Patent ID: 9670397
Date: 2017-06-06
CPC Classifications: C09K

Claim:
1. A method for controlling fluid flow in a subterranean formation containing water and hydrocarbons, the method comprising: dissolving a Gemini surfactant in an aqueous delivery fluid without pH adjustment, the Gemini surfactant having the formula I wherein Q is an unsubstituted C R R X is a halogen selected from F, Cl, Br, or I; pumping the aqueous delivery fluid having the Gemini surfactant into the subterranean formation, the subterranean formation containing pores; propagating the Gemini surfactant containing aqueous delivery fluid through the pores of the formation; adsorbing the Gemini surfactant onto a surface within the pores; and enhancing the flow of hydrocarbon into the production well and inhibiting the flow of the water by the presence of the Gemini surfactant in the pores of the formation, wherein the Gemini surfactant acts as a relative permeability modifier.