Olefin sulfonate-improved steam foam drive

Patent · Tue Jan 07 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6086618

Dilgren, R E; Owens, K B

This patent describes a process for testing the steam mobility-reducing capability of an olefin sulfonate-containing surfactant formulation for reducing the mobility of steam of selected quality within a selected subterranean oil-containing reservoir. The process consists of the following: comparing steam of the selected quality with a steam containing fluid which has substantially the same steam quality but contains the surfactant formulation, an electrolyte and a noncondensable gas in proportions near optimum for steam foam formation by upflowing the fluids being compared through columns of permeable porous mediums containing the reservoir oil or an oil with equivalent viscosity and steam-foaming debilitating properties at relevant mass flow rates; measuring the steady-state pressures developed within the columns at internal locations substantially free of end effects; and utilizing the measured pressures to calculate the permeability reduction factor of the surfactant formulation.

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co., Houston, TX
• Patent Number(s): US 4562727
• OSTI ID: 6086618
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALKENES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ELECTROLYTES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FOAMS
HYDROCARBONS
MATERIALS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PERMEABILITY
POROUS MATERIALS
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
REAGENTS
RECOVERY
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
SULFONATES
SURFACTANTS
VISCOSITY
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS