Method of recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir
This is a miscible phase displacement method of secondary oil recovery. The first step includes injecting into the reservoir through an injection well a gaseous fluid which is immiscible with the native reservoir fluids to force the gaseous fluid through the reservoir toward a production well to establish free gas saturation in the more readily swept portion of the reservoir. The second step includes injecting a fluid which is miscible with the reservoir oil, such as either a rich gas or a condensable hydrocarbon. The third step includes introducing a lean gas into the reservoir through the injection well, preferable natural gas consisting of largely methane, for the purpose of driving the miscible fluid of the second step through the reservoir. The natural gas is introduced in sufficient quantity and at sufficient pressure to move the miscible fluid through the reservoir to produce oil from the reservoir through the production well. (12 claims)
- Assignee:
- Socony Mobil Oil Co.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3179166
- OSTI ID:
- 6623552
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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