Viscosity control additives for foaming mixtures

Patent · Tue Mar 19 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5117057

Danzik, M

This patent describes a process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well. It comprises periodically injecting gas comprising steam and a mixture including an alkyl aromatic sulfonate into the formation to provide a foam in the presence of hydrocarbons in high gas permeable channels of the formation, wherein the mixture comprises water, an effective foam-forming amount of an alkyl aromatic sulfonate having an average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 600 and an alkyl group comprising from 16 to 40 carbon atoms, and a viscosity control agent which is present in an amount effective tp prevent gelling of the mixture prior to use and further wherein the ratio of the alkyl aromatic sulfonate to the viscosity control agent is 50:50-99:1; passing the steam and foam into the formation and away from the injected well to assist the movement of hydrocarbons toward a production well; and recovering hydrocarbons at the production well.

• Assignee: NOV; EDB-91-158406; NOV-91-023092
• Patent Number(s): A; US 5000262
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-409595
• OSTI ID: 5117057
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALKYL RADICALS
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
RADICALS
RECOVERY
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
SULFONATES
THERMAL RECOVERY
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS