Patent ID: 8453733

Claim:
A method for remediation of a zone within a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation to inhibit breakthrough of a driving fluid from a driving fluid injection well via the zone into a production well, the zone comprised of void space, a halo region, or both due to production of hydrocarbons from the production well, the zone thereby allowing for pressure communication between the injection well and the production well, which method comprises the steps of: injecting a plugging composition into the zone, the plugging composition comprising a slurry of a cementitious material capable of being pumped into the zone; allowing the plugging composition to set in the zone for a time sufficient to form a cement plug therein to reduce flow communication of the driving fluid between the injection well and the production well through the zone; injecting a gel precursor into the zone; and allowing the gel precursor to set therein for a time sufficient to thereby form a plug comprised of a gel within the zone to further reduce flow communication of the driving fluid between the injection well and the production well.