Process for recovering hydrocarbons

Patent · Tue Feb 05 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5707334

Allen, J C

A process is disclosed for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation in which in situ combustion is first initiated in the formation by injection of air, for example, through an injection well. The injection of air is terminated, carbon dioxide or nitrogen is injected into the formation via the injection well to displace unconsumed air and in a final step a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is injected into the formation where reaction of the carbon monoxide with steam generated from the formation water forms additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide and finally hydrocarbons are recovered via a production well. Optionally, after injection of the mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into the formation has been terminated the heat stored in the formation may be recovered by injecting water as a drive fluid into the formation. The injected water may contain a small amount of a sulfated interfacial tension reducer.

• Assignee: Texaco Inc
• Patent Number(s): US 4186800
• OSTI ID: 5707334
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GAS INJECTION
HYDROCARBONS
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
INJECTION WELLS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
STEAM
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACTANTS
THERMAL RECOVERY
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WELLS