US3667546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waterflooding method
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1970-05-28
•
Granted: 1972-06-06
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Expires: 1990-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A method of waterflooding a formation with a flood water and surfactant mixture whereby gel particles are added to the injection mixture to improve the efficiency of the flood.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry W Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:27
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/50; C09K8/504; C09K8/506; C09K8/508; C09K8/512
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gel particles are selected from a group consisting of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamids gelled with metal ions, partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamids gelled with formaldehyde, lignosulfonate gelled with polyvalent metal ions, or carboxymethylcellulose gelled with polyvalent metal ions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the surfactant is selected from a group consisting of nonylphenoxy poly(ethyleneoxy) ethanol, polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene (2) cetyl ether, ethoxylated lauryl alcohol, or nonylphenoxylpolyethoxy ethanol.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein sufficient volumes of gel particles are intermittently injected into a stream of water and surfactant flowing downwardly through the injection well and into the hydrocarbon-containing formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the volume of gel particles injected into the formation is an amount sufficient to cause a change in the injectivity profile of the injection well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the volume of gel particles injected into the formation is an amount sufficient to cause the injectivity profile of the injection well to be substantially uniform over portions of the formation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the volume of gel particles is an amount sufficient to reduce the permeability of the hydrocarbon-containing formation without substantially completely plugging said formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the gel particles are of sufficiently low strength so as to shear on the porous spaces of the formation being plugged at a pressure below the fracturing pressure of the hydrocarbon-containing formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the formation plugging properties of the gel particles are not rendered ineffective by action of the temperature and pressure of the formation thereupon for a period of time greater than the producing life of the hydrocarbon-containing formation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3467187A
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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) | 1975-06-06 | 1975-12-06 | 1976-06-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-06 | 1979-12-06 | 1980-06-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-06 | 1983-12-06 | 1984-06-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |