Heat-stable calcium-compatible waterflood surfactant

Patent · Tue Jul 11 04:00:00 EDT 1972

OSTI ID:6243273

Farmer, III, R F; Lawson, J B

A waterflood oil recovery process is described, in which a surfactant system (comprising an aqueous, oil or 2-phase liquid solution or dispersion of a mixture of petroleum sulfonate and alkoxylated alcohol sulfate surfactants) is injected into a reservoir to displace oil, is improved by using a sulfate surfactant that contains at least one chain-branching substituent on a carbon atom alpha or beta to the sulfate group. In a reservoir that is relatively hot, the process provides good oil-displacement efficiency and polyvalent metal ion compatibility in addition to improved stability toward hydrolytic decomposition of the sulfate surfactant. (5 claims)

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3675716
• OSTI ID: 6243273
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMPATIBILITY
DECOMPOSITION
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROLYSIS
LYSIS
METALS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
SOLVOLYSIS
SULFONATES
SURFACTANTS
WATERFLOODING
WELLS