Immiscible displacement of oil with surfactant system
US4556495A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 1983 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S507/938
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention it has been found that improved recovery of oil from a subsurface earth formation can be attained by injecting into the formation a surfactant system comprising a carboxylate surfactant, a cosurfactant and an electrolyte in concentrations and proportions to form an immiscible three-phase system with the reservoir oil comprising a predominantly oil phase, a microemulsion phase and an aqueous phase. The carboxylate surfactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of branched aliphatic carboxylates and mononuclear aromatic carboxylates. Where aliphatic carboxylates are utilized as a surfactant, it is preferred that the polar organic material utilized as a cosurfactant have a solubility in water less than about ten grams per hundred grams of water at about 20.degree. C. and, when an aromatic carboxylate is utilized as a surfactant, it is preferred that the polar organic material utilized as a cosurfactant have a water solubility greater than about ten grams per hundred grams of water at about 20.degree. C. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, it has been found that surfactant systems containing carboxylate surfa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.