US3568772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well stimulation with micellar dispersions
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
•
Filing: 1969-09-25
•
Granted: 1971-03-09
•
Expires: 1989-09-25
Abstract
Abstract The injectivity index of injection wells is increased by injecting 1-500 gallons of a micellar dispersion per vertical foot of oil-bearing formation followed by 1-500 gallons of acid per vertical foot of oil-bearing formation. The micellar solution also tends to clean the oil-bearing sand so that the acid can more effectively ''''work'''' on the formation. Water, e.g. 0.5-50 volumes per volume of acid, can be injected after the micellar dispersion and before the acid. After the acid is injected, normal injection of water can be continued.
Inventors
- 👤 William B Gogarty
- 👤 Walter B Kirk Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:26
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
25 words
The process of Claim 1 wherein from about 1 to about 500 gallons of the micellar dispersion per vertical foot of oil-bearing formation is injected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein from about 1 to about 500 gallons of acid per vertical foot of oil-bearing formation is injected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mobility of the mIcellar dispersion is about equal to or greater than the mobility of the formation fluids flowing in the subterranean formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the mobility of the acid is about equal to or greater than the mobility of the interstitial water flowing in the subterranean formation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion is an oil-external dispersion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion is a water-external dispersion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion and/or acid is permitted to remain in contact with the formation immediately adjacent the well bore for a period of time up to about 6 hours before being displaced out into the formation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein water is injected into the injection means before the acid is injected into the injection well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 10 wherein from about 0.5 to about 50 volumes of water per volume of acid are injected in the injection means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion and acid is injected into the formation at a pressure less than the formation fracture pressure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion is comprised of hydrocarbon, aqueous medium, and surfactant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 13 wherein the micellar dispersion contains cosurfactant and/or electrolyte.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
97 words
A process of recovering crude oil from a subterranean oil-bearing subterranean formation having an injection means in fluid communication with a production means, the process comprising injecting into the injection means from about 1 to about 500 gallons of a micellar dispersion per vertical foot of oil-bearing formation, and then injecting into the injection means from about 1 to about 500 gallons of acid per vertical foot of oil-bearing formation and then injecting water into the injecting means to displace the micellar dispersion and acid out into the formation and recovering crude oil through the production means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the micellar dispersion is comprised of hydrocarbon, aqueous medium, and surfactant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the micellar dispersion contains cosurfactant and/or electrolyte.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the water is injected after the micellar dispersion and before the acid is injected into the injection means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 19 wherein from about 0.5 to about 50 volumes of water per volume of acid are injected into the injection means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the micellar dispersion and/or acid are permitted to remain in contact with the oil-bearing formation for a period of time up to about 6 hours before water is injected to displace the micellar dispersion and/or acid out into the formation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 15 wherein from about 2 to about 250 gallons of acid per vertical foot of oil-bearing formation are injected into the injection means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
A process of increasing the injectivity index of a disposal means in fluid communication with a subterranean formation, the process comprising injecting into the disposal means from about 1 to about 500 gallons of a micellar dispersion and then injecting into the means from about 1 to about 500 gallons of an acid, the gallons of micellar dispersion and acid based on vertical foot of formation capable of receiving disposable fluids, and thereafter continuing normal operation of the disposal means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 23 wherein from about 0.5 to about 50 volumes of water per volume of acid are injected into the disposal means before the acid is injected.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 23 wherein the micellar dispersion and/or acid are permitted to remain in contact with the formation in the immediate area of the disposal means for a period of time up to about 6 hours before being displaced out into the formation.
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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) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |