US3768558A - Oil recovery process utilizing superheated steam - Google Patents

Oil recovery process utilizing superheated steam Download PDF

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Publication number
US3768558A
US3768558A US00267798A US3768558DA US3768558A US 3768558 A US3768558 A US 3768558A US 00267798 A US00267798 A US 00267798A US 3768558D A US3768558D A US 3768558DA US 3768558 A US3768558 A US 3768558A
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United States
Prior art keywords
hydrocarbon
water
oil
steam
phase
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00267798A
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English (en)
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J Allen
T Teasdale
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Texaco Inc
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Texaco Inc
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B36/00—Heating, cooling or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/16—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
    • E21B43/24—Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an oil recovery process and, in particular, it relates to a secondary oil recovery process in which steam or superheated steam is employed as the driving fluid.
  • this involves the introduction into an injection well of suitable flooding material under sufficient pressure to impose a substantial driving force against the reservoir oil.
  • This for example, has been carried out with gaseous and liquid materials, notably with natural gas or with water.
  • the process of this invention is not only applicable as a well stimulation process but also may be utilized in oil recovery operations where the steam is injected into an oil-bearing formation via an injection well, and oil is recovered via a production well located a substantial distance from the said injection well.
  • water high in solids content such as field brine
  • water high in solids content can be employed as feed water to prepare the initial water-hydrocarbon phase since in the preparation of this phase substantially all of the initially present solids in the feed water portion thereof are partitioned from the water-hydrocarbon phase into the separate water phase not utilized in the preparation of the steam.
  • Generating superheated steam in accordance with step ('c) above eliminates the problems encountered with superheated saturated steam alone.
  • the water in the water-hydrocarbon phase is substantially free of feed water dissolved solids which removes the possibility of solids deposition in the superheater. Since a hydrocarbon liquid phase is always present, this eliminates dry heating across metal guards during the superheating operation which, in turn, permits the use of less elaborately designed and less expensive superheaters. Likewise, multistage separation of saturated steam and water is eliminated, thereby further reducing costs.
  • hydrocarbons are suitable for use in the process of this invention.
  • the useful heavy hydrocarbons have high molecular weights and possess low vapor pressures or fugacities. Heavy hydrocarbons having from about 16 to about 40 carbon atoms and having boiling points between about 400F and about 650F are preferred.
  • Examples of individual hydrocarbon types which can be used in the process of the present invention, either alone or in admixture with one another are paraffin waxes, naphthalene, octadecane, eicosane, docosane, tetracosane, octacosane, nonacosane, etc.
  • the water-hydrocarbon liquid phase solution utilized to prepare the superheated steam or'the homogenous water-hydrocarbon phase as it has been referred to above is an intimate intermixture.
  • the superheated steam employed in this invention is prepared from the so-called homogenous water-hydrocarbon phase previously described.
  • This homogeneous liquid water-hydrocarbon phase has been referred to as an intimate intermixture or intersolution of two normally repugnant liquids.
  • the preparation of such intersolutions has been described in detail in the following US. Pat:
  • the preparation of the liquid water-hydrocarbon phase involves the extraction of water from the field water, such as brine containing a high concentration of dissolved solids, by a hot hydrocarbon liquid at a high temperature at which such hydrocarbon liquids are capable of selectively absorbing or dissolving a substantial proportion of water.
  • a hot hydrocarbon liquid at a high temperature at which such hydrocarbon liquids are capable of selectively absorbing or dissolving a substantial proportion of water.
  • Another requirement is that the elevated temperatures required must be accompanied by pressures sufficient to maintain both the heavy hydrocarbon and water in liquid phase condition. The temperatures involved are considerable, normally in the region substantially above 500F and with the pressures accordingly above 1,000 psig.
  • the FIGURE illustrates one arrangement of apparatus for carrying out the process of this invention.
  • a heavy hydrocarbon in liquid phase such as eicosane heated to a temperature of about 145F, is introduced via line 2 into pump 4 which brings the pressure of the system up sufficiently to maintain the system in liquid phase condition at the temperatures involved.
  • field water or brine containing a high percentage of solid materials is introduced into pump 8 via line 6 where the pressure is brought up to the system pressure.
  • the liquid hydrocarbon oil discharged from pump 4 is then passed through circulating pump 10 and heater 12 where it is raised above the critical high temperature in the range aforementioned at which the hydrocarbon oil assumes a high extractive affinity for water.
  • the hot oil is then transferred from heater 12 through pipe 14 into the lower portion of column 16, a portion of which, as hereinafter indicated, passing continuously upward through column 16 and out through line 18, from whence it is re-introduced into line 2.
  • the feed water or brine stream is discharged from pump 8 via line 8a into heat exchanger 32 from which it is discharged via line 8b into spray head 20 situated in the upper end of column 16 downwardly through the upflowing column of hydrocarbon oil.
  • the upflowing hot hydrocarbon oil continuously heats the downflowing brine so that at an intermediate level in the column the two streams have reached a complexing temperature (i.e., the temperature at which clear water-hydrocarbon of, for example, 575F at 2,000 psi.)
  • a complexing temperature i.e., the temperature at which clear water-hydrocarbon of, for example, 575F at 2,000 psi.
  • flowing through the line 26 is a high pressure, high temperature complex of hydrocarbon and water, namely a continuous, clear phase comprising a solution, extract, or whatever the case may be, or molecularly intermingled oil and water.
  • the waterhydrocarbon phase as previously pointed out, inherently rejects the soluble content of the feed water and the insoluble salts precipitated settle donwwardly into sludge chamber 28 at the bottom of column 16.
  • the solid material forms a relatively concentrated solution in excess brine fed to the system, or, depending upon the amount of the excess feed water, a gelatinous floc.
  • the insoluble materials as a part of a concentrated brine mixture are continuously removed from the system via line 30 and passed through heat exchanger 32 where the hot concentrated brine mixture heats the incoming field water. From heat exchanger 32 the brine mixture is passed to blowdown valve 32d via line 32c and finally the brine mixture is removed from the system via line 34 and sent to an appropriate waste disposal system not shown. Generally, about 60 to about percent of the total volume of the hydrocarbon and water separate out as the concentrated solution or phase containing the precipitated solids.
  • the homogeneous water-hydrocarbon phase withdrawn from column 16 via line 26 is passed through letdown valve 44 where the pressure is reduced to about 700 psig causing the water present to flash to steam.
  • the resulting steam-liquid hydrocarbon mixture is then passed into heater 46 by means of line 45 where sufficient heat is added to form a mixture consisting'of superheated steam and liquid hydrocarbon at a temperature of about 600F and 700 psig. From heater 46 the mixture is sent to separator 48 via line 47.
  • Superheated steam which is removed overhead from separator 48 by line 52 is introduced into well pipe 36 controlled by suitable valves not shown.
  • the superheated steam is introduced directly into the producing formation 38 at the bottom of the well where it proceeds to intermingle with the hydrocarbons of the reservoir and drive them a second or producing well 40, causing the produced constituents to flow upwardly in the well and be recovered through line 42.
  • the bottoms product from separator 48 which is a liquid heavy hydrocarbon stream is introduced by means of line 50 into pump 51 where the pressure is raised to system pressure in line 2 and the liquid heavy hydrocarbon stream is passed from pump 51 via line 54 into line 2.
  • a process for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil-bearing formation which comprises:
  • step (c) sufficient heat is added to the resulting mixture to form superheated steam and a hydrocarbon liquid phase.
  • said heavy hydrocarbon water phase is prepared by heating a mixture of the light hydrocarbon and to a temperature of at least 500F and under a pressure of about 2000 to 2700 psig.
  • step (a) The method according to claim 1 wherein the said mixture of heavy hydrocarbon and feed water is brought to the elevated temperature condition in step (a) by continuously heating the light hydrocarbon stream and by bringing the feed water stream into direct contact with the hot heavy hydrocarbon, such that the boiler scaling is obviated.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Production Of Liquid Hydrocarbon Mixture For Refining Petroleum (AREA)
US00267798A 1972-06-30 1972-06-30 Oil recovery process utilizing superheated steam Expired - Lifetime US3768558A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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US26779872A 1972-06-30 1972-06-30

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US (1) US3768558A (de)
AT (1) AT323690B (de)
BR (1) BR7304674D0 (de)
CA (1) CA961409A (de)
DE (1) DE2332353A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1407889A (de)

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4158638A (en) * 1978-03-27 1979-06-19 Gulf Research & Development Company Recovery of oil from oil shale
US4207945A (en) * 1979-01-08 1980-06-17 Texaco Inc. Recovering petroleum from subterranean formations
US4453597A (en) * 1982-02-16 1984-06-12 Fmc Corporation Stimulation of hydrocarbon flow from a geological formation
RU2149258C1 (ru) * 1999-10-06 2000-05-20 Степанишин Федор Михайлович Способ добычи углеводородсодержащего сырья
US20060032630A1 (en) * 1999-05-07 2006-02-16 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production
WO2006022735A1 (en) 2004-08-23 2006-03-02 Lopez Perry A Method and apparatus for heating drilling and/or completion fluids entering or leaving a well bore during oil and gas exploration and production
US20070051513A1 (en) * 1999-05-07 2007-03-08 Ge Ionics, Inc. Treatment of Brines for Deep Well Injection
US7438129B2 (en) 1999-05-07 2008-10-21 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production using calcium sulfate seed slurry evaporation
CN103498652A (zh) * 2013-10-18 2014-01-08 辽宁石油化工大学 一种注高温蒸汽开采冻土区天然气水合物的方法与装置
US20140166281A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2014-06-19 Conocophillips Company Liquid indirect steam boiler

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4149597A (en) * 1977-12-27 1979-04-17 Texaco Exploration Canada Ltd. Method for generating steam
ID28685A (id) * 1999-12-22 2001-06-28 Aqua Pure Ventures Inc Cs Proses pengolahan air untuk pemulihan minyak berat termal

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB511768A (en) * 1937-11-19 1939-08-24 Mark Benson Improvements in or relating to extraction of petroleum
US2862558A (en) * 1955-12-28 1958-12-02 Phillips Petroleum Co Recovering oils from formations
US3193009A (en) * 1963-02-28 1965-07-06 Shell Oil Co Use of low-grade steam containing dissolved salts in an oil production method
US3259186A (en) * 1963-08-05 1966-07-05 Shell Oil Co Secondary recovery process
US3350299A (en) * 1963-10-21 1967-10-31 Texaco Inc Recovery of desalted water from brine
US3350300A (en) * 1963-12-16 1967-10-31 Texaco Inc Recovery of salt-free water from brine
US3685581A (en) * 1971-03-24 1972-08-22 Texaco Inc Secondary recovery of oil

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB511768A (en) * 1937-11-19 1939-08-24 Mark Benson Improvements in or relating to extraction of petroleum
US2862558A (en) * 1955-12-28 1958-12-02 Phillips Petroleum Co Recovering oils from formations
US3193009A (en) * 1963-02-28 1965-07-06 Shell Oil Co Use of low-grade steam containing dissolved salts in an oil production method
US3259186A (en) * 1963-08-05 1966-07-05 Shell Oil Co Secondary recovery process
US3350299A (en) * 1963-10-21 1967-10-31 Texaco Inc Recovery of desalted water from brine
US3350300A (en) * 1963-12-16 1967-10-31 Texaco Inc Recovery of salt-free water from brine
US3685581A (en) * 1971-03-24 1972-08-22 Texaco Inc Secondary recovery of oil

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4158638A (en) * 1978-03-27 1979-06-19 Gulf Research & Development Company Recovery of oil from oil shale
US4207945A (en) * 1979-01-08 1980-06-17 Texaco Inc. Recovering petroleum from subterranean formations
US4453597A (en) * 1982-02-16 1984-06-12 Fmc Corporation Stimulation of hydrocarbon flow from a geological formation
US7438129B2 (en) 1999-05-07 2008-10-21 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production using calcium sulfate seed slurry evaporation
US7681643B2 (en) 1999-05-07 2010-03-23 Ge Ionics, Inc. Treatment of brines for deep well injection
US7967955B2 (en) 1999-05-07 2011-06-28 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production
US20070051513A1 (en) * 1999-05-07 2007-03-08 Ge Ionics, Inc. Treatment of Brines for Deep Well Injection
US7428926B2 (en) 1999-05-07 2008-09-30 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production
US7849921B2 (en) 1999-05-07 2010-12-14 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production
US20090127091A1 (en) * 1999-05-07 2009-05-21 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water Treatment Method for Heavy Oil Production
US20060032630A1 (en) * 1999-05-07 2006-02-16 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production
US7717174B2 (en) 1999-05-07 2010-05-18 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production using calcium sulfate seed slurry evaporation
US20100224364A1 (en) * 1999-05-07 2010-09-09 Ge Ionics, Inc. Water treatment method for heavy oil production
RU2149258C1 (ru) * 1999-10-06 2000-05-20 Степанишин Федор Михайлович Способ добычи углеводородсодержащего сырья
EP1787004A4 (de) * 2004-08-23 2010-10-06 Perry A Lopez Verfahren und vorrichtung zur erwärmung von eindringenden oder austretenden bohr- und/oder komplettierungsflüssigkeiten bei öl- und gassondierung und -förderung
WO2006022735A1 (en) 2004-08-23 2006-03-02 Lopez Perry A Method and apparatus for heating drilling and/or completion fluids entering or leaving a well bore during oil and gas exploration and production
US20140166281A1 (en) * 2012-12-17 2014-06-19 Conocophillips Company Liquid indirect steam boiler
CN103498652A (zh) * 2013-10-18 2014-01-08 辽宁石油化工大学 一种注高温蒸汽开采冻土区天然气水合物的方法与装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2332353A1 (de) 1974-01-10
AT323690B (de) 1975-07-25
BR7304674D0 (pt) 1974-08-15
CA961409A (en) 1975-01-21
GB1407889A (en) 1975-10-01

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