Improved process for the recovery of oil

Patent · Tue Jan 08 04:00:00 EDT 1974

OSTI ID:7299632

Jennings, R R; Thornton, W M

An aqueous solution of a polymer conserving agent (PCA) was injected ahead of the micellar slug and polymer slug to reduce adsorption of the polymer to the reservoir rock. The micellar slug contained ammonium petroleum sulfonate (average equivalent weight 410), vehicle oil (from the sulfonate), crude oil (viscosity 7 cp at 22/sup 0/C), brine, and primary hexanol. Pusher 700 was dissolved in a weak brine (500 ppm TDS) for a mobility buffer. The PCA, low molecular weight (2,000--500,000) hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, was also dissolved in weak brine. Berea sandstone cores were saturated with brine (18,000 ppm TDS), flooded with crude oil (7 cp at 22/sup 0/C), and waterflooded with brine. A recovery of 93% OIP was obtained using the PCA solution but only 76% OIP was produced without it. The concentration of PCA must be adjusted for good mobility control.

• Assignee: Dow Chemical Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3783944
• OSTI ID: 7299632
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ADSORPTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
ESTERS
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
POLYMERS
SORPTION
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
WELLS