US3570602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surfactant solution secondary hydrocarbon recovery
Assignee: Tenneco Oil Co
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Filing: 1970-01-15
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Granted: 1971-03-16
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Expires: 1990-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for secondary recovery of hydrocarbons from a formation penetrated by at least two well bores by utilizing a surfactant displacement flood followed by a caustic water flood. The surfactant of the first flood facilitates penetration of the formation, and the caustic water flood strips any adsorbed surfactant from the formation and inhibits dilution of the surfactant phase by the formation of an emulsion at the surfactant solution-caustic solution interface.
Inventors
- 👤 William G Halbert Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:14
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
22 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said surfactant injection step includes injecting a polyoxyethylene-pOlyoxypropylene copolymer surfactant with said water solvent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention as claimed in claim 2 wherein the concentration of said polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer surfactant in said water is about 50-200 ppm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said surfactant is selected from the group of water and oil soluble nonionic ethylene oxide-polypropylene glycol detergents having an average molecular weight of about 2,900.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the size of said surfactant slug is about 5 percent to 20 percent of the pore volume of said formation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the size of said aqueous caustic slug is about 10 percent to 20 percent of the pore volume of said formation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the basicity of said aqueous caustic slug is about 1.5 to 2.5 pH levels higher than that of the brine water native to said formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein the size of said surfactant slug is about 5 percent to 20 percent of the pore volume of said formation and the size of said aqueous caustic slug is about 10 percent to 20 percent of the pore volume of said formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The invention as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said surfactant is selected from the group of water and oil soluble nonionic ethylene oxide-propylene glycol detergents having an average molecular weight of about 2,900; and the basicity of said aqueous caustic slug is about 1.5 to 2.5 pH levels higher than that of the brine water native to the formation.
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) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |