Process for oil recovery from subterranean deposits by emulsion flooding

US4457373A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Chemische Werke Huels, A.G. · DE

Inventors

• Dieter Balzer · Haltern, DE
• Kurt Kosswig · Marl, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 18, 1982
• Grant date: Jul 3, 1984
• Expiry date: Feb 18, 2002

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S507/937
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Extensively emulsion-free oil is recovered from a subterranean reservoir of medium or high salinity by forcing an emulsion, e.g., of oil, into an injection well. Carboxymethylated ethoxylate is utilized as the emulsifier and is selected so that the phase inversion temperature of the system:oil of reservoir/formation water/tenside/optional additives lies 0.degree.-10.degree. C. above the reservoir temperature.