Injection of steam foaming agents into producing wells

The disclosed invention is a method of injecting steam foaming agents in conjunction with steam and usually, a non-condensable gas into production wells producing a substantially high water to oil ratio. The most preferred production wells for foaming agent injection are corner production wells of flooding patterns such as inverted 5- and 9-spots, especially when the flooding pattern contains infill wells between the central injection well and the corner production wells. Although the method of injecting foaming agent, steam and usually, a non-condensable gas is effective with any foaming agent, the method works particularly well with foaming agents of the general formula: RO(R'O)nR''SO3M where R is an alkyl radical, branched or linear, or an alkylaryl radical such as an alkylbenzene, alkyltoluene or alkylxylene group, having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, R' is ethyl, propyl or a mixture of ethyl and propyl, n has an average value of about 1 to about 20, R'' is ethyl, propyl, hydroxypropyl or butyl and M is an alkali metal or ammonium ion.