Abstract:
A vertical downward gas-driven miscible blanket oil recovery process wherein the spreading rate of the solvent blanket on top of the oil column is increased by adding to or using with the conventional solvent a high density solvent such as carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride or certain halogenated hydrocarbons. Sufficient dense solvent is injected along with the conventional hydrocarbon solvent to increase the density of the resulting solvent mixture to a value only slightly less than the density of the formation petroleum being displaced, so that a stable blanket will be maintained with substantially increased rate and extent of spreading of the solvent blanket on top of the oil column. The miscible blanket is displaced downward by injecting gas such as natural gas, methane, or carbon dioxide into the upper portion of the reservoir. The dense solvent may be injected before or after the conventional solvent, or the dense and conventional solvent may be injected simultaneously using dual injection strings.
Abstract:
Viscous, asphaltic petroleum may be effectively recovered from subterranean viscous, asphaltic petroleum containing formations such as tar sand deposits by first injecting into the tar sand formation a quantity of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or furfural or a mixture thereof which precipitates asphaltic material from the bituminous petroleum portion of the formation petroleum. Next, solvent injection is terminated and air is injected into the formation, and the formation is ignited by heating or other means to initiate in situ combustion within the petroleum formation utilizing the precipitated asphaltic materials for fuel for the in situ combustion reaction. Reaction temperature higher than normal in situ combustion temperatures are produced, facilitating thermal cracking and in situ hydrogenation to up grade the produced crude within the tar sand reservoir.
Abstract:
Recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing calcareous formation is effected by injecting into the formation via an injection well a dilute aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid and displacing the acid through the formation by injecting an aqueous medium which may comprise dilute hydrochloric acid wherein the acid reacts with the calcareous constituents of the formation thereby generating carbon dioxide and improving the permeability and the porosity of the formation leading to the improved recovery of hydrocarbons therefrom.
Abstract:
Improved oil recovery from an oil-bearing reservoir is obtained by a combination of solution gas drive and water flooding whereby the reservoir is produced by solution gas drive until the pressure of the reservoir is reduced below the bubble point pressure and a critical gas saturation is established, and thereafter the reservoir is produced by a water flood until the rate of oil production reaches a predetermined value or termination point, whereafter the cycle is repeated.