Method of controlling permeability damage of hydrocarbon formations during steam injection using ammonium ions, bicarbonate ions, and potassium ions

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A method is disclosed for inhibiting permeability damage of clay minerals-containing hydrocarbon formations in the vicinity of a well during steam injection and for improving the injectivity of steam into that formation. That method comprises injecting a wet steam that comprises a sufficient amount of a source of ammonium ions to form an ammonium ion concentration of at least 0.01 N in the vapor phase condensate of the wet steam, a sufficient amount of either sodium bicarbonate potassium bicarbonate, or mixtures thereof to raise the pH of the liquid phase of the wet steam to within the range of from 7.5 to 10.5; and a sufficient amount of a source of potassium ions to form a potassium ion …