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AssigneesPetroleo Brasilero S.A. - PETROBRAS, Ellingsen and Associates A.S.
InventorsOlav Ellingsen, Carlos Roberto Carvalho de Holleben, Carlos Alberto de Castro Goncalves, Euclides J. Bonet, Paulo Jose Villani de Andrade, Roberto F. Mezzomo
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A process and apparatus are provided to enhance the recovery of petroleum from onshore and offshore reservoirs. The process includes the simultaneous stimulation of the formation by elastic sound waves, created by a sonic source installed at the oil well so that the elastic sonic waves which are superimposed reduce the adherence forces in the layer between oil/water and the rock formation, and by the oscillating electrical stimulation of the same layer, as from the same wells subject to sonic treatment. The electricity heats the formation by using resistive heating, and thus increases the pressure, thus eliminating the surface tensions between the faces of the fluid as a consequence of the oscillatory action of the ions in the surfaces of the fluid and in addition, reducing the viscosity of the fluids. The process is achieved as the petroleum is produced in the wells thus treated, and the flow of petroleum acts then as a cooling agent which removes the heat released by the well area and thus allows a larger input of energy than in any other method known so far.
A process to increase the recovery of petroleum from a petroleum reservoir, comprising simultaneously subjecting a producing petroleum formation to electrical and vibratory stimulation, by supplying electrical current to the reservoir by means of an electrical cable installed in an annulus located between a production string and a casing utilizing part of the electrical current to operate a vibrator attached to the extremity of the production string, the electrical connection being obtained by means of connectors located at the vibrator which are hydraulically driven and attached to the uncovered extremity of the electrical cable, conducting the electrical current through said connectors to the casing which penetrates the petroleum formation at a point located above an isolation bridge, formed by cutting one part of the casing at a certain height above said formation to provide a cavity and filling the cavity with an isolating material.
An apparatus to increase the recovery of petroleum from a petroleum reservoir, comprising mechanical vibrator means energizable by current impulses supplied to the reservoir from a main power source;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.