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

Method of improving premeability of fines-containing hydrocarbon formations by steam injection

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5434871
This patent describes a method for injecting a wet steam into a hydrocarbon formation. It comprises: adding potassium chloride to a feedwater, generating wet steam from the feedwater containing the potassium chloride; adding a amount of anhydrous ammonia into the wet steam sufficient to produce a concentration of ammonium ions in the vapor phase condensate of the wet steam effective to inhibit permeability damage of the formation in the vicinity of the vapor phase; and adding an amount of carbon dioxide into the wet steam effective to keep the pH of the vapor phase condensate the wet steam within the range of about 7.5 to about 10.5; and injecting the carbon dioxide-containing wet steam into the formation. This patent also describes a method for increasing the permeability of a portion of a fines-containing earthen formation comprising removing liquid water from the portion by: injecting a wet steam into a well within the formation, abruptly lowering of the pressure on the steam to vaporize substantially all of the liquid water and to cause the vaporized water to leave the portion, thereby increasing the permeability of the portion of the formation.
Assignee:
Chevron Research and Technology Co., San Francisco, CA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5058681
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-582449
OSTI ID:
5434871
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English