Docket No:	UML 06-20
Primary Inventor:	David Ryan
Other Inventors:	Dan S. Golomb,Eugene F. Barry,Michael Woods,Peter Swett,
Title:	Particle Stabilized Emulsions for Enhanced Oil Recovery and Extraction Processes
Technology:	Energy
Description:	The invention is a method for creating a stable CO2-water emulsion that can be injected into wells. The emulsion is more effective at releasing oil than CO2 injection, water injection or water-alternate-gas injection. CO2 dissolves the oil and the water desorbs oil from the surface of the surrounding geology (sand). Many wells that were closed because they were considered uneconomic to continue producing may be considered as viable, given the current price of oil and this superior technology.
Applications:	Enhanced oil recovery from deep wells; may be applicable to shallow wells as well as surface applications. The technology may be useful in decontamination.
Benefits:	The method is commercially viable and justifiable to remove low-mobility, tough to extract petroleum from areas in where it is otherwise unpractical (technically or financially) to do so. The method allows oil to be extracted from wells that were previously considered to be "spent". As an added benefit, emulsions of carbon dioxide and water have been made under pressure and showed no signs of separation after several months, thereby allowing their long-term storage.
Contact Person:	Susu Wong
Research Lab:	Dept. of Chemistry
Patent Status:	Application in Progress