Chemically assisted thermal flood process
AssigneeTexaco Inc.
InventorsWilliam C. Richardson, Kenneth R. Kibodeaux
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Abstract
An enhanced oil recovery process uses an injectant containing water and an additive. The additive is an organic compound having a total of 1 to 10 carbons and at least one functional group containing a heteroatom. The additive is present at a concentration of between about 0.01% and about 20% by weight of the composition. The injectant is injected at a temperature of between about 100° F. to about 500° F. Hot water flooding with the additive provides enhanced oil recovery in medium to heavy oil reservoirs.
Claims28
A process for increasing recovery of oil from an oil reservoir, comprising the steps of:
- heating an injectant to a temperature of between about 220° F. to about 500° F., wherein the injectant comprises,
- i) water, and
- ii) an additive present at a concentration of between about 0.01% and about 20% by weight of the composition, wherein the additive is an organic compound having a total of 1 to 10 carbons and at least one functional group containing oxygen or sulfur;
- and
- injecting the heated injectant as a liquid into the oil reservoir such that said injectant does not result in emulsion formation upon injection into the oil reservoir.
A mixture of crude oil and an injectant obtained by an oil recovery process comprising the steps of:
- a) heating the injectant to a temperature of between about 220° F. to about 500° F., wherein the injectant comprises,
- i) water, and
- ii) an additive present at a concentration of between about 0.01% and about 20% by weight of the injectant, wherein the additive is an organic compound having a total of 1 to 10 carbons and at least one functional group containing oxygen or sulfur;
- b) injecting the heated injectant as a liquid into an oil reservoir wherein said injectant does not result in emulsion formation upon injection into the oil reservoir;
- c) extracting crude oil from the oil reservoir;
- and
- d) separating gases, water, or dirt from the crude oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.