Waterflood process taking advantage of chromatographic dispersion

Patent · Mon Apr 07 23:00:00 EST 1969

OSTI ID:7301164

Foster, W R; Hurd, B G; Dunlap, P M

Surfactant adsorption can be reduced by using a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component in aqueous saline solutions. The process involves injecting (1) an aqueous saline surfactant solution containing a surfactant having a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component, (2) a slug of aqueous less-saline solution containing a minor amount of the low molecular weight component of the surfactant, and (3) saline flooding water. In this process, the high molecular weight component which is preferentially adsorbed in the first step, is desorbed by the slug of less-saline solution in the second step and forms a second surfactant bank. Laboratory tests on sandpacks used the higher molecular weight surfactant Alconate 80, the lower molecular weight component Pyronate 50, sodium carbonate and sodium tripolyphosphate for further reduction of surface tension, and Kelzan biopolymer for viscosity control. These studies recovered up to 100 percent of the oil left after waterflooding.

• Assignee: Mobil Oil Corp.
• Patent Number(s): US 3437140
• OSTI ID: 7301164
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
ADSORPTION
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATES
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
OIL WELLS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
SODIUM CARBONATES
SODIUM COMPOUNDS
SORPTION
SURFACTANTS
WATERFLOODING
WELLS