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

Viscosity control in petroleum recovery

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6330076
In the described flooding process a predetermined amount of aqueous diluent is added to a soluble oil from a microemulsion of predetermined viscosity. The microemulsion is then injected into an oil-bearing formation through at least one injection well. The microemulsion and crude petroleum in the formation are displaced toward a production well or wells allowing the crude petroleum to be recovered. The aqueous diluent may be water. The microemulsion is made up of a hydrocarbon, water, an alkylary naphthenic mono-sulfonate surfactant, and a cosurfactant. The volume of the microemulsion may be from 1 - 20% of the pore volume of the formation. (6 claims)
Assignee:
TUL; EDB-81-108925
Patent Number(s):
US 3275075
OSTI ID:
6330076
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English