Method of minimizing adsorption of surfactant from flooding water
A method for minimizing surfactant adsorption employs a preflush of sacrificial inorganic compounds. The sacrificial materials are sodium carbonate and inorganic polyphosphate wetting agents, such as sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and borax. Preferably, the sacrificial inorganic additive is also contained in the surfactant and in the floodwater behind the surfactant. The preferred surfactant is a petroleum sulfonate sodium salt having a median molecular weight from about 400 to about 430. The additives may be used in the presence of brines or of high concentrations of divalent cations if certain precautions are taken. Laboratory tests on core samples from the Loma Novia sand, Duval County, Texas, showed substantial decreases in surfactant adsorption when the sacrificial additives were injected.
- Assignee:
- Mobil Oil Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 3469630
- OSTI ID:
- 7093159
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ADDITIVES
DESORPTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
ESTERS
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
SAND
SOUTHWEST REGION
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
SURFACTANTS
TEXAS
USA
WATERFLOODING
WELLS