Todd M. Doscher

The behavior of nonionic surface active agents in salt solutions

Abstract 1. 1. Sodium chloride and other salts of the alkali metals have been found to salt-out nonionic surface-active agents, whereas soluble calcium salts and other soluble salts of heavy metals salt-in these colloids. 2. 2. A crystalline complex of a nonionic surface-active agent, calcium chloride, and water has been isolated. 3. 3. The nonionic surface-active agents appear to coordinate with hydrated calcium ions both in solution and at solid—liquid interfaces.

Phase relations in the system: Sodium stearate-cetane

Abstract The system sodium stearate-cetane has been investigated with a polarizing microscope in a specially designed hot stage, and a partial phase, diagram constructed from these data. The change from synerectic to non-synerectic systems, together with the accompanying change in rheological properties, has been shown to be related to the existence of a unique phase transition. An attempt is made to correlate these effects with the internal structure of the phases.

A Method for Predicting Oil Recovery by Steamflooding Including the Effects of Distillation and Gravity Override

This paper describes a semianalytical method for calculating oil recovery by steamflooding. It accounts for effects of steam distillation and gravity overlay of steam. First, the equations for the heat balance and the configuration of the steam/liquid interface are solved simultaneously to predict the volume of the overall heated zone and the volume and shape of the steam zone. Second, the approximate enthalpy and material balances are combined with the thermodynamics of differential vaporization to derive a fully compositionaly method for calculating the volume and composition of steam-distilled hydrocarbons. Finally, the results of the foregoing are combined with a fluid flow model, similar to Higgins and Leightons cell model for waterflood analysis to calculate oil recovery. This semianalytical method can account for almost all the important recovery mechanisms involved in steamflooding with relatively small computation time. Good agreement has been obtained between available experimental data and calculations carried out in accord with this analysis.

Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Critical Gas Saturation and Other Parameters on the Productivity of Methane From Geopressured Aquifers

A numerical simulation study has shown that critical gas saturation is one of the most significant parameters that controls the productivity of methane from geopressured aquifers. Ultimate fluid production from such reservoirs is restricted by insufficient gas in solution to maintain the reservoir pressure.

The influence of oil viscosity and thickness on the steam drive

A correlation of steam drive efficiency, based on model studies, predicts that it will fall as the viscosity of the crude at steam temperature increases. Sensitivity to viscosity results from the overlay of steam, which also mitigates the influence of reservoir thickness. High efficiency, expected of frontal displacement, is realized in the recovery of high-gravity crudes.

The Technology and Economics of Methane Production From Geopressured Aquifers

An evaluation of reservoir parameters of Gulf Coast geopressured aquifers indicates that no significant quantities of geopressuredd methane will be produced in the US until prices reach

High Pressure Model Studies Of Oil Recovery By Carbon Dioxide

10/1000 CF, report the University of Southern California, Energy Consulting Associates, and Lewin and Associates Inc. For economic production from a geopressured aquifer at a selling price of

The Controlling Production Mechanism of Methane Gas from Coalbeds

4/100 CF, a reservoir having an area of some 40 mi/sup 2/ and a net productive thickness of 200 ft must be producible from one well at an average production rate of slightly more than 25,000 bbl/day of geopressured brine for 20 years. Furthermore, the reservoir during the 20 years must produce without any significant stabilizing of the water for disposal. The value of electric power generated from the thermal content of the brine is insufficient to improve the economic value of the recoverable methane.

Limitations on the oil/steam ratio for truly viscous crudes

Linear scaled physical model studies were designed and carried out to study the recovery of crude oil by the injection of carbon dioxide. The basic prototype considered in this study is a homogeneous reservoir with a permeability of 20 millidarcies and a distance between injector and producer of 462 feet and an equivalent thickness of 28 feet. The results reveal that two factors dominate the recovery process: the high mobility of the carbon dioxide, and its solubility in the subject crude oil. The latter in turn appears to be a function of the density of the carbon dioxide. 22 refs.

Steam Drive Definition and Enhancement

Abstract Consideration of the density of coals and the amount of gas contained in some leads to the conclusion that the methane is held as strongly sorbed material within the internal structure of the coal, viz., micro-pores. The liberation of methane is controlled by the macroscopic interfacial area between the solid and a continuous gas phase, as well as by the pressure differential between the latter and an equilibrium value defining the level of adsorption. The analysis in this study points to a competition between diffusion with the solid and permeability within the continuous gas-phase that determines which mechanism will control methane liberation in any particular case. The recovery of methane gas from specific coal seams is examined.