Patent US4043396A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4043396A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alkoxylated asphalt as sacrificial agents in oil recovery processes
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1976-06-16
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1996-06-16
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 into the formation via the injection well an aqueous solution of alkoxylated asphalts as a sacrificial agent to inhibit the deposition of surfactant and/or polymer on the reservoir matrix. Normally the process would be carried out by first injecting the alkoxylated asphalts into the formation through the injection well and following them with either a polymer or a surfactant solution.
Inventors
- 👤 Mohan Vaikunth Kudchadker
- 👤 Thad Oscar Walker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:58
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well comprising: a. injecting through an injection well into the formation an aqueous solution of alkoxylated asphalts, b. subsequently injecting into the formation via the injection well a surfactant solution, and c. producing oil from the formation via the production well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well comprising: a. injecting through an injection well into the formation an aqueous solution of alkoxylated asphalts, b. subsequently injecting into the formation via the injection well a surfactant solution, and c. producing oil from the formation via the production well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the alkoxylated asphalt contains from about 20 moles of ethylene oxide to 750 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of asphalt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the alkoxylated asphalt is present in amounts ranging from about 15 to about 150 pounds per acre foot of the formation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the asphalt is alkoxylated with a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the asphalt is alkoxylated with ethylene oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well wherein a surfactant solution is injected into the injection well in order to drive the oil to the production well where it is produced the improvement which comprises: injecting into the injection well prior to the surfactant an aqueous solution of alkoxylated asphalts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
In a method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well wherein a surfactant solution is injected into the injection well in order to drive the oil to the production well where it is produced the improvement which comprises: injecting into the injection well prior to the surfactant an aqueous solution of alkoxylated asphalts.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well comprising: a. injecting through an injection well into the formation an aqueous solution of ethoxylated asphalts having from about 20 moles to about 750 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of asphalt, b. subsequently injecting into the formation via the injection well a surfactant solution, and c. producing oil from the formation via the production well.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean formation containing oil and having an injection well and a production well comprising: a. injecting through an injection well into the formation an aqueous solution of ethoxylated asphalts having from about 20 moles to about 750 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of asphalt, b. subsequently injecting into the formation via the injection well a surfactant solution, and c. producing oil from the formation via the production well.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 8 wherein the surfactant comprises a mixture of an anionic and nonionic surfactant.
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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) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |