Method of recovering crude oil from a subsurface formation

Patent · Tue Mar 17 04:00:00 EST 1970

OSTI ID:5377847

Lehner, F; van Daalen, F; van der Knapp, W

A method is described for recovering viscous oil having a viscosity above 50 cp by means of thermal energy, wherein fluids are applied which have the property to decrease the viscosity of the oil independent of the temperature of the applied fluid. There is simultaneously injected into the water-saturated zone of the formation an aqueous fluid which in its liquid phase has a density greater than the density of the crude oil and a solvent suitable for dissolving crude oil and having in its liquid phase, a density which is smaller than the density of the crude oil. Crude oil is produced from the formation during this injection. The aqueous fluid may be water. The aqueous fluid may also have a temperature which is higher than the original formation temperature, and may at least partially consist of steam. A suitable solvent for this purpose is in principle any liquid miscible with the crude oil and having a density smaller than the density of the crude oil at prevailing formation temperature and pressure. (10 claims)

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3500917
• OSTI ID: 5377847
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
DENSITY
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS
MIXTURES
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR PRESSURE
RESERVOIR TEMPERATURE
SOLUTIONS
SOLVENTS
VISCOSITY
WELLS