US4034810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1975-12-01
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Granted: 1977-07-12
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Expires: 1995-12-01
Abstract
Abstract The sweep efficiency of a two-phase gas/aqueous fluid in a formation is at a maximum when the volume ratio of gas to aqueous fluid corresponds to the minimum total mobility. By injecting gas and an aqueous liquid into a formation following a miscible flooding agent, the efficiency of the miscible flooding can be optimized.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl C. Holloway
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:10
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A process for the recovery of oil from subterranean formations comprising: a. injecting an oil-miscible fluid into the formation via at least one injection well to miscible displace oil, b. injecting gas and an aqueous liquid via at least one injection well into the formation to establish a two-phase gas/aqueous liquid system in the formation following said oil-miscible fluid under the provision that said gas and aqueous liquid are injected into said formation at a volume ratio which corresponds to a minimum total mobility and which is defined as that volume ratio of gas to aqueous liquid for which the total mobility for the two-phase gas/aqueous liquid system as a function of said volume ratio is at a minimum value, c. moving at least a portion of said oil-miscible fluid through the formation followed by said two-phase gas/aqueous liquid system and into at least one production well, and d. recovering oil-containing fluid from said production well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A process for the recovery of oil from subterranean formations comprising: a. injecting an oil-miscible fluid into the formation via at least one injection well to miscible displace oil, b. injecting gas and an aqueous liquid via at least one injection well into the formation to establish a two-phase gas/aqueous liquid system in the formation following said oil-miscible fluid under the provision that said gas and aqueous liquid are injected into said formation at a volume ratio which corresponds to a minimum total mobility and which is defined as that volume ratio of gas to aqueous liquid for which the total mobility for the two-phase gas/aqueous liquid system as a function of said volume ratio is at a minimum value, c. moving at least a portion of said oil-miscible fluid through the formation followed by said two-phase gas/aqueous liquid system and into at least one production well, and d. recovering oil-containing fluid from said production well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein gas and aqueous liquid are injected as slugs alternately into at least one injection well, with the provision that the volume ratio of these slugs is approximately said optimum volume ratio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein gas and aqueous liquid are injected into at least one injection well in the form of a mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein gas is injected into at least one injection well for a given time and said aqueous liquid is simultaneously injected via at least one other injection well for the same given time, with the further provision that the total flow volume ratio of gas to aqueous liquid is approximately said optimum volume ratio.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein salt water is injected as said aqueous liquid into at least one injection well.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 in which natural gas is injected into said injection well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fluid is rich natural gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said gas is natural gas and said aqueous liquid is salt water.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-11 | 1981-01-10 | 1981-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-11 | 1985-01-10 | 1985-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-11 | 1989-01-10 | 1989-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |