skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Methods for enhancing mapping of thermal fronts in oil recovery

Abstract

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.

Inventors:
; ;
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6005580
Application Number:
ON: TI85006372
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-76DP00789
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
02 PETROLEUM; IN-SITU COMBUSTION; MONITORING; MAGNETOTELLURIC SURVEYS; OIL WELLS; STEAM INJECTION; WATERFLOODING; CHLORITE MINERALS; ENHANCED RECOVERY; ILLITE; MAPPING; MONTMORILLONITE; PETROLEUM; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; CLAYS; COMBUSTION; ELECTRICAL SURVEYS; ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYS; ENERGY SOURCES; FLUID INJECTION; FOSSIL FUELS; FUELS; GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS; IN-SITU PROCESSING; INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS; ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS; MATERIALS; MINERALS; OXIDATION; PROCESSING; RECOVERY; SILICATE MINERALS; SURVEYS; THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES; WELLS; 020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production

Citation Formats

Lee, D O, Montoya, P C, and Wayland, Jr, J R. Methods for enhancing mapping of thermal fronts in oil recovery. United States: N. p., 1984. Web.
Lee, D O, Montoya, P C, & Wayland, Jr, J R. Methods for enhancing mapping of thermal fronts in oil recovery. United States.
Lee, D O, Montoya, P C, and Wayland, Jr, J R. 1984. "Methods for enhancing mapping of thermal fronts in oil recovery". United States.
@article{osti_6005580,
title = {Methods for enhancing mapping of thermal fronts in oil recovery},
author = {Lee, D O and Montoya, P C and Wayland, Jr, J R},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6005580}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Mar 30 00:00:00 EST 1984},
month = {Fri Mar 30 00:00:00 EST 1984}
}