Patent US3762474A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3762474A
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Recovery of hydrocarbons from a secondary gas cap by the injection of a light hydrocarbon
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-24
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Recovery of residual hydrocarbons from a secondary gas cap is effected by injecting into the gas cap via one well a light hydrocarbon solvent and thereafter producing the well to recover a mixture of the hydrocarbon solvent and the immobile liquid hydrocarbons from the enriched gas produced.
Inventors
- 👤 J Allen
- 👤 W James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:46
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/166; E21B43/168
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said produced mixture is separated into said solvent and said immobile liquid hydrocarbons, and thereafter said hydrocarbon solvent is reinjected into said gas cap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said light hydrocarbon solvent is composed of hydrocarbon consisting essentially of hydrocarbon having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms per molecule.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said solvent is propane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said solvent is liquid petroleum gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said solvent contains methane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said formation contains a gas-oil contact and said solvent is injected via said well near the top of said gas cap and production of said well is near said gas-oil contact.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
57 words
The method for recovery of residual immobile hydrocarbons from a secondary gas cap, said gas cap being penetrated by at least a first gas cap well comprising the injection of a light hydrocarbon solvent into said gas cap via said first gas cap well and thereafter producing said well, thereby recovering said solvent and said residual hydrocarbons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said light hydrocarbon solvent is composed of hydrocarbons consisting essentially of light hydrocarbons having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms per molecule.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said solvent is propane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said solvent is liquid petroleum gas.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said solvent contains methane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said gas cap is penetrated by a plurality of wells including the additional steps of separating a light hydrocarbon fraction from said recovered solvent and residual hydrocarbons and injecting said light hydrocarbon fraction into said gas cap via a second gas cap well.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |