Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
In a method of recovering viscous petroleum from a subterranean, viscous petroleum-containing formation, said formation being penetrated by at least one injection well and by at least one production well in fluid communication with the formation, comprising the steps of forming a communication path between the injection well and the production well having a permeability substantially greater than the permeability of the oil formation, and introducing a viscous oil recovery fluid comprising steam into the formation via the injection well to pass through the communication path, mobilizing viscous petroleum and displacing it through the communication path toward the production well, wherein the improvement for stabilizing the communication path to prevent migration of fine mineral particles therein comprises (a) introducing an aqueous fluid containing aluminum ions and hydroxy ions into the communication path in an amount sufficient to saturate substantially all of the communication path; (b) allowing the aqueous solution containing aluminum ions and hydroxy ions to remain in the communication path for a period of time sufficient to ensure cementing of a substantial portion of the sand grains together; (c) displacing the aqueous fluid containing aluminum and hydroxy ions from the communication path with a suitable fluid; and (d) thereafter introducing the primary viscous oil recovery fluid into the stabilized communication path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
In a method of recovering viscous petroleum from a subterranean, viscous petroleum-containing formation, said formation being penetrated by at least one injection well and by at least one production well in fluid communication with the formation, comprising the steps of forming a communication path between the injection well and the production well having a permeability substantially greater than the permeability of the oil formation, and introducing a viscous oil recovery fluid comprising steam into the formation via the injection well to pass through the communication path, mobilizing viscous petroleum and displacing it through the communication path toward the production well, wherein the improvement for stabilizing the communication path to prevent migration of fine mineral particles therein comprises (a) introducing an aqueous fluid containing aluminum ions and hydroxy ions into the communication path in an amount sufficient to saturate substantially all of the communication path; (b) allowing the aqueous solution containing aluminum ions and hydroxy ions to remain in the communication path for a period of time sufficient to ensure cementing of a substantial portion of the sand grains together; (c) displacing the aqueous fluid containing aluminum and hydroxy ions from the communication path with a suitable fluid; and (d) thereafter introducing the primary viscous oil recovery fluid into the stabilized communication path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the ratio of hydroxy to aluminum ions in the aqueous fluid is from 1.5 to 2.5.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the aqueous fluid containing aluminum ions and hydroxy ions is a solution formed by blending aluminum chloride and sodium hydroxide in water and a high shear rate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the aqueous fluid containing aluminum and hydroxy ions is allowed to remain in the communication path for a period of time of from about 1 to about 50 days to ensure complete cementing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 1 comprising the additional step of introducing a fluid containing clay particles into the communication path prior to the step of introducing the aqueous fluid containing aluminum ions and hydroxy ions thereinto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the clay is sodium montmorillonite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the fluid comprises an aqueous solution of electrolyte including sodium chloride in a concentration sufficient to prevent hydration of the clay.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 5 wherein the fluid is a hydrocarbon having from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as recited in claim 8 comprising the additional step of injecting a gas into the communication path to displace the clay-containing fluid and evaporate at least a portion of the hydrocarbon.