Abstract:
A miscible displacement process for the recovery of petroleum from a petroleum bearing formation is performed in situ by use of a solvent miscible with the petroleum and having a density greater than water followed by an aqueous driving fluid.
Abstract:
At the conclusion of a secondary recovery operation after breakthrough of the driving fluid at the production wells, additional injection wells are located between the original injection well and the production well(s), this region usually having a high oil saturation after the drive.
Abstract:
A process for producing petroleum from a subterranean reservoir is provided whereby a solvent equal in density or more dense than water is circulated between upper and lower perforations in a first well in order to dissolve petroleum in an ever-widening volume around the well bore until communication is established to a second well. At this point the production side of the first well is shut in, injection of solvent is ceased, an aqueous fluid is injected into the first well and production is taken from the second well.
Abstract:
A method of producing oil from a steeply dipping reservoir wherein a hot aqueous fluid is injected into the reservoir which liberates gas from the oil in the reservoir. This gas then travels to the top of the reservoir where it displaces the oil at the top of the reservoir and forces it down to a production well located down dip of the top of the reservoir. The fluid travels to the bottom of the reservoir where it displaces oil upward.
Abstract:
A method of secondary recovery of hydrocarbons which involves injecting a fluid into an injection well and producing hydrocarbons from a production well involves the use of a novel thickened injection fluid. The fluid comprises an intimate mixture of water, hydrocarbon solvent and colloidal silica. The fluid is miscible with hydrocarbons in the reservoir and aqueous fluids and provides a decreased mobility ratio to enhance sweep efficiency.
Abstract:
Recovery of residual hydrocarbons from a secondary gas cap is effected by injecting into the gas cap via one well a light hydrocarbon solvent and thereafter producing the well to recover a mixture of the hydrocarbon solvent and the immobile liquid hydrocarbons from the enriched gas produced.
Abstract:
A method for the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs which comprises having at least one production well and one injection well penetrating the reservoir and injecting a fluid into the injection well to drive the hydrocarbons to the production well. The fluid comprises an intimate mixture of colloidal silica and a material which is miscible with the hydrocarbons in the reservoir.
Abstract:
A miscible displacement process for the recovery of petroleum from a petroleum-bearing reservoir is performed in situ by use of a solvent miscible with the petroleum and having a density greater than water followed by an aqueous driving fluid wherein the solvent is introduced in the vapor state into the reservoir or is vaporized within the reservoir by a heated driving fluid and proceeds in a substantially horizontal manner through the reservoir forming a condensation front ahead of the driving fluid.
Abstract:
A miscible displacement process for the recovery of petroleum from a petroleum bearing formation is performed in situ by the use of a solvent system miscible with the petroleum, the solvent system comprising carbon disulfide and a hydrocarbon solvent.
Abstract:
Petroleum may be recovered from viscous petroleum containing formations including tar sand deposits by first creating a fluid communication path low in the formation, followed by injecting a heated fluid, aqueous or nonaqueous, into the fluid communication path, followed by injecting a volatile solvent such as carbon disulfide, benzene or toluene into the preheated flow path and continuing injecting the heating fluid. The low boiling point solvent is vaporized and moves upward into the formation where it dissolves petroleum, loses heat and condenses thereafter flowing down carrying dissolved bitumen with it into the preheated flow path. The low boiling point solvent effectively cycles or refluxes within the formation and is not produced to the surface of the earth. Bitumen is transferred from the volatile solvent to the heating fluid continually passing through the communication path, and bitumen and heating fluid are recovered together as a mixture or solution.