An evaluation of a Thermochemical technique for increasing the productivity of oil-bearing beds and reduction of oil-deposit watering based on reactions of binary mixtures

Thermodynamic aspects of an innovative binary-mixture (BM) technology for increasing the productivity of oil-bearing beds that provides a substantial reduction of oil-well watering (compared to conventional steam heating) are discussed. Inorganic and organic ammonium nitrates (NH4NO3 and HOCH2NH3+NO3- respectively) are compared qua heat-producing components of a BM that also contains sodium nitrite as an initiator of nitrate decomposition. Effects of temperature and pressure on the product distribution and heat production in ethanolammonium nitrate decomposition are evaluated. Calculations of parameters in a near-well space taking into account the heat capacity of the surrounding rock layer show that temperature and pressure can exceed their critical values for both water and main oil fractions. As a result, conditions for an intense upward flow of water—oil fluid in an artificial gas-lift regime arise.