US4006779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lignosulfonates as sacrificial agents in oil recovery processes
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1975-06-30
•
Granted: 1977-02-08
•
Expires: 1995-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing petroleum from subterranean formations is disclosed wherein production from the formation is obtained by driving a fluid from an injection well to a production well. The process involves injecting via the injection well into the formation an aqueous solution of lignosulfonate salt as a sacrificial agent to inhibit the deposition of surfactant contained in a micellar dispersion (microemulsion) on the reservoir matrix. Normally the process would be carried out by first injecting the lignosulfonates into the formation through the injection well and following them with a micellar dispersion which may contain lignosulfonates. The micellar dispersion would then be followed by a drive fluid such as water to push the dispersion to the production well.
Inventors
- 👤 George Kalfoglou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:45
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
In a method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well wherein a micellar dispersion is injected into the injection well in order to drive the oil to the production well wherein it is produced the improvement which comprises: injecting into the injection well in admixture with the micellar dispersion sulfite lignosulfonates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well wherein a micellar dispersion is injected into the injection well in order to drive the oil to the production well wherein it is produced the improvement which comprises: injecting into the injection well in admixture with the micellar dispersion sulfite lignosulfonates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the sulfite lignosulfonates have a degree of sulfonation ranging from about 2.0 to saturation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the cation associated with the lignosulfonate salts is selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, ammonium and ferrochrome.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the amount of lignosulfonate salts is present in an amount sufficient to occupy substantially all of the active sites on the formation matrix.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well wherein a micellar dispersion is injected into the injection well in order to drive the oil to the production well wherein it is produced the improvement which comprises: injecting into the injection well in admixture with the micellar dispersion sulfonated alkali lignins.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
In a method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well wherein a micellar dispersion is injected into the injection well in order to drive the oil to the production well wherein it is produced the improvement which comprises: injecting into the injection well in admixture with the micellar dispersion sulfonated alkali lignins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the sulfonated alkali lignins have a degree of sulfonation ranging from about 2.0 to saturation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the cation associated with the sulfonated alkali lignins is selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, ammonium and ferrochrome.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 5 wherein the amount of sulfonated alkali lignins is present in an amount sufficient to occupy substantially all of the active sites on the formation matrix.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well wherein a micellar dispersion is injected into the injection well in order to drive the oil to the production well wherein it is produced the improvement which comprises: injecting into the injection well in admixture with the micellar dispersion lignosulfonates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well wherein a micellar dispersion is injected into the injection well in order to drive the oil to the production well wherein it is produced the improvement which comprises: injecting into the injection well in admixture with the micellar dispersion lignosulfonates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3384171A
Cited
US3520366A
Cited
US3478823A
Cited
US3476188A
Cited
US3532166A
Cited
US3700031A
Cited
US3688844A
Cited
US3844350A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-08 | 1980-08-09 | 1981-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-08 | 1984-08-09 | 1985-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-08 | 1988-08-09 | 1989-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |