Oil recovery in water flooding

Patent · Tue Jun 20 04:00:00 EDT 1967

OSTI ID:6323087

Harvey, R R

A process for recovering oil from an oil-bearing stratum, utilizing non-ionic surfactants, is described. An aqueous slug, containing a non-ionic surfactant in solution in a concentration of about 0.001-2.5 wt % and dead cells consisting of bacteria and yeasts in a concentration of about 0.01-0.5 wt %, is injected into the stratum. The surfactant consists of polyethylene oxide ethers and thioethers, having an average chain length on the hydrophilic end in the range of about 4 to 6.5 moles. The slug is driven away from the injection well by water, steam, or a suitable gas (such as air or combustion gas) to displace oil from a section of the stratum into a producing well in the stratum. In another application, the pressure on the injection well is reduced so that the slug and displaced oil move back to the injection well under the force of the stratum pressure. (10 claims)

• Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3326286
• OSTI ID: 6323087
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ALCOHOLS
BACTERIA
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
FUNGI
GLYCOLS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MICROORGANISMS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROLEUM
PLANTS
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
RECOVERY
SURFACTANTS
WATERFLOODING
WELLS
YEASTS