US2135319A - Secondary recovery of oil from underground reservoirs - Google Patents
Secondary recovery of oil from underground reservoirs Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US2135319A US2135319A US197870A US19787038A US2135319A US 2135319 A US2135319 A US 2135319A US 197870 A US197870 A US 197870A US 19787038 A US19787038 A US 19787038A US 2135319 A US2135319 A US 2135319A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- lbs
- pressure
- reservoir
- well
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
- E21B43/18—Repressuring or vacuum methods
Definitions
- the gas is allowed to remain in contact with the oil in the depleted reservoir at this pressure for a period of at least several days and preferably several months to permit approximate equilibrium to take place within the very Vilne pores and capillaries of the reservoir.
- gas is produced from the formation.
- This gas may be produced from the same wells through which it is introduced and this constitutes an additional advantage over, and distinction from, gas drive and water drive methods which necessarily use separate wellsI for the driving fluidv and the oil produced.
- Thegas is produced at as near reservoir pressure as practicable.
- the pressure in the formation surrounding the well or wells from which the gas is produced is not allowed to drop below 1,500 lbs./sq'. ⁇ in. and preferably not belou ⁇ about 2,500 lbs/sq. in. It is also desirable that the pressure within the well itself be maintained above Vthese pressures but this is not always essential since condensation within the well results in entrainment and the liquid thus separating out is not necessarily lost as it would be if the condensationoccurred within the underground formation.
- the gas produced under high pressure contains normally liquid hydrocarbons from the underground fomiation' whichl were dissolved in the gas by virtue of the high pressure.
- These hydrocarbons can be separatedv from the gas by merely lowering the pressure to some value yin the neighborhood of the critical retrograde condensationpressure, for instance a pressure of from about 400 lbs/sq. in. to about 1 ,200 lbs/sq. in., and preferably from about 600lbs./sq. in. to about 1,000 lbs/sq. in., and then separating the vapor and liquid phases. If the pressure is lowered below the critical retrograde condensation pressure, the liquid phase commences to reenter the vaporvphase which is, of course, undesirable since the objective is to separate the maximum amount ofliquid hydrocarbons.
- the pressure at which the liquid and vapor phases are separated should be at least about 500 lbs/sq. in., andpreferably at least about 1,000 lbs/sq. in. below the minimum pressure within the reservoir. is previously indicated, at least a part of this pressure Ydrop 'can occur within the well but the bulk of it preferably occurs above ground.
- the fluid leaving the formation is homogeneous and at least substantially free from any separate liquid phase', the point of gas injection can be either higher or lower l on the reservoir than the point of withdrawal.
- the gas introduced into Well A can be composed in whole or in part of re-cycle gas withdrawn through well ,B as we have just seen, or all or part of it can come from a separate source, for instance, valved line 28.' In anyY event, an extraneous gas is usually necessary for makeup purposes, since there is inevitably some slight loss.
- the gas introduced is constituted wholly or at least predominantly of one or more hydrocarbons having one or two carbon atoms per molecule. Usually methane is the main constituent, but ethane can be used. Natural gas, or other mixtures of methane and ethane, with or without minor quantities of ⁇ heavier hydrocarbons, are the mcst suitable and available materials' for use in practicing my invention.
- This gas can be introduced at any pressure above about 1,500-2,500 lbs/sq. in., butsubstantially higher pressures are desirable to provide pressure drops since these figures represent the minimum pressures which shoul be built up within the reservoir.
- separator I5 which may be of any conventional type. From this separator the liquid phase, separated by virtue of the retrograde condensation phenomenon is removed through valve Il, which is responsive to liquid level control I 8, and then passes'through line 20 tion effect.
- the retrograde condensation phenomenon, properly utilized, ⁇ sufiices to recover the greatbulk of the valuable heavier hydrocarbons and the gas from separator I5 can be, and preferably is, recycled directly to Well A through valve 2,4 and compressors 25. It will be seen that by opening valve 25 and closing by-pass valves 21, the compressors can be used in series, while by closing valve 26 and opening the by-pass valves, they can be used inparallel.r o
- a method of recovering oil components vfrom a partially depleted ,underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing natural gas ,into said reservoir at a pressure of' from about 1,500 lbs ./sq.,in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in ⁇ .,.maintaining said gas in contact with the oil in ⁇ said reservoir under pressures of this same order of magnitude for a substantial period of time and causing said gas, substantially free from any separate liquid phase, to pass from said reservoir into a well while maintained at a pressure in Aexcess of labout 1,500 lbs/sq. in., said gas carrying with itdissolved liquidhydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir by virtue of the retrograde condensa- 2.
- a method of recoveringoil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing naturalgas into saidreservoir through a rst well at a pressure from about 1,500 lbs./sq, in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas through said reservoir while maintaining its l pressure above about 1,500 lbs/sq. in. and passing said gas together with heavier hydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir by virtue of the retrograde condensation effect into a second well while maintained at a pressure in excess of about 1,500 lbs/sq. in.
- a method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing natural gas into said reservoir at a. pressure of from about 1,500 lbs./ sq. in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in., maintaining said gas in contact with the oil in said reservoir under pressures of this same order of magnitude for a substantial period of time, causing said gas to pass from said reservoir into a well While maintained at a pressure in excess of about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., lowering the pressure of said lastmentioned gas by at least about 500 lbs/sq. in. i
- a method of recovering oil components from a partiallyA depletedunderground oil reservoir whichcomprises introducing gas rich in methane into the said reservoir at Aa pressure ofvv from about-2,500. lbs/sq. in. to about 5,000vlbs./sq. in; maintaining said.gas in contactwith the oil in said reservoirvunder pressure of this same order of magnitude .for a substantial period of ⁇ time, causing said gasto pass from said reservoir into a well while maintained at afpressure'in excess of about 2,500 ⁇ lbs/sq. in., lowering the pressure on ⁇ said. last-mentionedgas by fat-least about 1,000 lbs./sq.in. toa value within the range from about 600 lbs/sq. in., toabout 1,000 lbs/sq. in. to separate liquid hydrocarbons byvirtue of the retrograde condensation effect'and removing the separated liquid hydrocarbons from the remaining gas.
- a method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oilrreservoir which comprises introducing gas composed at least predominantly of at least Onehydrocarbon having not more than two carbon atoms per molecule into said reservoir througha rst well at Aa pressure of from about 1,500 lbs/sq. in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas through said reservoir while v maintaining its pressure above about 1,500 "lbs/sq. in., passing said gas together with dissolved heavier hydrocarbons picked up fromfsaid reservoir into a, second well while maintainedat a pressure in excess of about l1,500 lbs'j/s'q in., issuing said gas from said second well lowering the' pressure on said gas by at least about 500 lbs/sq. ⁇ in.
- e 7 A method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing gas of the natural gas type into said reservoir through a first well ata pressureof from aboutr1,500 1bs./sq. in. to
- a method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir whichl comprises introducing natural gas into said reservoir through a first well at a pressure v from about 1,500 lbs/sq. in. to about 8,000 lbs./ sq. in., passing said gas through said reservoir while maintaining its pressure above about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas together with heavier hydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir by virtue of the retrograde condensation eiect into asecond well while maintained at a pressure in ⁇ excess of about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., recovering at leastl a substantial ypart of said heavier Vhydrocarbons, recompressing at least a substantial part of the remaining gas and recycling said recompressedv gas. to said reservoir.'y
- a method of recovering oil components y from a partially depleted underground oil reserl the pressure on said gas to a value within the voir which comprises introducingy natural gas into saidreservoir throughaiirst well at a pressure ofy from about 1,500- lbs/sq. in. totabout 8,000 iba/sq. in., ⁇ passing said gas throughV said reservoir while maintaining its pressure above Y about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas together withy heavier hydrocarbons picked up from 'said reservoir into'a'secondwell while ⁇ maintained at a pressure in excessoi about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., issuing said gas from said secondwell, lowering range from about 400 lbs/sq. in.
- a ⁇ method of e recovering; oil components ⁇ irom a partially depleted underground oil reservoir v which comprises introducing natural gas into said reservoir through a rst well at a presof from about 2,500 lbsl/sq. in. ⁇ to about 5,000 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas' through said reservoir while maintaining its :pressure above about ⁇ 2,500 lbs'./sq. in., passing said, gas'together with dissolved heavier hydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir into a second wellwhile maintained at a. pressure in excess of about 2,500 lbs/sq. in., issuing said gas from said second Well, lowering the pressure on said gas to a value within the range from about 600 lbs./sq. in. to about 1,000 lbs/sq. in. to separateliquid hydrocarbons by virtue of lthe retrograde condensationeiect, removing the separated liquid.
- maining gas to a pressure of from about 2,500 lbs/sq; in. to about 5,000 lbs/sq. in., and recycling at least asubstantial part oi said recompressed gas to 'said reservoir.
- a method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reserlvoir which comprises introducing gas composed at leastpredominantly o! at least one hydro? l carbon having less than three carbonv atoms'per molecule into said reservoir through a ilrst well at a pressure of from about 2,500 lbs/sq. in. to
- a method of ,recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing gas composed at least predominantly oi.' at least one hydro#- carbon having less than three carbon vatoms per molecule into said ⁇ reservoir through a first well at a pressure of from about 1,500 1bs./sq.in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in., passingv said gas through saidv reservoir while maintaining its pressure above about 1,500:1bs./sq. in., passing said gas together with dissolved heavier hydrocarbons vpicked upirom said reservoir into a second well while maintained at a pressure inexcessof about 1,500'1bs./sq.
- said adjusted pressure' is within the range from about 400 lbs/sq. in.' tov about v1,200 lbs/sq. in. and said adjusted temperature is within the range from about 25 F. to about 150'F.
Description
mms W Nov. 1, 1938.
INVENTOR Gear* e 6. Bs
BY xm ATTORNEY 8,000 lbs/sq. in., and preferably between about- 2,500 lbs/sq. in, and about 5,000 lbs/sq. in.
The gas is allowed to remain in contact with the oil in the depleted reservoir at this pressure for a period of at least several days and preferably several months to permit approximate equilibrium to take place within the very Vilne pores and capillaries of the reservoir.
When this period has been allowed in order to achieve approximate equilibrium, gas is produced from the formation. This gas may be produced from the same wells through which it is introduced and this constitutes an additional advantage over, and distinction from, gas drive and water drive methods which necessarily use separate wellsI for the driving fluidv and the oil produced.
Thegas is produced at as near reservoir pressure as practicable. In any event the pressure in the formation surrounding the well or wells from which the gas is produced is not allowed to drop below 1,500 lbs./sq'.`in. and preferably not belou` about 2,500 lbs/sq. in. It is also desirable that the pressure within the well itself be maintained above Vthese pressures but this is not always essential since condensation within the well results in entrainment and the liquid thus separating out is not necessarily lost as it would be if the condensationoccurred within the underground formation.
Due to the retrograde condensation phenomenon, or what is sometimes referred to as retrogradekrvaporizatiomthe gas produced under high pressure contains normally liquid hydrocarbons from the underground fomiation' whichl were dissolved in the gas by virtue of the high pressure. These hydrocarbons can be separatedv from the gas by merely lowering the pressure to some value yin the neighborhood of the critical retrograde condensationpressure, for instance a pressure of from about 400 lbs/sq. in. to about 1 ,200 lbs/sq. in., and preferably from about 600lbs./sq. in. to about 1,000 lbs/sq. in., and then separating the vapor and liquid phases. If the pressure is lowered below the critical retrograde condensation pressure, the liquid phase commences to reenter the vaporvphase which is, of course, undesirable since the objective is to separate the maximum amount ofliquid hydrocarbons.
The pressure at which the liquid and vapor phases are separated should be at least about 500 lbs/sq. in., andpreferably at least about 1,000 lbs/sq. in. below the minimum pressure within the reservoir. is previously indicated, at least a part of this pressure Ydrop 'can occur within the well but the bulk of it preferably occurs above ground. Y
While it is'possible, as above mentioned, to use the same well for the introduction and withdrawal of gas in accordance with my invention, this necessitates'discontinuous operation, and it is greatly preferable touse dinerent wells. Since in practicing my invention the fluid leaving the formation is homogeneous and at least substantially free from any separate liquid phase', the point of gas injection can be either higher or lower l on the reservoir than the point of withdrawal.
'Villar reference .A simplied and highly diagrammaticl illustration of one type of equipmentl for practicing my invention is show in the accompanying drawing whichforms fa part of `this specification. and is to be read in connection therewith. My linvention will be further described with particto thedrawlng. y -V i.v ilintroducedatbighpressure into well A", passes through the partially depleted oil reservoir I0, which is isolated by impervious strata II and I2, and by brine barrier I3, passes into well B" at high pressure, is withdrawn from well B through line I4, and has its pressure reduced to form a liquid phase by virtue of the retrograde condensation effect. This liquid phase is removed by means of separator I5, the gas is recompressed and then re-introduced into well A.
The gas introduced into Well A can be composed in whole or in part of re-cycle gas withdrawn through well ,B as we have just seen, or all or part of it can come from a separate source, for instance, valved line 28.' In anyY event, an extraneous gas is usually necessary for makeup purposes, since there is inevitably some slight loss. The gas introduced is constituted wholly or at least predominantly of one or more hydrocarbons having one or two carbon atoms per molecule. Usually methane is the main constituent, but ethane can be used. Natural gas, or other mixtures of methane and ethane, with or without minor quantities of` heavier hydrocarbons, are the mcst suitable and available materials' for use in practicing my invention.
This gas can be introduced at any pressure above about 1,500-2,500 lbs/sq. in., butsubstantially higher pressures are desirable to provide pressure drops since these figures represent the minimum pressures which shoul be built up within the reservoir.
As previously indicated the'gas picks up heavier hydrocarbons (largely propane to heptane) from the otherwise unproducible oilillms existing within the partially depleted oil reservoir I0,
and then issues .throughwell B and line Il.v
ably from Vabout 600 lbs/sq. in. to'about 1,000
lbs./sq. in. I This pressure reduction is, of course, accompanied by a temperature reduction andthis temperature drop causes further amounts of liquid phase to separate. In fact, further cooling by external means is desirable to gain still further liquid phase precipitation and still higher recoveries of hydrocarbons from vpropane to heptane and heavier. The temperature at which the liquid phase is separated and removed may suitably be from about 25 F. to about 150 F. Temperature adjustment 'is obtained by means of cooler I1, which may precede or follow pressure reduction valve I6, but preferably precedes it since cooling medium of higher temperature can then be used.
As a matter of fact, heavier hydrocarbons picked up by virtue of the retrograde condensation eil'ect can be precipitated by cooling, without pressure reduction, and while this does not give as high recoveries as are obtained with pressure drops, recompression costs are reduced which compensates for the low recoveries to some extent. v
Following pressure and/or temperature adjustment, the fluids enter separator I5, which may be of any conventional type. From this separator the liquid phase, separated by virtue of the retrograde condensation phenomenon is removed through valve Il, which is responsive to liquid level control I 8, and then passes'through line 20 tion effect.
system of stage separation for removal of methane' and ethane which can be recycled. n
Gas, stripped of a major portion of its components heavier than ethane, passes through back pressure valve 2|. It can then be sent through valve 22 and line 23 to a further recovery system ofrconventional type, wherein additional quan@ tities of hydrocarbons heavier than ethane can be recovered by methods such-as refrigeration, char?,l coal adsorption, or oil absorption. After passing through this supplemental recovery systemthe dry gas can be re-introduced into well A. i
However, the retrograde condensation phenomenon, properly utilized,`sufiices to recover the greatbulk of the valuable heavier hydrocarbons and the gas from separator I5 can be, and preferably is, recycled directly to Well A through valve 2,4 and compressors 25. It will be seen that by opening valve 25 and closing by-pass valves 21, the compressors can be used in series, while by closing valve 26 and opening the by-pass valves, they can be used inparallel.r o
While I have described my'invention in connection with certain specic embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that these are by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, and the scope of my invention isdened only bythe appended claims which should bcv construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.
I claim: n l
1. A method of recovering oil components vfrom a partially depleted ,underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing natural gas ,into said reservoir at a pressure of' from about 1,500 lbs ./sq.,in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in`.,.maintaining said gas in contact with the oil in` said reservoir under pressures of this same order of magnitude for a substantial period of time and causing said gas, substantially free from any separate liquid phase, to pass from said reservoir into a well while maintained at a pressure in Aexcess of labout 1,500 lbs/sq. in., said gas carrying with itdissolved liquidhydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir by virtue of the retrograde condensa- 2. A method of recoveringoil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing naturalgas into saidreservoir through a rst well at a pressure from about 1,500 lbs./sq, in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas through said reservoir while maintaining its l pressure above about 1,500 lbs/sq. in. and passing said gas together with heavier hydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir by virtue of the retrograde condensation effect into a second well while maintained at a pressure in excess of about 1,500 lbs/sq. in.
3. A method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing natural gas into said reservoir at a. pressure of from about 1,500 lbs./ sq. in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in., maintaining said gas in contact with the oil in said reservoir under pressures of this same order of magnitude for a substantial period of time, causing said gas to pass from said reservoir into a well While maintained at a pressure in excess of about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., lowering the pressure of said lastmentioned gas by at least about 500 lbs/sq. in. i
to a value Within the range from about 400 lbs/sq. in. to about 1,200 lbs/sq. in. to ,separate liquid hydrocarbons by virtue of the retrograde condensation eifect and removing the separated liquid hydrocarbons from the remaining gas.
4. A method of recovering oil components from a partiallyA depletedunderground oil reservoir whichcomprises introducing gas rich in methane into the said reservoir at Aa pressure ofvv from about-2,500. lbs/sq. in. to about 5,000vlbs./sq. in; maintaining said.gas in contactwith the oil in said reservoirvunder pressure of this same order of magnitude .for a substantial period of` time, causing said gasto pass from said reservoir into a well while maintained at afpressure'in excess of about 2,500 `lbs/sq. in., lowering the pressure on `said. last-mentionedgas by fat-least about 1,000 lbs./sq.in. toa value within the range from about 600 lbs/sq. in., toabout 1,000 lbs/sq. in. to separate liquid hydrocarbons byvirtue of the retrograde condensation effect'and removing the separated liquid hydrocarbons from the remaining gas. o f
5. A method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oilrreservoir which comprises introducing gas composed at least predominantly of at least Onehydrocarbon having not more than two carbon atoms per molecule into said reservoir througha rst well at Aa pressure of from about 1,500 lbs/sq. in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas through said reservoir while v maintaining its pressure above about 1,500 "lbs/sq. in., passing said gas together with dissolved heavier hydrocarbons picked up fromfsaid reservoir into a, second well while maintainedat a pressure in excess of about l1,500 lbs'j/s'q in., issuing said gas from said second well lowering the' pressure on said gas by at least about 500 lbs/sq.` in. to a value' within the range from about Y400 lbs/sq. in. to about 1,200 lbs/sq. in'. to separate liquid hydrocarbons by virtue of the retrograde condensation effect and removing the separated liquid hydrocarbons from the remaining gas. n
S. A method according to claim 5 in which the gas issuing from said second "well is cooled by 'external means .prior to the removal of separated liquid hydrocarbons, thereby increasing the amount of liquid hydrocarbons recovered. e 7. A method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing gas of the natural gas type into said reservoir through a first well ata pressureof from aboutr1,500 1bs./sq. in. to
about 8,000 lbs./sq.`in., passing said-gas throughl said reservoir while maintaining its pressure aboveabout 1,500.lbs./sq.-in., passing said gas together with dissolved heaviery 'hydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir into a second well while maintained at a pressure in excess of about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., issuing said gas from said second well, lowering the pressure on said gas by at least about 500 lbs/sq. in. to a value within the range from about 600 lbs/sq. in. to about 1,000 lbs/sq. in. to separate liquid hydrocarbons by virtue of the retrograde condensation effect and removing the separated hydrocarbons from the remaining gas.
8. A method according to claim 7 in which said second well is higher on said reservoir than said first well.
9. A method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir whichl comprises introducing natural gas into said reservoir through a first well at a pressure v from about 1,500 lbs/sq. in. to about 8,000 lbs./ sq. in., passing said gas through said reservoir while maintaining its pressure above about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas together with heavier hydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir by virtue of the retrograde condensation eiect into asecond well while maintained at a pressure in` excess of about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., recovering at leastl a substantial ypart of said heavier Vhydrocarbons, recompressing at least a substantial part of the remaining gas and recycling said recompressedv gas. to said reservoir.'y
10. A method of recovering oil components y from a partially depleted underground oil reserl the pressure on said gas to a value within the voir which comprises introducingy natural gas into saidreservoir throughaiirst well at a pressure ofy from about 1,500- lbs/sq. in. totabout 8,000 iba/sq. in.,` passing said gas throughV said reservoir while maintaining its pressure above Y about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas together withy heavier hydrocarbons picked up from 'said reservoir into'a'secondwell while `maintained at a pressure in excessoi about 1,500 lbs/sq. in., issuing said gas from said secondwell, lowering range from about 400 lbs/sq. in. to about 1,200 lbs/sq. in. to separate liquid hydrocarbons by virtue of the retrograde condensation reiIect, removing the separated liquid hydrocarbons from the remaining gas, recompressing atleast a subjstantial part of said remaining gas to a pressure in excess oi the reservoir pressure, and recycling said recompressed gas to said reservoir.
11. A `method of e recovering; oil components `irom a partially depleted underground oil reservoir vwhich comprises introducing natural gas into said reservoir through a rst well at a presof from about 2,500 lbsl/sq. in.` to about 5,000 lbs/sq. in., passing said gas' through said reservoir while maintaining its :pressure above about`2,500 lbs'./sq. in., passing said, gas'together with dissolved heavier hydrocarbons picked up from said reservoir into a second wellwhile maintained at a. pressure in excess of about 2,500 lbs/sq. in., issuing said gas from said second Well, lowering the pressure on said gas to a value within the range from about 600 lbs./sq. in. to about 1,000 lbs/sq. in. to separateliquid hydrocarbons by virtue of lthe retrograde condensationeiect, removing the separated liquid.
hydrocarbons from the remaining gas, recompressing at least a substantial part of said; re-
maining gas to a pressure of from about 2,500 lbs/sq; in. to about 5,000 lbs/sq. in., and recycling at least asubstantial part oi said recompressed gas to 'said reservoir. Y
12. A method of recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reserlvoir which comprises introducing gas composed at leastpredominantly o! at least one hydro? l carbon having less than three carbonv atoms'per molecule into said reservoir through a ilrst well at a pressure of from about 2,500 lbs/sq. in. to
about 5,000 lbs/sq. in.,` passing saidlg'as throughtA pressing at least a substantial part of said re" 'maining gas to a pressureA of from about 2,500
lbsQ/sq. in. to about 5,000 lbs/sq. in., and re-S` cycling at least a substantial partofsaid recom# vpressed gas to said reservoir. .v
13,. A method of ,recovering oil components from a partially depleted underground oil reservoir which comprises introducing gas composed at least predominantly oi.' at least one hydro#- carbon having less than three carbon vatoms per molecule into said` reservoir through a first well at a pressure of from about 1,500 1bs./sq.in. to about 8,000 lbs/sq. in., passingv said gas through saidv reservoir while maintaining its pressure above about 1,500:1bs./sq. in., passing said gas together with dissolved heavier hydrocarbons vpicked upirom said reservoir into a second well while maintained at a pressure inexcessof about 1,500'1bs./sq. in., `issuing said gas from r`said seccond'well, adjusting the pressure andtemperature of said gas to obtain av maximum amount'of Vliquid phaseeseparation Y'byv virtue of the' retrograde condensation eiect and removing the separated liquid phase. s
14,. A method according to claim 13 in which .K
said adjusted pressure'is within the range from about 400 lbs/sq. in.' tov about v1,200 lbs/sq. in. and said adjusted temperature is within the range from about 25 F. to about 150'F.
15.` A method according to claim 13 in which said adjusted pressure is within the range from about 600 lbs/sq. in. to about 1,000 lbs/sq. in. and said adjusted temperature is within: the range from about 25 F. to about 150 F.
GEORGE s. BAYs.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US197870A US2135319A (en) | 1938-03-17 | 1938-03-17 | Secondary recovery of oil from underground reservoirs |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US197870A US2135319A (en) | 1938-03-17 | 1938-03-17 | Secondary recovery of oil from underground reservoirs |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US2135319A true US2135319A (en) | 1938-11-01 |
Family
ID=22731070
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US197870A Expired - Lifetime US2135319A (en) | 1938-03-17 | 1938-03-17 | Secondary recovery of oil from underground reservoirs |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US2135319A (en) |
Cited By (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2423156A (en) * | 1939-03-06 | 1947-07-01 | Laurence S Reid | Method of recovering desirable petroleum hydrocarbon fractions at substantially wellhead pressure |
| US2603553A (en) * | 1949-04-21 | 1952-07-15 | Union Oil Co | Adsorption process |
| US2609051A (en) * | 1950-04-27 | 1952-09-02 | Atlantic Refining Co | Method for recovery of oil from wells |
| US2617719A (en) * | 1950-12-29 | 1952-11-11 | Stanolind Oil & Gas Co | Cleaning porous media |
| US2699832A (en) * | 1950-12-09 | 1955-01-18 | Texas Co | Increasing the production of oil from subsurface formations |
| US2708481A (en) * | 1951-07-26 | 1955-05-17 | Texas Co | Recovery of hydrocarbons from subsurface reservoirs |
| US2720265A (en) * | 1954-03-31 | 1955-10-11 | Gulf Research Development Co | Adjusting the retrograde condensation pressure of hydrocarbon compositions |
| US2724437A (en) * | 1951-08-07 | 1955-11-22 | Atlantic Refining Co | Method of recovering desirable petroleum hydrocarbon fractions from producing oil reservoirs |
| US2724438A (en) * | 1954-03-01 | 1955-11-22 | Atlantic Refining Co | Method of recovering desirable petroleum hydrocarbon fractions from producing oil reservoirs |
| US2742089A (en) * | 1950-12-29 | 1956-04-17 | Stanolind Oil & Gas Co | Secondary recovery |
| US2801207A (en) * | 1952-10-08 | 1957-07-30 | Black Sivalls & Bryson Inc | Method of and apparatus for recovering desirable hydrocarbon liquids from high pressure wells |
| US2842204A (en) * | 1955-08-29 | 1958-07-08 | Core Lab Inc | Method of increasing oil recovery |
| US2964915A (en) * | 1957-12-09 | 1960-12-20 | Gas Proc Inc | Natural gas treatment |
| US3256933A (en) * | 1950-07-13 | 1966-06-21 | Exxon Production Research Co | Methods of recovery of oil |
| US3336847A (en) * | 1964-07-20 | 1967-08-22 | Durat Robert Georges Eugene | Machine for manufacturing frustoconical containers made of sheet material, and more specifically yoghurt pots |
| US4161047A (en) * | 1977-10-19 | 1979-07-17 | Riley Edwin A | Process for recovery of hydrocarbons |
| US4362212A (en) * | 1979-07-19 | 1982-12-07 | Helmut Schulz | Method for enhanced petroleum oil recovery |
-
1938
- 1938-03-17 US US197870A patent/US2135319A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2423156A (en) * | 1939-03-06 | 1947-07-01 | Laurence S Reid | Method of recovering desirable petroleum hydrocarbon fractions at substantially wellhead pressure |
| US2603553A (en) * | 1949-04-21 | 1952-07-15 | Union Oil Co | Adsorption process |
| US2609051A (en) * | 1950-04-27 | 1952-09-02 | Atlantic Refining Co | Method for recovery of oil from wells |
| US3256933A (en) * | 1950-07-13 | 1966-06-21 | Exxon Production Research Co | Methods of recovery of oil |
| US2699832A (en) * | 1950-12-09 | 1955-01-18 | Texas Co | Increasing the production of oil from subsurface formations |
| US2617719A (en) * | 1950-12-29 | 1952-11-11 | Stanolind Oil & Gas Co | Cleaning porous media |
| US2742089A (en) * | 1950-12-29 | 1956-04-17 | Stanolind Oil & Gas Co | Secondary recovery |
| US2708481A (en) * | 1951-07-26 | 1955-05-17 | Texas Co | Recovery of hydrocarbons from subsurface reservoirs |
| US2724437A (en) * | 1951-08-07 | 1955-11-22 | Atlantic Refining Co | Method of recovering desirable petroleum hydrocarbon fractions from producing oil reservoirs |
| US2801207A (en) * | 1952-10-08 | 1957-07-30 | Black Sivalls & Bryson Inc | Method of and apparatus for recovering desirable hydrocarbon liquids from high pressure wells |
| US2724438A (en) * | 1954-03-01 | 1955-11-22 | Atlantic Refining Co | Method of recovering desirable petroleum hydrocarbon fractions from producing oil reservoirs |
| US2720265A (en) * | 1954-03-31 | 1955-10-11 | Gulf Research Development Co | Adjusting the retrograde condensation pressure of hydrocarbon compositions |
| US2842204A (en) * | 1955-08-29 | 1958-07-08 | Core Lab Inc | Method of increasing oil recovery |
| US2964915A (en) * | 1957-12-09 | 1960-12-20 | Gas Proc Inc | Natural gas treatment |
| US3336847A (en) * | 1964-07-20 | 1967-08-22 | Durat Robert Georges Eugene | Machine for manufacturing frustoconical containers made of sheet material, and more specifically yoghurt pots |
| US4161047A (en) * | 1977-10-19 | 1979-07-17 | Riley Edwin A | Process for recovery of hydrocarbons |
| US4362212A (en) * | 1979-07-19 | 1982-12-07 | Helmut Schulz | Method for enhanced petroleum oil recovery |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US2135319A (en) | Secondary recovery of oil from underground reservoirs | |
| US2151248A (en) | High-pressure gas process | |
| US2875832A (en) | Gaseous hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide solutions in hydrocarbons | |
| Katz | Depths to which frozen gas fields (gas hydrates) may be expected | |
| US3042114A (en) | Process for recovering oil from underground reservoirs | |
| US4007787A (en) | Gas recovery from hydrate reservoirs | |
| US1872906A (en) | Method of developing oil fields | |
| US2209534A (en) | Method for producing gas wells | |
| US2582148A (en) | Method of recovering desirable liquefiable hydrocarbons | |
| US2798556A (en) | Secondary recovery process | |
| US2214678A (en) | Process for the recovery of desirable constituents from gas | |
| US2327187A (en) | Recovery of distillate hydrocarbons from well fluids | |
| US2309075A (en) | Method of operating high pressure oil and gas wells | |
| US2724437A (en) | Method of recovering desirable petroleum hydrocarbon fractions from producing oil reservoirs | |
| US2729291A (en) | Separating co2-petroleum mixtures | |
| US3995693A (en) | Reservoir treatment by injecting mixture of CO2 and hydrocarbon gas | |
| US2240550A (en) | Method of returning gas to gasproducing formations | |
| US2423156A (en) | Method of recovering desirable petroleum hydrocarbon fractions at substantially wellhead pressure | |
| US2609051A (en) | Method for recovery of oil from wells | |
| US3223157A (en) | Oil recovery process | |
| US2245028A (en) | Recovery of liquid hydrocarbons from moisture-containing well fluids | |
| US3149668A (en) | Gas recovery from gas condensate reservoirs | |
| US3130960A (en) | Recovery of uranium by carbonated water and surface action agents and wetting agents | |
| US2144692A (en) | Process for the separation of gaseous mixtures | |
| US3519076A (en) | Gas injection method for recovering oil |