Patent US368281A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4037656A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4037656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery method employing acids extracted from crudes using a ion-exchange process
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1976-05-21
•
Granted: 1977-07-26
•
Expires: 1996-05-21
Abstract
Abstract This specification is directed to a method of producing oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation by a caustic waterflood. Oil containing carboxylic acids is passed through an ion-exchange resin to selectively remove the carboxylic acids therefrom. The removed carboxylic acids are injected into the formation in conjunction with the caustic waterflood to enhance the production of oil from the formation.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:59
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of producing oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, comprising the steps of: a. contacting an oil containing carboxylic acids with an ion-exchange resin to selectively remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; b. removing said carboxylic acids from said ion-exchange resin; c. injecting said removed carboxylic acids via said injection well into said formation; d. injecting an aqueous caustic solution via said injection well into said subterranean formation; and e. producing oil via said production well from said subterranean formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of producing oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, comprising the steps of: a. contacting an oil containing carboxylic acids with an ion-exchange resin to selectively remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; b. removing said carboxylic acids from said ion-exchange resin; c. injecting said removed carboxylic acids via said injection well into said formation; d. injecting an aqueous caustic solution via said injection well into said subterranean formation; and e. producing oil via said production well from said subterranean formation.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of producing oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, comprising the steps of: a. contacting an oil containing carboxylic acids with an ion-exchange resin to selectively remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; b. passing a solution of caustic in alcohol in contact with said ion-exchange resin to remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; c. contacting said removed carboxylic acids with an aqueous alkaline solution to neutralize said carboxylic acids and form an aqueous solution of neutralized carboxylic acids; d. injecting said aqueous solution of neutralized carboxylic acids into said formation; e. injecting an aqueous driving liquid via said injection well into said subterranean formation to drive said aqueous solution of neutralized carboxylic acids through said formation toward said production well; and f. producing oil via said production well from said subterranean formation.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of producing oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, comprising the steps of: a. contacting an oil containing carboxylic acids with an ion-exchange resin to selectively remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; b. passing a solution of caustic in alcohol in contact with said ion-exchange resin to remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; c. contacting said removed carboxylic acids with an aqueous alkaline solution to neutralize said carboxylic acids and form an aqueous solution of neutralized carboxylic acids; d. injecting said aqueous solution of neutralized carboxylic acids into said formation; e. injecting an aqueous driving liquid via said injection well into said subterranean formation to drive said aqueous solution of neutralized carboxylic acids through said formation toward said production well; and f. producing oil via said production well from said subterranean formation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said ion-exchange resin is an Amberlyst macroreticular ion-exchange resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein an aqueous caustic solution is used as a driving liquid.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, comprising the steps of: a. contacting an oil containing carboxylic acids with an ion-exchange resin to selectively remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; b. passing a solution of caustic in alcohol in contact with said ion-exchange resin to remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; c. injecting said removed carboxylic acids via said injection well into said formation; d. injecting an aqueous caustic solution via said injection well into said subterranean formation; and e. producing oil via said production well from said subterranean formation.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing oil from an oil-containing subterranean formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, comprising the steps of: a. contacting an oil containing carboxylic acids with an ion-exchange resin to selectively remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; b. passing a solution of caustic in alcohol in contact with said ion-exchange resin to remove said carboxylic acids therefrom; c. injecting said removed carboxylic acids via said injection well into said formation; d. injecting an aqueous caustic solution via said injection well into said subterranean formation; and e. producing oil via said production well from said subterranean formation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said aqueous caustic solution injected into said formation is comprised of water, said solution of caustic in alcohol and said carboxylic acids removed from said ion-exchange resin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said oil containing carboxylic acids that is contacted with said ion-exchange resin is oil produced from said oil-containing subterranean formation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said ion-exchange resin is an Amberlyst macroreticular ion-exchange resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2288857A
Cited
US3185214A
Cited
US3111984A
Cited
US3174542A
Cited
US3298436A
Cited
US3823776A
Cited
US3927716A
Cited
US3929190A
Cited
US3926255A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-25 | 1981-01-24 | 1981-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-25 | 1985-01-24 | 1985-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-25 | 1989-01-24 | 1989-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |