A process for enhanced oil recovery by gas injection and apparatus for use therein

摘要

A process for enhanced oil recovery by gas injection into oil-bearing formations (4) which comprises wet oxidizing combustible carbonaceous materials with oxygen, air or a mixture of oxygen and air to obtain a gas comprising a mixture of water vapor and carbon dioxide (and nitrogen in the event air is used), substantially free of oxides of sulfur and nitrogen; injecting said gaseous mixture into an oil-bearing formation to produce a mixture of oil and water; extracting said mixture of oil and water from the oil-bearing formation; separating the waterfrom the latter mixture; and recycling the water to the wet oxidation reactor (1). Residual oil in the , recycled water provides additional fuel for the wet oxidation reaction, and at the same time the need for costly water 'treatment is eliminated.