US3866685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for selective plugging
Assignee: Getty Oil Co
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Filing: 1974-04-01
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Granted: 1975-02-18
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Expires: 1994-04-01
Abstract
Abstract Methods and compositions are provided for selectively plugging the water-rich strata of subterranean formations, including the injection into the formation of a water-soluble, oil-insoluble soap or ester. The soap or ester chemically reacts in the formation, either with reactants already in the formation or reactants which may be injected along with or prior to the soap or ester, to produce a water-insoluble, oil-soluble product which is effective to selectively plug the water-rich strata over a relatively long distance and over a relatively long period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H Friedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:51
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/50; C09K8/504; C09K8/506
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY PLUGGING WATER-RICH STRATE OF A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION CONTAINING STRATE WHICH ARE WATER-RICH AND OTHER STRATA WHICH ARE OIL-RICH, AND SAID STRATA HAVING AT LEAST ONE BOREHOLE THEREIN, COMPRISING: PROVIDING AN AQUEOUS COMPOSITION OF A METAL SALT SUITABLE FOR PROVIDING AVAILABLE METAL IONS; INJECTING SAID COMPOSITION THROUGH SAID BOREHOLE INTO SAID FORMATION; PROVIDING A DILUTE AQUEOUS COMPOSITION OF A WATER-SOLUBLE OIL-INSOLUBLE METAL SOAP OF A HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT ACID; THENCE PASSING SAID SOAP COMPOSITION INTO SAID BOREHOLE; INJECTING SAID SOAP COMPOSITION INTO SAID FORMATION AT A PRESSURE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE NATURAL FORMATION PRESSURE; REACTING SAID SOAP WITH THE METAL IONS PREVIOUSLY INJECTED INTO SAID FORMATION, TO FORM AS A REACTION PRODUCT, A SECOND METAL SOAP OF SAID ACID, SAID SECOND METAL SOAP BEING WATER-INSOLUBLE AND OIL-SOLUBLE, SAID REACTION PRODUCT BEING EFFECTIVE TO GREATLY REDUCE PERMEABILITY OF SAID WATER-RICH STRATA, OVER A RELATIVELY LONG DISTANCE AND OVER A RELATIVELY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY PLUGGING WATER-RICH STRATE OF A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION CONTAINING STRATE WHICH ARE WATER-RICH AND OTHER STRATA WHICH ARE OIL-RICH, AND SAID STRATA HAVING AT LEAST ONE BOREHOLE THEREIN, COMPRISING: PROVIDING AN AQUEOUS COMPOSITION OF A METAL SALT SUITABLE FOR PROVIDING AVAILABLE METAL IONS; INJECTING SAID COMPOSITION THROUGH SAID BOREHOLE INTO SAID FORMATION; PROVIDING A DILUTE AQUEOUS COMPOSITION OF A WATER-SOLUBLE OIL-INSOLUBLE METAL SOAP OF A HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT ACID; THENCE PASSING SAID SOAP COMPOSITION INTO SAID BOREHOLE; INJECTING SAID SOAP COMPOSITION INTO SAID FORMATION AT A PRESSURE SUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME THE NATURAL FORMATION PRESSURE; REACTING SAID SOAP WITH THE METAL IONS PREVIOUSLY INJECTED INTO SAID FORMATION, TO FORM AS A REACTION PRODUCT, A SECOND METAL SOAP OF SAID ACID, SAID SECOND METAL SOAP BEING WATER-INSOLUBLE AND OIL-SOLUBLE, SAID REACTION PRODUCT BEING EFFECTIVE TO GREATLY REDUCE PERMEABILITY OF SAID WATER-RICH STRATA, OVER A RELATIVELY LONG DISTANCE AND OVER A RELATIVELY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of rosin, abietic, and behenic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said soap is the sodium soap of commercial rosin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said soap is the potassium soap of behenic acid.
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) | 1978-02-17 | 1978-08-19 | 1979-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-17 | 1982-08-19 | 1983-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-17 | 1986-08-19 | 1987-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |