US3841406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single well oil recovery method using carbon dioxide
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1972-05-17
•
Granted: 1974-10-15
•
Expires: 1992-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation in which a gas having a limited solubility in oil is injected into the formation via a well, to increase the formation pressure, and thereafter a slug of carbon dioxide is injected via the same well, after which the well is produced.
Inventors
- 👤 D Burnett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:28
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A METHOD OF RECOVERING OIL FROM AN OIL-BEARING SUBTERRANEAN RESERVOIR PENETRATED BY AT LEAST ONE WELL WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: A. INJECTING VIA SAID WELL A GAS HAVING LIMITED SOLUBILITY IN SAID OIL AND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP OF METHANE, NATURAL GAS, SEPARATOR GAS AND MIXTURES THEREOF IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO ESTABLISH IN SAID FORMATION IN THE VICINITY OF SAID WELL A PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A DRIVING FORCE TO DRIVE SAID OIL TO SAID WELL ON SUBSEQUENT PRODUCTION; B. THEREAFTER INJECTING VIA SAID WELL A SLUG OF CARBON DIOXIDE INTO SAID FORMATION IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO ESTABLISH IN THE VICINITY OF SAID WELL A ZONE OF OIL SATURATED WITH CARBON DIOXIDE; C. SHUTTING-IN SAID WELL; D. THEREAFTER PRODUCING SAID WELL AND RECOVERING SAID OIL FROM SAID FORMATION.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A METHOD OF RECOVERING OIL FROM AN OIL-BEARING SUBTERRANEAN RESERVOIR PENETRATED BY AT LEAST ONE WELL WHICH COMPRISES THE STEPS OF: A. INJECTING VIA SAID WELL A GAS HAVING LIMITED SOLUBILITY IN SAID OIL AND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP OF METHANE, NATURAL GAS, SEPARATOR GAS AND MIXTURES THEREOF IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO ESTABLISH IN SAID FORMATION IN THE VICINITY OF SAID WELL A PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL THAT IS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING A DRIVING FORCE TO DRIVE SAID OIL TO SAID WELL ON SUBSEQUENT PRODUCTION; B. THEREAFTER INJECTING VIA SAID WELL A SLUG OF CARBON DIOXIDE INTO SAID FORMATION IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO ESTABLISH IN THE VICINITY OF SAID WELL A ZONE OF OIL SATURATED WITH CARBON DIOXIDE; C. SHUTTING-IN SAID WELL; D. THEREAFTER PRODUCING SAID WELL AND RECOVERING SAID OIL FROM SAID FORMATION.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) is preceded by injecting a pressurizing fluid via said well to repressure said formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said slug of carbon dioxide contains at least 80 volume precent carbon dioxide and 20 percent gases selected from the group consisting of methane, natural gas, nitrogen, air and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of said slug of carbon dioxide is injected in sufficient amounts to saturate said formation within a radial distance of about 20 to about 100 feet of said well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said well is shut-in for a period of about 1 to 3 days.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said formation is repressured to a pressure of about 500 to 1000 psia.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said pressurizing fluid is flue gas, natural gas, nitrogen, water and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps described therein are cyclically repeated until further production becomes uneconomical.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |