,3-~ihydroxynaph~halene, ahd rel~t~d ~lmilar aompoun~. Tbe ~mount a~ ph~nol~c aompound utllized ~ould ~e in a~aes~ o~ 0.5 ~t.~ or higher. ~he amount ~ phenolL~ ~umpound u~ed her~in ~hould bc suf~lcient ~o lmp~rt t~l~ d~ir~d gellation ef~ect within t~e de~ired ~i~e per~o~.

5, j1~

Ono~ th~ ph~noli~ c~mpound ha~ b~an aclded, a w~sr-dlspe~sible aldehy~e 1~: tnixed into 'ch~ ~que4us mlxture.
IJnd~ proper ~ondi~ion~ oP u~, ho'ch ~liph~ic ~nd ~romatl¢
monoal~ehydes, And d~aldehydees, oan ~E~ u~Qd. Ths ~lipha~lc m~no~ld~hyde~ contEIining from ~ ko abou~ lo ~arbon a~oms p~r mctlecule a~e pre~ntl~ pre~er~ecl. ~p~se~ta~ e exnmp~s of 3uch aldehydeR in~lude ~c~rm;~ldehyde, tri~ane~ t-3tr~0xane, polyoxy~thylGne, an~ othe~ p~l~meric: ~ldehyd~s. ~p~esentati~
ox~mpl~ oP di ald~hydes incllJde glyoxlll, glutr~ld~hyde ?
ter~aphtt~ dehyde, and mi~tture~ ~her~o~ Th~ m "t?ato~- d~per~ible~ emplo~d g~ner~oally te in~lude bo~ch tho~e ald~3hydQs whiah a~e ~rul~ wa~er-~olub~e and kh~se alclehyd~3~ o~
l~mit~d water ~olublli~y ~u1 whtc~ di~per~ible in w~t~r or other a~u~ou~ m~qia ~o ~0 ~n bs ef~ectl~,re gelling ~gents. ~h~
p~e~erred ald6~hy~ ih trioxane.
An~r ~uitable amoun'c o~ ~riox~ne ~nd ph~no~Lc: comp~und~ can bQ u~ ed h rein. ~n ~11 in~ noe~, the amount o~ aldehydo ~nd phenolla compoun~ u~;Qd ~h~uld b~ ~mA~l ~ul: in an amount ~u~flcient to ~ause g~ ion of ~n aqueoU~ di~persion u~ a polymer, the ~Idehyde, an~ thR pl~enoll~ ~ompound. A~ ~ g~neral guide, the ~mount oP ald~hyde u~d in preparing thQ s~al ~omposl~ions h~3r~ will be i~l ~h~ ~ange o~ Xr~m abo~t o. O~ to about ~, pre~ra~ly ~ . O ~o about ~ . O w~. ~; b~d orl th~ a~
weight oP thl3 oc7mpo~ition.
A prePer~ed tempe~aturu aatt ~va~ g~ bl e mixture ~olnp~i~e~
polyvinyl alo~hol, ph~nol, ~nd tri~xan~. Th~ e~ect o~
t~mp~ratu~e on said mlxture i~ ~hown in l~abl~ 1. Wh~n expo:ed to a ~orrn~iDn having ~ ra~ur~ o~ L~bou~ 300~ t~ ~bout 35~P or hi~her, ~ m qel will ~orm it~ about 1 day ~o ~bout 1~ day~ when 0. 05 ~o about 0. 5 w~. 96 o~ sodlum hyd~xlde i~ u~ilized a3 i~
~hown ln ~able ~. Poly~inyl al~o~ ol i8 ueed in ~moun~ o~ aboul;

~ 'J

0 . ~ ~o ~bou~c 5 . 0 wt. % . Ph~nDl iQ U~:Qd irl abo-~'c O ~ 5 ~o ~bout 5 . û
w~.~ or hig~er. Thl3 p~le3~ to s;~lox~nl3 r~s.Jcl~ 1~ abou~ 1:5 to O ~ 5, pr~ r~b~y a~ou~c O . ~. The polyvinyl alcoh~31/pht~nol we~ght rat I o ~ ~ ~rom abou~ o . 2 ~o ~bou~e z ~ ~f C~UrAa, ~ lowl3r x~tio 1 u~d when ~har highe~ olecul~r w~ h'c po~ r: are utill~d.
Pol~m~ concen~rat~ion 1~ dl~eotly proportlonAl 'co the gel ~trengt~ . A rlgl~ gel 1~ ~or~ned whlch i~ propo~t ional ~o the ~ol;al material~ cor~tent.

~A~I,E
Ten~p~rAture senf~iti~rity op P~tA/~heno~ ioxan~ ~;e~atl~n ~emp, ~ ~oo 300 ~50 ~oO 450 G~l TlSne, days no g~l no gel ~ 1 1 2 . ~6 P~'A. 4% ph~n~l, 3% ~rioxan~

~e~t o~ NaO~ Conaent~ion ol~ G~ Time ~OH. 3~ $,~F
0 . 05No ~el 15 days ~ days 4 ~ay~
O. 1 ~ lB ~ 5~7 ~ 2 ~. 2 " lZ ~' 2 " 1 day ~ 1 d~y 1 ~ 1 d~
2 . ~% PVA ~ 4 ~; pheno1, 3 ~ trioxane PrLc~r ~o in~oc~in0 ~he aqu~ou~ ~omperelture act~v~ed g~llab~ mixtu~e, ~he f~ tion i~ h~t~d a~ men~Lonad abov~
d~lr~n~ ~ ~te~m ~loodin~ ~r ~am 6~1:imulatic~n ~nhanced oll r~co~rer~ pr~ceEs~ . A ~orma~ n ~e~mperatura o~ ah~ut 3 50 ' F ~
pre~err~d. Th~ m~tl~od oP tt~ imr~nti~n can el~o be u~ed when the ar~s in ur ~ub~n~all~t near el~h~r ~h~ in~ection W311 or tho p~oduat~on w~ll h~ b~n he~d ~0 the d~si~d temp~r~ture, ~ 14 -S~c~uld lt be de~r~d, t~ gella}~ omp~3itlon c;~n b~ in~e~t~d into ~uth th~ lnjec~cor ~Jld producer well~ ~o ~ tD e~c~iv~ly clo~e o~ t;ho~ aa~ed a~eas in al~;e pr~xim~.~y t~ th~ wells.
Thl~ cona~pt lg depia~d in F~gure 2.
Thi~ me~hod i8 alsc~ par~Lcularly ~ne~iclal when i~
d~3~ire~ to ~lo~e the i~e~ d area a~ound a produc'cion well ~hich hae ~uP~red a p~e~ature ~team brG~1cthrough. ~ hiE~ uation, s~eam injection i~; c,~ e~ ~nd ~h~ ~empere~k~lr~ tlvated gellable nix~urG~ i.s in~ ~ctad in~o ~he pr~duc:tion w~çll ror a ~ims suP~ic:ien~ anter the ~as wh:~ch comp~i~e the prem~ture bre~3ctllrough zone. ~Ptarw~rds the g~ ble mixture in tnA~c ~on~
llowed to ~or~ a ~olid gel. or~Q the ~lid gel is f4~ d, an enhancb~d o~l ~ec:ov~3~y m~thod in w~ h a drivQ flui~ i~ u~lized c~s~ be inJecte~ ei~he~ ~hrough the injeGtion w~ ar tn~
produc~ well to recover hydrocar3~onac:~ou~ fluid~ ~rom ~ le~
pernl~abl~a z one C)I t~e ~orma~lon .
A~ denlun~rat~d ~ tha novel'cy o~ ~h~ lnven'cion 1~3 tllat th~
cro~-linking rl3aa~lon is ~ivated at elev~ted temp~atur~
gr~ r than aba~lt 350D~. The a~o~ linXlng re~otion i~ not actl~ratsd a~ temper~tures und~:r 300'~ t high temperatu~e~, trioxane, a cycl ic d~m~3r 4 ~o~mald~hyde d~compose~3 to yiol~
forlnaldehyde whic:h in ~u~n rE~aats wlth ph~nol ~o ~:orm phenPllc resill, the ~elant, ln ~itU. Ph~nolla re~ln '¢hQn g~ h~
polym~r.
Wh~ t i~ ~esired to obtain lncrea~d ~weep ~f~lci~noy, gel~ e~ thls lnventlon aan be uf~ed ~o plug a prevlou~ly ~w~pt portlon c:~ a ~ormation ~rhic:h )2a~ been heat~d ~e a ~ernporatur~
exa~ o~ 300DP~. Sai~ gels aRn ~7e direc:t~d to area~ o~ ln~reased poro~ity. Ona~ ~ ~olid ~1 ha~ Pormed, hydro~arbon~c~ous fl~lid~
~an b~ r~no~recl ~rom an a~ea o~ er perm~ahllity by utllizatLon i~ any o~ th~ below me~h~ds,.

ç~ n'. ? ~

Addition~Lly, th~ embo~imt3n~l3 de.~cri~d ~,boY~ cE~ be used whe~e the p~oduca~ well i~; in-csslng gr~vel pack~d for ~An~3 c~r~t~ol .
S~e~mPlood proceE3~ wh~ch aan be utilize~d af~ clo~in~
pr~ c~ inte~v~l 18 w;L~h ~h~ g deEIcrlbed herein ~r~3 d~ail~ irt U.~. Pat~n~ N~s. 4,~8g,7~3 and 3,91B,521 l~u~d 'co ShU anc~ ~nav~ly, re3pe~t~vely. ~h~ patent~ are hereby oc~rp~ra~ed by re~erence h~rein~
~ 1 ~h~ugh the pre~aen~ invention ha~ be~n de~a~ibed wi~h prererr~3d embs:d~on~ i8 to 1~ under3~0~d ~h~ modi~lca~lon~
and va~iations ~y k~ ~e~30~ o witho~ depax~lng ~rom 'che 8pi~i~ and sc~p~ of thi~ lnv~3n'cion, ~9 ~ho~e ~klll~d in th~ art wi~l re~dily unde~ nd. Suah n~od~flaa~ion~ ~nd variation~ a~e con~idered tc~ be ~i~hin the pur~iew ~nd ~ ope c-P 'che app~nded clai~

-- ~6 --

Claims (15)

1. A method for minimizing well recompletions in a formation having multiple intervals of hydrocarbonaceous fluids comprising:
a) penetrating said formation with at least one injector well and one spaced apart producer well where fluid communication exists between said wells at an upper inerval but not at a lower interval between said wells;
b) heating by steam injection the upper interval via said injector well to a temperature above about 300°F sufficient to cause a temperature activated aqueous gellable mixture to form a solid gel which mixture contains i) a water dispersible polymer, ii) a phenolic compound, and iii) an aldehyde producing compound which upon reaching a temperature above about 300°F decomposes to yield an aldehyde and form a phenolic resin in situ in combination with the phenolic compound sufficient to gel the polymer;
c) terminating steam injection into the upper interval upon reaching said temperature having removed hydrocarbonaceous fluids from said upper interval;
d) injecting thereafter into said upper interval the temperature activated gellable mixture which mixture enters said upper interval heated to said temperature, where it is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause a solid gel to form and close pores in said heated zone regardless of the permeability of said zone;
e) perforating the injector well and producer wells at a lower interval so as to provide for fluid communication between said wells; and f) injecting steam into said injector well which by-passes the upper interval and enters the lower interval thereby removing hydrocarbonaceous fluids therefrom via said producer well.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 where a spacer volume of cold water is pumped into the formation after step 1) which keeps any ungelled mixture from forming a solid gel.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 where the gellable mixture comprises water, polyvinyl alcohol, phenol, and trioxane which forms a solid gel at a temperature of about 300°F or greater.

4. The method as recited in claim 1 where the gellable mixture comprises water, polyvinyl alcohol, phenol, and trioxane where the polyvinyl alcohol to phenol ratio is about 0.2 to about 2.0, the phenol to trioxane ratio is about 0.5 to about 1.5, and a gel forms in from about 1 to about 15 days with the addition of about 0.05 to about 0.5 wt. % of sodium hydroxide.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 where said gellable mixture comprises a polymer such as polyacrylamide, sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol, poly(acrylamide-co-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate) cross-linked with a phenolic resin which is formed in situ.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 where steps a) through f) are repeated until hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been removed from all desired intervals of the formation.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 where said wells are cased.

8. A method of minimizing well recompletions in a formation having multiple intervals or zones of hydrocarbonaceous fluids comprising:
a) penetrating said formation with at least one injector well and one spaced apart producer well where fluid communication exists between said wells at a lower interval but lacks said communication at a higher interval;
b) heating by steam injection into the injector well, said lower interval to a temperature above about 300°F sufficient to cause a temperature activated aqueous gellable mixture to form a solid gel which mixture contains i) a water dispersible polymer, ii) a phenolic compound, and iii) an aldehyde producing compound which upon reaching a temperature above about 300°F decomposes to yield an aldehyde and form a phenolic resin in situ i combination with the phenolic compound sufficient to gel the polymer;
c) terminating steam injection into said lower interval upon reaching said temperature having removed hydrocarbonaceous fluids from said lower interval;
d) injecting thereafter into said lower interval the temperature activated gellable mixture which mixture enters said lower interval heated to said temperature, where it is heated to a temperature sufficient to cause a solid gel to form and close pores in said heated zone regardless of the permeability of said zone;
e) perforating said injector and producer wells at a higher interval so as to allow fluid communication between said wells;
and f) injecting steam into said injector well which enters said higher interval thereby removing hydrocarbonaceous fluids therefrom via said producer well.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 where a spacer volume of cold water is pumped into the formation after step d) which keeps any ungelled mixture from forming a solid gel.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 where the gellable mixture comprises water, polyvinyl alcohol, phenol, and trioxane which forms a solid gel at a temperature of about 300°F or greater.

11. The method as recited in claim 8 where the gellable mixture comprises water, polyvinyl alcohol, phenol, and trioxane where the polyvinyl alcohol to phenol ratio is about 0.2 to about 2.0, the phenol to trioxane ratio is about 0.5 to about 1.5, and a gel forms in from about 1 to about 15 days with the addition of about 0.05 to about 0.5 wt. % of sodium hydroxide.

12. The method as recited in claim 8 where said gellable mixture comprises a polymer such as polyacrylamide, sulfonated polyvinyl alcohol, poly(acrylamide-co-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate) cross-linked with a phenolic resin which is formed in situ.

13. The method as recited in claim 8 where said wells are cased.

14. The method as recited in claim 8 where steps a) through f) are repeated until hydrocarbonaceous fluids have been removed from all desired intervals of the formation.

15. The method as recited in claim 8 where said gellable mixture is injected into said lover interval via both the injector and producer wells.
-- 16. The method as recited in claim 1 where said gellable mixture is injected into said upper interval via both the injector and producer wells. ---- 17. The method as recited in claim 1 where said gellable mixture is injected into said upper interval via the producer wells. ---- 18. The method as recited in claim 8 where said gellable mixture is injected into said lower interval via the producer wells. --