Process for water treatment in mobility controlled caustic flooding process

Patent · Tue Oct 04 00:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:5363290

Sarem, A M; Darr, R C; Elchlepp, D L; Spratt, R B

A process for recovering petroleum from subterranean reservoirs where high salt content water is used in a secondary recovery process comprises forming as the displacement fluid a dilute alkaline silicate solution utilizing the high salt content water and filtering the alkaline flooding solution to remove scale-forming alkali insoluble salts which include a substantial proportion of calcium and magnesium salts. The filtered solution is injected into the reservoir and this is followed by an injection of a slug of substantially neutral water. A dilute acid solution is utilized to contact and dissolve the alkaline insoluble salts which have been filtered from the alkaline solution and the thus formed solution which includes a substantial portion of soluble calcium and magnesium salts is injected into the reservoir for subsequent contact with the alkaline silicate solution. This contact results in the formation of precipitates which partially plug that portion of the reservoir in which the contact occurs and reduces the permeability thereof. The process is repeated a plurality of times until the desired amount of alkaline silicate solution has been injected into the reservoir whereupon untreated water can be injected as a drive fluid.

• Assignee: Union Oil Co. of California
• Patent Number(s): US 4051901
• OSTI ID: 5363290
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 12 Oct 1976
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
OIL WELLS
WATERFLOODING
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
DISSOLUTION
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FILTRATION
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PRECIPITATION
SILICATES
SOLUTIONS
WATER TREATMENT
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
DISPERSIONS
FLUID INJECTION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
MIXTURES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RESERVES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production