US3677343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for improving the injection profile of a water injection well
Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
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Filing: 1970-07-16
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A method for improving the injection profile of flood water into a heterogeneous subterranean formation penetrated by a water injection well which comprises first establishing a flow of flood water into the formation through the injection well such that the velocity of the water in the well is sufficient to transport subsequently injected solid diverting agent particles down the well and, while maintaining a substantially constant flow of flood water into the well, dispersing in the flood water particles of a solid water-insoluble diverting agent.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Showalter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:45
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/90; C09K8/905; C09K8/58; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said solid diverting agent is dispersed in said flood water in an amount equivalent to about 0.3 to 3 pounds of said solid diverting agent particles per barrel of flood water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said solid diverting agent comprises particles of a homogeneous solid solution of paraffin wax and polymer having sizes within the range of about 1 micron to about one-half inch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method defined in claim 3 wherein said flood water is water, brine, or a viscous aqueous solution thickened by the addition of a viscosity increasing agent.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for improving the injection profile of water, brine, or viscous aqueous flooding medium into a heterogeneous subterranean formation having strata of varying permeabilities penetrated by an injection well within the flooding medium injected through the injection well preferentially enters the more permeable of said strata, which comprises: determining the rate of rise in said flooding medium under quiescent conditions of particles of a water-insoluble, solid diverting agent comprised of a homogeneous solid solution of paraffin wax and polymer and having sizes within the range of about 1 micron to about one-half inch; injecting said flooding medium into said injection well at a flow rate such that the downward velocity of said flooding medium in said well exceeds the rate of rise of said diverting agent particles in the flooding medium under quiescent conditions; and while maintaining a substantially constant flow of flooding medium into said well dispersing in said flooding medium about 0.3 to 3 pounds of said particulate solid water-insoluble diverting agent per barrel of flooding medium.
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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) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |