Steam flooding hydrocarbon recovery process

Patent · Tue Jan 09 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:6361977

Allen, J C; Porter, J W

A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation is disclosed in which steam, for example, is injected into the formation via an injection well to drive the hydrocarbons toward a spaced production well. Water injected via the production well into an upper horizon of the formation is passed downwardly through the formaion about the production well into an upper horizon of the formation is passed downwardly through the formation about the production well and then back into the production well at a lower horizon in the formation. A mixture of displaced hydrocarbons and injected water are then coproduced at the lower horizon thru the production well after which the hydrocarbons are recovered from the mixture. Optionally, a minor amount of a sulfated interfacial tension reducer may be introduced with the steam to promote increased hydrocarbon recovery.

• Assignee: Texaco Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4133384
• OSTI ID: 6361977
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
RESOURCES
STEAM INJECTION
SULFONATES
SURFACTANTS
WATER
WELLS