Process to improve hydrocarbon recovery by decreasing injection solution viscosity and improving solution screen factor

• Main Authors: MCCLURE; D. CRAIG, ULIZIO; GREGORY
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 23.07.1991
• Subjects: ADHESIVES; CHEMISTRY; DYES; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FORELSEWHERE; METALLURGY; MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS; MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS; NATURAL RESINS; PAINTS; POLISHES; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ARTCOLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

An aqueous solution comprised of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide and an ethoxylated alcohol, is injected into a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation via an injection well followed by injection of a drive fluid. The solution displaces hydrocarbons from formation pores and the drive fluid pushes the displaced hydrocarbon and the aqueous solution toward a production well enhancing hydrocarbon production. The ethoxylated alcohol decreases solution viscosity and increases solution screen factors resulting in improved injectivity, improved mobility control and ultimately improved hydrocarbon production.