Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Imperial Oil Resources

Scott E Hommema

James R Bragg

Sergio A Leonardi

Shan H Yang

Joseph P Lederhos

Amy L Chen

Joseph L Feimer

Tapantosh Chakrabarty

The present disclosure relates to solvent surveillance in heavy oil production. A method includes the steps of measuring an amount of a native bitumen marker (NBM) in a heavy oil, measuring an amount of the NBM in a recovery-aid solvent, measuring an amount of the NBM in a blend including the heavy oil and the recovery-aid solvent, and applying a blending model to determine a fraction of the recovery-aid solvent in the blend.

Solvent surveillance in solvent-based heavy oil recovery processes

A waxy oil-external emulsion is provided for injection into a selected zone of a subsurface formation. The selected zone is typically a high permeability zone. The emulsion generally comprises oil, added wax, and water. The emulsion may also include an emulsifying agent and a solvent. The emulsion is formulated to be a liquid at a temperature greater than a targeted temperature in the subsurface formation, but a solid at the targeted temperature. The targeted temperature is typically the maximum operating temperature for the formation. A method of formulating the emulsion is also provided. Further, a method of plugging a high permeability zone using the emulsion is disclosed.

Composition and method for using waxy oil-external emulsions to modify reservoir permeability profiles

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Pearland, TX, United States of America

Scott E Hommema