| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
|---|
| 20080196893 | Process for oil recovery using mixed surfactant composition - A process for the recovery of oil from subterranean reservoirs by injecting an aqueous fluid containing from about 0.05 to about 2.0% by weight of a bi-functional surfactant or a mixture of surfactants containing one or more of the following structures; | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080217009 | HIGH PERFORMANCE FOAMS FOR UNLOADING GAS WELLS - Mixtures of at least one nonionic surfactants and at least one ionic surfactant together with a gas create foams to aid the removal of produced hydrocarbon fluids from gas wells and pipelines. The foam-forming composition has superior performance in unloading liquids. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080277112 | Methods for stimulating oil or gas production using a viscosified aqueous fluid with a chelating agent to remove calcium carbonate and similar materials from the matrix of a formation or a proppant pack - A method for treating a portion of a subterranean formation or a proppant pack is provided. In general, the method comprises the steps of: (A) forming or providing a treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a chelating agent capable of forming a heterocyclic ring that contains a metal ion attached to at least two nonmetal ions; and (iii) a viscosity-increasing agent; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore under sufficient pressure to force the treatment fluid into the matrix of the formation or the proppant pack. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080302531 | Process for recovering oil from subterranean reservoirs - This invention involves a process for recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir where an injection fluid containing one or more primary surfactants of the structure below along with one or more co-surfactants, solvent and optionally a viscosifier and one or more alkalis injected into one or more injection wells and the oil is recovered from one or more producing wells. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090008091 | Single Phase Microemulsions and In Situ Microemulsions for Cleaning Formation Damage - Single phase microemulsions (SPMEs) and in situ-formed microemulsions may be used to clean up and remove non-polar materials from reservoir production zones of oil and gas wells. This clean up occurs by solubilization of the non-polar material into the microemulsion when the treatment fluid contacts the non-polar material. An in situ microemulsion may be formed when one or more surfactant and a polar phase (e.g. water or brine), and eventually some small amount of organic phase, contacts the reservoir formation and solubilizes the non-polar material encountered in the porous media. The microemulsions are effective for removing the formation damage caused by non-polar materials which include, but are not necessarily limited to oil-based mud, synthetic-based mud, paraffins, asphaltenes, emulsions, slugs, and combinations thereof. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090056942 | Method for recovering oil from an oil reservoir - There is a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a reservoir. The method has the step of a) introducing a flooding fluid into the reservoir and b) extracting the oil through a wellbore at a location different than the point of introduction of the flooding fluid into the reservoir. The flooding fluid has water and an amount of one or more non-polymeric viscoelastic surfactants sufficient to provide an interfacial surface tension of about 1 mNm or less and a viscosity of about 10 cps or more. The one or more surfactants is selected from the group of one or more cationic surfactants, one or more zwitterionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090056943 | Methods for recovering oil from an oil reservoir - There is a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a reservoir. The method has the step of a) introducing a flooding fluid into the reservoir and b) extracting the oil through a wellbore at a location different than the point of introduction of the flooding fluid into the reservoir. The flooding fluid has water and an amount of one or more non-polymeric viscoelastic surfactants sufficient to provide an interfacial surface tension of about 1 mNm or less and a viscosity of about 10 cps or more. The one or more surfactants is selected from the group of one or more cationic surfactants, one or more zwitterionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090065203 | Methods for recovering oil from an oil reservoir - There is a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a reservoir. The method has the step of a) introducing a flooding fluid into the reservoir and b) extracting the oil through a wellbore at a location different than the point of introduction of the flooding fluid into the reservoir. The flooding fluid has water and an amount of one or more non-polymeric viscoelastic surfactants sufficient to provide an interfacial surface tension of about 1 mNm or less and a viscosity of about 10 cps or more. The one or more surfactants is selected from the group of one or more cationic surfactants, one or more zwitterionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090065204 | Methods for recovering oil from an oil reservoire - There is a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a reservoir. The method has the step of a) introducing a flooding fluid into the reservoir and b) extracting the oil through a wellbore at a location different than the point of introduction of the flooding fluid into the reservoir. The flooding fluid has water and an amount of one or more non-polymeric viscoelastic surfactants sufficient to provide an interfacial surface tension of about 1 mNm or less and a viscosity of about 10 cps or more. The one or more surfactants is selected from the group of one or more cationic surfactants, one or more zwitterionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090065205 | Methods for recovering oil from an oil reservoir - There is a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a reservoir. The method has the step of a) introducing a flooding fluid into the reservoir and b) extracting the oil through a wellbore at a location different than the point of introduction of the flooding fluid into the reservoir. The flooding fluid has water and an amount of one or more non-polymeric viscoelastic surfactants sufficient to provide an interfacial surface tension of about 1 mNm or less and a viscosity of about 10 cps or more. The one or more surfactants is selected from the group of one or more cationic surfactants, one or more zwitterionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090151941 | Method For Enhancing Oil Recovery With An Inproved Oil Recovery Surfactant - A method for enhancing oil recovery includes the step of providing a subsurface reservoir containing hydrocarbons therewithin. A wellbore is provided in fluid communication with the subsurface reservoir. A surfactant-polymer solution is formed for injection into the reservoir. The surfactant-polymer solution is formed by mixing a composition with at least one surfactant, at least one polymer, and at least one co-solvent or co-surfactant such that the surfactant-polymer solution is clear and aqueous stable. The surfactant-polymer solution is injected through the wellbore into the reservoir. A chaser solution is formed for injection into the reservoir. The chaser solution has an additional predetermined quantity of the co-solvent or co-surfactant. The chaser solution is injected through the injection wellbore into the reservoir to increase the production of hydrocarbons from the reservoir while maintaining the clear and aqueous stability of the surfactant-polymer solution. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090188669 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING OIL AND/OR GAS - A system for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising a first array of wells dispersed above the formation; a second array of wells dispersed above the formation; wherein the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation into the formation while the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce oil and/or gas from the formation for a first time period; and wherein the second array of wells comprises a mechanism to inject a remediation agent into the formation while the first array of wells comprises a mechanism to produce the miscible enhanced oil recovery formulation from the formation for a second time period. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090194281 | OPTIMUM SALINITY PROFILE IN SURFACTANT/POLYMER FLOODING - An optimum salinity profile in surfactant/polymer flooding from formation water to post-flush drive that leads to the highest oil recovery factor is shown. The optimum salinity determined from core-flooding experiments is preferably used in the surfactant slug. The surfactant slug is protected from deterioration by the injection of cushion slugs immediately before and after the injection of the surfactant slug in a reservoir wherein the cushion slugs have the same salinity or about the same salinity as the surfactant slug. According to embodiments, a salinity lower than the lowest salinity of Type III, C | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090200027 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR GAS WELL TREATMENT - A microemulsion system is disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090205823 | PROCESS FOR ENHANCING THE PRODUCTION OF OIL FROM DEPLETED, FRACTURED RESERVOIRS USING SURFACTANTS AND GAS PRESSURIZATION - A method for enhancing the production of liquid hydrocarbons from oil-wet, fractured reservoirs comprising injecting a surfactant solution into the reservoir, pressurizing the reservoir, maintaining the pressure, and recovering liquid hydrocarbons. In an embodiment, the method comprises closing production wells for a period to maintain reservoir pressure and surfactant exposure within the matrix. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20100006286 | COMPOSITION OF MICROEMULSION AND METHOD FOR ADVANCED RECOVERY OF HEAVY OIL - A composition of a microemulsion including a mixture of a combination of surfactants and co-surfactants, an oil phase and an aqueous phase is described. In addition, a method for the advanced recovery of heavy oils is described which includes the steps of injecting a bank containing a microemulsion composition, injecting a bank of a polymer solution, and injecting water. The microemulsion composition can be applied in arenitic and carbonatic reservoirs, containing oils with API below 22.3° API, in both onshore and offshore fields. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100078168 | METHOD FOR ENHANCED RECOVERY OF OIL FROM OIL RESERVOIRS - The present invention provides a method for recovering oil from a subterranean reservoir using waterflooding, wherein the flooding fluid used in the waterflooding process comprises water and one or more ionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers. The use of one or more ionic polyvinyl alcohol copolymers is expected to increase the recovery of oil by improving both the oil/water mobility ratio and the sweep efficiency in reservoirs with a high degree of heterogeneity. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100089573 | METHOD FOR RECOVERING HEAVY/VISCOUS OILS FROM A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION - Disclosed are methods for improving the production of heavy/viscous crude oil from subterranean formations comprising secondary production through use of a displacement fluid (typically a waterflood) wherein the subterranean formation is subjected to cyclic periods of overinjection of the displacement fluid followed by underinjection of the displacement fluid, but keeping the overall cumulative voidage replacement ratio (VRR) within a defined range, typically targeted to be about 1. In some aspects, the initial production of such heavy/viscous crude oil is limited, if possible, followed this cyclic secondary production methodology. By keeping the initial production, VRR, and cumulative VRR in defined ranges, the expected ultimate recovery (EUR) can be optimized, and overall production increased for example by as much as 100% or more relative to conventional production methods. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100096128 | ENHANCING HYDROCARBON RECOVERY - Recovery of hydrocarbon fluid from low permeability sources is enhanced by introduction of a treating fluid. The treating fluid may include one or more constituent ingredients designed to cause displacement of hydrocarbon via imbibition. The constituent ingredients may be determined based on estimates of formation wettability. Further, contact angle may be used to determine wettability. Types and concentrations of constituent ingredients such as surfactants may be determined for achieving the enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100096129 | METHOD OF HYDROCARBON RECOVERY - A method is given for treating a wellbore to increase the production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, involving a period of injecting into the formation an aqueous injection fluid having a different chemical potential than the aqueous fluid in the formation. If there is water blocking, an osmotic gradient is deliberately created to cause flow of water into the injected fluid; hydrocarbon is then produced by imbibition. If the pore pressure in the water-containing pores in the formation is too low, an osmotic gradient is deliberately created so that water flows from the injected fluid into the water-containing pores, increasing the pore pressure and facilitating hydrocarbon production by imbibition. The method may be repeated cyclically. A semipermeable membrane may be created to enhance the osmosis. Wetting agents may be used to influence imbibition. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100163227 | STIMULATION AND RECOVERY OF HEAVY HYDROCARBON FLUIDS - The present invention is directed to the use of electromagnetic radiation, acoustic energy, and surfactant injection to recover hydrocarbon-containing materials from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100163228 | INTERNAL BREAKER FOR OILFIELD TREATMENTS - A composition and method for improving the fluid efficiency of many oilfield treatments is given. The composition is a solid additive, in a viscosified fluid, in a size range small enough that it enters formation pores; it optionally bridges there to form an internal filter cake, and then decomposes to provide a breaker for the viscosifying system for the fluid. Examples of suitable additives include waxes, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacetals, polymelamines, polyvinyl chlorides, and polyvinyl acetates. Degradation of the additive may be accelerated or delayed. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100181068 | Method and System for Treating Hydrocarbon Formations - The present invention includes compositions and methods for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation having brine and at least one temperature, wherein the brine has at least one first composition by obtaining first compatibility information for a first model brine and a first treatment composition at a model temperature, wherein the first model brine has a composition selected at least partially based on the first brine composition, wherein the model temperature is selected at least partially based on the formation temperature, and wherein the first treatment composition comprises at least one first surfactant and at least one first solvent; based at least partially on the first compatibility information, selecting a treatment method for the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, and treating the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with the selected treatment method. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20110061866 | LOW CONDUCTIVITY WATER BASED DRILLING FLUID - A low electrical conductivity water-based wellbore fluid for use in drilling wells through a formation containing a clay which swells in the presence of water, said wellbore fluid that includes an aqueous base fluid; and a polymeric non-ionic tertiary amine is disclosed. Methods of using such fluids are also disclosed. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110083846 | PROCESS FOR TERTIARY MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION USING SURFACTANT MIXTURES - A process for mineral oil production, especially Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant having 8 to 30 ethoxy units, which has a polydispersity of from 1.01 to 1.12, and at least one further surfactant is forced through injection wells into a mineral oil deposit and crude oil is removed from the deposit through production wells. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110083847 | PROCESS FOR TERTIARY MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION USING SURFACTANT MIXTURES - A process for mineral oil production, especially Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation which comprises at least one alkylpolyalkoxysulfate comprising propoxy groups, and at least one further surfactant differing therefrom is used, is forced through injection wells into a mineral oil deposit and crude oil is removed from the deposit through production wells. The alkylpolyalkoxysulfate comprising propoxy groups is prepared in this case by sulfating an alkoxylated alcohol, the alkoxylated alcohol being prepared by alkoxylating an alcohol using double metal cyanide catalysts or double hydroxide clays. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110083848 | PROCESS FOR MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION USING SURFACTANT MIXTURES - A process for mineral oil production especially Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation which comprises at least one nonionic surfactant having 11 to 40 ethoxy units and a hydrophobic radical having 8 to 32 carbon atoms and at least one further surfactant differing therefrom is forced through injection wells into a mineral oil deposit and crude oil is removed from the deposit through production wells. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110108271 | ENHANCING HYDROCARBON RECOVERY - Recovery of hydrocarbon fluid from low permeability sources enhanced by introduction of a treating fluid is described. The treating fluid may include one or more constituent ingredients designed to cause displacement of hydrocarbon via imbibition. The constituent ingredients may be determined based on estimates of formation wettability. Further, contact angle may be used to determine wettability. Types and concentrations of constituent ingredients such as surfactants may be determined for achieving the enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons. The selection can be based on imbibition testing on material that has been disaggregated from the source formation. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110120707 | Process for oil recovery using multifunctional anionic surfactants - A process for the recovery of oil from subterranean reservoirs by injecting an aqueous fluid containing from about 0.05 to about 2.0% by weight of a surfactant of structure | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110174485 | Treatment Fluids for Wetting Control of Multiple Rock Types and Associated Methods - Improved methods of oil and/or gas production by employing mixed surfactants to treat formations comprising multiple rocks. In one embodiment the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a first surfactant having a charge, a second surfactant having an opposite charge, and a compatibilizer; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of the subterranean formation. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110180255 | ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY METHOD USING ASSOCIATIVE POLYMERS. - The present invention relates to an enhanced oil recovery method using injection of aqueous polymer solutions into the reservoir rock, wherein the following stages are carried out:
| 07-28-2011 |
| 20110198081 | HYDROCARBON RECOVERY ENHANCEMENT METHODS USING LOW SALINITY CARBONATED BRINES AND TREATMENT FLUIDS - Methods and systems are provided for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery by the use of treatment fluids comprising low salinity carbonated water. Certain embodiments comprise forming a carbonated aqueous solution formed of either fresh water or low salinity water and introducing the carbonated aqueous solution into a formation to enhance hydrocarbon recovery from the formation. Low salinity brines may be used in lieu of or in combination with the foregoing fresh water. The carbonated water or low salinity carbonated brine may be introduced as a treatment fluid through a secondary well and used to provide a motive force to sweep the hydrocarbons towards one or more production wells. The carbonated water may be produced at a well site through a desalination process that uses naturally occurring brine as its feed. Among other advantages, using fresh water or law salinity brines is advantageous in that it allows a higher concentration of carbon dioxide to be dissolved in the water, which, as described herein, enhances hydrocarbon recovery. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110214857 | AMMONIUM HALIDE AS GELATION RETARDER FOR CROSSLINKABLE POLYMER COMPOSITIONS - According to one embodiment, a treatment fluid for a well includes: (a) a water-soluble polymer, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises a polymer of at least one non-acidic ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer; (b) an organic crosslinker capable of crosslinking the water-soluble polymer; (c) an ammonium halide; and (d) water. According to another embodiment, a method for blocking the permeability of a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) selecting the portion of the subterranean formation to be treated, wherein the bottomhole temperature of the portion of the subterranean formation is equal to or greater than 250° F. (121° C.); (b) selecting estimated treatment conditions, wherein the estimated treatment conditions comprise temperature over a treatment time; (c) forming a treatment fluid that is a crosslinkable polymer composition comprising: (i) a water-soluble polymer, wherein the water-soluble polymer comprises a polymer of at least one non-acidic ethylenically unsaturated polar monomer; (ii) an organic crosslinker capable of crosslinking the water-soluble polymer; (iii) an ammonium halide; and (iv) water; (d) selecting the water-soluble polymer, the crosslinker, the ammonium halide, and the water, and the proportions thereof, such that the gelation time of the treatment fluid is at least 2 hours when tested under the estimated treatment conditions; and (e) injecting the treatment fluid through the wellbore into the portion of the subterranean formation. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110220353 | USE OF SURFACTANT MIXTURES OF POLYCARBOXYLATES FOR MICROEMULSION FLOODING - The present invention relates to processes for tertiary mineral oil production with the aid of a surfactant mixture and to the use of a surfactant mixture for tertiary mineral oil production by means of Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, by injecting a surfactant mixture through at least one aqueous injection borehole into a mineral oil deposit, and withdrawing crude oil from the deposit through at least one production borehole, wherein the surfactant mixture, for the purpose of lowering the interfacial tension between oil and water to <0.1 mN/m, comprises at least the following components: (a) one or more polycarboxylate(s) comprising at least 50 mol % of acrylic acid units and/or methacrylic acid units and/or maleic acid units and/or itaconic acid units or salts thereof, and (b) one or more anionic and/or nonionic surfactant(s). | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110226472 | PROCESS FOR INCREASING THE TRANSPORT FLOW RATE OF OIL FROM PRODUCING WELLS - A process for increasing, on an existing installation, the amount of water-soluble polymer in an emulsion injected into pipelines transporting oil produced at offshore oil wells, includes before injection, diluting the emulsion with fuel oil found on the platform or Floating Production Storage & Offloading unit (FPSO). | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110232904 | METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR OIL ENHANCED RECOVERY - In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a process for enhanced oil recovery. The process includes the steps of providing an alkali metal borohydride; providing an alkali metal bisulfite; combining the alkali metal borohydride and the alkali metal bisulfite along with water to provide an oxygen-scavenger composition; combining the oxygen-scavenger composition and an aqueous composition to provide an oil recovery solution; and introducing the oil recovery solution into an earthen formation at a pressure to provide for enhanced oil recovery. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110240289 | Enhanced Oil Recovery By Polymer Without Supplementary Equipment Or Product - A method for enhanced oil recovery in an oil-bearing formation having high permeability zones constituting preferential passages for the injected liquid includes the steps of: a) treating the preferential passages by injection into the formation of an aqueous solution based on watersoluble polymers at a concentration such that the viscosity of the aqueous solution is higher than that of the oil, and b) once step a) is completed, an aqueous solution is injected having an identical composition to that used in step a at a lower polymer concentration. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110253365 | Methods for Removing Residual Polymer From a Hydraulic Fracture - Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) gelled aqueous fluids containing water, a VES in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the water, and an internal breaker may be useful in removing a residual polymer from a hydraulic fracture. Optionally, a pseudo-crosslinker may be present to further improve the properties related to treatment fluid placement and polymer clean-up. A plurality of aliquots of VES gelled fluid may be injected into a subterranean formation. A stop-start interval may exist between the injection of each aliquot. The VES gelled fluid may contact at least some of the residual polymer in the hydraulic fracture, and a broken fluid is formed once the viscosity of the VES gelled fluid is reduced with the internal breaker. At least a portion of the residual polymer and a majority of the broken fluid may be removed. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110259583 | PROCESS FOR EXTRACTING MINERAL OIL USING SURFACTANTS, ESPECIALLY BASED ON C35 SECONDARY ALCOHOL-CONTAINING ALKYL ALKOXYLATES - The present invention relates to a process for mineral oil extraction by means of Winsor Type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation comprising at least one ionic surfactant of the general formula (R | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110290482 | Surfactant-Less Alkaline-Polymer Formulations for Recovering Reactive Crude Oil - Compositions and methods for oil recovery using a surfactant-less alkaline-polymer system in hard water or hard brine is described in the instant invention. The formulation further includes a chelating agent, an alkaline agent (which can be the same as the chelating agent), and a co-solvent. The formulations as disclosed herein are capable of forming a surfactant in-situ resulting in Winsor Type III micro-emulsions of low interfacial tension. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20120012311 | Surfactant Mixtures for Tertiary Oil Recovery - Use of a mixture comprising a surfactant and a cosurfactant in the form of an aqueous solution for flooding underground deposits of hydrocarbons for mobilizing and recovering the hydrocarbons from the underground deposits, the cosurfactant being a substance or a group of substances selected from the following list:
| 01-19-2012 |
| 20120067570 | LOW SALINITY RESERVOIR ENVIRONMENT - The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for hydrocarbon recovery. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery through secondary recovery operations. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120067571 | METHODS FOR PRODUCING OIL AND/OR GAS - A method for producing oil from an underground formation comprising injecting an enhanced oil recovery formulation into a first well in the formation, the enhanced oil recovery formulation comprising a foam; floating the foam on top of the oil, in order to force the oil towards a second well in the formation; and producing the oil and/or gas from the second well. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120085534 | Viscoelastic composition with improved stability - The present invention relates to a method for the enhanced recovery of oil from an underground formation, in which a viscoelastic aqueous fluid comprising at least one viscosifying zwitterionic surfactant is injected into the said formation and the said fluid is conducted through this formation in order to displace the oil from the formation and to recover it via a different point from that where the viscoelastic aqueous fluid was introduced, characterized in that the said fluid exhibits an amount of a base sufficient to bring its pH to a value of greater than 10, preferably of between approximately 11 and 13. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120097389 | NON-IONIC ALKALI POLYMER SOLUTIONS FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY IN A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION - A method for enhancing oil recovery is disclosed. The method includes providing a subsurface reservoir containing hydrocarbons therewithin and a wellbore in fluid communication with the subsurface reservoir. A solution for injection into the reservoir is formed by mixing a composition with at least one non-ionic chemical, at least one polymer, and at least one alkali. The non-ionic chemical can be alcohol alkoxylates such as alkylaryl alkoxy alcohols or alkyl alkoxy alcohols. The solution is solution is clear and aqueous stable when mixed. The solution is injected through the wellbore into the subsurface reservoir. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120111562 | Viscoelastic Composition With Improved Viscosity - The present invention relates to a method for the assisted recovery of crude oil from an underground formation, comprising: a) injecting, via at least one injection means in contact with the underground formation containing the crude oil, a liquid containing a mixture of at least: i) a salty aqueous medium, ii) a mixture of two zwitterionic viscosising surfactants or a mixture of two populations of said surfactants having a bimodal characteristic of the narrow distribution of Ri groups as defined below, in a weight content of between 1 and 0.05 wt %, preferably between 0.5 and 0.1 wt %, and more preferably between 0.4 and 0.15 wt %, such that the liquid has an oil/water interface tension of about 10 mN/m (milinewton per meter) or less as measured at room temperature (25° C.) and a viscosity of about 3 cPs or more as measured at a temperature of 80° C. for a shearing gradient of 10 s | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120125603 | Systems and Methods For Enhanced Waterfloods - Methods for enhanced oil recovery from a subterranean formation including adding a first salt to a first aqueous stream to form a first injection stream with an increased concentration of a first ion. A second salt is added to a second aqueous stream to form a second injection stream with an increased concentration of a second ion. The second injection stream is of different composition than the first injection stream and the first injection stream and the second injection stream have substantially the same interfacial tension with a hydrocarbon and substantially the same kinematic viscosity. The first injection stream is injected into the formation at a first time and the second injection stream is injected into the formation at a second time. The first injection stream and second injection stream contact at least some overlapping portion of the formation. Oil is recovered from the overlapping portion of the formation. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125604 | Systems and Methods For Enhanced Waterfloods - Methods and systems for enhancing oil recovery from a subterranean formation comprising at least a first region and a second region are provided. An exemplary method includes creating an injection stream by adding a salt to a water stream to increase a concentration of an ion and injecting the injection stream into the subterranean formation through a first injection well in the first region of the subterranean formation. Fluid is produced from the subterranean formation and separated to generate an aqueous stream comprising at least a portion of the ion. The salt is added to the aqueous stream to adjust the concentration of the ion in the aqueous stream to a desired level. The aqueous stream is injected into the subterranean formation through a second injection well in the second region of the subterranean formation. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125605 | Systems and Methods For Enhanced Waterfloods - Methods and systems for enhanced oil recovery from a subterranean formation are provided. An exemplary includes separating fluid produced from the subterranean formation into a first fluid stream that includes an aqueous stream containing multivalent ions. At least a portion of the multivalent ions in the first fluid are removed to form a second fluid stream and the second fluid stream is injected into the subterranean formation. The first fluid stream and the second fluid stream have substantially the same interfacial tension with a hydrocarbon and substantially the same kinematic viscosity, and the second fluid stream has a total concentration of ions greater than about 100,000 ppm. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120125606 | AQUEOUS FORMULATIONS OF HYDROPHOBICALLY ASSOCIATING COPOLYMERS AND SURFACTANTS AND USE THEREOF FOR MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION - A process for mineral oil production, in which an aqueous formulation comprising at least one water-soluble, hydrophobically associating copolymer (A) and at least one nonionic and/or anionic surfactant (B) is injected through at least one injection borehole into a mineral oil deposit, and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through at least one production borehole, wherein the water-soluble, hydrophobically associating copolymer comprises at least acrylamide or derivatives thereof, a monomer having anionic groups and a monomer which can bring about the association of the copolymer, and aqueous formulation, which is suitable for execution of the process. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120152535 | FORMULATION AND METHOD OF USE FOR STIMULATION OF HEAVY AND EXTRAHEAVY OIL WELLS - A method for altering flow conditions in a porous media containing hydrocarbons includes the steps of preparing a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid; transporting the mixture to the porous media; and holding the mixture in the porous media in the presence of water for a period of time sufficient to form a water film on the surfaces of the porous media. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120168158 | ENHANCED HYDROCARBON RECOVERY FROM LOW MOBILITY RESERVOIRS - Methods are provided using heated fluids along with combined/drive cyclical injection/production profiles to enhance hydrocarbon recovery from shallow and/or low mobility reservoirs. In certain embodiments, injection and production flow rates to and from the reservoir are varied to beneficially modulate certain pressure drive profiles between a minimum pressure and a maximum pressure. During these drive profile modulations, heated water, solvent, and surfactant are injected into the reservoir. The combination of injected fluids and cyclical pressure drive profiles beneficially enhances hydrocarbon recovery from the reservoir. Other optional variations include using multiple injection and/or production wells. Advantages include accelerated hydrocarbon recovery, higher production efficiencies, and lower costs. These advantages ultimately translate to higher production and/or reduction of total hydrocarbon extraction time. These methods are particularly advantageous when applied to shallow reservoirs (e.g. reservoirs having depths less than or equal to about 150 meters). | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120181022 | VDA/ACID SYSTEM FOR MATRIX ACID STIMULATION - A method of preventing phase separation of a viscoelastic surfactant fluid due to ferric ions during matrix acidizing is described which involves including citric acid and acetic acid in the surfactant/acid fluid formulation. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120205098 | EQUIPMENT FEEDING POLYMERS INTO A FLUID FLOW - The invention relates to equipment ( | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120205099 | PROCESS FOR MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION FROM MINERAL OIL DEPOSITS WITH HIGH DEPOSIT TEMPERATURE - A two-stage process for mineral oil production from mineral oil deposits with a deposit temperature of more than 70° C. and a salinity of 20 000 ppm to 350 000 ppm, in which an aqueous formulation comprising at least one glucan with a β-1,3-glycosidically linked main chain, and side groups β-1,6-glycosidcally bonded thereto and having a weight-average molecular weight M | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120241151 | PROCESS FOR MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION USING SURFACTANTS FROM THE CLASS OF THE ALKYL POLYGLUCOSIDES - A process for mineral oil production, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation comprising at least one alkyl polyglucoside is injected into a mineral oil deposit through at least one injection borehole and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through at least one production borehole, wherein the formulation does not comprise any alcohols as cosolvents. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120247759 | FORMULATION AND METHOD OF USE FOR EXPLOITATION OF HEAVY AND EXTRA HEAVY OIL WELLS - A combined injection and production method includes the steps of: establishing a production well and an injection well into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; introducing a mixture of a surfactant, a co-surfactant and a carrier fluid into each of the production well and the injection well so that the mixture flows into porous media surrounding the production well and the injection well; holding the mixture in the porous media surrounding the production well in the presence of water for a period of time sufficient to form a water film on surfaces of the porous media surrounding the production well; and injecting an injection fluid into the injection well while producing from the production well, whereby hydrocarbons flow from the porous media around the injection well toward the production well. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120255729 | MULTISTAGE PROCESS FOR PRODUCING MINERAL OIL USING MICROORGANISMS - A multistage process for producing mineral oil from mineral oil deposits by injecting aqueous flooding media into a mineral oil formation through injection boreholes and withdrawing the mineral oil through production boreholes, in which the mineral oil yield is increased by the use of microorganisms in combination with measures for blocking highly permeable zones of the mineral oil formation. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120261120 | PROCESS FOR THE RECOVERY OF HEAVY OIL FROM AN UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR - A process for the recovery of heavy oil from an underground reservoir, comprising: injecting an oil-in-water nanoemulsion into one or more injection wells; recovering said heavy oil from one or more production wells. Said process is particularly advantageous for enhancing the recovery of heavy oils from underground reservoirs within the range of technologies for tertiary recovery, usually known as “EOR” (Enhanced Oil Recovery”). | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120292026 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING OIL AND/OR GAS - A method for producing oil and/or gas from an underground formation comprising locating a suitable formation with an oil column located above an aquifer; drilling at least one horizontal production well near a top of the oil column; performing primary production to produce a first quantity of fluids from the oil column; drilling at least one horizontal injection well at a location between the horizontal production well and a bottom of the oil column; injecting water mixed with a viscosifier into the horizontal injection well while producing a second quantity of fluids through the horizontal production well from the oil column. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20130037265 | Method for the Assisted Recovery of Hydrocarbons in Fractured Reservoirs - The invention relates to a method for recovering oil from a fractured reservoir having an oil-wettable matrix and comprising at least one injection well and one production well, both of which arc in communication with the fractures and the matrix, wherein the method comprises the following steps in the following order: a) during a first stage, the injection, by an injection well, of a solution of viscosity-enhancing surfactants, capable of penetrating into the array of fractures, having limited interaction with the matrix, and creating a plug in situ so as to substantially and selectively reduce the perviousness of the fractures and to promote the passage of the solution of step b) into the matrix; b) during a second stage, the injection, by an injection well, of a solution of surfactants, capable of interacting with the matrix in order to make same preferably water-wettable and to extract the oil therefrom, said solution preferably flowing through the matrix; and after a latency period of at least 24 hours, c) during a third stage, the injection, by an injection well, of an aqueous solution with a view to increasing the surface tension, impregnating the matrix and, after the plug formed in step a) is dissolved by said oil, driving the oil toward the production well. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130068457 | Method of Manufacture of Guerbet Alcohols For Making Surfactants Used In Petroleum Industry Operations - A method is disclosed for manufacturing surfactants for utilization in petroleum industry operations. The method comprises providing a bio-lipid. The bio-lipid can include one or more medium-chain or long-chain fatty acids, such as Lauric acid, Myristic acid, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Palmitoleic acid, Oleic acid, Ricinoleic acid, Vaccenic acid, Linoleic acid, Alpha-Linoleic acid, or Gamma-Linolenic acid. Fatty acid alkyl esters are produced by reacting the bio-lipid with a low-molecular weight alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are reduced to a fatty alcohol. The fatty alcohol is dimerized to form a Guerbet alcohol, which is a precursor to producing surfactant for utilization in a petroleum industry operation, such as an enhanced oil recovery process. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130098609 | USE OF TRIS(2-HYDROXYPHENYL)METHANE DERIVATIVES FOR TERTIARY MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION - A process for mineral oil production, in which an aqueous formulation comprising tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane of the general formula (I) is injected into a mineral oil deposit through an injection well and the crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through a production well, | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130168089 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING OIL - The present disclosure relates to enhanced oil recovery methods including the injection of solvent and polymer floods to increase hydrocarbon production from oil bearing underground rock formations. One method includes injecting a solvent slug into the underground formation for a first time period from a first well. The solvent slug solubilizes the oil and generates a mixture of mobilized oil and solvent. An aqueous polymer slug may then be injected into the underground formation for a second time from the first well. The polymer slug may have a viscosity greater than the solvent slug and thereby generates an interface between the solvent slug and the polymer slug. The solvent slug and the mobilized oil are then forced towards a second well using a buoyant hydrodynamic force generated by the aqueous polymer slug. Oil and/or gas may then be produced from the second well. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130248176 | ULTRA LOW CONCENTRATION SURFACTANT FLOODING - A method of recovering oil from a formation that includes the use of surfactants at low concentrations. The surfactant may be an oleophilic surfactant. The method may include conditioning an oil recovery system to inhibit microbes that could consume the oleophilic surfactant. A method that determines the concentration of a surfactant that is sufficient to change the interfacial tension between oil and water in a near well bore area of an injection well in a formation but does not require changing the interfacial tension between oil and water outside the near well bore area. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130264054 | Multi-Interval Wellbore Treatment Method - A method of servicing a subterranean formation comprising providing a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation and having a casing string disposed therein, the casing string comprising a plurality of points of entry, wherein each of the plurality of points of entry provides a route a fluid communication from the casing string to the subterranean formation, introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation via a first flowpath, and diverting the treatment fluid from the first flowpath into the formation to a second flowpath into the formation. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130341020 | Methods of Using Nanoparticle Suspension Aids in Subterranean Operations - Methods of drilling wellbores, placing proppant packs in subterranean formations, and placing gravel packs in wellbores may involve fluids, optionally foamed fluids, comprising nanoparticle suspension aids. Methods may be advantageously employed in deviated wellbores. Some methods may involve introducing a treatment fluid into an injection wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, a foaming agent, a gas, and a nanoparticle suspension aid; and producing hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation via a production wellbore proximal to the injection wellbore. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140034306 | ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY METHODS USING A FLUID CONTAINING A SACRIFICIAL AGENT - A method and a system for producing petroleum from a formation utilizing a sacrificial agent and a surfactant are provided. The sacrificial agent reduces the amount of surfactant required to enhance oil recovery from a petroleum-bearing formation. The sacrificial agent is provided in a oil recovery formulation comprising a sacrificial agent and a surfactant dispersed in a fluid. The sacrificial agent is selected from the group consisting of a compound comprising a single carboxylic acid, a single carboxylic acid derivative, or a single carboxylate salt, or a compound lacking a carboxylic acid group, a carboxylate group, a sulfonic acid group, or a sulfonate group that is a pheol, a sulphonamide, or a thiol, or a compound having a molecular weight of 1000 or less that comprises one or more hydroxyl groups. The oil recovery formulation is introduced into a petroleum-bearing formation and petroleum is produced therefrom. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140034307 | ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY METHODS USING A FLUID CONTAINING A SACRIFICIAL AGENT - A method and a system for producing petroleum from a formation utilizing a sacrificial agent and a surfactant are provided. The sacrificial agent reduces the amount of surfactant required to enhance oil recovery from a petroleum-bearing formation. The sacrificial agent is provided in a sacrificial agent formulation comprising a sacrificial agent dispersed in a fluid. The sacrificial agent is selected from the group consisting of a compound comprising a single carboxylic acid, a single carboxylic acid derivative, or a single carboxylate salt, or a compound lacking a carboxylic acid group, a carboxylate group, a sulfonic acid group, or a sulfonate group that is a phenol, a sulphonamide, or a thiol, or a compound having a molecular weight of 1000 or less that comprises one or more hydroxyl groups. The sacrificial agent formulation is introduced into a petroleum-bearing formation followed by a surfactant and petroleum is produced therefrom. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140116689 | PROCESS FOR MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION USING SURFACTANTS BASED ON ANIONIC ALKYL ALKOXYLATES WHICH HAVE BEEN FORMED FROM GLYCIDYL ETHERS - The present invention relates to a surfactant mixture comprising at least one surfactant of the general formula (I) | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140116690 | PROCESS FOR MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION USING SURFACTANTS AT LEAST COMPRISING A SECONDARY ALKANESULFONATE AS A COSURFACTANT - The present invention relates to a surfactant mixture comprising at least one secondary alkanesulfonate having 14 to 17 carbon atoms of the general formula (I) | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140131039 | PROCESS FOR TERTIARY MINERAL OIL PRODUCTION - Process for tertiary mineral oil production in which an aqueous injection fluid comprising at least a water soluble polyacrylamide-(co)polymer dissolved in the aqueous fluid is injected into a mineral oil deposit and the aqueous injection fluid is prepared by mixing a liquid dispersion polymer composition comprising particles of polyacrylamide-(co)polymers dispersed in an organic, hydrophobic liquid with an aqueous fluid. Preferably, the process is carried out on an off-shore production site. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140174735 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPOSITION FOR PRODUCING OIL - A method, system, and composition for producing oil from a formation utilizing an oil recovery formulation comprising a surfactant, an ammonia liquid, a polymer, and water are provided. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140182851 | NOVEL ANIONIC POLYALKOXY GROUP COMPRISING SURFACTANTS ON BASIS OF GUERBET-ALCOHOLS, METHOD OF MANUFACTURE AND USE IN ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY (EOR) APPLICATIONS - Compositions and methods of synthesis of anionic surfactants by alkoxylation of a Guerbet alcohol (GA) having 12 to 36 carbon atoms using butylene oxide, and optionally propylene oxide and/or ethylene oxide followed by the incorporation of a terminal anionic group are described herein. The GA of the present invention is made by a facile and inexpensive method that involves high temperature base catalyzed dimerization of alcohols with 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The large hydrophobe ether surfactants of the present invention find uses in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications where it is used for solubilization and mobilization of oil and for environmental cleanup. Further, the hydrophobe alkoxylated GA without anionic terminal group can be used as an ultra-high molecular weight non-ionic surfactant. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140196896 | ENHANCED CRUDE OIL RECOVERY USING METAL SILICIDES - Enhanced oil recovery techniques include introduction of alkali metal silicides into subterranean reservoirs to generate hydrogen gas, heat, and alkali metal silicate solutions in situ upon contact with water. The alkali metal silicides, such as sodium silicide, are used to recover hydrocarbons, including heavier crudes where viscosity and low reservoir pressure are limiting factors. Hydrogen, which is miscible with the crude oil and can beneficiate the heavier fractions into lighter fractions naturally or with addition of catalytic materials, is generated in-situ. It. Heat is also generated at the reaction site to reduce viscosity and promote crude beneficiation. The resulting alkaline silicate solution saponifies acidic crude components to form surfactants which emulsify the crude to improve mobility toward a production well. The silicate promotes profile modification passively via consumptive reactions or actively via addition of acidic gelling agents. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140209305 | DELAYED GELLING AGENTS - The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140332208 | Seawater Transportation for Utilization in Hydrocarbon-Related Processes - Systems and methods for transporting seawater from a seawater source to an inland site for utilization as a drilling and/or fracturing fluid are disclosed. In an aspect, systems and methods are disclosed wherein seawater is pumped from an ocean at a coastal location and transported to an inland drilling and hydraulic fracturing site, thereby providing a consistent, large volume supply of seawater for use in drilling and/or hydraulic fracturing operations. Such systems and methods may eliminate usage of locally-sourced fresh water, eliminating the unsustainable burden that drilling and hydraulic fracturing places on local water tables. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140352958 | PROCESS FOR ENHANCING OIL RECOVERY FROM AN OIL-BEARING FORMATION - A process for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation is provided. A first oil recovery fluid is introduced into a formation through a first well for a first time period and oil is produced from a second well. A second oil recovery fluid different from the first oil recovery fluid is introduced into the formation through the second well for a second time period after the first time period, and oil is produced from a third well, where the second well is located on a fluid flow path extending between the first and third wells. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140367096 | COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR ENHANCED HYDROCARBON RECOVERY - The invention relates to a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising an anionic surfactant, wherein said composition is in the solid state, and to a shaped article comprising said composition. Preferably, said composition is in the form of a powder. Further, the invention relates to a process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation comprising the steps of a) transporting said composition or shaped article to the location of the hydrocarbon containing formation; b) dissolving said composition or shaped article in water thereby forming an aqueous fluid containing the hydrocarbon recovery composition; c) providing the aqueous fluid containing the hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation; and d) allowing the hydrocarbon recovery composition to interact with the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150308246 | HYDROCARBON RECOVERY PROCESS - A process for hydrocarbon recovery from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation utilizing an injection well for the injection of a mobilizing and displacing fluid, such as steam, into the formation and a production well, spaced from the injection well, and through which hydrocarbon is recovered. The process includes injecting a surfactant and a gas into the production well for a first period of time to thereby emplace or form foam to an extent sufficient to modify the path of flow in an inter-well region between the injection well and the production well and in an area spaced from the inter-well region of the reservoir, which area is in fluid communication with at least one of the injection well and the production well. The process also includes injecting fluid into the injection well to cause the flow of hydrocarbon in the formation and recovering the hydrocarbon through the production well. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150329660 | WATER-SOLUBLE, HYDROPHOBICALLY ASSOCIATING COPOLYMERS HAVING NOVEL HYDROPHOBICALLY ASSOCIATING MONOMERS - The present invention relates to water-soluble hydrophobically associating copolymers which are obtained in the presence of a nonpolymerizable surface-active compound and which comprise novel hydrophobically associating monomers. The monomers comprise an ethylenically unsaturated group and a polyether block, the polyether block comprising a hydrophilic polyethyleneoxy block and a hydrophobic polyalkyleneoxy block consisting of alkyleneoxy units having at least 4 carbon atoms. The monomers may optionally have a terminal polyethyleneoxy block. The invention further relates to processes for preparing the copolymers and to the use thereof. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150353818 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING MINERAL OIL USING SURFACTANTS BASED ON A MIXTURE OF C32 GUERBET-, C34 GUERBET-, C36 GUERBET-CONTAINING ALKYL ALKOXYLATES - The present invention relates to a process for mineral oil extraction by means of Winsor type III microemulsion flooding, in which an aqueous surfactant formulation comprising at least three ionic surfactants which are different with regard to the alkyl moiety (R | 12-10-2015 |
| 20160061014 | HYDRAULICALLY UNITARY WELL SYSTEM AND RECOVERY PROCESS (HUWSRP) - The present disclosure describes a method of recovering viscous hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation using a gravity dominated recovery process with a group of wells, the recovery process incorporating an interwell recovery phase. The group of wells is initially operated independently to establish hydraulic communication between two or more wells in the group. Once hydraulic communication is established, injection of mobilizing fluid and production of hydrocarbons continues in at least one well within the group with an excess amount of mobilizing fluid being injected into the well. At the same time, production only continues in at least one well within the group, without any injection of mobilizing fluid. The wells in the group are spaced closer together than in conventional recovery processes. The recovery process may be SAGD. | 03-03-2016 |
| 20160068742 | Use of Organic Acids or a Salt Thereof in Surfactant-Based Enhanced Oil Recovery Formulations and Techniques - The present disclosure provides a surfactant formulation for use in treating and recovering fossil fluid from a subterranean formation. The surfactant formulation includes a nonionic surfactant, organic acid selected from citric acid, diglycolic acid, glycolic acid and a salt thereof and injection water. The surfactant formulation may be injected into one or more injection wells located within the subterranean formation and fossil fluids can then be subsequently recovered from one or more producing wells | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160122626 | POLYMER COMPOSITIONS - A method of enhancing oil recovery in a subterranean reservoir is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a wellbore and a polymer suspension. The polymer suspension comprises a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from a group, at a weight ratio of 20:80 to 80:20. The method comprises providing an aqueous fluid, mixing a sufficient amount of the polymer suspension in the aqueous fluid for the polymer to be hydrated resulting an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours, and injecting the injection solution into the wellbore. The injection solution contains a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and has a filter ratio of less than 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 μm filter. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160160621 | OIL RECOVERY METHOD - A method for recovering crude oil from a reservoir that is penetrated by at least one injection well, the method comprising: injecting an aqueous displacement fluid comprising a solution of a zinc salt in an aqueous base fluid into the reservoir from the injection well wherein the aqueous base fluid has a total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration in the range of 200 to 250,000 ppmv (parts per million based on the volume of the aqueous base fluid), and a viscosity in the range of 1.00 to 2.00 centipoise (cP) at standard temperature and pressure; and wherein the aqueous displacement fluid has a dissolved zinc concentration in the range of 10 to 3,750 ppmv. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160168446 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING MINERAL OIL FROM AN UNDERGROUND MINERAL OIL DEPOSIT USING A COMPOSITION (Z) COMPRISING A GLYCEROL-BORIC ACID COMPLEX | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160200961 | VOLATILE SURFACTANT TREATMENT FOR SUBTERRANEAN FORMATIONS | 07-14-2016 |
| 20160251568 | COMPOSITIONS FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY | 09-01-2016 |
