Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company

Exxon Production Research Company

Shan H Yang

James R Bragg

Sergio A Leonardi

Scott E Hommema

Joseph P Lederhos

Amy L Chen

Ryan A Kudva

Sepehr Arbabi

John W Miertschin

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

The invention relates to a method for predicting the performance of large-scale hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir floods. One embodiment of the invention includes a method for predicting performance of a patterned flooding process in a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation, said formation being penetrated by a plurality of injector wells and producer wells, comprising the steps of: determining flow-based pairs of injector to producer wells [FIG., item] (first well pairs) using a geological model [item; developing a connective pore volume distribution curve for each first well pair item []; selecting at least two first well pairs (selected well pairs) that reflect narrow and wide connective pore volume distributions that correspond to high and lower oil recovery levels; developing a 3-D simulation model for each selected well pair, performing a reservoir simulation for each selected well pair for the corresponding flooding process; and generating prototype performance curves for each selected well pair. An alternate embodiment of the invention includes a method for predicting the performance of large-scale hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir floods where injection well location, production well location, a process parameter, or a well processing rate is modified.

Performance prediction method for hydrocarbon recovery processes

A method is disclosed for removing spilled oil from shorelines, other solid surfaces, or from the surface of a body of water by adding to the surface a mixture of fine hydrophilic mineral solids dispersed in an aqueous liquid that interacts with the oil to form buoyant mineral fines-oil floccules. These floccules reduce the tendency of the oil to adhere to solid surfaces or to recoalesce, thus facilitating dispersion and removal of the oil.

Method for forming mineral solids-oil floccules

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Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

Shan H Yang