Thermal acidization and recovery process for recovering viscous petroleum

Patent · Tue Jun 19 04:00:00 EDT 1984

OSTI ID:6486974

Poston, R S

A thermal acidization and recovery process for increasing production of heavy vicous petroleum crude oil and synthetic fuels from subterranean hydrocarbon formations containing clay particles creating adverse permeability effects is described. The method comprises injecting a thermal vapor stream through a well bore penetrating such formations to clean the formation face of hydrocarbonaceous materials which restrict the flow of fluids into the petroleum-bearing formation. Vaporized hydrogen chloride is then injected simultaneously to react with calcium and magnesium salts in the formation surrounding the bore hole to form water soluble chloride salts. Vaporized hydrogen fluoride is then injected simultaneously with its thermal vapor to dissolve water-sensitive clay particles thus increasing permeability. Thereafter, the thermal vapors are injected until the formation is sufficielty heated to permit increased recovery rates of the petroleum.

• Assignee: Carmel Energy, Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 4454917
• OSTI ID: 6486974
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ACIDIZATION
ADDITIVES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CLAYS
CLEANING
DISPLACEMENT FLUIDS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDROCHLORIC ACID
HYDROFLUORIC ACID
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR ROCK
SALTS
STEAM INJECTION
STIMULATION
THERMAL RECOVERY
VISCOSITY
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS