ENHANCING HYDROCARBON RECOVERY
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from a low permeability source comprising:
- causing a treating fluid to contact the source such that the treating fluid is imbibed by the source, thereby increasing hydrocarbon recovery,wherein the source is characterized by matrix permeability less than 0.2 milliDarcies (mD).
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
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.
12 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from a low permeability source comprising:
-
causing a treating fluid to contact the source such that the treating fluid is imbibed by the source, thereby increasing hydrocarbon recovery, wherein the source is characterized by matrix permeability less than 0.2 milliDarcies (mD). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. Apparatus for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from a low permeability source comprising:
-
a container that stores a treating fluid, said treating fluid characterized by one or more constituents that facilitate imbibition; a fluid transfer device that transfers said treating fluid from said container to the source; and a conduit that recovers hydrocarbons released from the source due to imbibition of said treating fluid, wherein the source is characterized by matrix permeability less than 0.2 milliDarcies (mD). - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
Specification