Electrochemical process for effecting redox-enhanced oil recovery
First Claim
1. An improved method for stimulating recovery of oil from an underground formation comprising a first region and a second region, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a first borehole in the first region and a second borehole in the second region;
b. positioning a first electrode in the first borehole in the first region;
c. positioning a second electrode in proximity to the second borehole in the second region;
d. applying a d-c current through said first and second electrodes to create an electric field through the formation, and e. superimposing an a-c component on the d-c current to effect decomposition of petroleum compounds and decrease viscosity of the oil.
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Abstract
A method is provided for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-bearing formation. One or more pairs of electrodes are inserted into the ground in proximity to a body of oil in said formation. A voltage difference is then established between the electrodes to create an electric field in the oil-bearing formation. As voltage is applied, the current is manipulated to induce oxidation and reduction reactions in components of the oil. The oxidation and reduction reactions lower the viscosity in the oil and thereby reduce capillary resistance to oil flow so that the oil can be removed at an extraction well.
43 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An improved method for stimulating recovery of oil from an underground formation comprising a first region and a second region, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a first borehole in the first region and a second borehole in the second region;
b. positioning a first electrode in the first borehole in the first region;
c. positioning a second electrode in proximity to the second borehole in the second region;
d. applying a d-c current through said first and second electrodes to create an electric field through the formation, and e. superimposing an a-c component on the d-c current to effect decomposition of petroleum compounds and decrease viscosity of the oil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24)
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12. An improved method for stimulating recovery of oil from an underground formation comprising a first region and a second region, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a first borehole in the first region and a second borehole in the second region;
b. positioning a first electrode in the first borehole in the first region;
c. positioning a second electrode in proximity to the second borehole in the second region;
d. applying a d-c current through said first and second electrodes to create an electric field through the formation;
e. superimposing an a-c component on the d-c current to effect decomposition of petroleum compounds and decrease viscosity of the oil;
f. increasing the voltage between the first and second electrodes to impress an electroosmotic force on the oil deposit toward the second borehole; and
g. extracting oil from the second borehole. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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25. A method for stimulating recovery of oil from an underground formation comprising a first region and a second region, comprising the steps of:
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a. providing a first borehole in the first region and a second borehole in the second region;
b. positioning a first electrode in the first borehole in the first region;
c. positioning a second electrode in proximity to the second borehole in the second region;
d. applying a first voltage gradient with straight d-c voltage and d-c current between the first and second electrodes to create an electric field through the formation;
e. superimposing an a-c component on the d-c current to effect decomposition of petroleum compounds and decrease viscosity of the oil by electrochemical reactions; and
f. applying a second voltage gradient with straight d-c voltage and d-c current without the a-c component between said first and second electrodes, said second voltage gradient being greater than the first voltage gradient, to further decrease viscosity of the oil by electrothermal reaction. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification