System and Method For Enhancing Oil Recovery From A Subterranean Reservoir

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for enhancing the distribution of an enhanced oil recovery fluid utilizing electrokinetic-induced migration for enhancing oil recovery from a subterranean reservoir. An enhanced oil recovery fluid is injected into the hydrocarbon bearing zone through the injection well. An electric field is generated through at least a portion of the hydrocarbon bearing zone to induce electrokinetic migration of the enhanced oil recovery fluid. Electrokinetic induced migration allows for the enhanced oil recovery fluid to contact portions of the reservoir that previously were unswept, which as a result enhances recovery of hydrocarbons through the production well.

1 . A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in subterranean reservoirs, the method comprising:
 (a) providing an injection well and a production well that extend into a hydrocarbon bearing zone of a subterranean reservoir and are in fluid communication therewith;   (b) injecting an enhanced oil recovery fluid into the hydrocarbon bearing zone through the injection well;   (c) generating an electric field through at least a portion of the hydrocarbon bearing zone to induce electrokinetic migration of the enhanced oil recovery fluid; and   (d) recovering hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon bearing zone of the subterranean reservoir through the production well.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electric field is generated by emitting a direct current between a pair of electrodes having opposite charges and being spaced apart from one another within the hydrocarbon bearing zone. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electric field is generated by emitting a direct current between a first electrode coupled to the injection well and a second electrode coupled to the production well. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electric field is generated by emitting a direct current between a plurality of electrodes interspersed within the hydrocarbon bearing zone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electric field is generated by emitting a direct current less than about 50 volts per meter between a pair of electrodes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery fluid comprises a surfactant. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery fluid comprises an oxidant. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery fluid alters a physical property of a formation matrix of the hydrocarbon bearing zone. 
     
     
         10 . A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in subterranean reservoirs, the method comprising:
 (a) providing an injection well and a production well that extend into a hydrocarbon bearing zone of a subterranean reservoir and are in fluid communication therewith;   (b) providing a pair of electrodes having opposite charges and being spaced apart from one another within the hydrocarbon bearing zone;   (c) injecting an enhanced oil recovery fluid into the hydrocarbon bearing zone through the injection well;   (d) emitting a direct current between the pair of electrodes to induce electrokinetic migration of the enhanced oil recovery fluid; and   (e) recovering hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon bearing zone of the subterranean reservoir through the production well.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the direct current is less than about 50 volts per meter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the direct current is periodically pulsed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein polarity of the pair of electrodes is periodically reversed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein an electrode of the pair of electrodes is coupled to the injection well. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein an electrode of the pair of electrodes is coupled to the production well. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery fluid comprises a surfactant. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the enhanced oil recovery fluid comprises an oxidant. 
     
     
         19 . A method for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in subterranean reservoirs, the method comprising:
 (a) providing an injection well and a production well that extend into a hydrocarbon bearing zone of a subterranean reservoir and are in fluid communication therewith;   (b) providing a plurality of electrodes interspersed within the hydrocarbon bearing zone of a subterranean reservoir;   (c) injecting an enhanced oil recovery fluid into the hydrocarbon bearing zone through the injection well;   (d) emitting a direct current between the plurality of electrodes to induce electrokinetic migration of the enhanced oil recovery fluid; and   (e) recovering hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon bearing zone of the subterranean reservoir through the production well.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 (f) adjusting the direct current emitted between one or more of the plurality of electrodes such that the enhanced oil recovery fluid migrates to unswept areas of the hydrocarbon bearing zone.