Oil recovery process using polymer microemulsion complexes

Patent · Tue Nov 23 00:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6645745

Baker, E G; Canter, N H; Robbins, M L

A process for the enhanced recovery of oil from a subterranean formation using a polymer-microemulsion complex is disclosed. The polymer is polyethylene oxide or polyvinyl pyrrolidone which interacts with the surfactant of the microemulsion to form a physical association. The resulting complex is characterized by a complexation energy of at least 2 kcal/mole. Slugs containing the present polymer-microemulsion complexes are stable at high salinity, show reduced destabilization due to surfactant adsorption and retention by the formation, have low interfacial tensions and achieve an early banking, as well as increased displacement of crude oil.

• Assignee: Exxon Research And Engineering Co
• Patent Number(s): US 4360061
• OSTI ID: 6645745
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 3 Apr 1980; Other Information: PAT-APPL-136938
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
OIL WELLS
MICROEMULSION FLOODING
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
PVP
ENHANCED RECOVERY
PETROLEUM
SURFACTANTS
WELL STIMULATION
ALCOHOLS
AMIDES
AZOLES
BLOOD SUBSTITUTES
DRUGS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GLYCOLS
HEMATOLOGIC AGENTS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LACTAMS
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
POLYMERS
POLYVINYLS
PYRROLES
PYRROLIDONES
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production