Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Permeability of fines-containing earthen formations by removing liquid water

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5680492
This patent describes a method for improving the effectiveness of fluid transport in a fines-containing earthen formation. It comprises creasing the permeability of a portion of the formation by removing liquid water from the portion by: injecting steam into a well within the formation, and 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.
Assignee:
Chevron Research Co., San Francisco, CA (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5052490; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-453652
OSTI ID:
5680492
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English