US3191675A

US3191675A - Recovery of oil

Info

Publication number: US3191675A
Application number: US120999A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph E Gilchrist
Original assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
Current assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
Priority date: 1961-06-30
Filing date: 1961-06-30
Publication date: 1965-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-29

Description

5H H ROOF/ OH 191 June 29, 1965 R. E. GlLcHRlsT 3,191,675

RECOVERY OF OIL Filed June 30. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet;

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United States Patent O 3,191,675 RECOVERY OF OIL Ralph E. Gilchrist, Bartlesville, Okla., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Filed June 30, 1961, Ser. No. 120,999 13 Claims. (Cl. 166-9) This invention relates to a process for recovering oil from an oil-bearing reservoir by miscible phase displacement. A specific aspect of the invention pertains to a method of establishing a transition zone between a viscosity reducer and the reservoir oil.

The recovery of oil by miscible phase displacement is becoming more important in the oil industry. This process involves establishing a transition zone in the reservoir between the oil and .a viscosity reducer, the transition phase of the drive being forced through the reservoir by the viscosity reducer, usually with the aid of a driving fluid injected behind the viscosity reducer and transition phase. The problem of lingering arises when the viscosity reducer is forced thru the reservoir structure to displace and produce the reservoir oil. The term fingering is used to designate the ow of driving fluid (viscosity reducer) more rapidly thru certain sections of the reservoir toward the production well where it is produced prematurely. This is due at least in part to too much and t-oo sharp a difference in viscosity between the displacing uid and the reservoir oil. This signifies improper formation of the transition zone.

Two different methods of establishing transistion zones in miscible ooding or uid drive processes have been practiced. One of these, illustrated in U.S. Patent 2,742,- 089, involves injecting a single miscible liquid hydrocarbon slug, such as L.P.G., into the reservoir with the resultant transition zone forming some distance away from the injection well. The effect of this transition zone on production is illustrated in FIGURE l, curve A, of the drawing referred to hereinafter. The early breakthrough plus uneven transition zone, indicates the severity of the lingering.

U.S. Patent 2,867,277 illustrates a second method of establishing a transition zone in a miscible phase displacement process. The process of this patent involves premixing the hydrocarbon fluids in variable proportions at the well head to establish a broad transition zone in the injection stream, itself, before it passes into the stratum. The effect on production by this method of establishing the transition zone is represented by curve B. It should be noted that the transition zone breakthrough occurs later than in the process of the aforesaid patent, and a longer transition zone results. However, the uneven transition zone still reflects the severity of the fingering.

This invention is concerned with .a method of establishing a transition zone which is more effective in eliminating the problem of fingering and producing higher yields of oil from the reservoir.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved process for producing oil from an oil-bearing reservoir, utilizing miscible fluid displacement or drive. Another object is to provide a method of establishing a transition zone between the reservoir oil and the displacing medium. A further object is to provide a process for recovering oil by miscible fluid displacement which decreases lingering. Other objects of the invention will become Iapparent to one skilled in the art upon consideration of the accompanying disclosure.

A broad aspect of the invention comprises establishing the transition zone between the reservoir oil and the miscible fluid used inthe process by alternately injecting separate portions of heavy oil, compatible with the reservoir oil and with the miscible uid, and miscible Huid or Vis- ICC cosity reducer, whereby the initial laminar flow stream of the miscible viscosity reducer and oil mixes the constituents as it is moved through the reservoir to form the transition zone of substantially gradually diminishing viscosity upstream of flow. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises determining the volume yof the miscible viscosity reducer to be injected and dividing this volume into separate portions of gradually diminishing volume and injecting these separate portions in order, from the smallest to the largest, alternately with separate gradually decreasing portions of heavy oil. The total volume of oil and viscosity reducer are preferably about the same but may vary somewhat. The heavy oil is preferably crude oil from the reservoir being produced; however, other heavy oil or crude oil from `another reservoir may be utilized providing the oil is compatible with the crude of the reservoir being produced and with the viscosity reducer with which it is being Iassociated. The term compatible is understood to mean that mixing of the oil with the viscosity reducer and with reservoir oil forms a solution and does not cause a precipitate.

The volume 'of miscible viscosity reducer to be utilized in the method or process is determined in relation to the character of the reservoir and reservoir oil to be produced. This volume usually is in the range of 0.5 to 10% of the effective pore volume of the reservoir in the displacement flow path. In reservoirs containing oil of high API gravity, greater well spacing is permissible and the volume of viscosity reducer will generally be in the lower portion of the range of pore volume given; whereas, in reservoirs containing oil of low API gravity, the volume of viscosity reducer is generally in the upper portion of the range.

Commonly used viscosity reducers comprise low boiling hydrocarbons such as C2C5 hydrocarbons, L.P.G. (including principally ethane, propane and butane), kerosene, and mixtures or blends of normally liquid hydrocarbons of substantially lower viscosity than the viscosity of the reservoir oil to be produced.

After calculating the volume of viscosity reducer to be injected into the reservoir, the number -of separate portions into which the total volume is to be divided is determined. This number should be infinite for the best theoretical results, but is limited by economics and practicality. Usually at least 4 or 5 portions are separately injected alternately with the heavy oil .and the injection of a greater number of portions is advantageous in most reservoirs. The use of 2O or more portions of gradually increasing volume is advantageous.

A similar second transition zone is established in a similar manner between the miscible viscosity reducer and the driving fluid injected behind same when such a driving fluid is used. Natural gas or methane functions as an effective driving fluid for L.P.G., and L.P.G. functions as an effective driving fluid for heavier liquid hydrocarbons such as kerosene, Soltrol, and Stoddard solvent. The second transition zone is formed by injecting separate slugs or portions of the driving fluid alternately with separate portions of the miscible viscosity reducer in similar manner to the injection of the constituents of the lirst transition zone, using increasingly larger portions of driving uid and gradually decreasing portions of viscosity reducer.

A more complete understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying schematic drawing of which FIGURE l is a graph showing curves obtained by plotting percent of oil in the efiluent against the time in seconds for production of uids, utilizing a simulated oil sand described hereinafter, with 3 different techniques for establishing the transition zone; FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus used in the tests on which the graphs are based; and FIGURE 3 is a vertical partial section through a reservoir illustrating lthe process and method of the invention.

1n FIGURE 1, curve A illustrates the results obtained by injecting the entire slug or propane so that there is an instantaneous change from 100% oil and 0% propane to 100% propane and 0% oil, as practiced in U.S. Patent 2,742,089.

Curve B represents the results obtained when operating in accordance with U.S. Patent 2,867,277. With this method, there is a gradual change in composition lfrom two pumps (in 5% increments), with each change being held the same number of time units (in this case 480 sec- Curve C represents operation in accordance with the invention. In this process there is a gradual change in composition from two pumps with one pump off while the other pump is running. The change in time units is the same as in the operation associated with curve B, i.e., 480 seconds. The time that each pump runs varies in 5% increments. The total rate of flow of both pumps is the same as used in connection with curves A and B. The schedule of operation of the pumps is given below:

Time, sec. Propane, sec. Oil, sec.

96 (0. 20)(480) 120 (0. 25)(480) 144 (0. 30)(480) 168 (0. 35 X480) 192 (0. 40 X480) 216 (0. 45 480) 240 (0. 50)(480) 264 (0. 55X480) 288 (0. 00)(480) 312 (0. 65 X480) 336 (0. 70)(480) 360 (0. 75X480) 384 (0. 80X480) 408 (0. 85)(480) 432 (0. 90X480) 456 (0. 95 X480) 480 (1. 00X480) FIGURE 2 shows the apparatus utilized in obtaining the data for curves A, B, and C of FIGURE 1. The device comprises a metal frame 10, 1l in thickness and having a cutout section 12 for a sand compartment which is 3" wide and 9" long and is provided with an inlet 14 at one end and an outlet 16 at the opposite end. Both the inlet and outlet surfaces of frame adjacent space 12 are provided with grooves 18 leading along the inner face of the end of the frame for distribution of fluid over the entire end and pickup of fluid over the entire opposite end adjacent outlet 16. A screen 20 is placed over the inlet end, and a similar screen (not shown) is placed over the outlet end of the frame. Space 12 is filled with sand after is provided with a space 26, 1A deep, for exerting pressure on the rubber gasket 22 by injecting nitrogen or other pressurizing gas into space 26 through conduit 28. A rubber gasket 30 is placed around the top `surface of plate 10 and coverplate 32 having a window 34 therein is positioned on the gasket 30. A `series of 24 bolts 36 (only one being shown), with matching nuts and

washers

38 and 40, respectively, bolt the assembly together to simulate a section of sand. Valved line 42 connects inlet 14 with the propane pump and valve line 44 connects line 14 with the oil pump. Before simulated starting of formation of the transition zone, the sand in space 12 is saturated with crude oil. The pumps are then operated in accordance with the schedules for curves A, B, and C for the different tests or runs, and the effluent in line 16 is periodically analyzed for composition to obtain oil and propane concentration. Variations in the oil concentration in the effluent clearly show the result of fingering of the miscible transition zone, particularly with respect to curves A and B. Curve C shows much less fluctuation in the oil content of the produced effluent and, therefore, less fingering of the displacing fluid and a more efficient transition zone.

Referring to FIGURE 3, an oil stratum or reservoir 46 is penetrated by an injection well 48 and a production well 50. Wells 48 and 50 are provided with casings S2 and 54, respectively, and with

tubing strings

56 and 58, respectively. The annulus in well 48 within reservoir 46 is packed with sand or gravel 60 and a packer 62 is set around tubing 56 in the lower end of the casing. The packing of sand or gravel 60 in the well around the tubing string assures mixing of the injected fluids within the reservoir sand face surrounding well 48. The section of tubing 60 below packer 62 may be perforated to provide better distribution of fluids in the gravel. Also, casing 52 may extend to the bottom of the hole, being perforated below packer 62 before packing the hole.

Lines 64, 66, and 68 connect with tubing 56 and with hsuitable pumps to provide for injection of L.P.G., oil, and natural gas, respectively.

An illustration of the laminar nature of the transition zone is shown between the depleted reservoir 70 and the oil-filled reservoir intermediate the transition zone and the production Well 50. This illustration assumes that the injected constituents of the transition zone remain in their respective positions without mixing in order to better demonstrate the size and the order of the portions injected. Actually, the portions of oil and L.P.G. first injected thru well 48 begin to mix as they are forced deeper into the formation, as do the later injected portions, so that there is a substantially gradual decrease in viscosity upstream of flow in the reservoir or toward the injection well.

In the case illustrated in FIGURE 3, the total volume of the L.P.G. slug to be injected is calculated and this amount is -divided into 3 units, 0.2 unit being injected as the first portion, 0.4 unit as the Second portion, 0.6 unit as the third portion, 0.8 unit as the fourth portion, and 1.0 unit as the fifth portion. A similar volume of crude oil is divided into 3 units and injected in portions alternately with the L.P.G. and in reverse order of the size of the portions, beginning with the largest (1.0) and ending with the smallest (0.2). Following the injection of the crude oil and L.P.G. slugs forming the first transition zone, the methane (or natural gas) and L.P.G. slugs forming the second transition zone are injected in similar order and manner.

Variations in the technique illustrated are within the scope of the invention, it being feasible to inject slugs of propane of equal volume interspersed or alternated with oil slugs -of substantially decreasing volume. It is also feasible to inject slugs of oil of equal volume and to progressively increase the volume of the injected slugs of L.P.G. The same variations apply to the formation of the second transition zone. It should be realized that if the portions of injected fluids are extremely small, the technique really amounts to injecting the Viscosity reducer and reservoir oil simultaneously at diiferent rates, one lluid at gradually increasing rates and the other at gradually decreasing rates. With this technique, the fluids are simultaneously injected into the tubing string thru a connection or mixing chamber at the well head.

In the disclosure thus far it has been assumed that the rst slug injected consists of heavy oil or crude oil from the reservoir being produced. This practice of injecting the oil, rst, is advisable when the pores of the reservoir are not substantially lled with oil at the beginning of the production process. In the event the process is being applied to a virgin reservoir or to one in which the reservoir pores are substantially lled with crude, particularl1y around the injection well, it is feasible to inject the small slug of L.P.G. irst, followed by the alternate injection of oil and L.P.G. as described hereinbefore.

Certain modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and the illustrative details disclosed are not to be construed as imposing unnecessary limitations on the invention.

I claim:

1. In a miscible phase displacement process for producing oil from an oil-bearing reservoir penetrated by an injection Welland,a.prodntinnnellowherein a quantity of viscosity re ucer miscible with the reservoir oil is injected thru said injection well into said reservoir to establish a transition zone between the oil and said viscosity reducer and drivingqglidisgipjectedmthruaidu@ jection well behind s,a l i d yj&c v4 reducer to drive same,

along with oil, thru said reservoir toward said production well, thgirnpkrgvemenlornp'rising establishing said transition zone by injecting said gjnar'itityTfr"visonsityledugpF Y`saidnziscosity. reducen said portion vof `yrsc lgrswlty"reducer increasing gradually in volume from a portion less than 0.25 of the volume of the first portion of oil and the portions of oil gradually decreasing in volume until the last portion of Oil is less than 0.25 of the volume of the adjacent portion of viscosity reducer.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said viscosity reducer comprises liquid hydrocarbon of substantially lower Viscosity than said reservoir oil and the injected oil is said reservoir oil.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein said hydrocarbon is liqueed gas.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the volume of said viscosity reducer is in the range of 0.5 to of the effective pore Volume of the reservoir in the displacement ow path.

S. The process of claim 1 including the steps of establishing a second transition zone between said viscosity reducer and said driving fluid comprising injecting said driving fluid in separate portions alternately with additional separate portions of said viscosity reducer.

6. The process of claim 1 wherein said viscosity reducer consists essentially of liquid hydrocarbon of substantially lower viscosity than said reservoir oil, the injected oil consists essentially of reservoir oil and said driving fluid consists essentially of normally gaseous hydrocarbons.

7. The process of claim 6 wherein a second transition zone between said liquid hydrocarbon and said normally gaseous hydrocarbon is established by injecting said gaseous hydrocarbon in separate portions alternately with separate additional portions of said liquid hydrocarbon, the portions of said normally gaseous hydrocarbon increasing gradually in Volume from less than 0.25 of the volume of the adjacent portion of liquid hydrocarbon and the additional portions of liquid hydrocarbon decreasing gradually in volume until the last portion thereof 6 is less than 0.25 of the volume of the last portion of said normally gaseous hydrocarbon.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein the volume of said liquid hydrocarbon in each transition zone is in the range of 0.5 to 10% of the elfective pore volume of the reservoir within the displacement llow path.

9. In the production of oil from an oil-bearing reservoir by miscible phase displacement, the method of establishing a transition zone between the reservoir oil and a viscosity reducer comprising injecting into said reservoir thru an injection well therein separate portions of said viscosity reducer alternately with separate portions of crude oil compatible with the reservoir oil and with said viscosity reducer, said portions of viscosity reducer successively increasing in volume and said portions of oil successively decreasing in volume, whereby the initial laminar flow stream of viscosity reducer and oil mixes these constituents as it is moved thru said reservoir to form a transition zone of gradually diminishing viscosity upstream of ow.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the portions of viscosity reducer gradually increase in volume from a portion less than 0.25 of the volume of the irst portion of oil and the portions of oil gradually decrease until the last portion of oil is less than 0.25 volume of the adjacent portion of viscosity reducer, the total volume of viscosity reducer being in the range of 0.5 to 10% of the effective pore Volume of the reservoir in the displacement ow path.

11. In a miscible phase displacement process for producing oil from an oil-bearing reservoir penetrated by an injection well and a production well wherein a quantity of viscosity reducer miscible with the reservoir oil is injected thru said injection well into said reservoir to establish a transition zone between the oil and said viscosity reducer and driving uid is injected thru said injection well behind said viscosity reducer to drive same, along with reservoir oil, thru said reservoir toward said production well, the improvement comprising establishing said transition zone by injecting said quantity of viscosity reducer in separate portions alternately with separate portions of heavy oil compatible with the reservoir oil and with said viscosity reducer, said separate portions of viscosity reducer successively increasing in volume and said separate portions of oil successively decreasing in volume.

12. In a miscible phase displacement process for producing oil from an oil-bearing reservoir penetrated by an injection well and a production well wherein a quantity of viscosity reducer miscible with the reservoir oil is injected thru said injection well into said reservoir to establish a transition zone between the oil and said viscosity reducer and driving liuid is injected thru said injec- -tion well behind said viscosity reducer to drive same, along with reservoir oil, thru said reservoir toward said production well, the improvement comprising establishing said transition zone by dividing said quantity of viscosity reducer into separate portions of gradually diminishing volume and injecting these separate portions in order, from the smallest to the largest, alternately with separate gradually decreasing portions of heavy oil.

13. The process of claim 12 wherein the total volumes of injected viscosity reducer and heavy oil are approximately equal.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,867,277 1/59 Weinaug et al 166--9 2,875,831 3/59 Martin et al. 166-9 2,927,637 3/60 Draper 166-9 3,080,917 3/63 Walker 166-9 CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A MISCIBLE PHASE DISPLACEMENT PROCESS FOR PRODUCING OIL FROM AN OIL-BEARING RESERVOIR PENETRATED BY AN INJECTION WELL AND A PRODUCTION WELL W HEREIN A QUANTITY OF VISCOSITY REDUCER MISCIBLE WITH THE RESERVOIR OIL IS INJECTED THRU SAID INJECTION WELL INTO SAID RESERVOIR TO ESTABLISH A TRANSITION ZONE BETWEEN THE OIL AND SAID VISCOSITY REDUCER AND DRIVING FLUID IS INJECTED THRU SAID INJECTION WELL BEHIND SAID VISCOSITY REDUCER TO DRIVE SAME, ALONG WITH OIL, THRU SAID RESERVOIR TOWARD SAID PRODUCTION WELL, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING ESTABLISHING SAID TRANSITION ZONE BY INJECTING SAID QUANTITY OF VISCOSITY REDUCER IN SEPARATE PORTIONS ALTERNATELY WITH SEPARATE PORTIONS OF HEAVY OIL COMPATIBLE WITH THE RESERVOIR OIL AND WITH SAID VISCOSITY REDUCER, SAID PORTION OFVISCOSITY REDUCER INCREASING GRADUALLY IN VOLUME FROM A PORTION LESS THAN 0.25 OF THE VOLUME OF THE FIRST PORTION OF OIL AND THE PORTIONS OF OIL GRADUALLY DECREASING IN VOLUME UNTIL THE LAST PORTION OF OIL IS LESS THAN 0.25 OF THE VOLUME OF THE ADJACENT PORTION OF VISCOSITY REDUCER.