US3690376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery using steam-chemical drive fluids
Assignee: ROBERT M GIES
•
Filing: 1970-08-20
•
Granted: 1972-09-12
•
Expires: 1990-08-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for recovering hydrocarbons from underground formations which contain both hydrocarbons and a polyvalent salt formation water comprises injecting into said formation a steam composition containing a basic salt and a sequestering agent, the steam condensate of said steam composition having a pH of at least 8, said steam composition capable of forming an emulsion mobility front and a steam drive.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W Zwicky
- 👤 Robert M Gies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:56
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/20; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from an underground tar sand formation containing formation water having polyvalent ions comprising the steps of: a. arranging at least one injection well and at least one production well penetrating into said formation and communicating with each other; b. injecting through one of the injection wells and into the tar sand formation containing hydrocarbons and formation water having polyvalent ions, steam containing a mixture of alkali metal carbonate and alkali metal sulfate in amounts sufficient to give the steam condensate a pH of at least 8; c. continuing injection of the steam composition (b) until an emulsion front is established; and d. recovering flowable hydrocarbons via a production well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from an underground tar sand formation containing formation water having polyvalent ions comprising the steps of: a. arranging at least one injection well and at least one production well penetrating into said formation and communicating with each other; b. injecting through one of the injection wells and into the tar sand formation containing hydrocarbons and formation water having polyvalent ions, steam containing a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate in amounts sufficient to give the steam condensate a pH of at least 8; c. continuing injection of the steam composition (b) until an emulsion front is established; and d. recovering flowable hydrocarbons via a production well.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2288857A
Cited
US2813583A
Cited
US3193009A
Cited
US3258072A
Cited
US3221813A
Cited
US3373808A
Cited
US3414053A
Cited
US3490532A
Cited
US3532165A
Cited
US3572838A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |