Method for stimulating injection wells using reducing agents
AssigneeJgs Resources, LLC
InventorsSriram SOLAIRAJ, Gary Arnold POPE
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Abstract
Described herein are methods and systems for increasing the injectivity of wells used to inject water or water containing various chemicals such as water-soluble polymers for the purpose of increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons such as crude oil from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Injectivity often decreases because of adverse reactions or plugging at or near the wellbore. The treatment procedure involves injecting reducing agents (e.g., sulfite or metabisulfite salts) dissolved in water or water containing other chemicals such as polymers.
Claims31
A method for increasing the injectivity of an aqueous injection fluid to improve oil recovery from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, the method comprising:
- introducing a sulfite or metabisulfite salt into an aqueous injection fluid;
- and
- injecting the aqueous injection fluid through a wellbore and into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
A method of preparing an aqueous injection fluid, the method comprising:
- dissolving or dispersing a polymer in an aqueous fluid comprising a sulfite or metabisulfite salt.
A method of recycling a produced brine in an oil and gas operation, the method comprising
- contacting the produced brine with a sulfite or metabisulfite salt, thereby facilitating separation of oil emulsified or suspended in the produced brine from the produced brine;
- and
- utilizing the produced brine as an aqueous fluid for the production of an aqueous injection fluid.
A method for improving the viscosity of an aqueous injection fluid comprising a polymer, the method comprising
- contacting the aqueous injection fluid comprising a polymer dissolved or dispersed in the aqueous injection fluid with a sulfite or metabisulfite salt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.