Methodology to increase oil production rates in gravity drainage CO2 gas injection processes
US11668171B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2021 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/594
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Described is a method for treating hydrocarbons in a reservoir. A foaming surfactant solution and a foaming gas are introduced into the upper portion of a reservoir such that barrier foam bubbles form. Then, super/critical carbon dioxide is introduced such that a CO2 cap forms. The CO2 cap is formed above a foam barrier of aggregated barrier foam bubbles positioned at an interface between hydrocarbons to be treated in the reservoir and the CO2 cap. The super/critical carbon dioxide is introduced into the reservoir at an injection rate that is greater than a pre-treatment critical gas injection rate. Hydrocarbons are recovered from a lower portion of the reservoir.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.