US3687201A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery process using micellar solutions of desired viscosity
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
•
Filing: 1971-01-04
•
Granted: 1972-08-29
•
Expires: 1991-01-04
Abstract
Abstract The viscosity of micellar solutions is varied within a range permitted by the viscosity of the hydrocarbon-external phase by utilizing as a surfactant a low average equivalent weight petroleum sulfonate (e.g. about 350) to obtain a relatively high viscosity micellar solution and increasing the average equivalent weight of the surfactant to about 525 to obtain decreased viscosities. These solutions are especially useful in secondary and tertiary oil recovery processes.
Inventors
- 👤 Marion O Son Jr
- 👤 William C Tosch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:37
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the added petroleum sulfonate has an average equivalent weight within the range of about 350 to about 525.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the average equivalent weight of the added petroleum sulfonate is within the range of about 400 to about 480.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar solution contains a cosurfactant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the micellar solution contains from about 30 to about 90 percent hydrocarbon, about 5 percent to about 60 percent aqueous medium, and at least about 2 percent petroleum sulfonate, the percents based on volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the aqueous medium contains electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the petroleum sulfonate contains a monovalent cation(s).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the average molecule of the petroleum sulfonate contains one sulfonate group.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3082822A
Cited
US3163214A
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US3330343A
Cited
US3275075A
Cited
US3348611A
Cited
US3254714A
Cited
US3361313A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-29 | 1976-02-28 | 1976-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-29 | 1980-02-28 | 1980-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-29 | 1984-02-28 | 1984-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |