Method for reducing gravity segregation of an aqueous flooding fluid

Patent · Tue Feb 23 04:00:00 EST 1971

OSTI ID:5603907

Wilson, J W

A method is presented for reducing gravity segregation in a secondary recovery process, in which an aqueous flooding fluid is injected into a reservoir containing fluids, having densities lower than the density of the aqueous fluid. Gravity segregation of the higher density aqueous flooding fluid can be reduced by adjusting the viscosity of the aqueous flooding fluid injected into various contiguous vertically disposed levels of the reservoir, so as to incrementally decrease the mobility of the flooding fluid injected into progressively lower levels sufficient to offset the additional pressure exerted at the lower levels by the higher density aqueous flooding fluid that tends to drive the aqueous fluid through the lower levels of the reservoir. With this technique, a substantially vertical flood front is maintained throughout the reservoir. (26 claims)

• Assignee: Union Oil Co. (California)
• Patent Number(s): US 3565175
• OSTI ID: 5603907
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
DENSITY
DISPERSIONS
DRAINAGE
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
GRAVITATION
MECHANICS
MIXTURES
MOBILITY
OIL WELLS
PERFORMANCE
PETROLEUM
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RECOVERY
SEGREGATION
SOLUTIONS
VISCOSITY
WATERFLOODING
WELLS