US3768558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery process utilizing superheated steam
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1972-06-30
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Granted: 1973-10-30
•
Expires: 1992-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A secondary recovery process in which steam or superheated steam generated from a mixture of fresh, brackish or brine water and a heavy hydrocarbon or mixture of heavy hydrocarbon compounds is injected into an oil-bearing formation and oil is recovered from a producing well located at a substantial distance from the injection well.
Inventors
- 👤 J Allen
- 👤 T Teasdale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:08
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein iN step (c) sufficient heat is added to the resulting mixture to form superheated steam and a hydrocarbon liquid phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said oil is recovered from a producing well located a substantial distance from said injection well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said oil is produced from said formation by terminating said injection step and withdrawing oil from said reservoir via the injection well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said heavy hydrocarbon water phase is prepared by heating a mixture of the light hydrocarbon and to a temperature of at least 500*F and under a pressure of about 2000 to 2700 psig.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the said mixture of heavy hydrocarbon and feed water is brought to the elevated temperature condition in step (a) by continuously heating the light hydrocarbon stream and by bringing the feed water stream into direct contact with the hot heavy hydrocarbon, such that the boiler scaling is obviated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon employed is eicosane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB511768A
Cited
US2862558A
Cited
US3193009A
Cited
US3259186A
Cited
US3350299A
Cited
US3350300A
Cited
US3685581A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |