Gas flooding with dilute surfactant solutions

Patent · Tue Aug 15 04:00:00 EDT 1989

OSTI ID:5428248

Kuhlman, M I; Borchardt, J K; Falls, A H

This patent describes a process for recovering oil from a reservoir, penetrated by at least one injection well and one production well. It comprises formulating an aqueous surfactant solution such that the surfactant is present in the solution at a concentration less than its critical micelle concentration; injecting the surfactant solution into the reservoir; and injecting a gas to displace the surfactant solution through the reservoir to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons at the production well. This patent describes a process for recovering oil from a reservoir, penetrated by at least one injection well and one production well. It comprises formulating two aqueous surfactant solutions wherein the first surfactant solution contains surfactant that is present in the solution at a concentration that is more than its critical micelle concentration and wherein the second surfactant solution contains surfactant that is present in the solution at a concentration that is less than its critical micelle concentration.

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co., Houston, TX
• Patent Number(s): US 4856589
• Application Number: PPN: US 7238634A
• OSTI ID: 5428248
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS INJECTION
MIXTURES
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
SOLUTIONS
STIMULATION
SURFACTANTS
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS