US3648772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miscible-type recovery process using foam as a mobility buffer
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
•
Filing: 1970-08-19
•
Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1990-08-19
Abstract
Abstract Crude oil is recovered from a subterranean oil-bearing formation having injection means in fluid communication with production means by injecting into the formation 1-20 percent formation pore volume of a micellar dispersion (contains hydrocarbon, surfactant, and aqueous medium) followed by 10-100 percent or more formation pore volume of foam. Drive water can be injected to displace the micellar dispersion and foam toward the production means to recover crude oil. The foam can have a mobility about equal to or less than that of the micellar dispersion. Also, a liquid mobility buffer slug can precede or follow the foam.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C Earlougher Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:33
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/92; C09K8/94
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein from about 1 to about 20 percent formation pore volume of the micellar dispersion is injected into the formation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar dispersion contains cosurfactant(s) and/or electrolyte(s).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein about 10 percent to about 100 percent formation pore volume of the foam is injected into the subterranean formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 4 wherein about 30 percent to about 70 percent formation pore volume of foam is injected into the subterranean formation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the foam has a mobility about equal to or less than that of the micellar dispersion flowing in the formation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein about 2 percent to about 10 percent formation pore volume of micellar dispersion is injected into the formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the foam is comprised of an aqueous medium, foaming agent, and gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the foam contains a mobility reducing agent to lower the mobility thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the mobility reducing agent is a partially hydrolyzed, high molecular weight polyacrylamide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
An improved process for recovering crude oil from an oil-bearing subterranean formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means, the process comprising the sequential injections into the formation of: a. about 1 to about 20 percent formation pore volume of a micellar dispersion comprised of hydrocarbon, surfactant, and aqueous medium, b. a liquid mobility buffer having a relative mobility about equal to or less than that of the micellar dispersion flowing in the formation, c. about 10 percent to about 100 percent formation pore volume of a foam comprised of aqueous medium, foaming agent, and gas, d. then sufficient drive fluid to displace the micellar dispersion and foam toward the production means to recover crude oil through said production means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the micellar dispersion contains cosurfactant(s) and/or electrolyte(s).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 11 wherein about 1 to about 20 percent formation pore volume of the mobility buffer is injected into the formation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 11 wherein about 20 percent to about 70 percent formation pore volume of the foam is injected.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 11 wherein a mobility-reducing agent is incorporated into the foam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 15 wherein the mobility-reducing agent is a partially-hydrolized, high molecular weight polyacrylamide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
An improved process for recovering crude oil from a subterranean oil-bearing formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means, the process comprising: a. injecting into the formation a micellar dispersion comprised of hydrocarbon, surfactant, and aqueous medium, b. injecting into the formation a foam, and c. displacing the micellar dispersion and foam toward the production means to recover crude oil through said production means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 17 wherein the micellar dispersion contains cosurfactant(s) and/or electrolyte(s).
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 17 wherein the foam is comprised of an aqueous medium, foaming agent, and gas.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 17 wherein the foam contains a mobility reducing agent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 20 wherein the mobility reducing agent is a partially hydrolyzed high molecular weight polyacrylamide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 17 wherein a liquid mobility buffer is injected into the formation previous to the injection of the foam.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 17 wherein foam is used to displace the micellar dispersion and injected through the formation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
73 words
A process for recovering crude oil from a subterranean oil-bearing formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means, the process comprising: a. injecting into the formation a micellar dispersion comprised of hydrocarbon, surfactant, and aqueous medium, b. forming in situ of the formation a foam, and c. displacing the micellar dispersion and foam toward the production means to recover crude oil through said production means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 24 wherein the foam is formed in situ from components comprised of an aqueous medium, foaming agent and gas.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 25 wherein the components include a mobility-reducing agent.
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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) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |