US3324946A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prevention of water invasion into a heavy crude reservoir
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1964-11-12
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Granted: 1967-06-13
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Expires: 1984-11-12
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 William B Belknap
- 👤 Henry W Hennigan
- 👤 John R Bruns
- 👤 Joseph C Trantham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:15
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
IN AN OIL FIELD PENETRATED BY A PLURALITY OF SPACED PRODUCING WELLS EXTENDING INTO AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OF A STRATUM BEARING LOW GRAVITY VISCOUS CRUDE OIL WHICH OVERLIES AN AQUIFER AND WHEREIN WATER TENDS TO INVADE SAID STRATUM ALONG THE BOUNDARY OF SAID FIELD, THE METHOD OF COMBATTING WATER INVASION ALONG SAID BOUNDARY COMPRISING PASSING A HOT HEATING FLUID AT A TEMPERATURE SUBSTANTIALLY ABOVE IN-PLACE OIL TEMPERATURE INTO SAID STRATUM AROUND WELLS ADJACENT THE EDGE OF SAID FIELD SO AS TO HEAT AND DRIVE VISCOUS CRUDE AWAY FROM SAID WELLS WHERE THE HEATED CRUDE COOLS TO FORM A VISCOUS LIQUID BANK OF SAID CRUDE IN THE STRATUM AROUND EACH WELL WHICH SATURATES THE STRATUM AND REDUCES WATER INVASION FROM THE AQUIFER.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
IN AN OIL FIELD PENETRATED BY A PLURALITY OF SPACED PRODUCING WELLS EXTENDING INTO AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OF A STRATUM BEARING LOW GRAVITY VISCOUS CRUDE OIL WHICH OVERLIES AN AQUIFER AND WHEREIN WATER TENDS TO INVADE SAID STRATUM ALONG THE BOUNDARY OF SAID FIELD, THE METHOD OF COMBATTING WATER INVASION ALONG SAID BOUNDARY COMPRISING PASSING A HOT HEATING FLUID AT A TEMPERATURE SUBSTANTIALLY ABOVE IN-PLACE OIL TEMPERATURE INTO SAID STRATUM AROUND WELLS ADJACENT THE EDGE OF SAID FIELD SO AS TO HEAT AND DRIVE VISCOUS CRUDE AWAY FROM SAID WELLS WHERE THE HEATED CRUDE COOLS TO FORM A VISCOUS LIQUID BANK OF SAID CRUDE IN THE STRATUM AROUND EACH WELL WHICH SATURATES THE STRATUM AND REDUCES WATER INVASION FROM THE AQUIFER.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1970-06-12 | 1970-12-12 | 1971-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1974-06-12 | 1974-12-12 | 1975-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1978-06-12 | 1978-12-12 | 1979-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |