Importance

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Abstract

An enhanced petroleum oil recovery method for increasing the quantity of oil recoverable from an underground deposit thereof is provided which involves injecting into a first point in such deposit a liquid mixture of low molecular weight, light hydrocarbons; alternately reducing and raising the back pressure exerted on said deposit so as to alternately induce boiling and condensation of said light hydrocarbon mixture; recovering from a second point in said deposit under controlled back pressure a mixture of said light hydrocarbons and oil; separating the light hydrocarbons from the extracted petroleum oil by distillation; and then recycling the light hydrocarbons to the injection step. Another aspect of the invention involves utilizing the essential features thereof for the recovery of oil from oil-bearing sands, e.g. tar sands, which are mined and brought to the surface.

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First Claim