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U.S. Department of Energy
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Oil recovery with water containing carbonate salt, CO/sub 2/, and surfactant

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5214998

In an oil recovery process in which CO/sub 2/, aqueous liquid and a preferentially water-soluble, anionic surfactant are injected into a subterranean reservoir to displace oil toward a production location at an injection pressure and rate of fluid production such that the CO/sub 2/ is pressurized to at least more than the fluid pressure in the reservoir, an improvement for reducing the extent to which the surfactant is absorbed on the reservoir rocks is described comprising: including within the aqueous phase of the injected fluid an amount of monovalent cationic carbonic acid salt which is effective for increasing the pH of the solution at the conditions within the reservoir to an extent which reduces the level of the adsorption of the surfactant.

Assignee:
Shell Oil Co., Houston, TX
Patent Number(s):
US 4733727
OSTI ID:
5214998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English