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

Oil recovery process using aqueous microbiological drive fluids

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6415978
In a process for the recovery of oil from an oil- bearing stratum there is injected into the oil-bearing stratum a slug of a by-product of an oil fermentation process containing oil, water, salts, and live microorganisms of yeast, bacteria, or mixtures. The microorganisms are hydrocarbon-consuming. Thereafter, an aqueous driving fluid is injected behind the slug so as to drive the slug through the stratum to a production well and displace hydrocarbons from the stratum while upgrading them. The slug material is a by-product of a dewaxing process utilizing yeast and/or bacteria which have the capacity to consume paraffin hydrocarbons in the oil, or it may also be obtained from other oil fermentation processes. (15 claims)
Assignee:
Phillips Petroleum Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3340930
OSTI ID:
6415978
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English