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Method for secondary recovery of oil

  • US 4,037,655 A
  • Filed: 10/21/1975
  • Issued: 07/26/1977
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1974
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of increasing the internal pressure in a fluid-bearing earth formation, comprising the steps ofestablishing at least two spaced apart boreholes extending into a subsurface earth formation containing both oil and other aqueous liquids,disposing a separate electrical conductor in each of said boreholes and into electrical contact with said aqueous liquids in said formation,insulating both of said conductors from substantially all earth materials adjacent said boreholes and lying above said subsurface earth formation to establish an electrical path composed of said insulated conductors and said formation materials extending therebetween,establishing an AC flow of electric current in said electrical path composed of said insulated conductors and said formation materials lying therebetween,electrochemically generating free hydrogen gas in said subsurface earth formation between said boreholes as a function of current intensity in said formation, andtrapping said free hydrogen gas in said formation to increase the pressure in said formation on said oil therein.

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