Methods for enhancing mapping of thermal fronts in oil recovery

Patent · Fri Mar 30 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6005580

Lee, D O; Montoya, P C; Wayland, Jr, J R

A method for enhancing the resistivity contrasts of a thermal front in an oil recovery production field as measured by the controlled source audio frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) technique is disclosed. This method includes the steps of: (1) preparing a CSAMT-determined topological resistivity map of the production field; (2) introducing a solution of a dopant material into the production field at a concentration effective to alter the resistivity associated with the thermal front; said dopant material having a high cation exchange capacity which might be selected from the group consisting of montmorillonite, illite, and chlorite clays; said material being soluble in the conate water of the production field; (3) preparing a CSAMT-determined topological resistivity map of the production field while said dopant material is moving therethrough; and (4) mathematically comparing the maps from step (1) and step (3) to determine the location of the thermal front. This method is effective with the steam flood, fire flood and water flood techniques.

• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): None
• Application Number: ON: TI85006372
• OSTI ID: 6005580
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHLORITE MINERALS
CLAYS
COMBUSTION
ELECTRICAL SURVEYS
ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
ILLITE
IN-SITU COMBUSTION
IN-SITU PROCESSING
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
MAGNETOTELLURIC SURVEYS
MAPPING
MATERIALS
MINERALS
MONITORING
MONTMORILLONITE
OIL WELLS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
SILICATE MINERALS
STEAM INJECTION
SURVEYS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WATERFLOODING
WELLS