Method for oil recovery
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorsRussell D. Shupe, Jim Maddox, Jr., Jack F. Tate
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation is stimulated by injecting into the formation an aqueous solution of a compound hereinafter described. The elimination of plugging of capillary openings within the formation and mineral scale deposition on production equipment due to post-precipitation of dissolved salts subsequent to treatment by means of the compound results in the substantial improvement in hydrocarbon recovery.
Claims8
Method of increasing and sustaining the production of fluids from a subterranean fluid-bearing formation comprising injecting down the well bore penetrating said formation and injecting therefrom into said formation under a pressure greater than the formation pressure, an aqueous solution consisting essentially of water and a sulfonated, ethoxylated compound having the general formula:
- R(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n SO.sub.3 .sup.-A.sup.+
- wherein R is alkaryl, containing from about 6 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl portion thereof, n is a number from one to about 10 including fractions, and A.sup.+ is a monovalent cation selected from the group sodium, potassium, and ammonium, including mixtures.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.