Patents Assigned to Petroleo Brasilero S.A. - PETROBRAS
  • Patent number: 5282508
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided to enhance the recovery of petroleum from onshore and offshore reservoirs. The process includes the simultaneous stimulation of the formation by elastic sound waves, created by a sonic source installed at the oil well so that the elastic sonic waves which are superimposed reduce the adherence forces in the layer between oil/water and the rock formation, and by the oscillating electrical stimulation of the same layer, as from the same wells subject to sonic treatment. The electricity heats the formation by using resistive heating, and thus increases the pressure, thus eliminating the surface tensions between the faces of the fluid as a consequence of the oscillatory action of the ions in the surfaces of the fluid and in addition, reducing the viscosity of the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignees: Petroleo Brasilero S.A. - PETROBRAS, Ellingsen and Associates A.S.
    Inventors: Olav Ellingsen, Carlos Roberto Carvalho de Holleben, Carlos Alberto de Castro Goncalves, Euclides J. Bonet, Paulo Jose Villani de Andrade, Roberto F. Mezzomo