Oil recovery process in subterranean formations

Patent · Mon Nov 28 23:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6481019

Jones, L G

This patent describes a process for recovering oil from a subterranean, oil-containing formation having at least one injection well and a spaced-apart production well in substantial fluid communication with the formation and further having relatively high permeability and/or fractured zones and relatively lower permeability zones, comprising: (a) injecting a predetermined amount of a plugging agent into the formation via the injection well which preferentially enters the highly permeable and/or fractional zones and plugs the face of the zones; (b) continuing to inject the plugging agent into the formation at a flow rate and pressure sufficient to initiate and propagate new fractures and/or extensions of existing fractures in the formation; and (c) thereafter injecting a displacing fluid into the formation at a pressure sufficient to maintain the new fractures and-/or extensions of existing fractures open and displace oil from zones communicating with the new fractures and-/or extensions of existing fractures toward the production well where it is recovered.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp., New York, NY
• Patent Number(s): US 4787449
• OSTI ID: 6481019
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020400* -- Petroleum-- Processing
COMMINUTION
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURED RESERVOIRS
FRACTURING
FRACTURING FLUIDS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC FRACTURES
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
INJECTION WELLS
OIL WELLS
PERMEABILITY
PETROLEUM
PLUGGING
PLUGGING AGENTS
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
WELL SPACING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS