Method for enhanced oil recovery

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:863662

Comberiati, Joseph R ^[1]; Locke, Charles D ^[1]; Kamath, Krishna I ^[2]

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1. Morgantown, WV
2. Chicago, IL

The present invention is directed to an improved method for enhanced recovery of oil from relatively "cold" reservoirs by carbon dioxide flooding. In oil reservoirs at a temperature less than the critical temperature of 87.7.degree. F. and at a pore pressure greater than the saturation pressure of carbon dioxide at the temperature of the reservoir, the carbon dioxide remains in the liquid state which does not satisfactorily mix with the oil. However, applicants have found that carbon dioxide can be vaporized in situ in the reservoir by selectively reducing the pore pressure in the reservoir to a value less than the particular saturated vapor pressure so as to greatly enhance the mixing of the carbon dioxide with the oil.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4224992
• OSTI ID: 863662
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

method
enhanced
oil
recovery
directed
improved
relatively
cold
reservoirs
carbon
dioxide
flooding
temperature
critical
87
degree
pore
pressure
saturation
reservoir
remains
liquid
satisfactorily
mix
applicants
found
vaporized
situ
selectively
reducing
value
particular
saturated
vapor
greatly
enhance
mixing
oil recovery
critical temperature
improved method
carbon dioxide
vapor pressure
enhanced oil
saturated vapor
oil reservoir
enhanced recovery
pore pressure
selectively reducing
/166/