US3749169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Secondary recovery process
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1971-06-25
•
Granted: 1973-07-31
•
Expires: 1991-06-25
Abstract
Abstract Significant improvement in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing calcareous formation is accomplished by injecting into the formation via an injection well drilled into a formation communicating with an adjacent producing well and containing acid-soluble components which may or may not have water-sensitive clays and shales included therein, an acidic aqueous polymer solution whereupon the acid solution reacts with the acid-soluble components of the formation creating passageways or enlarging existing passageways thus facilitating the flow of fluids therein and thereby increasing the recovery of hydrocarbons from the formation through the adjacent producing well.
Inventors
- 👤 J Tate
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:07
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/72; C09K8/74; C09K8/58; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said vinyl-pyrrolidone polymer comprises recurring units of the formula:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said polymer is dissolved in about 3 to about 30 percent by weight aqueous solution of the mineral acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the average molecular weight of the said polymer is from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the average molecular weight of the said polymer is from about 100,000 to about 400,000.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone having an average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said acidic aqueous polymer solution comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone having an average molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 1,000,000 dissolved in about 3 to about 30 percent by weight aqueous hydrochloric acid solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the said acidic aqueous polymer solution comprises about 0.1 to about 10 percent by weight of polyvinylpyrrolidone having an average molecular weight of about 100,000 to about 400,000, dissolved in about 3 to 10 percent by weight aqueous hydrochloric acid solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation containing acid-soluble components andhaving at least one injection well and at least oNe production well penetrating the said formation in fluid communication, which comprises displacing through the formation a slug of a composition comprising an acidic aqueous polymer solution, thereafter injecting a slug of an aqueous drive fluid into the formation to drive the said polymer solution through said formation toward said production well and recovering hydrocarbons through the porduction well, the said acidic aqueous polymer solution comprising a vinyl-pyrrolidone polymer dissolved in an aqueous solution of a non-oxidizing mineral acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the said vinyl-pyrrolidone polymer comprises recurring units of the formula
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the said acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric and sulfuric acids.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the said acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the average molecular weight of the said polymer is about 10,000 to about 1,000,000.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the said polymer is polyvinylpyrrolidone having an average molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 1,000,000.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the said polymer is dissolved in about 3 to about 30 percent by weight aqueous solution of the mineral acid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the said acidic aqueous polymer solution comprises polyvinyl-pyrrolidone having an average molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 1,000,000 dissolved in about 3 to 30 percent by weight aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |