METHODS OF PRODUCING HYDROCARBONS FROM A WELLBORE UTILIZING OPTIMIZED WATER INJECTION

摘要

A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation includes placing a wellbore in the formation, wherein the wellbore is approximately horizontal and the median pore throat diameter of the subterranean formation is less than 500 nanometers; forming one or more fractures in the formation in fluid communication with the wellbore; recovering in situ hydrocarbons from the formation through the wellbore; injecting a volume of fluid, comprising greater than 98 mass % water and greater than 0.005 mass % active surfactant and excluding ultra-high molar weight polymers, into the formation through the wellbore; and subsequently recovering in situ hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.

主权项

1. A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation, comprising the steps of:
placing a wellbore in the subterranean formation, wherein the wellbore is approximately horizontal in the subterranean formation and the median pore throat diameter of the subterranean formation is less than 500 nanometers; forming one or more fractures in the subterranean formation in fluid communication with the wellbore; recovering in situ hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation through the wellbore; injecting a volume of fluid, comprising greater than 98 mass % water and greater than 0.005 mass % active surfactant and excluding ultra-high molar weight polymers, into the subterranean formation through the wellbore; and subsequently recovering in situ hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.