Fatty acid salts as steam foaming agents

U.S. Patent Number: 5341878

Abstract: A steam foam method of recovering hydrocarbons from an underground hydrocarbon formation, which comprises injecting steam through an injection well into the formation, injecting an aqueous solution having a salinity greater than about 1% by weight and a pH of about 8 to about 12, comprising about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of a fatty acid salt having about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms, and injecting steam into the formation to sweep hydrocarbons towards the production well for recovery.

Inventors: Osterloh; William T. (Missouri City, TX)

Assignee: Texaco Inc. (White Plains, NY)

Application Number: 07/996,741

Issued: 1994-08-30

Expired: 2006-08-30

Classes: 166/270.1 ; 166/309; 507/202; 507/265; 507/936

Field of search: 166/272,303,309,273,274 252/8.554

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