US3885626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Oil recovery process utilizing higher alkyl toluene sulfonate
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
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Filing: 1974-01-02
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1994-01-02
Abstract
Abstract Crude oil is recovered by injecting into a subterranean formation an aqueous surfactant solution wherein the surfactant is a higher alkyl toluene sulfonate, preferably octadecyl toluene sulfonate.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter W Gale
- 👤 Jr Thomas L Ashcraft
- 👤 Rhoderick K Saunders
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 18:37
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
IN A METHOD OF RECOVERY CRUDE OIL FROM A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION WHEREIN AN AQUEOUS SURFACTANT SYSTEM IS INJECTED INTO THE FORMATION THROUGHT AT LEAST ONE INJECTION MEANS TO DISPLACE CRUDE OIL IN THE FORMATION TOWARD AT LEAST ONE PRODUCTION MEANS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN THE SURFACTANT OF SAID AQUEOUS SURFACTANT SYSTEM IS C12-20 ALKYL TOLUENE SULFONATE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
IN A METHOD OF RECOVERY CRUDE OIL FROM A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION WHEREIN AN AQUEOUS SURFACTANT SYSTEM IS INJECTED INTO THE FORMATION THROUGHT AT LEAST ONE INJECTION MEANS TO DISPLACE CRUDE OIL IN THE FORMATION TOWARD AT LEAST ONE PRODUCTION MEANS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN THE SURFACTANT OF SAID AQUEOUS SURFACTANT SYSTEM IS C12-20 ALKYL TOLUENE SULFONATE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is octadecyl toluene sulfonate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said octadecyl toluene sulfonate is in the form of a monoethanolamine salt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous surfactant system is injected as a slug into a primary depleted and watered-out subterranean formation, followed by injection of a driving fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said C12-20 alkyl toluene sulfonate is present in said aqueous surfactant system in an amount of about 0.5 to about 10% by weight.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said C12-20 alkyl toluene sulfonate is present in said slug in an amount of about 0.5 to about 10% by weight.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of recovering residual crude oil from a subterranean formation which has been subjected to primary depletion and waterflooding which comprises injecting into the watered-out formation an aqueous saline solution of a C12-20 toluene sulfonate in an amount effective to displace and recover residual crude oil from said subterranean formation, and thereafter injecting into said formation a driving fluid to drive said aqueous saline solution through said formation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of recovering residual crude oil from a subterranean formation which has been subjected to primary depletion and waterflooding which comprises injecting into the watered-out formation an aqueous saline solution of a C12-20 toluene sulfonate in an amount effective to displace and recover residual crude oil from said subterranean formation, and thereafter injecting into said formation a driving fluid to drive said aqueous saline solution through said formation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said surfactant is octadecyl toluene sulfonate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said octadecyl toluene sulfonate is in the form of a monoethanolamine salt.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said aqueous solution of said C12-20 alkyl toluene sulfonate is injected as a 0.03 to 0.6 PV slug.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the C12-20 alkyl toluene sulfonate is present in said aqueous solution in an amount of 0.5 to 10% by weight.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean formation which comprises injecting into said formation through at least one injection means in communication with at least one production means an aqueous saline solution of a C12-20 alkyl toluene sulfonate in an amount effective to displace crude oil in said formation toward said production means and recovering the displaced crude oil through said production means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean formation which comprises injecting into said formation through at least one injection means in communication with at least one production means an aqueous saline solution of a C12-20 alkyl toluene sulfonate in an amount effective to displace crude oil in said formation toward said production means and recovering the displaced crude oil through said production means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said surfactant is octadecyl toluene sulfonate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said octadecyl toluene sulfonate is in the form of a monoethanolamine salt.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the injection of said aqueous solution is carried out after primary depletion and waterflooding of said subterranean formation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said aqueous solution is injected as a slug followed by injection of a driving fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said slug is a 0.03 to 0.6 PV slug.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said C12-20 alkyl toluene sulfonate is present in said slug in an amount of about 0.5 to about 10% by weight.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the C12-20 alkyl toluene sulfonate is present in said aqueous solution in an amount of 0.5 to 10% by weight.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |