US3554289A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of micellar solution as an emulsion breaker
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
•
Filing: 1968-09-24
•
Granted: 1971-01-12
•
Expires: 1988-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Production of formation fluids through a well bore from a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation having a water and hydrocarbon emulsion blockage surrounding the well bore is restored by injecting from about 0.01 to 10 barrels per vertical foot of hydrocarbon-bearing formation of micellar dispersion into the formation to ''''solubilize'''' the emulsion.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas O Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:07
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
15 words
permitting the micellar disPersion to remain in the formation to substantially solubilize the emulsion; and
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
9 words
permitting the micellar dispersion to solubilize the emUlsion; and
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
permitting the micellar dispersion to remain in the formation to substantially solubilize the emulsion; and
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion is comprised of hydrocarbon, aqueous medium, and surfactant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
permitting the micellar dispersion to remain in the formation until the emulsion is substantially solubilized by the micellar dispersion; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
5 words
returning the well to production.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the micellar dispersion contains cosurfactant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
returning the well to production to permit the formation fluids to flow to the well bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
5 words
returning the well to production.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
returning the well to production to permit the formation fluids to flow to the well bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the micellar dispersion contains electrolyte.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the surfactant is a petroleum sulfonate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion is oil-external.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion is water-external.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion is comprised of about 4 percent to about 60 percent hydrocarbon, about 20-90 percent aqueous medium, and at least about 4 percent surfactant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the surfactant is a petroleum sulfonate having an average molecular weight within the range of about 360 to about 520.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
38 words
A method of restoring production of formation fluids from a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation having a well bore penetrating therein and wherein the formation is blocked by a water and hydrocarbon emulsion surrounding the well bore, the method comprising:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the micellar dispersion contains cosurfactant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the cosurfactant is an alcohol containing from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the micellar dispersion contains electrolyte.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the surfactant is a petroleum sulfonate having an average molecular weight within the range of from about 360 to about 520.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the micellar dispersion is oil-external.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of restoring production of formation fluids from a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation having a well bore penetrating the formation and wherein the formation is blocked by a water and hydrocarbon emulsion surrounding the well bore, the method comprising:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the micellar dispersion is oil-external.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
38 words
The method of restoring production of formation fluids from a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation having a well bore penetrating the formation wherein the formation is blocked by a water and hydrocarbon emulsion surrounding the well bore, the method comprising:
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the micellar dispersion is oil-external.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the micellar dispersion is water-external.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |