Polymer-preceded chemical flood

Patent · Tue Mar 17 04:00:00 EST 1970

OSTI ID:7093169

Abrams, A; Lawson, J B

A surfactant slug is preceded by a polymer slug to satisfy the adsorptive capacity of the reservoir rock. An aqueous solution of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (Dow Pusher 520), and a clay anti-swelling agent (sodium chloride) form the polymer preflood. The surfactant slug is a saline solution of a water-soluble alkyl aryl sulfonate, present in an amount exceeding its critical micelle concentration, and a water insoluble alkyl aryl sulfonate. The trailing edge of the polymer solution should be substantially free of polyvalent metal ions. Tests performed on an oil-filled core indicated that the polymer preflood permitted a recovery of about 20 percent more of the surfactants than a surfactant treatment without a polymer preflood.

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3500921
• OSTI ID: 7093169
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
ESTERS
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
POLYAMIDES
POLYMERS
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS