Alberta Research Council Incorporated

Texaco Exploration Canada Ltd.

Aleksy Sacuta

Mahendra S Patel

A fluid communication channel is developed between injection and product wells in a heavy oil formation by simultaneously injecting a solvent for the oil and passing electric current through the formation.

Combination solvent injection electric current application method for

A process is provided for recovery of oil from an oil and water bearing formation wherein spaced injection and production wells penetrate the formation and a drive fluid is injected through the injection well into the formation. A unidirectional electrical potential gradient is maintained between anode means in the production well and cathode means in the injection well adjacent the formation. In this manner, water flow toward the production well is retarded to enhance recovery efficiency. The process is particularly applicable in heavy-oil-bearing formations. In this case the formation is first preheated and heated drive fluids injected to improve the oil mobility within the formation.

Enhanced oil recovery using electrical means

A process for recovering oil from either water-bituminous petroleum emulsions or from crude petroleum emulsions having a pH of 10 or less by adding thereto an optimum amount of non-ionic, water soluble polyethylene oxide polymers at a pH of 10 or less, and separating the oil from water. To resolve bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out at between 150.degree. F and 210.degree. F and a diluent is added to reduce the petroleum viscosity. The minimum effective concentration of the polymers used decreases as their molecular weight increases. In a modification of the process, an effective amount of an alkaline earth metal halide such as calcium chloride is added to improve coagulation and separation of any clay present.

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Edmonton, Canada

Aleksy Sacuta