US3987853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for increasing the oil recovery from active water drive reservoirs
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1975-06-23
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Granted: 1976-10-26
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Expires: 1995-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for increasing oil recovery from reservoirs which have an active water drive so that the reservoir pressure remains essentially constant during the production of oil from the reservoir. The method entails establishing a free gas saturation by injecting a hot fluid into the reservoir so that bubbles of gas will form due to the increased temperature and be held suspended in the reservoir. An additional amount of oil about equal to the irreducible gas saturation will be displaced by the encroaching aquifer and produced.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:09
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method whereby oil is produced from a subterranean oil reservoir having an active water drive and containing gas in solution which is penetrated by at least one injection well and the production well the improvements which comprise: injecting a hot fluid into said reservoir via said injection well the hot fluid being at a temperature sufficient to liberate the dissolved gas from the oil in the reservoir and simultaneously producing oil from the reservoir while injecting said hot fluid while the pressure in the reservoir remains essentially constant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method whereby oil is produced from a subterranean oil reservoir having an active water drive and containing gas in solution which is penetrated by at least one injection well and the production well the improvements which comprise: injecting a hot fluid into said reservoir via said injection well the hot fluid being at a temperature sufficient to liberate the dissolved gas from the oil in the reservoir and simultaneously producing oil from the reservoir while injecting said hot fluid while the pressure in the reservoir remains essentially constant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the hot fluid is water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the hot fluid is steam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the temperature of the reservoir is kept below the point of critical gas saturation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 3 wherein the temperature of the reservoir is kept below the point of critical gas saturation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |