US3817330A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Secondary recovery method
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-29
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A novel method of secondary recovery of oil from subterranean reservoirs is provided wherein a fluid is used to drive the oil in the reservoir to production wells. This driving fluid is a mixture of water and colloidal silica. The driving fluid has a mobility ratio relative to the oil in the reservoir such that the driving fluid will maintain a flat face against the oil being driven to production wells and thus a high sweep efficiency of the reservoir will result.
Inventors
- 👤 C Christopher
- 👤 J Allen
- 👤 J Kolaian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:45
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the injected fluid is injected as a slug.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the injected fluid comprises an intimate mixture of water, a surfactant and colloidal silica.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a method for recovering oil from subterranean oil bearing reservoirs wherein at least one injection well and one production well are in fluid communication with said reservoir and an injection flUid is injected into the injection well and oil is produced from the production well the improvement which comprises: injecting a thickened fluid comprising an intimate mixture of water and colloidal silica, said colloidal silica being made up of chain-like formations sintered together, said chains being branched and having external surface area of from about 50 to about 400 meters 2/gram and having hydroxyl groups attached to silicon atoms at the surface enabling hydrogen bonding to form a three dimensional network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein the fluid is injected as a slug.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the injected fluid comprises an intimate mixture of water, a surfactant and colloidal silica.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |