Sequential detection foam process for enhanced oil recovery
This patent describes a method of enhanced recovery of oil from a petroleum reservoir. It comprises injecting into the reservoir an oil-mobilizing agent comprising a gas and a surfactant, which agent is capable of mobilizing oil present in oil-bearing formation in the reservoir, in an amount sufficient to reduce the oil concentration in the oil-bearing formation; stopping the injection of the oil-mobilizing agent; and injecting into the formation steam and an alpha-olefin sulfonate dimer surfactant or an alpha-olefin sulfonate surfactant sufficient to form a foam in areas of reduced oil concentration and thereby divert steam from the areas to areas of the oil-bearing formation having higher oil concentration and thereby assisting in the movement of oil through the formation and in the recovery of hydrocarbons from the reservoir.
- Assignee:
- Chevron Research and Technology Co., San Francisco, CA (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5052487; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-459091
- OSTI ID:
- 5799499
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 29 Dec 1989
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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