Methods and compositions for stimulating the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations
First Claim
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1. A method of treating an oil well having a wellbore, comprising:
- injecting a microemulsion into the wellbore to increase formation crude oil production by the well, wherein the microemulsion comprises water, a first type of solvent, and a first type of surfactant, wherein the microemulsion includes a continuous water phase,wherein the first type of solvent is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted cyclic or acyclic, branched or unbranched alkanes having 6-12 carbon atoms, unsubstituted acyclic branched or unbranched alkenes having one or two double bonds and 6-12 carbon atoms, cyclic or acyclic, branched or unbranched alkanes having 9-12 carbon atoms and substituted with only an —
OH group, branched or unbranched dialkylether compounds having the formula CnH2n+1OCmH2m+1, wherein n+m is between 6 and 16, and aromatic solvents having a boiling point between about 300-400°
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Abstract
Methods for treating an oil well having a wellbore. The methods involve injecting a microemulsion into the wellbore to increase formation crude oil production by the well. The microemulsion comprises water, a first type of solvent and a first type of surfactant. The microemulsion includes a continuous water phase.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of treating an oil well having a wellbore, comprising:
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injecting a microemulsion into the wellbore to increase formation crude oil production by the well, wherein the microemulsion comprises water, a first type of solvent, and a first type of surfactant, wherein the microemulsion includes a continuous water phase, wherein the first type of solvent is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted cyclic or acyclic, branched or unbranched alkanes having 6-12 carbon atoms, unsubstituted acyclic branched or unbranched alkenes having one or two double bonds and 6-12 carbon atoms, cyclic or acyclic, branched or unbranched alkanes having 9-12 carbon atoms and substituted with only an —
OH group, branched or unbranched dialkylether compounds having the formula CnH2n+1OCmH2m+1, wherein n+m is between 6 and 16, and aromatic solvents having a boiling point between about 300-400°
F. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification