JOHN F WIECHEL
Engineering in Columbus, OH

4494605, Jan 22, 1985

Dec 11, 1981

6/329906

John F. Wiechel - Columbus OH
Charles R. French - Bridgeport TX
Wilbur L. Hall - Bellaire TX

Texaco Inc. - White Plains NY

E21B 4302, E21B 4304

166288

This invention relates to a method for treating wells completed in subterranean formations which contain unconsolidated sand particles, so as to form a permeable barrier which will permit the flow of liquids therethrough while restraining the flow of the unconsolidated sand particles into the well bore. The method comprises saturating sand adjacent the well bore to be treated with petroleum having a high asphaltic content and thereafter contacting the asphaltic petroleum with a solvent capable of solubilizing non-asphaltic fractions of the petroleum and precipitating or causing deposition of the asphaltic or bituminous portions of the petroleum. A heated fluid such as steam is thereafter injected into the formation to cause solidification of the asphaltic materials which effectively binds the sand grains together to form a porous mass which will effectively restrain the movement of said particles in the well bore upon subsequently placing the well on production. Suitable materials for causing precipitation of the asphaltic or bituminous portion of the petroleum include halogen substituted, oil soluble hydrocarbons having at least one halogen substituent and having less than 6 carbon atoms per molecule, such as methyl chloroform. Steam or a mixture of steam and non-condensable gas such as nitrogen, or mixture of steam and air are then injected into the formation to dehydrate and otherwise solidify the precipitated asphaltic material.

4465137, Aug 14, 1984

Jun 25, 1982

6/392415

Alvin J. Sustek - Houston TX
Wilbur L. Hall - Bellaire TX
Thomas S. Teasdale - Houston TX
John F. Wiechel - Columbus OH

Texaco Inc. - White Plains NY

E21B 4324

166272

The present invention is a sequenced method of increasing the injectivity of oil bearing formations and increasing hydrocarbon recovery. The method of the invention is initiated by injecting an aqueous fluid at an ambient temperature into the formation through an injection well while concurrently recovering fluid at a production well. The first injection stage is followed by the injection of fluid of gradually increasing temperature until a temperature of about 75. degree. -100. degree. C. is reached. Finally, steam is injected into the formation.