Method for recovering high asphaltene content petroleum using surfactants

Abstract

Surfactant flooding is frequently ineffective for recovering highly asphaltic petroleum because the asphaltic constituents of the petroleum have a strong affinity for the mineral surfaces such as sand grains present in the subterranean formation, and so are inefficiently displaced by passage of a surfactant containing solution through the pore spaces of the formation. Surfactant flooding is effective for asphaltic crudes if an effective solvent for the asphaltic petroleum which has a moderate water solubility is included in the preflush solution which preceded the surfactant solution or in the surfactant solution itself. Effective materials include quinoline and crude coal tar bases which contain substantial amounts of quinoline.