Method for foam emplacement in carbon dioxide enhanced recovery

Patent · Tue Nov 17 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5863470

Holm, L W

A method for reducing the permeability of higher permeability zones of an oil bearing subterranean reservoir having heterogeneous permeability and being penetrated by at least one well is described comprising: (1) injecting through a well and into the reservoir: (a) an aqueous liquid solution of a water soluble surface active agent; (b) a foam emplacement gas mixture consisting essentially of carbon dioxide and a crude oil-insoluble, noncondensible, non-hydrocarbon gas, the injection being under conditions such that the gas mixture maintains a density between 0.01 and 0.42 grams per centimeter in the reservoir; (2) allowing stable foam to form in the higher permeability zones; (3) diverting subsequently injected gases into lower permeability zones of the reservoir without destroying the stable foam; and (4) producing oil from the reservoir.

• Assignee: Union Oil Co. of California, Los Angeles, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4706752
• OSTI ID: 5863470
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CARBON DIOXIDE INJECTION
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOAMS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
OIL WELLS
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
STIMULATION
SURFACTANTS
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS