Method for treating a subterranean formation with water-in-oil emulsion
AssigneeBJ Services Company
InventorsQi Qu, Richard F. Stevens, Jr., David Alleman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The permeability of a subterranean formation is improved by introducing into the formation a water-in-oil emulsion. Unwanted particulates deposited in the formation during the production of oil are dissolved or loosened by the outer phase of the emulsion and dispersed in the aqueous phase.
Claims18
A method of improving the permeability of an oil producing subterranean formation which comprises introducing into the formation a composition comprising a water-in-oil emulsion, wherein unwanted particulates having been deposited in the formation during the production of oil from the formation are dissolved or loosened by the outer phase and dispersed in the aqueous phase of the water-in-oil emulsion, thereby improving the permeability of the formation.
A method of improving the permeability of a subterranean formation which comprises introducing into the formation a composition comprising a water-in-oil emulsion, wherein the outer phase of the water-in-oil emulsion is a hydrophobic solvent and further wherein unwanted particulates caused by deposition of asphaltenes, paraffins or scales within the formation during the production of oil from the formation are dissolved or loosened by the outer phase of the water-in-oil emulsion, thereby improving the permeability of the formation.
A method of improving the permeability of an oil producing subterranean formation which comprises introducing into the formation a composition comprising a water-in-oil emulsion, wherein the external phase of the emulsion is a hydrophobic organic solvent and the internal phase comprises an aqueous salt solution, a mineral acid or organic acid, and further wherein particulates deposited within the formation from produced crude oil are dissolved or loosened by the outer phase and dispersed in the aqueous phase of the water-in-oil emulsion, thereby improving the permeability of the formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.