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US 4,508,170 AGranted
Method of increasing the yield of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation
OwnerWolfgang Littmanninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Heavy crude oil is recovered from a subterranean formation by a process comprising (a) heating said formation, and (b) subsequently flooding the formation with a cold aqueous solution containing a polymer additive which increases its viscosity.
Claims7
A process for increasing the yield of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation consisting essentially of:
- (a) passing either hot water without additives or steam into the formation, thereby heating said formation to a temperature of 100.degree. to 250.degree. C., and
- (b) subsequently flooding the formation with a cold aqueous solution containing a polymer additive which increases its viscosity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.