Secondary oil recovery method

Patent · Tue Sep 18 04:00:00 EDT 1973

OSTI ID:6541500

Christopher, C A; Allen, J C; Kolaian, J H

A method is described for recovering oil from a subterranean oil reservoir which is penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well. A fluid is injected into the injection well and oil is produced from the production well. The fluid consists of a mixture of a hydrocarbon miscible with reservoir oil and colloidal silica, and provides an improved mobility ratio which increases sweep efficiency. It will not decrease in viscosity as it moves away from the injection well bore. This injection fluid is miscible with the reservoir oil while having a high enough viscosity so that the mobility ratio will be low enough to retard fingering. Thus, a method is provided for the secondary recovery of oil from subterranean reservoirs which overcomes both the retentive forces of viscosity and capillarity. (8 claims)

• Assignee: Texaco Inc.
• Patent Number(s): US 3759326
• OSTI ID: 6541500
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
CAPILLARY FLOW
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INJECTION WELLS
MINERALS
MIXTURES
OIL WELLS
OXIDE MINERALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
RECOVERY
RESERVOIR FLUIDS
SILICA
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
STIMULATION
VISCOSITY
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS