Patent US3838737A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3838737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Petroleum production technique
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-04
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Granted: 1974-10-01
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Expires: 1993-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A method for the miscible displacement of petroleum from a subterranean reservoir is provided. The method involves injecting two miscible fluids into an injection well and producing petroleum from a production well. A first solvent, more dense than water, is injected into the reservoir near the top of the reservoir, and a second solvent, less dense than water, is injected into the reservoir near or at the bottom of the reservoir. Both solvents are followed by water. The first solvent will tend to flow downward and the second solvent will tend to rise. The solvents will blend and provide piston-like displacement through the reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 J Allen
- 👤 J Tate
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:28
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A METHOD FOR PRODUCING PETROLEUM FROM A SUBTERRANEAN RESERVOIR WHICH COMPRISES: INJECTING A SLUG OF PETROLEUM SOLVENT MORE DENSE THAN WATER INTO THE UPPER PORTION OF THE RESERVOIR FOLLOWED BY A DRIVING FLUID, INJECTING A SLUG OF PETROLEUM SOLVENT LESS DENSE THAN WATER INTO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE RESERVOIR FOLLOWED BY A DRIVING FLUID AND DRIVING THESE SOLVENTS THROUGH THE RESERVOIR TOWARD A PRODUCTION POINT WHERE PETROLEUM IS PRODUCED.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A METHOD FOR PRODUCING PETROLEUM FROM A SUBTERRANEAN RESERVOIR WHICH COMPRISES: INJECTING A SLUG OF PETROLEUM SOLVENT MORE DENSE THAN WATER INTO THE UPPER PORTION OF THE RESERVOIR FOLLOWED BY A DRIVING FLUID, INJECTING A SLUG OF PETROLEUM SOLVENT LESS DENSE THAN WATER INTO THE LOWER PORTION OF THE RESERVOIR FOLLOWED BY A DRIVING FLUID AND DRIVING THESE SOLVENTS THROUGH THE RESERVOIR TOWARD A PRODUCTION POINT WHERE PETROLEUM IS PRODUCED.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the solvent more dense than water comprises carbon disulfide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the solvent more dense than water comprises chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the solvent more dense than water comprises mixtures of carbon disulfide and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for producing petroleum from a subterranean reservoir which comprises: injecting a slug of petroleum solvent more dense than water into the upper portion of the reservoir followed by an aqueous driving fluid, injecting a slug of petroleum solvent less dense than water into the lower portion of the reservoir followed by an aqueous fluid and forcing these solvents through the reservoir with an aqueous driving fluid toward a production point where petroleum is produced.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for producing petroleum from a subterranean reservoir which comprises: injecting a slug of petroleum solvent more dense than water into the upper portion of the reservoir followed by an aqueous driving fluid, injecting a slug of petroleum solvent less dense than water into the lower portion of the reservoir followed by an aqueous fluid and forcing these solvents through the reservoir with an aqueous driving fluid toward a production point where petroleum is produced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the solvent more dense than water comprises carbon disulfide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the solvent more dense than water comprises chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the solvent more dense than water comprises mixtures of carbon disulfide and chlorinated hydrocarbons.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the solvent slugs, if blended, would have a density about equal to the aqueous driving fluid.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for producing petroleum from a subterranean reservoir which comprises: simultaneously injecting a slug of petroleum solvent more dense than water into the upper portion of the reservoir and a slug of petroleum solvent less dense than water into the lower portion of the reservoir, both solvent slugs followed by a driving fluid and driving these solvent slugs through the reservoir toward a production point where petroleum is produced.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for producing petroleum from a subterranean reservoir which comprises: simultaneously injecting a slug of petroleum solvent more dense than water into the upper portion of the reservoir and a slug of petroleum solvent less dense than water into the lower portion of the reservoir, both solvent slugs followed by a driving fluid and driving these solvent slugs through the reservoir toward a production point where petroleum is produced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein the solvent more dense than water is selected from the group consisting of carbon disulfide and chlorinated hydrocarbons and the driving fluids are aqueous fluids.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3047063A
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US3221810A
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US3369601A
Cited
US3565175A
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US3729053A
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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) | 1977-09-30 | 1978-04-01 | 1978-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-30 | 1982-04-01 | 1982-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-30 | 1986-04-01 | 1986-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |