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Production of oil by aqueous drive with surfactant formed in situ

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6369215
In producing oil from an oil-bearing stratum penetrated by an injection well and a production well, a slug of an aqueous alkali solution capable of forming a surfactant with an organic acid is injected into the stratum through the injection well. Thereafter, a slug of surfactant-forming organic acid dissolved in a light hydrocarbon, such as LPG, is injected so as to cause mixing of the alkali and acid adjacent the interface of the slugs to form a surfactant. The resulting liquids (including the surfactant formed in situ) are driven through the stratum toward the production well to displace oil into the production well, and the produced oil is recovered from the production well. (14 claims)
Assignee:
Phillips Petroleum Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3344858
OSTI ID:
6369215
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English