US 11,814,577 B2
Enhancing foam rheological properties using water-soluble thickener
Zuhair AlYousif, Saihat (SA); Mohammed Alabbad, Dammam (SA); and Hana Almatouq, Qatif (SA)
Assigned to SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Nov. 29, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/456,755.
Application 17/456,755 is a division of application No. 15/931,000, filed on May 13, 2020, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2022/0081608 A1, Mar. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. C09K 8/594 (2006.01); C09K 8/584 (2006.01); C09K 8/86 (2006.01); E21B 43/16 (2006.01)
CPC C09K 8/584 (2013.01) [C09K 8/594 (2013.01); C09K 8/86 (2013.01); E21B 43/166 (2013.01); E21B 43/164 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing formation, the method comprising:
injecting into the hydrocarbon-containing formation a wellbore fluid that comprises a surface active agent package, a thickener, and an aqueous base fluid, wherein the surface active agent package comprises an α-olefin sulfonate, a terpenoid, and isopropyl alcohol, and wherein the wellbore fluid comprises the surface active agent package in an amount in the range of 1 to 20 gallons per thousand gallons (gpt) and the thickener in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 0.3 wt. %;
injecting into the hydrocarbon-containing formation a gas that mixes with the wellbore fluid, generating a foam in the formation,
wherein the generated foam has a viscosity at 50° C. of 80 to 200 cP and at 100° C. of 60 to 140 cP;
introducing a fluid into the hydrocarbon-containing formation, thereby displacing hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon-containing formation; and
recovering the hydrocarbons.