Method for using foams to improve alkaline flooding oil recovery
Patent
·
OSTI ID:6024659
This patent describes a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean, oil-containing formation having at least one relatively high permeability zone and at least one relatively low permeability zone, the formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one spaced apart production well in fluid communication with a substantial portion of the formation. It comprises: injecting a slug of an aqueous solution containing an alkaline agent into the formation via the injection well that preferentially enters the relatively high permeability zones of the formation; injecting a driving fluid into the formation via the injection well that displaces the aqueous solution containing the alkaline agent and oil through the relatively high permeability zones of the formation and recovering oil from the formation via the production well; coinjecting a slug of a gas and aqueous solution of foam-forming surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkyl or alkylaryl sulfonates, alpha or internal olefin sulfonates, alkyl glycerol sulfonates, and alkyl diphenylether sulfonates, or alkylether sulfate or sulfonates into the formation via the injection well that creates a foam when the gas mixes with the aqueous form-forming surfactant, which substantially plugs the relatively high permeability zones of the formation; injecting a slug of an aqueous solution containing an alkaline agent into the formation via the injection well; and thereafter injecting a driving fluid into the formation via the injection well that displaces the aqueous alkaline solution and oil through the relatively low permeability zones of the formation toward the production well and recovering oil from the formation via the production well.
- Assignee:
- Mobile Oil Corp., Fairfax, VA (USA)
- Patent Number(s):
- A; US 4981176
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-426925
- OSTI ID:
- 6024659
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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