Enhanced oil recovery process with combined injection of an aqueous phase and of at least partially water-miscible gas
US6325147A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/164
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Process intended for enhanced recovery of a petroleum fluid by combined injection of an aqueous phase saturated with acid gases. The process esentially consists in continuously injecting, into the oil reservoir, a mixture of an aqueous phase and of a gas at least partially soluble in the aqueous phase and at least partially miscible with the petroleum fluid, by controlling the ratio of the flow rates of the aqueous phase and of the gas so that the latter is always in a state of saturation or oversaturation at the bottom of the injection well(s). The aqueous phase saturated or oversaturated with gas comes into contact with the petroleum fluid present in the reservoir. The gas dissolved in the aqueous phase is at least partially transferred to the liquid hydrocarbon phase, thus causing swelling and viscosity reduction of this phase, which favors migration of the petroleum fluid towards a production zone. Acid fractions of effluents coming from the subsoil or from chemical or thermal industries are preferably used as such gases. The process can be applied for an enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons in reservoirs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.