Method of improved oil recovery by simultaneous injection of water with an in-situ combustion process

Patent · Tue Jan 15 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5705000

Odch, A S; Dotson, B J

A method of recovering heavy oil from a subterranean, permeable, heavy oil-bearing reservoir in which an oxygen-containing gas is injected into the lower portion of the reservoir to establish an in-situ combustion reaction therein and to form a combustion front near the injection well. Injection of the oxygen-containing gas is continued to advance the combustion front that heats the oil and generates gas to displace the oil through the reservoir toward a producing well. Water is injected into the upper portion of the reservoir during combustion to prevent gases from migrating into the upper portion of the reservoir, scavenge heat from the burned out portion of the reservoir, and displace oil from the reservoir, particularly the lower region, toward a production well. The areal sweep efficiency of the injected water may be improved by the addition of thickening agents and water-soluble polymers.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 4493369
• OSTI ID: 5705000
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ADDITIVES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ELEMENTS
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
GAS INJECTION
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
INJECTION WELLS
NONMETALS
OIL WELLS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
PERMEABILITY
POLYMERS
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
SWEEP EFFICIENCY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VISCOSITY
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS