Viscosity control in a miscible recovery technique

Patent · Tue Jan 10 04:00:00 EST 1967

OSTI ID:6432182

Herring, J C

This is a method of recovering fluid hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation by injecting into the formation a slug of soluble oil of modulated viscosity, driving the slug through the formation with a driving fluid, and recovering the displaced oil. A particular problem encountered in typical miscible recovery practices is the sorption of water in the reservoir by the soluble oil that results in an increase in the apparent viscosity. The process consists of injecting into the formation a series of slugs, with each successive slug having a higher viscosity than the previous one. The first slug will absorb an appreciable amount of water and each successive slug will absorb a lesser amount. The result of this procedure is to provide a method of maintaining a desired viscosity profile throughout a soluble oil bank. The total volume of injected fluid is regulated so that it will occupy approximately 30% of the reservoir. (11 claims)

• Assignee: TUL; EDB-81-071902
• Patent Number(s): US 3297085
• OSTI ID: 6432182
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CONTROL
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
OIL WELLS
OILS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
VISCOSITY
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS