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Vertical downward gas-driven miscible blanket flooding oil recovery process

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6679433

A vertical downward gas-driven miscible blanket oil recovery process is described wherein the spreading rate of the solvent blanket on top of the oil column is increased by adding to or using with the conventional solvent a high-density solvent such as carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride or certain halogenated hydrocarbons. Sufficient dense solvent is injected along with the conventional hydrocarbon solvent to increase the density of the resulting solvent mixture to a value only slightly less than the density of the formation petroleum being displaced, so that a stable blanket will be maintained with substantially increased rate and extent of spreading of the solvent blanket on top of the oil column. The miscible blanket is displaced downward by injecting gas such as natural gas, methane or carbon dioxide into the upper portion of the reservoir. The dense solvent may be injected before or after the conventional solvent, or the dense and conventional solvent may be injected simultaneously using dual injection strings. (23 claims)

Assignee:
Texaco Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 3878892
OSTI ID:
6679433
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English