Texaco Inc.

John W Porter

Joseph C Allen

A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation in which steam, for example, is injected into the formation via an injection well to drive the hydrocarbons toward a spaced production well. Water injected via the production well into an upper horizon of the formation is passed downwardly through the formation about the production well and then back into the production well at a lower horizon in the formation. A mixture of displaced hydrocarbons and injected water are then coproduced at the lower horizon thru the production well after which the hydrocarbons are recovered from the mixture. Optionally, a minor amount of a sulfated interfacial tension reducer may be introduced with the steam to promote increased hydrocarbon recovery.

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Metairie, LA, United States of America

John W Porter