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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Pressure pulsing oil production process

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5268140
In order to free more of the oil in certain inaccessible parts of the reservoir, a pressure-pulse flooding process is utilized, wherein a fluid such as either water or hydrocarbon gas is injected, by way of an injection well, into a partially depleted reservoir to raise the pressure to approx. the original reservoir pressure or above. The reservoir is then produced, and the reservoir pressure decreases. A cyclic oil recovery process is described, wherein there is injected into a subterranean formation containing free gas via an injection well both a gas-flooding medium and an aqueous-flooding medium to force a substantial part of the free gas into solution in the oil. Following this the injection well is made a production well and a substantial part of the free gas comes out of solution. The aqueous-flooding medium may be water, brine or steam. (10 claims)
Assignee:
Continental Oil Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3480081
OSTI ID:
5268140
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English