Patent ID: 9334717
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: C09K,E21B

Claim Text:
1. A method for producing oil from a fractured oil-bearing formation containing an oil-water interface, comprising: introducing an oil recovery formulation into a fracture within the formation, where the oil recovery formulation comprises water and from 1 mol % to 18 mol % dimethyl ether wherein the dimethyl ether is present in the oil recovery formulation in an amount such that the dimethyl ether is soluble in a single phase in water or brine at temperatures of from 0° C. to 50° C., and where the fracture extends through a portion of the formation comprised of a porous matrix of rock, the porous matrix of rock having a lower fluid permeability than the fracture, and the porous matrix of rock containing oil therein; contacting the oil recovery formulation with the porous matrix of rock of the formation from the fracture to mobilize at least a portion of the oil therein; introducing water or brine into the formation at or below the oil-water interface thereby raising the oil-water interface within the formation and contacting the mobilized oil with the water or brine; and producing the mobilized oil from the formation at a position located upwards in the formation relative to the fracture into which the oil recovery formulation is introduced.