US3866680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miscible flood process
Assignee: BP America Production Co
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Filing: 1973-07-09
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1993-07-09
Abstract
Abstract Sweep efficiency in a miscible flood is improved by injecting a macro emulsion into the formation which tends to flow into the zones of greatest permeability. Following this, the solvent to be used in the flooding step is introduced, and under the conditions now existing in the formation the solvent is found to flow into the less permeable oil-bearing zones. The present invention relates to the recovery of oil from underground deposits thereof involving the use of a solvent fluid-drive system. More particularly, it is concerned with an improved miscible flooding method in formations where such procedures are normally complicated owing to reservoir heterogeneity.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwight L Dauben
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:07
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
IN A METHOD FOR THE RECOVERY OF CRUDE OIL FROM AN UNDERGROUND DEPOSIT THEREOF BY A MISCIBLE FLOODING PROCESS AND WHEREIN SUCH DEPOSITE EXHIBITS A SUBSTANTIAL DEGREE OF RESERVOIR HETEROGENEITY INSOFAR AS CONCERNS THE PERMEABILITY AND POROSITY THEREOF, SAID DEPOSIT BEING PENETRATED BY AN INJECTION WELL AND A PRODUCTION WELL, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
IN A METHOD FOR THE RECOVERY OF CRUDE OIL FROM AN UNDERGROUND DEPOSIT THEREOF BY A MISCIBLE FLOODING PROCESS AND WHEREIN SUCH DEPOSITE EXHIBITS A SUBSTANTIAL DEGREE OF RESERVOIR HETEROGENEITY INSOFAR AS CONCERNS THE PERMEABILITY AND POROSITY THEREOF, SAID DEPOSIT BEING PENETRATED BY AN INJECTION WELL AND A PRODUCTION WELL, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
INTRODUCING VIA SAID INJECTION WELL AN OIL-IN-WATER EMULSION IN WHICH THE DIAMETER OF THE DISPERSED PHASE DROPLETS IS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AS THE DIAMETER OF THE PORES IN THE MORE PERMEABLE PORTION OF SAID DEPOSIT WHEREBY SAID EMULSION PRIMARILY PENETRATES SAID MORE PERMEABLE PORTION;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
INTRODUCING VIA SAID INJECTION WELL AN OIL-IN-WATER EMULSION IN WHICH THE DIAMETER OF THE DISPERSED PHASE DROPLETS IS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AS THE DIAMETER OF THE PORES IN THE MORE PERMEABLE PORTION OF SAID DEPOSIT WHEREBY SAID EMULSION PRIMARILY PENETRATES SAID MORE PERMEABLE PORTION;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
INJECTING A MICELLAR SOLUTION VIA SAID INJECTION WELL INTO SAID DEPOSIT; AND
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
INJECTING A MICELLAR SOLUTION VIA SAID INJECTION WELL INTO SAID DEPOSIT; AND
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 in which the emulsion is a crude oil-in-water emulsion wherein the diameter of dispersed phase droplets ranges from about 1 to about 20 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
injecting a micellar solution via said injection well into said deposit; and
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
injecting a micellar solution via said injection well into said deposit; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
displacing said solution toward said producing well to recover crude oil therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
displacing said solution toward said producing well to recover crude oil therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the amount of emulsion employed corresponds to from about 2 to about 30 percent of the interwell pore volume.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
DISPLACING SAID SOLUTION TOWARD SAID PRODUCING WELL TO RECOVER CRUDE OIL THEREFROM.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
DISPLACING SAID SOLUTION TOWARD SAID PRODUCING WELL TO RECOVER CRUDE OIL THEREFROM.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said solvent is displaced through said deposit by means of water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the oil content of said emulsion ranges from about 1 to about 20 percent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the viscosity of the solvent employed is greater than that of water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3294164A
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US3586107A
Cited
US3667545A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |