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

Oil production by steam drive

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5650649
Oil is produced from an oil reservoir or stratum by injecting steam through an injection well penetrating the stratum and driving the steam to one or more offset production wells. Because of the expense involved in steam injection projects (fuel, water treating, etc.), a modified steam injection process is described which reduces both the steam injection period and the quantity of steam required in any given steam injection project. The method consists of injecting a slug of steam into the stratum from which oil is to be produced, utilizing an injection well penetrating the stratum and one or more offset wells as production wells, and driving the resulting steam bubble through the stratum toward the production wells with a slug of gas (other than steam), also injected through the injection well, which displaces oil from the stratum and drives same into the production wells. The gas injection step of the process may then be followed by a water injection step, the water forcing the gas and the steam slugs through the stratum to the production wells. (7 claims)
Assignee:
Phillips Petroleum Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3425492
OSTI ID:
5650649
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English