US3874453A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recovery of viscous acidic crude oils
Assignee: Getty Oil Co
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Filing: 1972-12-06
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1992-12-06
Abstract
Abstract Methods are provided for cold recovery of highly acidic petroleum crude oils, i.e., those crudes having an acid number of at least about 2.5. The methods include injecting into the crude oil aqueous solution of barium hydroxide, whereupon the barium hydroxide reacts with the acid in the crude to form an oilsoluble barium soap. The barium soap emulsifies in the oil to form a grease-like barrier layer, and the crude is then pushed by a suitable pushing agent such as viscous water from behind the grease barrier, to a producing well from where the crude is produced.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H Friedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:30
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A METHOD FOR RECOVERY OF HIGHLY ACIDIC PETROLEUM CRUDE OIL HAVING A VISCOSITY OF AT LEAST ON THE ORDER OF ABOUT 1000 CP AT 75*F, FROM AN UNDERGROUND FORMATION HAVING THEREIN AT LEAST ONE INJECTION WELL AND AT LEAST ONE PRODUCING WELL, COMPRISING: INJECTING THROUGH AN INJECTION WELL AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF BARIUM HYDROXIDE, SAID BARIUM HYDROXIDE REACTING WITH THE ACIDIC CRUDE OIL TO FROM AN OIL-SOLUBLE SOAP, AND SAID SOAP FURTHER REACTING WITH SAID CRUDE TO FORM A GREASE-LIKE BARRIER LAYER, INJECTING A PUSHING AGENT THROUGH SAID INJECTION WELL TO PUSH SAID CRUDE, FROM BEHIND SAID BARRIER LAYER, TOWARD SAID PRODUCING WELL, AND PRODUCING SAID CRUDE OIL THROUGH SAID PRODUCING WELL.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A METHOD FOR RECOVERY OF HIGHLY ACIDIC PETROLEUM CRUDE OIL HAVING A VISCOSITY OF AT LEAST ON THE ORDER OF ABOUT 1000 CP AT 75*F, FROM AN UNDERGROUND FORMATION HAVING THEREIN AT LEAST ONE INJECTION WELL AND AT LEAST ONE PRODUCING WELL, COMPRISING: INJECTING THROUGH AN INJECTION WELL AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF BARIUM HYDROXIDE, SAID BARIUM HYDROXIDE REACTING WITH THE ACIDIC CRUDE OIL TO FROM AN OIL-SOLUBLE SOAP, AND SAID SOAP FURTHER REACTING WITH SAID CRUDE TO FORM A GREASE-LIKE BARRIER LAYER, INJECTING A PUSHING AGENT THROUGH SAID INJECTION WELL TO PUSH SAID CRUDE, FROM BEHIND SAID BARRIER LAYER, TOWARD SAID PRODUCING WELL, AND PRODUCING SAID CRUDE OIL THROUGH SAID PRODUCING WELL.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pushing agent is a viscous aqueous solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said pushing agent is an aqueous solution of carboxymethylcellulose.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pushing agent is an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for recovery of highly acidic petroleum crude oil having a visocisty of at least on the order of 1000 cp at 75*F, from an underground formation having therein at least one injection well and at least one producing well, comprising: injecting through said injecting well at least about 0.1 pore volume of an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide; said barium hydroxide reacting with said crude to form an oilsoluble soap, and said soap further reacting with said crude to form a grease-like barrier layer; injecting at least about 0.5 pore volume of a pushing agent through said injection well to push said crude, from behind said barrier layer, toward said producing well; and producing said crude oil through said producing well.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for recovery of highly acidic petroleum crude oil having a visocisty of at least on the order of 1000 cp at 75*F, from an underground formation having therein at least one injection well and at least one producing well, comprising: injecting through said injecting well at least about 0.1 pore volume of an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide; said barium hydroxide reacting with said crude to form an oilsoluble soap, and said soap further reacting with said crude to form a grease-like barrier layer; injecting at least about 0.5 pore volume of a pushing agent through said injection well to push said crude, from behind said barrier layer, toward said producing well; and producing said crude oil through said producing well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said pushing agent is a viscous aqueous solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method in accordance with claim 6, wherein said pushing agent is an aqueous solution of carboxymethylcellulose.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said pushing agent is an aqueous solution of barium hydroxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the acid number of said petroleum crude oil is at least about 2.5.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein about 0.1-0.2 pore volume of said barium hydroxide solution is followed by injection of about 0.5-0.8 pore volume of said pushing agent.
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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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |