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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Viscosity control in miscible floods

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6323186
A miscible flood is conducted by injecting into a formation a slug of soluble oil of modulated viscosity which is subsequently driven through the formation by a drive fluid. The addition of water-soluble salts to soluble oils effectively reduces the viscosity of these materials. The amount of salt required to provide a given viscosity reduction will vary with the amount of viscosity reduction desired, although it appears that the maximum allowable salt concentration varies with the percentage of water and/or alcohol present and the particular sulfonate utilized. Generally, nor more than about 1 to 4 grams of salt per liter of slug material are needed for effective viscosity reduction. (18 claims)
Assignee:
Marathon Oil Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3330343
OSTI ID:
6323186
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English