US3754598A - Method for producing a hydrocarbon-containing formation - Google Patents

Method for producing a hydrocarbon-containing formation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3754598A
US3754598A US00196673A US3754598DA US3754598A US 3754598 A US3754598 A US 3754598A US 00196673 A US00196673 A US 00196673A US 3754598D A US3754598D A US 3754598DA US 3754598 A US3754598 A US 3754598A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
formation
injection well
well
wave
frequency
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
Application number
US00196673A
Inventor
C Holloway
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Phillips Petroleum Co
Original Assignee
Phillips Petroleum Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Phillips Petroleum Co filed Critical Phillips Petroleum Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3754598A publication Critical patent/US3754598A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/003Vibrating earth formations
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01JCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
    • B01J19/00Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in general; Their relevant apparatus
    • B01J19/08Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
    • B01J19/10Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor employing sonic or ultrasonic vibrations
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/17Interconnecting two or more wells by fracturing or otherwise attacking the formation

Definitions

  • this invention resides in passing flooding fluid through the hydrocarbon-containing formation, transmitting oscillatory pressure waves outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid forming a wave zone and moving the wave zone through the formation in a direction toward a producing well by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions.
  • FIG. 1 shows the hydrocarbon-containing formation, injection well, and associated wave transmitter and the production well
  • FIG. 2-5 shows the formation with the wave transmitter positioned at different locations and FIG. 6 shows the formation and an injection well and a producing well each with associated wave transmitters.
  • an injection well 2 and a production well 4 extend from the surface through a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation 6.
  • the wells 2, 4 are completed having their casing set through the formation as known in the art. It should be understood that this type of completion is for illustration purposes only and the invention can be practiced in any well irrespective of the way in which said well was completed.
  • the injection well 2 is equipped for passing flooding fluid from the surface downwardly through the well and into the hydrocarbon-containing formation 6.
  • Means are also preferably provided for adding flooding fluid additives or fluids to the flooding fluid.
  • the production well 4 is equipped for producing and recovering fluids entering the production well 4.
  • An oscillatory pressure wave transmitter 8 such as shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,520,362 or other apparatus for providing pressure waves of substantially sinusoidal configuration, is positioned adjacent the formation 6.
  • the transmitter 8 is associated with the injection well 2.
  • a transmitter 8 can also be associated with a production well 4 as hereafter more fully described.
  • FIGS. l-5 the transmitter 8 can be positioned at various positions relative to the hydrocarboncontaining formation 6 for altering the producing method of this invention.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show the trans: mitter 8 positioned adjacent a middle portion 10 of the fonnation 6
  • FIG. 3 shows the transmitter 8 positioned adjacent a lower portion 12 of said formation 6
  • FIG. 4 shows the transmitter 8 positioned adjacent an upper portion 14 of the formation
  • FIG. 5 shows the transmitter 8 positioned at a common elevation relative to the opening 16 of a fracture 18 extending through the formation 6.
  • the transmitter 8 can be positioned at other locations relative to the fracture l8 and that the fracture 18 can be positioned at other locations relative to the thickness of the formation 6. It should also be understood that where a transmitter 8 is desired with the production well 4, that said transmitter can be also positioned at different locations relative to the thickness of the formation 6.
  • a flooding fluid is passed downwardly through the injection well 2 and outwardly to the formation 6 for sweeping hydrocarbons from the formation into the production well 4 for recovery therefrom, as known in the art.
  • the injection rate of the flooding fluid is dependent upon the formation thickness, porosity, penneability, etc. and is a value that is routinely calculated or selected by one skilled in the art.
  • oscillatory pressure waves are transmitted from the injection well 2 outwardly through the formation 6.
  • These oscillatory pressure waves are of a general sinusoidal configuration and have a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.001 to about 25 cycles per second for forming a pressure wave zone 20 in the formation 6 about the injection well 2.
  • the pressure waves passing through the formation 6 causes a fluid positioned within the pore spaces of the matrix to be forced therefrom for subsequent removal through the formation 6 and into the production well 4 for recovery.
  • This tension force can be the interfacial tension between oil and water where the formation is termed water-wet, tension between the oil and the matrix where the formation is termed oil-wet for example and as known in the art.
  • overburden pressure, fracturing pressure characteristics of the fonnation, and other factors known in the art limit the upper pressure that can be applied while substantially uniformly continuously exerting a pressure.
  • the ratio however can be increased by establishing a high pressure gradient momentarily by repeated pressure oscillations while maintaining a preselected net flow through the formation 6.
  • slugs of surfactant material such as Bryton 430, alkali metal (Na,K,Li) salts of petroleum sulfonates, manufactured by Bryton Chemical Co. Park Eighty Plaza East, Saddle Brook, N.J.; Pluronic L64, condensate of ethylene oxide with hydrophobic bases, manufactured by BASF Wyandotte, Corp., Industrial Chemicals Group, Wyandotte, Mich.; Igepal CO530, nonylphenoxpoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, manufactured by General Aniline & Film Corp., West 51st, New York, N.
  • surfactant material such as Bryton 430, alkali metal (Na,K,Li) salts of petroleum sulfonates, manufactured by Bryton Chemical Co. Park Eighty Plaza East, Saddle Brook, N.J.
  • Pluronic L64 condensate of ethylene oxide with hydrophobic bases, manufactured by BASF Wyandotte, Corp., Industrial Chemicals Group, Wyandotte, Mich.
  • Aerosol OT Na dioctyl sulfosuccinate, manufactured by American Cyanamide, Berdan Ave., Wayne, N.J.; and the like can be added to the flooding fluid and passed into the formation 6.
  • This surfactant 22 further facilitates increasing the ratio by lowering the tension forces acting on the in-place hydrocarbons.
  • the wave zone is moved through the formation in a direction from the injection well toward the producing well to snap-off and remove hydrocarbon droplets at other portions of the formation 6, thereby sweeping the formation pores of in-placc hydrocar bons.
  • This wave front is caused to move outwardly from the injection well to greater areal extents by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions. The frequency can be decreased, the amplitude increased, or a combination of the two will cause said outward movement of the wave zone 20.
  • the formation 4 can be more efficiently cleaned of in-place hydrocarbons.
  • a surfactant slug or multiplicity of slugs can be injected as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for increasing the hydrocarbon recovery as set forth above. As known, as a volume of the surfactant passes through the formation, said volume decreases.
  • the porosity, permeability and pore space distribution can change from one formation to another and problems associated with effectively moving hydrocarbons therethrough can be eliminated by differing the placement of the transmitter 8 relative to the formation thickness and existing fractures 18 through the formation 6.
  • a fractured formation is to be subjected to the method of this invention, it is preferred that said fracture be fractured utilizing an in situ form popcorn polymer plugging agent as set forth in U. S. Pat. No. 3,608,639.
  • Use of a popcorn polymer plugging element eliminates any problem of shifting of the propping agent by the effect of the imposed pressure gradients.
  • FIG. 2 shows the transmitter 8 placed in the middle portion 10 of the formation
  • FIG. 3 shows the transmitter 8 in the lower portion 12
  • FIG. 4 shows the transmitter 8 in the upper portion 14.
  • the pressure waves preferably are directed in the general direction of this fluid flow to increase the efficiency and effect of the pressure oscillations. Accordingly, the transmitter 8 is positioned relative to a fracture 18 as shown in FIG. 5.
  • a transmitter can be positioned in the producing well and operated to at least intermittently transmit oscillatory pressure waves through the formation to move material from their situs.
  • the transmitted pressure waves can also be composite waves where the major wave is of a general sinusoidal configuration being sinusoidal variations of lesser magnitude along at least a portion of the length of the major wave.
  • One example would be to have sinusoidal variations of lesser magnitude during the period when said major wave is moving in a positive direction.
  • EXAMPLE Tables I and II are for a 500 md formation having a porosity of 26 percent with the flooding being water of specific weight 62.4 lb/ft and viscosity of 0.71 cp.
  • the values of pressure and pressure gradient shown in The Table are due to oscillatory pressure only, and the velocity of propagation of the pressure pulses is assumed to be 250 ft/sec.
  • the pore size distribution for this formation as determined by the mercury porosimeter method on a core sample shows the minimum pore size to be 0.01 microns, the maximum pore size of 100 microns and the median pore size of microns.
  • oscillatory pressure waves from the injection well outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid, said oscillatory pres sure waves having a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to about 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.001 to about 25 cycles per second for forming a wave zone in the formation about the injection well;
  • oscillatory pressure waves from the injection well outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid, said oscillatory pressure waves having a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to about 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.00] to about 25 cycles per second for forming a wave zone in the formation about the injection well, said pressure waves being transmitted into the hydrocarbon-containing formation at a location having a substantially common elevation relative to the opening of a fracture extending through said formation;
  • the surfactant material is one of an alkali metal salt of petroleum sulfonate, a condensate of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base, a nonylphenoxpoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, or a Na dioctyl sulfosuccinate, or mixtures 5 thereof.

Abstract

A hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by at least one in-jection well and at least one producing well is produced by passing flooding fluid at a preselected rate into the formation via the injection well while transmitting oscillatory pressure waves from the injection well outwardly through the formation for forming a wave zone in the formation and moving the wave zone outwardly through the formation by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions.

Description

OOOOO 11:1 States Patent [191 [111 3,754,598 Holloway, Jr. Aug. 28, 1973 [54] METHOD FOR PRODUCING A 2,670,801 3/1354 SherbornIe 166/249 HYDROCARBON CONTAINING 2,700,422 1 l 55 Bodme, r... 166/249 FORMATION 2,871,944 2/ 1959 Pleuger 166/249 3,322,196 5/1967 Bodine, Jr... 166/249 [75] lnventor: Carl C. Holloway, Jr., Bartlesville, 3,520,362 7/1970 Galle 166/2491 0k|a 3,578,081 5/1971 Bodlne 166/249 [73] Assign: gg g 33 Company Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Novosad as Attorney-J. Arthur Young et a1. [22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 196,673 ABSTRACT A hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by at 52 us. or 166 249 166 271, 166 275 in'jecfim! and Pmducinfl [511 1111. c1. 13211) 42/22 is Pmduc Passing fluid a 58 Field 61 Search 166/249 268 280 me via the 11mm whik 8 transmitting oscillatory pressure waves from the injection well outwardly through the formation for forming [56] References Cited a wave zone in the formation and moving the wave zone outwardly through the formation by altering at 3 323 592 Z Z PATENTS 166/249 least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillaran on t n- 2,792,894 5/1957 Graham et a] 166/274 X ory pressure wave ansmmslons 3,302,713 2/1967 Aheam et 166/275 X 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures FLOOD FLO) FLOOD ADDITIVE Patented Aug. 28, 1973 2 Sheets-Sheet l O O O O O O O O O O 05 4" OOO E INVENTOR. (LC. HOLLOWAY 2 Q ATTORNEYS METHOD FOR PRODUCING A HYDROCARBON-CONTAINING FORMATION It is desirable to provide methods for more efficiently recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. A multiplicity of methods have been discovered for improving the recovery efficiency yet large volumes of hydrocarbons remain in the formation after secondary and tertiary recovery methods have been practiced. It is believed that the major factor causing the retention of the hydrocarbons in the formation is the heretofore inability to direct sufficient pressure forces on the hydrocarbon droplets residing in the pore spaces of the formation matrix.
In summary, this invention resides in passing flooding fluid through the hydrocarbon-containing formation, transmitting oscillatory pressure waves outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid forming a wave zone and moving the wave zone through the formation in a direction toward a producing well by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions.
Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a study of the disclosure, the appended claims, and the drawings.
The drawings are diagrammatic views of the formation and equipment utilized in the practice of this invention.
FIG. 1 shows the hydrocarbon-containing formation, injection well, and associated wave transmitter and the production well,
FIG. 2-5 shows the formation with the wave transmitter positioned at different locations and FIG. 6 shows the formation and an injection well and a producing well each with associated wave transmitters.
Referring to FIG. 1, an injection well 2 and a production well 4 extend from the surface through a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation 6. Here the wells 2, 4 are completed having their casing set through the formation as known in the art. It should be understood that this type of completion is for illustration purposes only and the invention can be practiced in any well irrespective of the way in which said well was completed.
As also known in the art, the injection well 2 is equipped for passing flooding fluid from the surface downwardly through the well and into the hydrocarbon-containing formation 6. Means are also preferably provided for adding flooding fluid additives or fluids to the flooding fluid.
Further, as known in the art, the production well 4 is equipped for producing and recovering fluids entering the production well 4.
An oscillatory pressure wave transmitter 8, such as shown in U. S. Pat. No. 3,520,362 or other apparatus for providing pressure waves of substantially sinusoidal configuration, is positioned adjacent the formation 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the transmitter 8 is associated with the injection well 2. As further shown in FIG. 6, a transmitter 8 can also be associated with a production well 4 as hereafter more fully described.
Referring to FIGS. l-5, the transmitter 8 can be positioned at various positions relative to the hydrocarboncontaining formation 6 for altering the producing method of this invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the trans: mitter 8 positioned adjacent a middle portion 10 of the fonnation 6, FIG. 3 shows the transmitter 8 positioned adjacent a lower portion 12 of said formation 6, FIG. 4 shows the transmitter 8 positioned adjacent an upper portion 14 of the formation, and FIG. 5 shows the transmitter 8 positioned at a common elevation relative to the opening 16 of a fracture 18 extending through the formation 6.
It should be understood that the transmitter 8 can be positioned at other locations relative to the fracture l8 and that the fracture 18 can be positioned at other locations relative to the thickness of the formation 6. It should also be understood that where a transmitter 8 is desired with the production well 4, that said transmitter can be also positioned at different locations relative to the thickness of the formation 6.
In the method of this invention, a flooding fluid is passed downwardly through the injection well 2 and outwardly to the formation 6 for sweeping hydrocarbons from the formation into the production well 4 for recovery therefrom, as known in the art. The injection rate of the flooding fluid is dependent upon the formation thickness, porosity, penneability, etc. and is a value that is routinely calculated or selected by one skilled in the art.
During injection of the flooding fluid, oscillatory pressure waves are transmitted from the injection well 2 outwardly through the formation 6. These oscillatory pressure waves are of a general sinusoidal configuration and have a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.001 to about 25 cycles per second for forming a pressure wave zone 20 in the formation 6 about the injection well 2.
The pressure waves passing through the formation 6 causes a fluid positioned within the pore spaces of the matrix to be forced therefrom for subsequent removal through the formation 6 and into the production well 4 for recovery.
The recovery of hydrocarbons from pore spaces of the formation depend on the ratio of the imposed pressure gradient to the tension forces acting on the hydrocarbons. This tension force can be the interfacial tension between oil and water where the formation is termed water-wet, tension between the oil and the matrix where the formation is termed oil-wet for example and as known in the art.
The higher the ratio, the greater the oil recovery. However, overburden pressure, fracturing pressure characteristics of the fonnation, and other factors known in the art limit the upper pressure that can be applied while substantially uniformly continuously exerting a pressure. The ratio however can be increased by establishing a high pressure gradient momentarily by repeated pressure oscillations while maintaining a preselected net flow through the formation 6.
Further, slugs of surfactant material, such as Bryton 430, alkali metal (Na,K,Li) salts of petroleum sulfonates, manufactured by Bryton Chemical Co. Park Eighty Plaza East, Saddle Brook, N.J.; Pluronic L64, condensate of ethylene oxide with hydrophobic bases, manufactured by BASF Wyandotte, Corp., Industrial Chemicals Group, Wyandotte, Mich.; Igepal CO530, nonylphenoxpoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, manufactured by General Aniline & Film Corp., West 51st, New York, N. Y.; Aerosol OT, Na dioctyl sulfosuccinate, manufactured by American Cyanamide, Berdan Ave., Wayne, N.J.; and the like can be added to the flooding fluid and passed into the formation 6. This surfactant 22 further facilitates increasing the ratio by lowering the tension forces acting on the in-place hydrocarbons.
As the sinusoidal pressure wave travels through a porous medium at a velocity V,,, the pressure gradient at the front of the wave is related to the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillations. The higher the frequency or the greater the amplitude, the greater the pressure gradient. Also, the' pressure amplitude at any radial point from the injection well decreases as the frequency increases. The pressure gradient at any radial point increases as the frequency increases becausethe effect of shortening the wave length is greater than the dampening of the pressure. These facts are numerically shown by Tables I and II as follows:
TABLE 1" [Pressure (D.s.i.) vs. radius (velocity of propagation=250 it./sec.)]
Frequency (c.p.s.)
Radius (It) Static 0010 016 16 1. 6 16 160 60. 6 55. (i 40. 2 26. (i 22. 6 22. 3 22. 3 51. 5 46.0 29. 9 18. 8 15. .l 15. 8 15. 3 46. 1 40. 6 24. 8 15. 3 13. 12. 9 12. 9 42.4 36.9 21.7 13.3 11.2 11.1 11.1 37. 0 31. 9 17. 8 10. 3 9. 2 .1. 1 9. 1 33. 2 28. 6 15. 4 9. 3 7. 9 7. 8 7. 8 30.3 26.1 13.8 8.3 7.1 7. 0 7. 0 25.0 21.7 11.1 6.7 5.7 5.6 5. 6 2.2 18.9 9.5 5.7 4.9 4.8 4.8 18. 2 17. 0 8. 4 5. 1 4. 3 4. 3 I. 3 15. 8 15. 5 7. t) 4. f1 3. 9 3. 9 9 13. 8 14. 2 7. 0 4. 2 3. ti 3. 5 3. 5 12. l 13. 3 6. 5 3. 9 3. 3 3. 3 3. 3 10. 5 12.4 6.1 3.7 3. 1 3.1 3.1
TABLE 11 [Pressure gradient (psi/ft.) psi ragllius (Velocity of propagati0n=250 t. sec.
Frequency (c.p.s.)
Radius (ft.) Static .0016 .016 16 1. 6 16 160 500 026 056 O. 26 1. 0 13 132 1, 317 Required for snap-off 189 1. 89 18. 9 189 1,890 18, 900
It has been discovered that a droplet of oil of a diam eter 7 times the pore neck radius must form before that droplet can be snapped-off or separated from association with its pore situs. This snap-off occurs during the positive pressure gradient portion of the cycle and conversely the oil droplet moves back into the pore situs during the negative gradient portion of the cycle. After snap-off of a droplet, that droplet is moved through the formation by the flow of flooding fluid through the formation.
As more fully shown in the example, one skilled in the art can calculate the minimum pressure gradient required for snap-off for certain formation characteristics. These calculations will also disclose the radial extent to which this pressure gradient extends from the transmitter 8.
Therefore, after the hydrocarbons have been snapped-off from their situs to the radial extent of the minimum pressure gradient and these snap-off droplets have been moved toward the production well 4 by the flooding fluid, the wave zone is moved through the formation in a direction from the injection well toward the producing well to snap-off and remove hydrocarbon droplets at other portions of the formation 6, thereby sweeping the formation pores of in-placc hydrocar bons. This wave front is caused to move outwardly from the injection well to greater areal extents by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions. The frequency can be decreased, the amplitude increased, or a combination of the two will cause said outward movement of the wave zone 20.
By so passing the wave zone 20 through the formation in conjunction with the flooding fluid passing therethrough, the formation 4 can be more efficiently cleaned of in-place hydrocarbons.
A surfactant slug or multiplicity of slugs can be injected as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for increasing the hydrocarbon recovery as set forth above. As known, as a volume of the surfactant passes through the formation, said volume decreases.
The porosity, permeability and pore space distribution can change from one formation to another and problems associated with effectively moving hydrocarbons therethrough can be eliminated by differing the placement of the transmitter 8 relative to the formation thickness and existing fractures 18 through the formation 6. Where a fractured formation is to be subjected to the method of this invention, it is preferred that said fracture be fractured utilizing an in situ form popcorn polymer plugging agent as set forth in U. S. Pat. No. 3,608,639. Use ofa popcorn polymer plugging element eliminates any problem of shifting of the propping agent by the effect of the imposed pressure gradients. FIG. 2 shows the transmitter 8 placed in the middle portion 10 of the formation, FIG. 3 shows the transmitter 8 in the lower portion 12 and FIG. 4 shows the transmitter 8 in the upper portion 14. Core and log analysis will give an indication of the general direction in which the flooding fluid will move through the formation. The pressure waves preferably are directed in the general direction of this fluid flow to increase the efficiency and effect of the pressure oscillations. Accordingly, the transmitter 8 is positioned relative to a fracture 18 as shown in FIG. 5.
Where the formation 6 adjacent the production well 4 becomes partially plugged by foam, mud, emulsion, or other items known in the art, a transmitter can be positioned in the producing well and operated to at least intermittently transmit oscillatory pressure waves through the formation to move material from their situs.
The transmitted pressure waves can also be composite waves where the major wave is of a general sinusoidal configuration being sinusoidal variations of lesser magnitude along at least a portion of the length of the major wave. One example would be to have sinusoidal variations of lesser magnitude during the period when said major wave is moving in a positive direction.
The following is an example of the calculations and description for producing a formation by the method of this invention.
EXAMPLE Tables I and II are for a 500 md formation having a porosity of 26 percent with the flooding being water of specific weight 62.4 lb/ft and viscosity of 0.71 cp. The values of pressure and pressure gradient shown in The Table are due to oscillatory pressure only, and the velocity of propagation of the pressure pulses is assumed to be 250 ft/sec.
The pore size distribution for this formation as determined by the mercury porosimeter method on a core sample shows the minimum pore size to be 0.01 microns, the maximum pore size of 100 microns and the median pore size of microns.
Calculation of the minimum pressure gradient required for snap-off is as follows. Darcys law for the fluid flow rate is q r p/ where q flow rate (cm /sec) cross section area (both rock and pores) (cm k permeability (darcy) u viscosity (cp) dp/dx pressure gradient (atm/cm) The flow rate through the cross-sectional area of pores only is v b P/ where A,, cross-sectional area of pores only (cm') (I) porosity The rate of oil flow through a pore of radius r is At a frequency of N cycles per second the time in which flow can occur is 1/(2N) seconds so the volumetric flow is Q( (Wrk/ 4 i Imposing the condition for snap-off.
(1rr k/2Nu) (dp/dx) z (1r/ U Solving for the required pressure gradient dp/dx) 2 (R uN/k) [(7)'"'13](atm/cm) For r=l0 microns, the pressure gradient required for snap-off is dp/dx z 18.9N (psi/ft.)
The minimum required pressure gradient for snap-off is shown on Table II.
Other modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing discussion, example, and accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that this invention is not to be unduly limited thereto.
What is claimed is:
l. A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well spaced from said injection well, said injection well passing flooding fluid from the surface into the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation at a preselected rate and with fluid entering the production well being passed to the surface, compris' ing:
transmitting oscillatory pressure waves from the injection well outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid, said oscillatory pres sure waves having a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to about 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.001 to about 25 cycles per second for forming a wave zone in the formation about the injection well;
transmitting oscillatory pressure waves at least intermittently from the producing well outwardly through the formation; and
moving the wave zone through the formation in a direction from the injection well toward the production well by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions.
2. A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well spaced from said injection well, said injection well passing flooding fluid from the surface into the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation at a preselected rate and with fluid entering the production well being passed to the surface, comprising:
transmitting oscillatory pressure waves from the injection well outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid, said oscillatory pressure waves having a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to about 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.00] to about 25 cycles per second for forming a wave zone in the formation about the injection well, said pressure waves being transmitted into the hydrocarbon-containing formation at a location having a substantially common elevation relative to the opening of a fracture extending through said formation; and
moving the wave zone through the formation in a direction from the injection well toward the production well by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions.
3. A method, as set forth in claim 2, including adding surfactant material to the flooding fluid.
4. A method, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the surfactant material is one of an alkali metal salt of petroleum sulfonate, a condensate of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base, a nonylphenoxpoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, or a Na dioctyl sulfosuccinate, or mixtures 5 thereof.
5. A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the fracture has a popcorn polymer propping agent.
6. A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from ervoir pressure and a frequency in the range of a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation penabout 0,001 to about 25 cycles er second for etrated by at least one injection well and at least one f in a wave Zone i the f ti about h production well spaced from said injection well, said jection injection Passing flooding fluid from the surface imparting minor oscillations on the oscillating presinto the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing forma- Sure wave over at least the portion of the wave that tion at a preselected rate and with fluid entering the production well being passed to the surface, comprising:
is increasing in pressure; and moving the wave zone through the formation in a ditransmitting oscillatory pressure waves from the in- 10 rficuon from the n1ecuon toward the produc' jection well outwardly through the formation while well by anenng at least one of the frequency inj tin th fl di fl id id iu m presor amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transsure waves having a preselected amplitude in the missionsrange of about 10 to about 5,000 psi above the res-

Claims (6)

1. A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well spaced from said injection well, said injection well passing flooding fluid from the surface into the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation at a preselected rate and with fluid entering the production well being passed to the surface, comprising: transmitting oscillatory pressure wAves from the injection well outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid, said oscillatory pressure waves having a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to about 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.001 to about 25 cycles per second for forming a wave zone in the formation about the injection well; transmitting oscillatory pressure waves at least intermittently from the producing well outwardly through the formation; and moving the wave zone through the formation in a direction from the injection well toward the production well by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions.
2. A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well spaced from said injection well, said injection well passing flooding fluid from the surface into the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation at a preselected rate and with fluid entering the production well being passed to the surface, comprising: transmitting oscillatory pressure waves from the injection well outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid, said oscillatory pressure waves having a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to about 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.001 to about 25 cycles per second for forming a wave zone in the formation about the injection well, said pressure waves being transmitted into the hydrocarbon-containing formation at a location having a substantially common elevation relative to the opening of a fracture extending through said formation; and moving the wave zone through the formation in a direction from the injection well toward the production well by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions.
3. A method, as set forth in claim 2, including adding surfactant material to the flooding fluid.
4. A method, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the surfactant material is one of an alkali metal salt of petroleum sulfonate, a condensate of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base, a nonylphenoxpoly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, or a Na dioctyl sulfosuccinate, or mixtures thereof.
5. A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the fracture has a popcorn polymer propping agent.
6. A method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well spaced from said injection well, said injection well passing flooding fluid from the surface into the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation at a preselected rate and with fluid entering the production well being passed to the surface, comprising: transmitting oscillatory pressure waves from the injection well outwardly through the formation while injecting the flooding fluid, said oscillatory pressure waves having a preselected amplitude in the range of about 10 to about 5,000 psi above the reservoir pressure and a frequency in the range of about 0.001 to about 25 cycles per second for forming a wave zone in the formation about the injection well; imparting minor oscillations on the oscillating pressure wave over at least the portion of the wave that is increasing in pressure; and moving the wave zone through the formation in a direction from the injection well toward the production well by altering at least one of the frequency or amplitude of the oscillatory pressure wave transmissions.
US00196673A 1971-11-08 1971-11-08 Method for producing a hydrocarbon-containing formation Expired - Lifetime US3754598A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US19667371A 1971-11-08 1971-11-08

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3754598A true US3754598A (en) 1973-08-28

Family

ID=22726365

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00196673A Expired - Lifetime US3754598A (en) 1971-11-08 1971-11-08 Method for producing a hydrocarbon-containing formation

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US3754598A (en)

Cited By (94)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3848672A (en) * 1973-05-21 1974-11-19 A Bodine Sonic retorting technique for in situ minining of carbonaceous material
US4049053A (en) * 1976-06-10 1977-09-20 Fisher Sidney T Recovery of hydrocarbons from partially exhausted oil wells by mechanical wave heating
US4417621A (en) * 1981-10-28 1983-11-29 Medlin William L Method for recovery of oil by means of a gas drive combined with low amplitude seismic excitation
US4469175A (en) * 1979-08-20 1984-09-04 The Stoneleigh Trust Mechanoacoustic transducer for use in transmitting high acoustic power densities into geological formations such as oil-saturated sandstone or shale
US4679627A (en) * 1985-08-12 1987-07-14 Harrison William M Method of oil recovery
US4702315A (en) * 1986-08-26 1987-10-27 Bodine Albert G Method and apparatus for sonically stimulating oil wells to increase the production thereof
US4884634A (en) * 1985-12-03 1989-12-05 Industrikontakt Ing. O. Ellingsen & Co. Process for increasing the degree of oil extraction
US5105880A (en) * 1990-10-19 1992-04-21 Chevron Research And Technology Company Formation heating with oscillatory hot water circulation
US5139087A (en) * 1991-05-31 1992-08-18 Union Oil Company Of California Method for ensuring injectivity of polymer solutions
US5184678A (en) * 1990-02-14 1993-02-09 Halliburton Logging Services, Inc. Acoustic flow stimulation method and apparatus
US5346330A (en) * 1992-05-23 1994-09-13 Ieg Industrie-Engineering Gmbh Method of yielding oil residues or oil containing liquids from contaminated ground layers
US5836389A (en) * 1996-12-09 1998-11-17 Wave Energy Resources Apparatus and method for increasing production rates of immovable and unswept oil through the use of weak elastic waves
US6059031A (en) * 1998-03-09 2000-05-09 Oil & Gas Consultants International, Inc. Utilization of energy from flowing fluids
US6227293B1 (en) 2000-02-09 2001-05-08 Conoco Inc. Process and apparatus for coupled electromagnetic and acoustic stimulation of crude oil reservoirs using pulsed power electrohydraulic and electromagnetic discharge
US6241019B1 (en) * 1997-03-24 2001-06-05 Pe-Tech Inc. Enhancement of flow rates through porous media
US6247533B1 (en) 1998-03-09 2001-06-19 Seismic Recovery, Llc Utilization of energy from flowing fluids
US6279653B1 (en) * 1998-12-01 2001-08-28 Phillips Petroleum Company Heavy oil viscosity reduction and production
US6405796B1 (en) * 2000-10-30 2002-06-18 Xerox Corporation Method for improving oil recovery using an ultrasound technique
US6427774B2 (en) 2000-02-09 2002-08-06 Conoco Inc. Process and apparatus for coupled electromagnetic and acoustic stimulation of crude oil reservoirs using pulsed power electrohydraulic and electromagnetic discharge
US6467542B1 (en) * 2001-06-06 2002-10-22 Sergey A. Kostrov Method for resonant vibration stimulation of fluid-bearing formations
WO2003015911A1 (en) * 2001-07-23 2003-02-27 Corvera-Poire Eugenia Dynamic reduction of the moisture layer during the displacement of a viscoelastic fluid using a fluid with lower viscosity
US6550534B2 (en) 1998-03-09 2003-04-22 Seismic Recovery, Llc Utilization of energy from flowing fluids
US6814141B2 (en) 2001-06-01 2004-11-09 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Method for improving oil recovery by delivering vibrational energy in a well fracture
US20040256097A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 Byrd Audis C. Surface pulse system for injection wells
US20050194137A1 (en) * 2004-03-05 2005-09-08 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of using partitioned, coated particulates
US6978836B2 (en) 2003-05-23 2005-12-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for controlling water and particulate production
US7013976B2 (en) 2003-06-25 2006-03-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Compositions and methods for consolidating unconsolidated subterranean formations
US7017665B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2006-03-28 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Strengthening near well bore subterranean formations
US7021379B2 (en) 2003-07-07 2006-04-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for enhancing consolidation strength of proppant in subterranean fractures
US7032667B2 (en) 2003-09-10 2006-04-25 Halliburtonn Energy Services, Inc. Methods for enhancing the consolidation strength of resin coated particulates
US7059406B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2006-06-13 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Production-enhancing completion methods
US7063150B2 (en) 2003-11-25 2006-06-20 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for preparing slurries of coated particulates
US7066258B2 (en) 2003-07-08 2006-06-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Reduced-density proppants and methods of using reduced-density proppants to enhance their transport in well bores and fractures
US7073581B2 (en) 2004-06-15 2006-07-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Electroconductive proppant compositions and related methods
US7114560B2 (en) 2003-06-23 2006-10-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for enhancing treatment fluid placement in a subterranean formation
US7114570B2 (en) 2003-04-07 2006-10-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for stabilizing unconsolidated subterranean formations
US7131493B2 (en) 2004-01-16 2006-11-07 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of using sealants in multilateral junctions
US7156194B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2007-01-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of drilling and consolidating subterranean formation particulate
US7211547B2 (en) 2004-03-03 2007-05-01 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Resin compositions and methods of using such resin compositions in subterranean applications
US7216711B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2007-05-15 Halliburton Eenrgy Services, Inc. Methods of coating resin and blending resin-coated proppant
US7237609B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2007-07-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for producing fluids from acidized and consolidated portions of subterranean formations
US7255169B2 (en) 2004-09-09 2007-08-14 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of creating high porosity propped fractures
US7264052B2 (en) 2003-03-06 2007-09-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for consolidating proppant in fractures
US7267171B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2007-09-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for stabilizing the surface of a subterranean formation
US7273099B2 (en) 2004-12-03 2007-09-25 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of stimulating a subterranean formation comprising multiple production intervals
US7281580B2 (en) 2004-09-09 2007-10-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. High porosity fractures and methods of creating high porosity fractures
US7281581B2 (en) 2004-12-01 2007-10-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of hydraulic fracturing and of propping fractures in subterranean formations
US20070251686A1 (en) * 2006-04-27 2007-11-01 Ayca Sivrikoz Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7299875B2 (en) 2004-06-08 2007-11-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for controlling particulate migration
US20080006406A1 (en) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of enhancing uniform placement of a resin in a subterranean formation
US7318474B2 (en) 2005-07-11 2008-01-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for controlling formation fines and reducing proppant flow-back
US7318473B2 (en) 2005-03-07 2008-01-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods relating to maintaining the structural integrity of deviated well bores
US20080023198A1 (en) * 2006-05-22 2008-01-31 Chia-Fu Hsu Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7334636B2 (en) 2005-02-08 2008-02-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of creating high-porosity propped fractures using reticulated foam
US7334635B2 (en) 2005-01-14 2008-02-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for fracturing subterranean wells
US7343973B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2008-03-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of stabilizing surfaces of subterranean formations
US7345011B2 (en) 2003-10-14 2008-03-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for mitigating the production of water from subterranean formations
US20080087425A1 (en) * 2006-08-10 2008-04-17 Chia-Fu Hsu Methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7398825B2 (en) 2004-12-03 2008-07-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of controlling sand and water production in subterranean zones
US7407010B2 (en) 2006-03-16 2008-08-05 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of coating particulates
US7413010B2 (en) 2003-06-23 2008-08-19 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Remediation of subterranean formations using vibrational waves and consolidating agents
US20080264640A1 (en) * 2007-04-30 2008-10-30 David Milton Eslinger Well treatment using electric submersible pumping system
US7448451B2 (en) 2005-03-29 2008-11-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for controlling migration of particulates in a subterranean formation
US20090003131A1 (en) * 2007-06-28 2009-01-01 Robert Jay Meyer Enhanced oil recovery using multiple sonic sources
US20090056941A1 (en) * 2006-05-22 2009-03-05 Raul Valdez Methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7541318B2 (en) 2004-05-26 2009-06-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. On-the-fly preparation of proppant and its use in subterranean operations
US20090155159A1 (en) * 2006-05-16 2009-06-18 Carolus Matthias Anna Maria Mesters Process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide
US20090188669A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2009-07-30 Steffen Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20090226358A1 (en) * 2006-05-16 2009-09-10 Shell Oil Company Process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide
US7665517B2 (en) 2006-02-15 2010-02-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of cleaning sand control screens and gravel packs
US7673686B2 (en) 2005-03-29 2010-03-09 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method of stabilizing unconsolidated formation for sand control
US20100140139A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2010-06-10 Zaida Diaz Systems and methods for absorbing gases into a liquid
US7757768B2 (en) 2004-10-08 2010-07-20 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and composition for enhancing coverage and displacement of treatment fluids into subterranean formations
US7762329B1 (en) 2009-01-27 2010-07-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for servicing well bores with hardenable resin compositions
US7819192B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2010-10-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Consolidating agent emulsions and associated methods
US20100307759A1 (en) * 2007-11-19 2010-12-09 Steffen Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20110011576A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2011-01-20 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Acoustic generator and associated methods and well systems
US7883740B2 (en) 2004-12-12 2011-02-08 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Low-quality particulates and methods of making and using improved low-quality particulates
US7926591B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-04-19 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Aqueous-based emulsified consolidating agents suitable for use in drill-in applications
US20110094750A1 (en) * 2008-04-16 2011-04-28 Claudia Van Den Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7934557B2 (en) 2007-02-15 2011-05-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of completing wells for controlling water and particulate production
US20110108269A1 (en) * 2007-11-19 2011-05-12 Claudia Van Den Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20110132602A1 (en) * 2008-04-14 2011-06-09 Claudia Van Den Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7963330B2 (en) 2004-02-10 2011-06-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Resin compositions and methods of using resin compositions to control proppant flow-back
US8097230B2 (en) 2006-07-07 2012-01-17 Shell Oil Company Process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide and use of a liquid stream comprising carbon disulphide for enhanced oil recovery
RU2448236C1 (en) * 2010-11-16 2012-04-20 Закрытое акционерное общество "Газтехнология" Hydrodynamic pulsator
US8354279B2 (en) 2002-04-18 2013-01-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of tracking fluids produced from various zones in a subterranean well
US8534353B2 (en) * 2007-10-05 2013-09-17 Canasonics Inc. Hydraulic actuated pump system
US8613320B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2013-12-24 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Compositions and applications of resins in treating subterranean formations
EA019549B1 (en) * 2011-06-29 2014-04-30 Открытое Акционерное Общество "Белгорхимпром" (Оао "Белгорхимпром") Way of oil field development
GB2512375A (en) * 2013-03-28 2014-10-01 Sonoco Oil Services Ltd Extraction of hydrocarbons from carbonaceous materials
US9010420B2 (en) 2010-08-27 2015-04-21 Rick Alan McGee Sonic oil recovery apparatus for use in a well
US9057257B2 (en) 2007-11-19 2015-06-16 Shell Oil Company Producing oil and/or gas with emulsion comprising miscible solvent
US9488037B2 (en) 2010-08-27 2016-11-08 Rick Alan McGee Sonic oil recovery apparatus for use in a well

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2670801A (en) * 1948-08-13 1954-03-02 Union Oil Co Recovery of hydrocarbons
US2700422A (en) * 1948-02-17 1955-01-25 Jr Albert G Bodine Sonic system for augmenting the extraction of petroleum from petroleum bearing strata
US2792894A (en) * 1953-09-03 1957-05-21 Exxon Research Engineering Co Method of increasing oil production
US2871944A (en) * 1955-04-14 1959-02-03 Pleuger Friedrich Wilhelm Process for the exploitation of petroleum deposits
US3302713A (en) * 1965-07-06 1967-02-07 Exxon Production Research Co Surfactant-waterflooding process
US3322196A (en) * 1963-11-05 1967-05-30 Jr Albert G Bodine Electro-acoustic transducer and process for using same for secondary recovery of petroleum from wells
US3323592A (en) * 1962-07-23 1967-06-06 Orpha B Brandon Method of treating and/or producing fluids from reservoirs of variable permeability
US3520362A (en) * 1967-08-04 1970-07-14 Hughes Tool Co Well stimulation method
US3578081A (en) * 1969-05-16 1971-05-11 Albert G Bodine Sonic method and apparatus for augmenting the flow of oil from oil bearing strata

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2700422A (en) * 1948-02-17 1955-01-25 Jr Albert G Bodine Sonic system for augmenting the extraction of petroleum from petroleum bearing strata
US2670801A (en) * 1948-08-13 1954-03-02 Union Oil Co Recovery of hydrocarbons
US2792894A (en) * 1953-09-03 1957-05-21 Exxon Research Engineering Co Method of increasing oil production
US2871944A (en) * 1955-04-14 1959-02-03 Pleuger Friedrich Wilhelm Process for the exploitation of petroleum deposits
US3323592A (en) * 1962-07-23 1967-06-06 Orpha B Brandon Method of treating and/or producing fluids from reservoirs of variable permeability
US3322196A (en) * 1963-11-05 1967-05-30 Jr Albert G Bodine Electro-acoustic transducer and process for using same for secondary recovery of petroleum from wells
US3302713A (en) * 1965-07-06 1967-02-07 Exxon Production Research Co Surfactant-waterflooding process
US3520362A (en) * 1967-08-04 1970-07-14 Hughes Tool Co Well stimulation method
US3578081A (en) * 1969-05-16 1971-05-11 Albert G Bodine Sonic method and apparatus for augmenting the flow of oil from oil bearing strata

