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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Surfactant oil recovery process usable in formations containing water having high concentrations of polyvalent ions such as calcium and magnesium

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7093263

This process uses a three-component system of surfactants which is usable in the presence of from about 1,500 to 12,000 ppm polyvalent ions, such as calcium and magnesium. The surfactant system consists of (1) a water souble salt of an alkyl or alkyl aryl sulsonate anionic surfactant, (2) a water soluble salt of an alkyl polyethoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, and (3) a nonionic surfactant such as a polyethoxylated alkyl phenol, a polyethoxylated aliphatic alcohol, or a fatty acid mono- or dialkanolamide. The process consists of injecting into a carbonate reservoir the surfactant solution, followed by an aqueous solution of polyacrylamide, and finally injecting water to displace the two previous substances plus oil. Recoveries are anticipated to be approximately 90 percent of the original oil in place.

Assignee:
Texaco Inc.
Patent Number(s):
US 3811504
OSTI ID:
7093263
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English