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U.S. Department of Energy
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Miscible drive secondary oil recovery process

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6368521
A process for the recovery of oil from a formation consists of introducing a buffer slug of a hydrocarbon liquid containing a thickening agent into the formation through an injection well. The buffer slug is forced through the formation toward a producing well by injecting a slug of amphipathic solvent behind it that is substantially miscible in all proportions with both the injected fluids and the formation fluids. The amphipathic solvent is displaced with a scavenging fluid that consists of chemically treated water. The nature of the thickening agent and its concentration in the hydrocarbon liquid are adapted to guarantee that the buffer slug has the critical viscosity required to assure that the volume of oil displaced is substantially equal to the maximum volume of formation oil recoverable by miscible displacement with the particular amphipathic solvent employed. (16 claims)
Assignee:
Gulf Research and Development Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3330345
OSTI ID:
6368521
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English