Patent ID: 11655696

Abstract:
A liquid phase enhanced oil recovery system that, in a stimulation phase, pumps a liquid mixture of propane (C3) and butane (C4) having a starting ratio of C3 to C4 into a well. During a subsequent production phase, liquid C3 and liquid C4 is recovered by a stabilizer from the produced oil, and, in addition, C3 and C4 can be recovered from the produced hydrocarbon vapor and liquefied, The ratio of liquid C3 to liquid C4 can then be re-adjusted and may not be the same as the starting ratio. All of the liquid C3-C4 can be recycled back into the well in subsequent stimulation phases. The method works at relatively low pressures, so that a pump or pumps can be used for stimulation treatment. The site equipment is compact enough that it can be mounted on one or more skids to ensure transportability to be used on other wells.