US3983940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Water-external microemulsion and method of recovering oil therewith
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1975-06-20
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Granted: 1976-10-05
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Expires: 1995-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A water-external microemulsion and a method of recovering crude oil therewith, the water-external microemulsion being one which comprises at least 90% by weight of an aqueous medium, an oil component and a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form the microemulsion. The water-external microemulsion allows for effective and efficient crude oil recovery by providing minimum adsorption and low oil-water interfacial tension.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence W. Carpenter, Jr.
- 👤 Walter W. Gale
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:30
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936; Y10S507/937; Y10S507/938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
In a method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at east one production means wherein a displacing fluid is injected into said formation through said injection means and is driven toward said productive means by injection of a driving fluid, the improvement wherein said displacing fluid comprises a water-external microemulsion comprising: a. an aqueous medium in an amount of greater than 90% based on the weight of the microemulsion; b. an oil; and c. a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate, in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form said microemulsion, said microemulsion exhibiting an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.1 dynes/cm with the crude oil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
In a method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at east one production means wherein a displacing fluid is injected into said formation through said injection means and is driven toward said productive means by injection of a driving fluid, the improvement wherein said displacing fluid comprises a water-external microemulsion comprising: a. an aqueous medium in an amount of greater than 90% based on the weight of the microemulsion; b. an oil; and c. a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate, in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form said microemulsion, said microemulsion exhibiting an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.1 dynes/cm with the crude oil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said microemulsion is miscible with said crude oil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said microemulsion exhibits an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.04 dynes/cm with the crude oil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said oil is a refined or crude oil.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said refined or crude oil has physical and chemical characteristics substantially the same as the physical and chemical characteristics of the formation crude oil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous medium is a brine having a salt concentration of up to 2% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said brine has physical and chemical characteristics substantially the same as the physical and chemical characteristics of the formation water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is a C 12 orthoxylene sulfonate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said surfactant is a monoethanolamine salt of a C 12 orthoxylene sulfonic acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said microemulsion further includes a co-surfactant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said co-surfactant is a C 1-7 orthoxylene sulfonate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous medium is a brine having a salt concentration of up to 2% by weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the injection of said microemulsion if conduccted subsequent to primary depletion and waterflooding.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said microemulsion is injected as a 0.03 to 0.6 PV slug.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of recovering residual crude oil from a primary depleted and watered-out subterranean reservoir having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means which comprises: a. injecting into said watered-out reservoir through said injection means a water-external microemulsion comprising: i. an aqueous medium in an amount of greater than 90% based on the weight of the microemulsion; ii. an oil; and iii. a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form said microemulsion, said microemulsion displacing crude oil in said formation toward said production means, said microemulsion exhibiting an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.1 dynes/cm with the crude oil. b. injecting into said formation through said injection means, a driving fluid to drive said microemulsion and crude oil through said formation toward said production means; and c. recovering residual crude oil through said production means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of recovering residual crude oil from a primary depleted and watered-out subterranean reservoir having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means which comprises: a. injecting into said watered-out reservoir through said injection means a water-external microemulsion comprising: i. an aqueous medium in an amount of greater than 90% based on the weight of the microemulsion; ii. an oil; and iii. a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form said microemulsion, said microemulsion displacing crude oil in said formation toward said production means, said microemulsion exhibiting an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.1 dynes/cm with the crude oil. b. injecting into said formation through said injection means, a driving fluid to drive said microemulsion and crude oil through said formation toward said production means; and c. recovering residual crude oil through said production means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said microemulsion is miscible with said crude oil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said oil is a refined or crude oil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said refined or crude oil has physical and chemical characteristics substantially the same as the physical and chemical characteristics of the formation crude oil.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said aqueous medium is a brine having a salt concentration of up to 2% by weight.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said brine has physical and chemical characteristics substantially the same as the physical and chemical characteristics of the formation water.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said surfactant is a C 12 orthoxylene sulfonate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said surfactant is a monoethanolamine salt of a C 12 orthoxylene sulfonic acid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said microemulsion is injected as a 0.03 to 0.6 PV slug.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said microemulsion further includes a co-surfactant.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said co-surfactant is a C 1-7 orthoxylene sulfonate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means wherein a displacing fluid is injected into said formation through said injection means and is driven toward said productive means by injection of a driving fluid, the improvement wherein said displacing fluid comprises a water-external microemulsion comprising: a. an aqueous medium in an amount of greater than 90% based on the weight of the microemulsion; b. an oil; c. a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate, in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form said microemulsion, said microemulsion exhibiting an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.1 dyne/cm with the crude oil; and d. a co-surfactant comprising a sulfonated ethoxylated phenol.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a method of recovering crude oil from a subterranean formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means wherein a displacing fluid is injected into said formation through said injection means and is driven toward said productive means by injection of a driving fluid, the improvement wherein said displacing fluid comprises a water-external microemulsion comprising: a. an aqueous medium in an amount of greater than 90% based on the weight of the microemulsion; b. an oil; c. a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate, in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form said microemulsion, said microemulsion exhibiting an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.1 dyne/cm with the crude oil; and d. a co-surfactant comprising a sulfonated ethoxylated phenol.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of recovering residual crude oil from a primary depleted and watered-out subterranean reservoir having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means which comprises: a. injecting into said watered-out reservoir through said injection means a water-external microemulsion comprising: i. an aqueous medium in an amount of greater than 90% based on the weight of the microemulsion; ii. an oil; iii. a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form said microemulsion; and iv. a co-surfactant comprising a sulfonated ethoxylated phenol, said microemulsion displacing crude oil in said formation toward said production means, said microemulsion exhibitinng an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.1 dyne/cm with the crude oil; b. injecting into said formation through said injection means, a driving fluid to drive said microemulsion and crude oil through said formation toward said production means; and c. recovering residual crude oil through said production means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
162 words
A method of recovering residual crude oil from a primary depleted and watered-out subterranean reservoir having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means which comprises: a. injecting into said watered-out reservoir through said injection means a water-external microemulsion comprising: i. an aqueous medium in an amount of greater than 90% based on the weight of the microemulsion; ii. an oil; iii. a surfactant comprising a C 8-16 orthoxylene sulfonate in an amount greater than the critical micelle concentration to form said microemulsion; and iv. a co-surfactant comprising a sulfonated ethoxylated phenol, said microemulsion displacing crude oil in said formation toward said production means, said microemulsion exhibitinng an interfacial tension of from 0.0 to 0.1 dyne/cm with the crude oil; b. injecting into said formation through said injection means, a driving fluid to drive said microemulsion and crude oil through said formation toward said production means; and c. recovering residual crude oil through said production means.
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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) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |