The use of gels in oil production processes has become a regular practice in oilfield operations and is constantly developing in all oil-producing countries of the world, as evidenced by the growth of publications and patent activity on this topic. Many oil production processes, such as hydraulic fracturing, conformance control, water, and gas shutoff, cannot be imagined without the use of gel technologies. Inorganic, organic, and hybrid gels are used, as well as foams, gel-forming, and gel-dispersed systems. The possibility of a broad control of structural and mechanical properties, thermal stability, and shear resistance by introducing microscale and nanoscale additives made hydrogels and hydrocarbon-based gels indispensable tools for oil engineers.
Keywords: conformance control; enhanced oil recovery; filtration properties; gel; hydraulic fracturing; hydrocarbon-based gel; hydrogel; oil production stimulation; structural and mechanical properties; well drilling; well killing.