Patent ID: 8869892

Claim:
A method to enhance oil recovery from a hydrocarbon-containing formation, the method comprising: a. injecting a mixture of higher salinity brine and lower salinity brine into the formation, wherein the mixture is injected into the formation through a first pump, wherein the first pump is an automated control pump, wherein the mixture is injected at a flow rate based on the physical characteristics of the formation, wherein the flow rate of the mixture gradually and continuously decreases; b. simultaneously with step (a), injecting fresh water into the formation, wherein the fresh water is injected into the formation through a second pump, wherein the second pump is an automated control pump, wherein the fresh water is injected into the formation at a flow rate based on physical characteristics of the formation, wherein the flow rate gradually and continuously increases; and c. introducing surfactants and/or polymers into the formation, wherein the surfactant and/or polymers acts as a motive force to drive the hydrocarbons towards one or more production wells.