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Microgels existing in xanthan solutions, which are partly responsible for the poor injectability of such solutions, are retained around the injection wells. Therefore, most of the oil is swept by microgel-free solutions. This paper shows that even a few microgels can strongly modify flow behavior in porous media. Consequently, their careful elimination is required in laboratory tests for proper design of a polymer flood.
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Chauveteau et al. (1984) studied this question.
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