US3596715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of recovering hydrocarbons with highly aqueous soluble oils using phosphate ester surfactants
Assignee: Tenneco Oil Co
•
Filing: 1970-01-15
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Granted: 1971-08-03
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Expires: 1990-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for secondarily recovering hydrocarbons using soluble microemulsions which are highly resistant to phase separation due to water dilution and which are created by contacting certain hydrocarbons with an organic phosphate surfactant. The method for recovering hydrocarbons from underground formations includes the steps of injecting the soluble oil microemulsion through an injection well penetrating the formation. It also includes injecting an aqueous drive fluid through the injection wall, thereby displacing the hydrocarbon within the formation toward the second wellbore, and producing the oil to the surface through the second wellbore.
Inventors
- 👤 William G Halbert Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:03
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
26 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said liquid hydrocarbon is chosen from the group consisting of crude oil, gasoliNes, refinery cuts and hydrocarbon solvents.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 including: admixing a strong base to said aqueous-soluble oil prior to said surfactant injection step whereby the miscibility of said dilute slug of soluble oil with the formation oils is enhanced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said soluble oil microemulsion remains a single-phase system from the range of about one part by volume surfactant to one part by volume oil in a minimum water-diluted state to about nine parts surfactant to one part by volume oil in its near-infinite dilution state.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3212575A
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US3330346A
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US3275075A
Cited
US3435898A
Cited
US3506070A
Cited
US3480083A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-02 | 1975-02-01 | 1975-08-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-02 | 1979-02-01 | 1979-08-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-02 | 1983-02-01 | 1983-08-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |