Water-soluble silicate gelants: Comparison and screening for conformance control in carbonate naturally fractured reservoirs

Gel shrinkage is a function of the gelant type and SiO2 to M2O ratio, temperature, and storage time. Silicate A gels display a low degree of shrinkage; Silicate C gels appear to be affected significantly by high temperatures (60 °C and 80 °C) with the gels displaying up to 80% shrinkage at long post-gelation storage times; Silicate C gels are less affected (lower shrinkage) at low temperatures (40 °C).