Patent ID: 8100178
Filing Date: 2012-01-24
Classification: C09K

Abstract:
1. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprising: forming a solids-stabilized emulsion, said solids-stabilized emulsion comprising oil as a first liquid, droplets of a second liquid suspended in said oil, and solid particles that are insoluble in both of said oil and said second liquid at the conditions of said subterranean formation; exposing said solids-stabilized emulsion to gas; dissolving at least a portion of said gas in said oil to form a solids-stabilized emulsion having said gas dissolved therein; injecting through an injection well said solids-stabilized emulsion having said gas dissolved therein into said subterranean formation as a drive fluid; placing at least a portion of said solids-stabilized emulsion having said gas dissolved therein into one or more areas of said subterranean formation having an in situ pressure sufficiently low to permit evolution of at least a portion of said gas from said oil, thereby forming a stable emulsion further comprising gas bubbles in said oil within said subterranean formation; and displacing said hydrocarbons to a production well and recovering said hydrocarbons from said subterranean formation.