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U.S. Department of Energy
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Recovery of oil using microemulsions

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7026944
This patent describes a method of recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir formation containing formation hydrocarbons and formation water. It comprises determining the effective reservoir water/hydrocarbon bank viscosity and the reservoir salinity; determining the proper oil molar volume for a micro-emulsion; determining the proper oil or mixture of oils to be used to create an optimal microemulsion; tailoring a microemulsion in the one phase region of the ternary diagram of an optimum microemulsion system that is optimum at the reservoir salinity; injecting the microemulsion into the formation through at least one injection means to displace the hydrocarbons toward at least one production means, and recovering hydrocarbons with the production means.
Assignee:
Exxon Production Research Co., Houston, TX (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5135052; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-676958
OSTI ID:
7026944
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English