Chasing solvent for enhanced recovery processes
US11142681B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/2408
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods to optimize solvent use in solvent-dominated processes for recovery of hydrocarbons. Methods include injecting a solvent composition into a reservoir at a pressure above a liquid/vapor phase change of the solvent composition; injecting a chaser into the reservoir at a pressure above the liquid/vapor phase change of the solvent composition; allowing the solvent composition to mix with hydrocarbons in the reservoir and at least partially dissolve into the hydrocarbons to produce a solvent/hydrocarbon mixture; reducing the pressure in the reservoir below the liquid/vapor phase change pressure of the solvent composition thereby flowing at least a fraction of the solvent/hydrocarbon mixture from the reservoir; and repeating these steps as required.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.