US3762475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decreasing the permeability and producing subterranean formations
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1971-10-21
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1991-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for decreasing the permeability and producing a subterranean formation by injecting starch granules into the formation and thereafter increasing the temperature of the granules within the formation to a temperature at which at least a portion of the starch granules are caused to increase to a size greater than their size before heating.
Inventors
- 👤 J Marx
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:14
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the starch granules injected are of a size in the range of about 5 to about 32 microns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the starch granules are dispersed in a carrier fluid comprising brine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the starch granules are granules of rice starch.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one production well spaced from said injection well, comprising: injecting a carrier fluid having starch granules into the formation, the largest of said starch granules being of a size in the range of about 1.1 to about 2.5 times a median pore size of the formation; increasing the temperature of the formation to a temperature in the range from that temperature at which at least a portion of the starch granules in the formation are caused to increase in size to an upper temperature of about 95* C.; injecting fluid into the injection well and outwardly through the formation; and producing fluids entering the production well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the starch granules injected are of a size in the range of about 5 to about 32 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the starch granules are dispersed in a carrier fluid comprising brine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as set forth in claim 5, wherein the starch granules are granules of rice starch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method, as set forth in claim 5, wherein heated fluid is injected into the formation for increasing the size of the starch granules; and continuing to inject heated fluid Into the formation for moving hydrocarbons into the producing well.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method, as set forth in claim 9, further including intermittently injecting other slugs of starch granules into the formation during the injection of fluid into and through the formation for moving hydrocarbons into the production well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method, as set forth in claim 9, including increasing the temperature of a portion of the enlarged starch granules in the formation to a temperature greater than about 95* C. for converting at least a portion of the starch granules to soluble starch.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
193 words
A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one producing well spaced from said injection well, comprising: Step 1 - injecting a carrier fluid having starch granules down the injection well and into the formation, the largest of said starch granules being of a size in the range of about 1.1 to about 2.5 times a median pore size of the hydrocarbon containing formation; Step 2 - injecting heated fluid downwardly through the injection well and outwardly through the formation into contact with the starch granules to heat the granules to a temperature in the range from that temperature at which at least a portion of the starch granules in the formation are caused to increase in size to an upper temperature of about 95* C. to alter the permeability of the formation; Step 3 - continuing to inject heated fluid through the formation to move a flood front and hydrocarbons through the formation toward the producing well and heat the starch granules to a temperature greater than 95* C.; and Step 4 - producing fluids entering the producing well.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as set forth in claim 12, including adding at least one other volume of starch granules to the injected fluid of Step 3.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method, as set forth in claim 12, wherein the heated fluid is steam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method, as set forth in claim 14, wherein the starch granules are dispersed in a carrier fluid comprising brine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2319020A
Cited
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 |