Field test of surfactant flooding

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1972 · SPE of AIME Mid-Continent Sect. Improved Oil Recovery; (United States)

OSTI ID:5988835

Pursley, S A; Healy, R N; Sandvik, E I

The results and interpretation of a tertiary recovery field test of surfactant flooding are described. The test involved an aqueous solution of petroleum sulfonates with a relatively broad equivalent-weight distribtuion and was conducted in a 0.625-acre, unconfined, 5-spot pattern. To provide the knowledge of pattern flow behavior necessary for accurate interpretation of flood performance in the small, unconfined pattern, a comprehensive reservoir description program was conducted prior to the surfactant flood. This program included coring, well testing, and a unit-mobility tracer flood. From the interpretation of the tracer flood, a more detailed reservoir model was developed than was obtained from core and well-test data alone. This model was used to design and interpret the surfactant flood. The flood consisted of sequentially injecting a base preflush, thickened petroleum-sulfonate solution, thickened water, and drive water. XC biopolymer was employed as a mobility control agent, and base additives (sodium carbonate and ammonia) were used to improve surfactant compatibility with the reservoir fluids.

• OSTI ID: 5988835
• Journal Information: SPE of AIME Mid-Continent Sect. Improved Oil Recovery; (United States), Journal Name: SPE of AIME Mid-Continent Sect. Improved Oil Recovery; (United States) Vol. SPE-3805
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ADDITIVES
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
AMMONIA
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
ESTERS
FIELD TESTS
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
OIL SATURATION
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
POLYMERS
SATURATION
SODIUM CARBONATES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
SURFACTANTS
TESTING
WATERFLOODING
WELL LOGGING
WELL SPACING
WELLS