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US3601197A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Treatment of formations with aryl sulfonic acid

Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1970-04-29
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Granted: 1971-08-24
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Expires: 1990-04-29
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Abstract

Abstract A method for improving the permeability of a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore wherein an aqueous solution containing an aryl sulfonic acid, such as p-toluem sulfonic acid, as the principal active constituent is injected into the formation to dissolve carbonates and similar materials. The solution may contain an organic polar compound or a minor amount of an inorganic acid.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert C Ayers Jr
  • 👤 Bert B Williams

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 17:19
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 15 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherEin said sulfonic acid is p-toluene sulfonic acid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said aqueous solution is followed by an aqueous afterflush.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said aqueous solution is preceded by an aqueous preflush.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said sulfonic acid is present in said aqueous solution in a concentration in excess of about 35 percent by weight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said aqueous solution is injected in a quantity between about 25 and about 200 gallons per foot of formation thickness.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 85 words
A method for treating a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore which comprises injecting into said formation an aqueous acidizing solution consisting essentially of an organic, water-soluble aryl sulfonic acid, water, and a polar organic compound, said sulfonic acid being present in a concentration in excess of about 15 percent by weight and having the general formula RxC6Hz(SO3H)y, where R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 2 carbon atoms, x is from 0 to 3, y is from 1 to 2, and z 6-(x+y).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 16 words
A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said polar organic compound is a carboxylic acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said polar organic compound is an alcohol.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said polar organic compound is present in said acidizing solution in a concentration between about 1 percent and about 50 percent by weight.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 15 words
A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said sulfonic acid is p-toluene sulfonic acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 28 words
A method as defined by claim 7 wherein said sulfonic acid is present in said acidizing solution in a concentration in excess of about 50 percent by weight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 111 words
A method for acidizing a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore which comprises injecting into said formation and aqueous acidizing solution consisting essentially of an organic, water-soluble aryl sulfonic acid, a minor amount of an inorganic acid, and water, said sulfonic acid being present in a concentration in excess of about 15 percent by weight and having the general formula RxC6Hz(SO3H)y, where R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 2 carbon atoms, x is from 0 to 3, y is from 1 to 2, and z 6-(x+y). 14 A method as defined by claim 13 wherein said sulfonic acid is p-toluene sulfonic acid and said inorganic acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 89 words
A method for treating a subterranean carbonate-containing formation surrounding a wellbore which comprises injecting into said formation an aqueous acid solution consisting essentially of an organic, water-soluble aryl sulfonic acid and water, introducing an aqueous afterflush into said formation behind said acid solution, and thereafter producing fluids from said formation into the wellbore, said sulfonic acid having the general formula RxC6Hz(SO3H)y, where R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 2 carbon atoms, x is from 0 to 3, y is from 1 to 2, and z 6-(x+y).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method as defined by claim 15 wherein said sulfonic acid is p-toluene sulfonic acid and said acid is present in said solution in a concentration in excess of about 35 percent by weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 23 words
A method as defined by claim 15 wherein said acid solution has an acid concentration in excess of about 50 percent by weight.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 47 words
A method for treating a subterranean formation surrounding a wellbore which comprises injecting an aqueous solution consisting essentially of toluene sulfonic acid and water into said formation, said toluene sulfonic acid being present in said solution in a concentration in excess of about 35 percent by weight.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2267548A Cited
US2024718A Cited
US2204580A Cited
US2059459A Cited
US2338282A Cited
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US2370421A Cited
US3353603A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1974-08-23 1975-02-22 1975-08-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-08-23 1979-02-22 1979-08-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-08-23 1983-02-22 1983-08-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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