US3916997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery with high conductivity micellar systems
Assignee: Marathon Oil Co
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Filing: 1973-09-13
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-09-13
Abstract
Abstract Improved oil recovery can be obtained by flooding with oilexternal micellar systems having an electrical conductivity above about 5 X 10 5 ohm 1 centimeter 1. Such conductivities can be obtained varying slug constituents, e.g., surfactant, cosurfactants, cyclohexanone, isopropyl alcohol, and the concentrations of the constituents.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry J Douglas
- 👤 Charles B Wenger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:53
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
IN A PROCESS FOR THE SECONDARY-TYPE RECOVERY OF PETROLEUM BY INJECTION OF MICELLAR SYSTEMS INTO SUBSTRERANEAN PETROLEUM-BEARING RESERVOIRS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING UTILIZING AS SAID MICELLAR SYSTEM SOIL-EXTERNAL COMPOSITIONS HAVING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITIES OF AT EAST ABOUT 5 X 10-4 OHM-1 CENTIMETER-1
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
IN A PROCESS FOR THE SECONDARY-TYPE RECOVERY OF PETROLEUM BY INJECTION OF MICELLAR SYSTEMS INTO SUBSTRERANEAN PETROLEUM-BEARING RESERVOIRS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING UTILIZING AS SAID MICELLAR SYSTEM SOIL-EXTERNAL COMPOSITIONS HAVING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITIES OF AT EAST ABOUT 5 X 10-4 OHM-1 CENTIMETER-1
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a process for the recovery of petroleum comprising injecting micellar systems into subterranean oil-bearing formations, the improvement comprising in combination formulating said micellar systems so that they comprise: a. from about 3 to about 20 weight percent of surfactant, b. from about 5 to about 60 percent by weight water containing electrolyte, c. from about 10 to about 60 percent by weight hydrocarbon, and d. cosurfactant in a quantity sufficient to provide a micellar system having an electrical conductivity above about 5 X 10 5 ohm 1 centimeter 1, wherein said micellar system is oil-external.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a process for the recovery of petroleum comprising injecting micellar systems into subterranean oil-bearing formations, the improvement comprising in combination formulating said micellar systems so that they comprise: a. from about 3 to about 20 weight percent of surfactant, b. from about 5 to about 60 percent by weight water containing electrolyte, c. from about 10 to about 60 percent by weight hydrocarbon, and d. cosurfactant in a quantity sufficient to provide a micellar system having an electrical conductivity above about 5 X 10 5 ohm 1 centimeter 1, wherein said micellar system is oil-external.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein said micellar system has a surface tension of less than about 27 dynes per centimeter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein said micellar system is formulated to be completely miscible with oil and substantially immiscible with water-containing electrolytes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein said micellar system is formulated to be completely miscible with oil and substantially immiscible with water-containing electrolytes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, and acetone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein said cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, and acetone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein said cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, and acetone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 5 wherein said cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of isopropyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, and acetone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein said electrolytes comprise from about 5 to about 60 percent by weight based on the weight of water of a salt selected from the group consisting of NaCl, Na2SO4 KCl, K2SO4, KOH, and CaCl2.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a process for secondary-type recovery of petroleum by injecting of micellar systems into subterranean petroleum-bearing reservoirs, the improvement comprising preparing said micellar systems by mixing together a surfactant, water, and cosurfactant, the amount of said cosurfactant being just sufficient to obtain a predetermined electrical conductivity which is greater than about 5 X 10 5 ohm 1 centimeters 1.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a process for secondary-type recovery of petroleum by injecting of micellar systems into subterranean petroleum-bearing reservoirs, the improvement comprising preparing said micellar systems by mixing together a surfactant, water, and cosurfactant, the amount of said cosurfactant being just sufficient to obtain a predetermined electrical conductivity which is greater than about 5 X 10 5 ohm 1 centimeters 1.
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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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |