Patent ID: 6443229
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
A method for enhanced recovery of hydrocarbons containing oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing strata comprising the steps of:(a) providing an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, which gas is compressed by a first compressor connected to the engine motor, wherein the gas consists essentially of nitrogen and carbon dioxide; (b) injecting the gas from the compressor into an injection well and from the well into a gas bearing strata which is above the hydrocarbon bearing strata, without injection of the exhaust gas directly into the hydrocarbon bearing strata from the injection well which increases pressure in the oil bearing strata; (c) recovering the hydrocarbons and the exhaust gas from a production well in the hydrocarbon bearing strata; (d) separating the hydrocarbons from the recovered exhaust gas; and (e) compressing the recovered exhaust gas with a second compressor and injecting the compressed recovered exhaust gas into the injector well.