Method to obtain rapid build-up of pressure in a steam foam process
This patent describes an improvement in a steam foam process for recovering oil by injecting a fluid containing steam and a surfactant through a well and into a subterranean reservoir in which the formation of foam by the surfactant is inhibited by properties of the reservoir. The improvement comprises: initially injecting into the reservoir steam and a first surfactant, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of secondary alkane sulfonates; forming a foam near the well that provides a rapid increase in injection pressure and mobility control at the well; and subsequently injecting steam and a second surfactant. This patent describes a process for recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir penetrated by at least one well through use of a steam foam process comprising; injecting into the reservoir a first steam foam mixture containing steam and a rapidly foaming first surfactant selected from the group consisting of internal olefin sulfonates and vinylidene olefin sulfonates; forming a foam within the reservoir sufficient to substantially increase injection pressure at the well, wherein the foam is formed within a few hours of when the first steam foam mixture is injected into the reservoir; injecting into the reservoir a second steam foam mixture containing steam and a second steam foam surfactant after the injection pressure is increased. The second surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alpha olefin sulfonates, alkyltoluene sulfonates, alkyxylene sulfonates, and alpha olefin sulfonate dimers; and recovering oil from the reservoir.
- Assignee:
- Shell Oil Co., Houston, TX
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4852653
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7215951A
- OSTI ID:
- 5323364
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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