US3909422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for removing elemental sulfur in sour gas wells
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1972-12-18
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Granted: 1975-09-30
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Expires: 1992-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing sour gas wells whereby attendant problems due to sulfur deposition within the producing formation, well and surface equipment are prevented or alleviated by contacting the formation, well and surface equipment with a chemical composition whose aqueous solution will solubilize the sulfur by primary chemical reaction and containing a wetting agent to facilitate and accelerate the sulfur dissolution and removal.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Thomas E Sample
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:29
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/52; C09K8/528; C09K8/532; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/927; Y10S507/932
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A PROCESS FOR PREVENTING OR REMOVING SOLID SULFUR DEPOSITS IN AN ACID-GAS OR SOUR GAS WELL ITS ATTENDANT SURFACE FACILITIES OR THE PRODUCTION FORMATION BY CONTACTING THE SULFUR DEPOSITS WITH AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF ABOUT 3 TO ABOUT 50 PERCENT (W/W OF AN INORGANIC MTERIAL REACTIVE WITH SULFUR SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKALIES SODIUM SULFITE AND SODIUM BISULFITE AND ABOUT 10 PPM NONIONIC SURFACTANT WETTING AGENT
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A PROCESS FOR PREVENTING OR REMOVING SOLID SULFUR DEPOSITS IN AN ACID-GAS OR SOUR GAS WELL ITS ATTENDANT SURFACE FACILITIES OR THE PRODUCTION FORMATION BY CONTACTING THE SULFUR DEPOSITS WITH AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF ABOUT 3 TO ABOUT 50 PERCENT (W/W OF AN INORGANIC MTERIAL REACTIVE WITH SULFUR SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF ALKALIES SODIUM SULFITE AND SODIUM BISULFITE AND ABOUT 10 PPM NONIONIC SURFACTANT WETTING AGENT
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the nonionic surfactant is an ethylene oxide adduct of nonyl phenol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the inorganic material in solution is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the inorganic material in solution is soda ash.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the inorganic material in solution is sodium sulfite or bisulfite sulfite.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process for preventing or removing solid sulfur deposits in an acid-gas or sour gas well, its attendant surface facilities or the production formation by contacting the sulfur deposits with an aqueous solution of about 3 percent (w/w) to about 50 percent (w/w) sodium hydroxide and about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm of an ethylene oxide adduct of nonyl phenol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process for preventing or removing solid sulfur deposits in an acid-gas or sour gas well, its attendant surface facilities or the production formation by contacting the sulfur deposits with an aqueous solution of about 3 percent (w/w) to about 50 percent (w/w) sodium hydroxide and about 10 ppm to about 100 ppm of an ethylene oxide adduct of nonyl phenol.
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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) | 1978-09-29 | 1979-03-31 | 1979-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-29 | 1983-03-31 | 1983-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-29 | 1987-03-31 | 1987-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |