Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.

Abstract: A dual core flooding apparatus and process are disclosed that provide for testing of two core plugs using different orientations and multiple fluids. The dual core flooding apparatus includes at least two core holders each configured to contain a core plug. The dual core flooding apparatus includes a fluids delivery system configured to inject one or more fluids into the core holders and core plugs. The dual core flooding apparatus includes an image capture system, a density and viscosity measurement system, and at least two oil/water separators. The dual core flooding apparatus also includes at least two back pressure regulators and an automated confining pressure system. A dual core flooding process may include introducing at least one fluid into the core holders, maintaining confining pressure and back pressure, and measuring density and viscosity of existing fluids.

Abstract: A dual core flooding apparatus is disclosed. The dual core flooding apparatus includes at least two core holders each configured to contain a core plug. The dual core flooding apparatus includes a fluids delivery system configured to inject one or more fluids into the core holders and core plugs. The dual core flooding apparatus includes an image capture system, a density and viscosity measurement system, and at least two oil/water separators. The dual core flooding apparatus also includes at least two back pressure regulators configured to maintain a pore pressure in the core plugs and an automated confining pressure system configured to maintain a confining pressure in each core holder. The dual core flooding apparatus further includes a data acquisition system, differential pressure measurement systems, and effluent measurement systems.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.

Abstract: A dual core flooding apparatus is disclosed. The dual core flooding apparatus includes at least two core holders each configured to contain a core plug. The dual core flooding apparatus includes a fluids delivery system configured to inject one or more fluids into the core holders and core plugs. The dual core flooding apparatus includes an image capture system, a density and viscosity measurement system, and at least two oil/water separators. The dual core flooding apparatus also includes at least two back pressure regulators configured to maintain a pore pressure in the core plugs and an automated confining pressure system configured to maintain a confining pressure in each core holder. The dual core flooding apparatus further includes a data acquisition system, differential pressure measurement systems, and effluent measurement systems.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.

Abstract: A dual core flooding apparatus is disclosed. The dual core flooding apparatus includes at least two core holders each configured to contain a core plug. The dual core flooding apparatus includes a fluids delivery system configured to inject one or more fluids into the core holders and core plugs. The dual core flooding apparatus includes an image capture system, a density and viscosity measurement system, and at least two oil/water separators. The dual core flooding apparatus also includes at least two back pressure regulators configured to maintain a pore pressure in the core plugs and an automated confining pressure system configured to maintain a confining pressure in each core holder. The dual core flooding apparatus further includes a data acquisition system, differential pressure measurement systems, and effluent measurement systems.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to enhancing the recovery of oil using carbon dioxide flooding processes by providing a process to improve oil recovery from a reservoir by injecting through a well into a reservoir a heavy oil slug composition that includes heavy oil that is mixed carbon dioxide. Following injecting the heavy oil slug composition, a carbon dioxide slug that includes carbon dioxide is injected through the well into the reservoir.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to enhancing the recovery of oil using carbon dioxide flooding processes. In general, the invention provides a process to improve oil recovery from a reservoir by injecting through a well into a reservoir a heavy oil slug composition that includes heavy oil that is mixed carbon dioxide. Following injecting the heavy oil slug composition, a carbon dioxide slug that includes carbon dioxide is injected through the well into the reservoir.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.