Abstract:
An improved secondary recovery process which comprises injecting a viscous aqueous solution containing a beta-substituted acrylamide polymer, which can be partially hydrolyzed, if desired, into a subterranean oil-containing reservoir via an injection well, forcing the solution through the formation and recovering oil via a production well.
Abstract:
A novel method of secondary recovery of oil from subterranean reservoirs is provided wherein a fluid is used to drive the oil in the reservoir to production wells. This driving fluid is a mixture of water and colloidal silica. The driving fluid has a mobility ratio relative to the oil in the reservoir such that the driving fluid will maintain a flat face against the oil being driven to production wells and thus a high sweep efficiency of the reservoir will result.
Abstract:
In a subterranean reservoir containing both petroleum and water interspersed, the petroleum may be preferentially produced by injecting into one well penetrating the reservoir a slug of fluid comprising LPG, colloidal silica, water and a polymeric material followed by a driving fluid comprising water to force the reservoir fluids into another well penetrating the reservoir where they are produced.
Abstract:
A method of secondary recovery of hydrocarbons which involves injecting a fluid into an injection well and producing hydrocarbons from a production well involves the use of a novel thickened injection fluid. The fluid comprises an intimate mixture of water, hydrocarbon solvent and colloidal silica. The fluid is miscible with hydrocarbons in the reservoir and aqueous fluids and provides a decreased mobility ratio to enhance sweep efficiency.
Abstract:
A method for the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs which comprises having at least one production well and one injection well penetrating the reservoir and injecting a fluid into the injection well to drive the hydrocarbons to the production well. The fluid comprises an intimate mixture of colloidal silica and a material which is miscible with the hydrocarbons in the reservoir.
Abstract:
An improved oil recovery method is disclosed in which a slug of a dilute aqueous polymer solution is injected into a subterranean oil-containing formation through one or more injection wells followed by a slug of dilute aqueous solution of an alkali metal hypochlorite. Optionally, either or both of the injected solutions may contain a surfactant. In a final step, water is injected to drive the polymer and hypochlorite solutions through the formation and oil is recovered from the formation through at least one spaced production well.