Oil recovery by emulsification in underground formation - by injecting dispersion of alkali metal in organic liquid and then water

摘要

Oil is recovered from an underground, permeable formation, which is penetrated by >=1 injection well and >=1 prodn. well, by (a) injecting into the formation, through the injection well, an organic liquid, which is liquid under the conditions of the formation, and which contains in dispersion alkali metal particles smaller than the major flow channels of the formation, and (b) injecting water into the formation to displace the dispersion through the formation; the alkali metal reacts with water in the formation, to give alkali metal hydroxide and H2, and to generate heat. Oil displaced from the formation is recovered through the prodn. well. The process is esp. for the recovery of viscous petroleum.