US3926255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waterflooding employing surfactants derived from metallic soaps
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1974-11-07
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A waterflooding process in which a petroleum oil containing divalent metal soaps is contacted with an inorganic acid in order to convert the soaps to the corresponding organic acids. The organic acids thus obtained may be injected into the reservoir followed by an aqueous alkaline solution. Alternatively, the organic acids may be contacted with an aqueous alkaline solution in order to convert the acids to the corresponding surface-active monovalent salts which may be then injected into the reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 Sherrod A Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:32
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
IN THE RECOVERY OF OIL FROM A SUBTERRANEAN OIL RESERVOIR PENETRATED BY SPACED INJECTION AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, THE METHOD COMPRISING: A. CONTACTING A PETROLEUM OIL CONTAINING DIVALENT METAL SOAPS WITH AN AQUEOUS MINERAL ACID SOLUTION TO CONVERT SAID SOAPS TO ORGANIC ACIDS, B. INJECTING SAID ORGANIC ACIDS INTO SAID RESERVOIR VIA SAID INJECTING SYSTEM, C. INJECTING INTO SAID RESERVOIR VIA SAID INJECTION SYSTEM AN AQUEOUS ALKALINE SOLUTION TO NEUTRALIZE SAID ORGANIC ACIDS TO SURFACE-ACTIVE MONOVALENT METAL SOAPS, D. THEREAFTER INTRODUCING INTO SAID RESERVOIR VIA SAID INJECTION SYSTEM AN AQUEOUS FLOODING MEDIUM TO DISPLACE OIL TO SAID PRODUCTION SYSTEM, AND E. RECOVERING OIL FRIM SAID PRODUCTION SYSTEM.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
IN THE RECOVERY OF OIL FROM A SUBTERRANEAN OIL RESERVOIR PENETRATED BY SPACED INJECTION AND PRODUCTION SYSTEMS, THE METHOD COMPRISING: A. CONTACTING A PETROLEUM OIL CONTAINING DIVALENT METAL SOAPS WITH AN AQUEOUS MINERAL ACID SOLUTION TO CONVERT SAID SOAPS TO ORGANIC ACIDS, B. INJECTING SAID ORGANIC ACIDS INTO SAID RESERVOIR VIA SAID INJECTING SYSTEM, C. INJECTING INTO SAID RESERVOIR VIA SAID INJECTION SYSTEM AN AQUEOUS ALKALINE SOLUTION TO NEUTRALIZE SAID ORGANIC ACIDS TO SURFACE-ACTIVE MONOVALENT METAL SOAPS, D. THEREAFTER INTRODUCING INTO SAID RESERVOIR VIA SAID INJECTION SYSTEM AN AQUEOUS FLOODING MEDIUM TO DISPLACE OIL TO SAID PRODUCTION SYSTEM, AND E. RECOVERING OIL FRIM SAID PRODUCTION SYSTEM.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said acid solution comprises an acid the calcium salt of which precipitates from aqueous solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
In the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems, the method comprising: a. contacting a petroleum oil containing divalent metal soaps with an aqueous inorganic mineral acid solution to convert said soaps to organic acids, b. contacting said organic acids with an aqueous alkaline solution to convert said acids to surface-active monovalent metal soaps, c. injecting said monovalent metal soaps into said reservoir via said injection system, d. thereafter introducing into said reservoir via said injection system an aqueous flooding medium to displace oil to said production system, anD e. recovering oil from said production system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
104 words
In the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems, the method comprising: a. contacting a petroleum oil containing divalent metal soaps with an aqueous inorganic mineral acid solution to convert said soaps to organic acids, b. contacting said organic acids with an aqueous alkaline solution to convert said acids to surface-active monovalent metal soaps, c. injecting said monovalent metal soaps into said reservoir via said injection system, d. thereafter introducing into said reservoir via said injection system an aqueous flooding medium to displace oil to said production system, anD e. recovering oil from said production system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said acid solution comprises an acid the calcium salt of which precipitates from aqueous solution.
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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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |