Miscible flooding process using improved soluble oil compositions

Patent · Mon Mar 16 23:00:00 EST 1970

OSTI ID:7301200

Holm, L W

A microemulsion solution was designed that did not exhibit a large increase in viscosity on taking up water that is generally characteristic of soluble oils. Also, the inversion of the microemulsion from a water-in-oil emulsion to an oil-in-water emulsion occurred at a higher water content than for other soluble oils. The microemulsion contained Petronate CR (oil-soluble alkyl aryl sulfonate of molecular weight 490-510), Pyronate 30 (water-soluble petroleum sulfonate, 330-350), 39/sup 0/ API Illinois crude oil, butyl Cellosolve, and tap water. Nevada 130 sand packs were saturated with brine, then 39/sup 0/ API Illinois crude oil, and waterflooded with brine. A recovery of 88.3 percent residual oil was obtained using the two surfactant microemulsion slug, followed by a Pusher 500 aqueous flood, and driven by brine.

• Assignee: Union Oil Co. of California
• Patent Number(s): US 3500919
• OSTI ID: 7301200
• 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
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM SULFONATES
SAND
SULFONATES
SULFONIC ACID ESTERS
SURFACTANTS
VISCOSITY
WELLS