Cited By (132)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3848672A (en) * 1973-05-21 1974-11-19 A Bodine Sonic retorting technique for in situ minining of carbonaceous material
US4049053A (en) * 1976-06-10 1977-09-20 Fisher Sidney T Recovery of hydrocarbons from partially exhausted oil wells by mechanical wave heating
US4469175A (en) * 1979-08-20 1984-09-04 The Stoneleigh Trust Mechanoacoustic transducer for use in transmitting high acoustic power densities into geological formations such as oil-saturated sandstone or shale
US4417621A (en) * 1981-10-28 1983-11-29 Medlin William L Method for recovery of oil by means of a gas drive combined with low amplitude seismic excitation
US4679627A (en) * 1985-08-12 1987-07-14 Harrison William M Method of oil recovery
US4884634A (en) * 1985-12-03 1989-12-05 Industrikontakt Ing. O. Ellingsen & Co. Process for increasing the degree of oil extraction
US4702315A (en) * 1986-08-26 1987-10-27 Bodine Albert G Method and apparatus for sonically stimulating oil wells to increase the production thereof
US5184678A (en) * 1990-02-14 1993-02-09 Halliburton Logging Services, Inc. Acoustic flow stimulation method and apparatus
US5105880A (en) * 1990-10-19 1992-04-21 Chevron Research And Technology Company Formation heating with oscillatory hot water circulation
US5139087A (en) * 1991-05-31 1992-08-18 Union Oil Company Of California Method for ensuring injectivity of polymer solutions
US5346330A (en) * 1992-05-23 1994-09-13 Ieg Industrie-Engineering Gmbh Method of yielding oil residues or oil containing liquids from contaminated ground layers
US5836389A (en) * 1996-12-09 1998-11-17 Wave Energy Resources Apparatus and method for increasing production rates of immovable and unswept oil through the use of weak elastic waves
US6241019B1 (en) * 1997-03-24 2001-06-05 Pe-Tech Inc. Enhancement of flow rates through porous media
US6405797B2 (en) * 1997-03-24 2002-06-18 Pe-Tech Inc. Enhancement of flow rates through porous media
US6550534B2 (en) 1998-03-09 2003-04-22 Seismic Recovery, Llc Utilization of energy from flowing fluids
US6059031A (en) * 1998-03-09 2000-05-09 Oil & Gas Consultants International, Inc. Utilization of energy from flowing fluids
US6247533B1 (en) 1998-03-09 2001-06-19 Seismic Recovery, Llc Utilization of energy from flowing fluids
US6279653B1 (en) * 1998-12-01 2001-08-28 Phillips Petroleum Company Heavy oil viscosity reduction and production
US6227293B1 (en) 2000-02-09 2001-05-08 Conoco Inc. Process and apparatus for coupled electromagnetic and acoustic stimulation of crude oil reservoirs using pulsed power electrohydraulic and electromagnetic discharge
US6427774B2 (en) 2000-02-09 2002-08-06 Conoco Inc. Process and apparatus for coupled electromagnetic and acoustic stimulation of crude oil reservoirs using pulsed power electrohydraulic and electromagnetic discharge
US6405796B1 (en) * 2000-10-30 2002-06-18 Xerox Corporation Method for improving oil recovery using an ultrasound technique
US6814141B2 (en) 2001-06-01 2004-11-09 Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company Method for improving oil recovery by delivering vibrational energy in a well fracture
US6467542B1 (en) * 2001-06-06 2002-10-22 Sergey A. Kostrov Method for resonant vibration stimulation of fluid-bearing formations
WO2003015911A1 (en) * 2001-07-23 2003-02-27 Corvera-Poire Eugenia Dynamic reduction of the moisture layer during the displacement of a viscoelastic fluid using a fluid with lower viscosity
US7201224B2 (en) * 2001-07-23 2007-04-10 Eugenia Corvera-Poire Dynamic reduction of the moisture layer during the displacement of a viscoelastic fluid using a fluid with lower viscosity
US20050028971A1 (en) * 2001-07-23 2005-02-10 Eugenia Corvera-Poire Dynamic reduction of the moisture layer during the displacement of a viscoelastic fluid using a fluid with lower viscosity
US7343973B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2008-03-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of stabilizing surfaces of subterranean formations
US7267171B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2007-09-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for stabilizing the surface of a subterranean formation
US7216711B2 (en) 2002-01-08 2007-05-15 Halliburton Eenrgy Services, Inc. Methods of coating resin and blending resin-coated proppant
US8354279B2 (en) 2002-04-18 2013-01-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of tracking fluids produced from various zones in a subterranean well
US7264052B2 (en) 2003-03-06 2007-09-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for consolidating proppant in fractures
US7306037B2 (en) 2003-04-07 2007-12-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Compositions and methods for particulate consolidation
US7114570B2 (en) 2003-04-07 2006-10-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for stabilizing unconsolidated subterranean formations
US7028774B2 (en) 2003-05-23 2006-04-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for controlling water and particulate production
US6978836B2 (en) 2003-05-23 2005-12-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for controlling water and particulate production
US7025134B2 (en) * 2003-06-23 2006-04-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Surface pulse system for injection wells
WO2004113672A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-29 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Surface pulse system for injection wells
US20040256097A1 (en) * 2003-06-23 2004-12-23 Byrd Audis C. Surface pulse system for injection wells
US7413010B2 (en) 2003-06-23 2008-08-19 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Remediation of subterranean formations using vibrational waves and consolidating agents
US7114560B2 (en) 2003-06-23 2006-10-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for enhancing treatment fluid placement in a subterranean formation
US7013976B2 (en) 2003-06-25 2006-03-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Compositions and methods for consolidating unconsolidated subterranean formations
US7021379B2 (en) 2003-07-07 2006-04-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for enhancing consolidation strength of proppant in subterranean fractures
US7066258B2 (en) 2003-07-08 2006-06-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Reduced-density proppants and methods of using reduced-density proppants to enhance their transport in well bores and fractures
US7017665B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2006-03-28 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Strengthening near well bore subterranean formations
US7059406B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2006-06-13 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Production-enhancing completion methods
US7156194B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2007-01-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of drilling and consolidating subterranean formation particulate
US20070017706A1 (en) * 2003-08-26 2007-01-25 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of drilling and consolidating subterranean formation particulates
US7237609B2 (en) 2003-08-26 2007-07-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for producing fluids from acidized and consolidated portions of subterranean formations
US7032667B2 (en) 2003-09-10 2006-04-25 Halliburtonn Energy Services, Inc. Methods for enhancing the consolidation strength of resin coated particulates
US7345011B2 (en) 2003-10-14 2008-03-18 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for mitigating the production of water from subterranean formations
US7063150B2 (en) 2003-11-25 2006-06-20 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for preparing slurries of coated particulates
US7252146B2 (en) 2003-11-25 2007-08-07 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for preparing slurries of coated particulates
US7131493B2 (en) 2004-01-16 2006-11-07 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of using sealants in multilateral junctions
US7963330B2 (en) 2004-02-10 2011-06-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Resin compositions and methods of using resin compositions to control proppant flow-back
US7211547B2 (en) 2004-03-03 2007-05-01 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Resin compositions and methods of using such resin compositions in subterranean applications
US8017561B2 (en) 2004-03-03 2011-09-13 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Resin compositions and methods of using such resin compositions in subterranean applications
US7261156B2 (en) 2004-03-05 2007-08-28 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods using particulates coated with treatment chemical partitioning agents
US7264051B2 (en) 2004-03-05 2007-09-04 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of using partitioned, coated particulates
US7063151B2 (en) 2004-03-05 2006-06-20 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of preparing and using coated particulates
US7350571B2 (en) 2004-03-05 2008-04-01 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of preparing and using coated particulates
US20050194137A1 (en) * 2004-03-05 2005-09-08 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of using partitioned, coated particulates
US7541318B2 (en) 2004-05-26 2009-06-02 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. On-the-fly preparation of proppant and its use in subterranean operations
US7299875B2 (en) 2004-06-08 2007-11-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for controlling particulate migration
US7712531B2 (en) 2004-06-08 2010-05-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for controlling particulate migration
US7073581B2 (en) 2004-06-15 2006-07-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Electroconductive proppant compositions and related methods
US7281580B2 (en) 2004-09-09 2007-10-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. High porosity fractures and methods of creating high porosity fractures
US7255169B2 (en) 2004-09-09 2007-08-14 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of creating high porosity propped fractures
US7571767B2 (en) 2004-09-09 2009-08-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. High porosity fractures and methods of creating high porosity fractures
US7757768B2 (en) 2004-10-08 2010-07-20 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and composition for enhancing coverage and displacement of treatment fluids into subterranean formations
US7938181B2 (en) 2004-10-08 2011-05-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method and composition for enhancing coverage and displacement of treatment fluids into subterranean formations
US7281581B2 (en) 2004-12-01 2007-10-16 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of hydraulic fracturing and of propping fractures in subterranean formations
US7273099B2 (en) 2004-12-03 2007-09-25 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of stimulating a subterranean formation comprising multiple production intervals
US7398825B2 (en) 2004-12-03 2008-07-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of controlling sand and water production in subterranean zones
US7883740B2 (en) 2004-12-12 2011-02-08 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Low-quality particulates and methods of making and using improved low-quality particulates
US7334635B2 (en) 2005-01-14 2008-02-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for fracturing subterranean wells
US7334636B2 (en) 2005-02-08 2008-02-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of creating high-porosity propped fractures using reticulated foam
US7318473B2 (en) 2005-03-07 2008-01-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods relating to maintaining the structural integrity of deviated well bores
US7448451B2 (en) 2005-03-29 2008-11-11 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for controlling migration of particulates in a subterranean formation
US7673686B2 (en) 2005-03-29 2010-03-09 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Method of stabilizing unconsolidated formation for sand control
US7318474B2 (en) 2005-07-11 2008-01-15 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for controlling formation fines and reducing proppant flow-back
US8689872B2 (en) 2005-07-11 2014-04-08 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods and compositions for controlling formation fines and reducing proppant flow-back
US8613320B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2013-12-24 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Compositions and applications of resins in treating subterranean formations
US7926591B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2011-04-19 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Aqueous-based emulsified consolidating agents suitable for use in drill-in applications
US7819192B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2010-10-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Consolidating agent emulsions and associated methods
US8443885B2 (en) 2006-02-10 2013-05-21 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Consolidating agent emulsions and associated methods
US7665517B2 (en) 2006-02-15 2010-02-23 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of cleaning sand control screens and gravel packs
US7407010B2 (en) 2006-03-16 2008-08-05 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of coating particulates
US20070251686A1 (en) * 2006-04-27 2007-11-01 Ayca Sivrikoz Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
WO2007127766A1 (en) * 2006-04-27 2007-11-08 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US8459368B2 (en) 2006-04-27 2013-06-11 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20090200018A1 (en) * 2006-04-27 2009-08-13 Ayca Sivrikoz Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20090155159A1 (en) * 2006-05-16 2009-06-18 Carolus Matthias Anna Maria Mesters Process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide
US8722006B2 (en) 2006-05-16 2014-05-13 Shell Oil Company Process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide
US20090226358A1 (en) * 2006-05-16 2009-09-10 Shell Oil Company Process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide
US20080023198A1 (en) * 2006-05-22 2008-01-31 Chia-Fu Hsu Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US8136590B2 (en) 2006-05-22 2012-03-20 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US8511384B2 (en) 2006-05-22 2013-08-20 Shell Oil Company Methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20090056941A1 (en) * 2006-05-22 2009-03-05 Raul Valdez Methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7500521B2 (en) 2006-07-06 2009-03-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of enhancing uniform placement of a resin in a subterranean formation
US20080006406A1 (en) * 2006-07-06 2008-01-10 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of enhancing uniform placement of a resin in a subterranean formation
US8097230B2 (en) 2006-07-07 2012-01-17 Shell Oil Company Process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide and use of a liquid stream comprising carbon disulphide for enhanced oil recovery
US20080087425A1 (en) * 2006-08-10 2008-04-17 Chia-Fu Hsu Methods for producing oil and/or gas
US8136592B2 (en) 2006-08-10 2012-03-20 Shell Oil Company Methods for producing oil and/or gas
US8596371B2 (en) 2006-08-10 2013-12-03 Shell Oil Company Methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7934557B2 (en) 2007-02-15 2011-05-03 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods of completing wells for controlling water and particulate production
US8394180B2 (en) 2007-02-16 2013-03-12 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for absorbing gases into a liquid
US20100140139A1 (en) * 2007-02-16 2010-06-10 Zaida Diaz Systems and methods for absorbing gases into a liquid
US20080264640A1 (en) * 2007-04-30 2008-10-30 David Milton Eslinger Well treatment using electric submersible pumping system
US8622124B2 (en) 2007-04-30 2014-01-07 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Well treatment using electric submersible pumping system
US8261834B2 (en) 2007-04-30 2012-09-11 Schlumberger Technology Corporation Well treatment using electric submersible pumping system
US20090003131A1 (en) * 2007-06-28 2009-01-01 Robert Jay Meyer Enhanced oil recovery using multiple sonic sources
US7628202B2 (en) * 2007-06-28 2009-12-08 Xerox Corporation Enhanced oil recovery using multiple sonic sources
US8534353B2 (en) * 2007-10-05 2013-09-17 Canasonics Inc. Hydraulic actuated pump system
US20090188669A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2009-07-30 Steffen Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7926561B2 (en) 2007-10-31 2011-04-19 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20100307759A1 (en) * 2007-11-19 2010-12-09 Steffen Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US9057257B2 (en) 2007-11-19 2015-06-16 Shell Oil Company Producing oil and/or gas with emulsion comprising miscible solvent
US20110108269A1 (en) * 2007-11-19 2011-05-12 Claudia Van Den Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US8869891B2 (en) 2007-11-19 2014-10-28 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20110132602A1 (en) * 2008-04-14 2011-06-09 Claudia Van Den Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US8656997B2 (en) 2008-04-14 2014-02-25 Shell Oil Company Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US20110094750A1 (en) * 2008-04-16 2011-04-28 Claudia Van Den Berg Systems and methods for producing oil and/or gas
US7762329B1 (en) 2009-01-27 2010-07-27 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Methods for servicing well bores with hardenable resin compositions
US20110011576A1 (en) * 2009-07-14 2011-01-20 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Acoustic generator and associated methods and well systems
US8813838B2 (en) 2009-07-14 2014-08-26 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Acoustic generator and associated methods and well systems
US9410388B2 (en) 2009-07-14 2016-08-09 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Acoustic generator and associated methods and well systems
US9567819B2 (en) * 2009-07-14 2017-02-14 Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. Acoustic generator and associated methods and well systems
US9010420B2 (en) 2010-08-27 2015-04-21 Rick Alan McGee Sonic oil recovery apparatus for use in a well
US9488037B2 (en) 2010-08-27 2016-11-08 Rick Alan McGee Sonic oil recovery apparatus for use in a well
RU2448236C1 (en) * 2010-11-16 2012-04-20 Закрытое акционерное общество "Газтехнология" Hydrodynamic pulsator
EA019549B1 (en) * 2011-06-29 2014-04-30 Открытое Акционерное Общество "Белгорхимпром" (Оао "Белгорхимпром") Way of oil field development
GB2512375A (en) * 2013-03-28 2014-10-01 Sonoco Oil Services Ltd Extraction of hydrocarbons from carbonaceous materials

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3754598A (en) Method for producing a hydrocarbon-containing formation
US3136361A (en) Fracturing formations in wells
US4727937A (en) Steamflood process employing horizontal and vertical wells
US2897894A (en) Recovery of oil from subterranean reservoirs
US3794114A (en) Use of liquefiable gas to control liquid flow in permeable formations
US3279538A (en) Oil recovery
US2910123A (en) Method of recovering petroleum
US4601337A (en) Foam drive oil displacement with outflow pressure cycling
US3004594A (en) Process for producing oil
CA1197369A (en) Composition of aqueous surfactant and liquid or dense phase co.sub.2 for plugging subterranean formations
US3893511A (en) Foam recovery process
US2935129A (en) Fracturing earth formation
US3387888A (en) Fracturing method in solution mining
US4475592A (en) In situ recovery process for heavy oil sands
US3224506A (en) Subsurface formation fracturing method
US4427067A (en) Water and miscible fluid flooding method having good vertical conformance for recovering oil
US5320170A (en) Oil recovery process employing horizontal and vertical wells in a modified inverted 5-spot pattern
US3858658A (en) Hydraulic fracturing method for low permeability formations
US3491832A (en) Plugging formations with foam
US4161217A (en) Hot water foam oil production process
US3199587A (en) Recovery of oil by improved fluid drive
US3376924A (en) Foam drive for secondary recovery
US3854531A (en) Viscous petroleum recovery process
US3221810A (en) Sweep efficiency in miscible fluid floods
US3058521A (en) Method of initiating fractures in earth formations