Wells – Processes – Distinct – separate injection and producing wells
Patent
1997-06-30
1999-07-27
Suchfield, George
Wells
Processes
Distinct, separate injection and producing wells
166294, 1663051, 166309, 507269, 507904, 507937, E21B 33138, E21B 4322
Patent
active
059274042
ABSTRACT:
The disclosed invention provides a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation by injecting an emulsion, comprising oil and water, into the formation. More specifically, the emulsion is stabilized using undissolved solid particles, which are preferably at least partially oleophilic. The solids-stabilized emulsion may be used either as a drive fluid for displacing hydrocarbons from the formation or to produce a barrier for diverting flow of fluids in the formation. Such solid particles may be either formation solid particles (i.e., indigenous to the formation) or nonformation solid particles (i.e., obtained from outside the formation). Nonformation solid particles may either be naturally occurring or synthetic. Some preferred solids include clays, quartz, feldspar, gypsum, coal dust, asphaltenes, and polymers.
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Bell Keith A.
Exxon Production Research Company
Suchfield George
VanTassel Kurt D.
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