ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY IN LOW PERMEABILITY RESERVOIRS
First Claim
1. A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in low permeability reservoirs, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a subterranean reservoir comprising one or more hydrocarbons and water therewithin;
(b) providing a wellbore in fluid communication with the subterranean reservoir;
(c) injecting carbon dioxide into the subterranean reservoir through the wellbore; and
(d) injecting a substantially anhydrous composition into the subterranean reservoir through the wellbore, the substantially anhydrous composition comprising the carbon dioxide and one or more surfactants and being suitable to form a foam upon contact with water within the subterranean reservoir.
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Abstract
A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in low permeability reservoirs comprises first providing a subterranean reservoir comprising one or more hydrocarbons and water therewithin and a wellbore in fluid communication with the subterranean reservoir. Next, a substantially anhydrous composition is injected into the reservoir through the wellbore. The substantially anhydrous composition comprises carbon dioxide and one or more surfactants. The composition is suitable to form a foam upon contact with the water within the reservoir. The method often results in reduced wellbore corrosion and hydrate formation, reduced reservoir fingering, and enhanced carbon dioxide sweep efficiency over conventional methods.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in low permeability reservoirs, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a subterranean reservoir comprising one or more hydrocarbons and water therewithin; (b) providing a wellbore in fluid communication with the subterranean reservoir; (c) injecting carbon dioxide into the subterranean reservoir through the wellbore; and (d) injecting a substantially anhydrous composition into the subterranean reservoir through the wellbore, the substantially anhydrous composition comprising the carbon dioxide and one or more surfactants and being suitable to form a foam upon contact with water within the subterranean reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in low permeability reservoirs, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a subterranean reservoir comprising one or more hydrocarbons and water therewithin; (b) providing a wellbore in fluid communication with the subterranean reservoir; (c) providing dehydrated carbon dioxide; (d) injecting the dehydrated carbon dioxide into the subterranean reservoir through the wellbore; and (e) adding one or more surfactants to the dehydrated carbon dioxide after a predetermined amount of dehydrated carbon dioxide has been injected in step (d). - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification