US3924683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for enhancing the recovery of oil using steam stimulation process
Assignee: Getty Oil Co
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Filing: 1974-10-15
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-10-15
Abstract
Abstract In a ''''huff and puff'''' type steam stimulation process for enhancing the recovery of oil from an underground formation, amounts of caustic material such as sodium hydroxide are added to the steam in concentrations greater than 500 parts per million, resulting in further enhancement of recovery.
Inventors
- 👤 William D George
- 👤 Chin-Wen Shen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:35
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A METHOD FOR ENHANCING THE RECOVERY OF OIL FROM AN UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR HAVING A WELL COMMUNICATING THERETO, COMPRISING: PROVIDING A SOURCE OF STEAM FOR SAID WELL; ADDING CAUSTIC MATERIAL TO SAID STEAM SO THAT THE CONCENTRATION OF SAID CAUSTIC MATERIAL IN SAID STEAM IS IN EXCESS OF 500 PARTS PER MILLION; INJECTING SAID STEAM CONTAINING SAID CAUSTIC MATERIAL INTO SAID RESERVOIR THROUGH SAID WELL FOR A FIRST PERIOD OF TIME; TERMINATING THE INJECTION OF SAID STEAM, AND THENCE COMMENCING THE PRODUCTION OF WELL FLUIDS FROM SAID WELL; CONTINUING THE PRODUCTION OF WELL FLUIDS FOR A SECOND PERIOD OF TIME, SAID FIRST PERIOD AND SAID SECOND PERIOD DEFINING A STEAM STIMULATION CYCLE; TERMINATING SAID PRODUCTION PERIOD; AND, REPEATING SAID STEAM STIMULATION CYCLE SEVERAL TIMES.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A METHOD FOR ENHANCING THE RECOVERY OF OIL FROM AN UNDERGROUND RESERVOIR HAVING A WELL COMMUNICATING THERETO, COMPRISING: PROVIDING A SOURCE OF STEAM FOR SAID WELL; ADDING CAUSTIC MATERIAL TO SAID STEAM SO THAT THE CONCENTRATION OF SAID CAUSTIC MATERIAL IN SAID STEAM IS IN EXCESS OF 500 PARTS PER MILLION; INJECTING SAID STEAM CONTAINING SAID CAUSTIC MATERIAL INTO SAID RESERVOIR THROUGH SAID WELL FOR A FIRST PERIOD OF TIME; TERMINATING THE INJECTION OF SAID STEAM, AND THENCE COMMENCING THE PRODUCTION OF WELL FLUIDS FROM SAID WELL; CONTINUING THE PRODUCTION OF WELL FLUIDS FOR A SECOND PERIOD OF TIME, SAID FIRST PERIOD AND SAID SECOND PERIOD DEFINING A STEAM STIMULATION CYCLE; TERMINATING SAID PRODUCTION PERIOD; AND, REPEATING SAID STEAM STIMULATION CYCLE SEVERAL TIMES.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said concentration of caustic material is in excess of 2000 parts per million.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for enhancing the recovery of oil from an underground reservoir having a well communicating thereto, comprising: providing a source of steam for said well; adding caustic material to said steam so that the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is between about 2000 parts per million and about 15,000 parts per million; injecting said steam containing said caustic material into said reservoir through said well for a first period of time; terminating the injection of said steam, and thence commencing the production of well fluids from said well; continuing the production of well fluids for a second period of time, said first period and said second period defining a steam stimulation cycle; terminating said production period; and, repeating said steam stimulation cycle several times.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for enhancing the recovery of oil from an underground reservoir having a well communicating thereto, comprising: providing a source of steam for said well; adding caustic material to said steam so that the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is between about 2000 parts per million and about 15,000 parts per million; injecting said steam containing said caustic material into said reservoir through said well for a first period of time; terminating the injection of said steam, and thence commencing the production of well fluids from said well; continuing the production of well fluids for a second period of time, said first period and said second period defining a steam stimulation cycle; terminating said production period; and, repeating said steam stimulation cycle several times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the length of said second period is approximately twice the length of said first period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the steam injected during said first period of each cycle is equal to approximately 7.5% of the pore volume of said reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3, wherein twelve steam stimulation cycles are employed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said caustic material is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said sodium hydroxide concentration is about 6000 parts per million.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for enhancing the recovery of oil from an underground reservoir having a well communicating thereto, comprising: providing a source of steam for said well; adding caustic material to said steam so that the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is at least approximately 6000 parts per mIllion; injecting said steam containing said caustic material into said reservoir through said well for a first period of time; terminating the injection of said steam, and thence commencing the production of well fluids from said well; continuing the production of well fluids for a second period of time, said first period and said second period defining a steam stimulation cycle; terminating said production period; repeating said steam stimulation cycle at least one more time; providing additional steam for said well; adding caustic material to said steam so that the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is approximately one-third that employed during the first steam stimulation cycle; injecting said steam containing caustic material into said reservoir through said well for a period of time similar to said first period of time; terminating the injection of said steam, and thence commencing the production of well fluids from said well; continuing the production of well fluids for a further period of time similar to said second period of time, said further injection and production periods defining a further steam stimulation cycle; terminating said production period; and, repeating said further steam stimulation cycle several times.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
244 words
A method for enhancing the recovery of oil from an underground reservoir having a well communicating thereto, comprising: providing a source of steam for said well; adding caustic material to said steam so that the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is at least approximately 6000 parts per mIllion; injecting said steam containing said caustic material into said reservoir through said well for a first period of time; terminating the injection of said steam, and thence commencing the production of well fluids from said well; continuing the production of well fluids for a second period of time, said first period and said second period defining a steam stimulation cycle; terminating said production period; repeating said steam stimulation cycle at least one more time; providing additional steam for said well; adding caustic material to said steam so that the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is approximately one-third that employed during the first steam stimulation cycle; injecting said steam containing caustic material into said reservoir through said well for a period of time similar to said first period of time; terminating the injection of said steam, and thence commencing the production of well fluids from said well; continuing the production of well fluids for a further period of time similar to said second period of time, said further injection and production periods defining a further steam stimulation cycle; terminating said production period; and, repeating said further steam stimulation cycle several times.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the length of said second period is approximately twice the length of said first period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the steam injected during said first period of each cycle is equal to approximately 7.5% of the pore volume of said reservoir.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9, wherein twelve steam stimulation cycles are employed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9, wherein said caustic material is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for enhancing the recovery of oil from an underground formation having a well communicating thereto, comrising: providing a source of steam for said well; adding caustic material to said steam so that the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is in excess of 500 parts per million; injecting said steam containing caustic material into said reservoir through said well, for a first period of time; terminating the injection of said steam, and thence allowing the steam to soak into the formation for a second period of time; thence commencing production of well fluids from said well, and continuing such production for a third period of time; said first, second and third periods of time defining a steam stimulation cycle; thence terminating production from said well; and, repeating said steam stimulation cycle several times.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for enhancing the recovery of oil from an underground formation having a well communicating thereto, comrising: providing a source of steam for said well; adding caustic material to said steam so that the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is in excess of 500 parts per million; injecting said steam containing caustic material into said reservoir through said well, for a first period of time; terminating the injection of said steam, and thence allowing the steam to soak into the formation for a second period of time; thence commencing production of well fluids from said well, and continuing such production for a third period of time; said first, second and third periods of time defining a steam stimulation cycle; thence terminating production from said well; and, repeating said steam stimulation cycle several times.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said concentration of caustic material is in excess of 2000 parts per million.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the concentration of said caustic material in said steam is between about 2000 parts per million and about 15,000 parts per million.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the length of said third period is approximately twice the length of said first period.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 16, wherein the steam injected during said first period of each cycle is equal to approximately 7.5% of the pore volume of said reservoir.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16, wherein twelve steam stimulation cycles are employed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said caustic material is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said sodium hydroxide concentration is approximately 6000 parts per million.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said sodium hydroxide concentration is reduced to about 2000 parts per million after the first few cycles.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the length of said third period is approximately twice the length of said first period.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the steam injected during said first period of each cycle is equal to approximately 7.5% of the poRe volume of said reservoir.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 22, wherein twelve steam stimulation cycles are employed.
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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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |