Method for producing oil

a technology of oil recovery and oil, applied in the direction of fluid removal, chemistry apparatus and processes, borehole/well accessories, etc., can solve the problems of limited recovery/displacement efficiency of chemical eor using solvents, gravity overrun or gravity underrun reservoirs, etc., to increase hydrocarbon production and enhance oil recovery methods

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-07-04
SHELL OIL CO
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Benefits of technology

[0002]The present disclosure relates to enhanced oil recovery methods and, in particular, injecting a combinatio

Problems solved by technology

In practice, however, the recovery/displacement efficiency of chemical EOR using a solvent is limited by flow front instabilities, such as viscous

Method used

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  • Method for producing oil
  • Method for producing oil
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Embodiment Construction

[0018]The present disclosure relates to enhanced oil recovery methods and, in particular, injecting a combination of solvent and polymer floods to increase hydrocarbon production from oil bearing underground rock formations.

[0019]The present invention provides improved methods of extracting hydrocarbons from underground reservoirs using miscible solvents and immiscible polymer floods. At least one of the advantages of the disclosure is the increased displacement stability of the miscible solvent and the mobilized oil. Viscous fingering and gravity effects, such as gravity over-run or a gravity under-run reservoirs, are substantially minimized. As a result, the miscible solvent is more efficiently or otherwise effectively used in enhanced oil recovery processes. This improves not only the recovery efficiency of the reservoir, but also the effective utilization of both the solvents and the polymers.

[0020]Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a system 100 used to produce hydrocarbons (e....

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to enhanced oil recovery methods including the injection of solvent and polymer floods to increase hydrocarbon production from oil bearing underground rock formations. One method includes injecting a solvent slug into the underground formation for a first time period from a first well. The solvent slug solubilizes the oil and generates a mixture of mobilized oil and solvent. An aqueous polymer slug may then be injected into the underground formation for a second time from the first well. The polymer slug may have a viscosity greater than the solvent slug and thereby generates an interface between the solvent slug and the polymer slug. The solvent slug and the mobilized oil are then forced towards a second well using a buoyant hydrodynamic force generated by the aqueous polymer slug. Oil and/or gas may then be produced from the second well.

Description

[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61 / 581,670, filed Dec. 30, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present disclosure relates to enhanced oil recovery methods and, in particular, injecting a combination of solvent and polymer floods to increase hydrocarbon production from oil bearing underground rock formations.BACKGROUND[0003]Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) is used to increase oil recovery in hydrocarbon-bearing rock formations worldwide. There are basically three main types of EOR methods: thermal, chemical / polymer, and gas injection, each of which may be used worldwide to increase oil recovery from a reservoir beyond what would otherwise be possible with conventional hydrocarbon extraction means. These methods may also extend the life of the reservoir or otherwise boost its overall oil recovery factor.[0004]Briefly, thermal EOR works by adding heat to a hydrocarbon-bearing...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E21B43/16
CPCC09K8/588E21B43/16
Inventor BERG, STEFFENVALDEZ, RAULVIAMONTES, JORGEWEIDER, PAUL RICHARD
Owner SHELL OIL CO
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