High sweep efficiency enhanced oil recovery process
US4299284A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 1979 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/30
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for conducting an enhanced oil recovery process comprising injecting an oil displacing fluid into an injection well and recovering petroleum displaced by the fluid from one or more spaced-apart production wells, by an improved method in which the sweep efficiency or horizontal conformance of the displacement process is increased. A fluid is injected into the producing well, which fluid has a viscosity not substantially greater than the viscosity of water at the conditions of injection, but which reacts with oil present in the formation, forming a viscous emulsion which restricts the flow of fluids through the portion of the formation contacted by the emulsion-forming fluid. As a result of this treatment, there is a reduction in tendency for the displaced and injected fluids to form cusps as they approach the production well, thereby failing to sweep substantial portions of the formation. The injected fluid contains one or more surfactants specifically tailored to form a viscous emulsion with the particular formation crude oil and formation water or brine exhibiting maximum viscosity at formation conditions. The viscous emulsion-forming fluid may be injected in…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.