US4043922A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Secondary oil recovery process using oxyalkylated additives
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1975-06-26
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1995-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A process for the recovery of hydrocarbon materials from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation by contacting the formation with an aqueous alkaline flooding medium containing a solubilizing agent. Useful solubilizing agents include for example, block-type compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is an integer of from 1 to about 10 and m is an integer of about 5 to about 40.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold A. Palmer
- 👤 Thomas E. Sample, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:53
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592; C09K8/60; C09K8/607; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation having in communication therewith at least one injection well and at least one production well comprising: a. injecting into the said formation through said injection well an aqueous alkaline flooding medium containing a solubilizing agent comprising a water-soluble, oxyalkylated, nitrogen-containing aromatic compound, b. forcing said alkaline flooding medium through the formation and, c. recovering hydrocarbons through said production well, wherein the said water-soluble oxyalkylated, nitrogencontaining aromatic compound is selected from the group consisting of: A. a block-type, water-soluble, oxyalkylated compound of the formula: ##STR8## wherein n is an integer of from 1 to about 10 and m is an integer of from 5 to about 40, and B. a random-type, water-soluble oxyalkylated compound which has been further reacted with ethylene oxide having the formula: ##STR9## wherein the sum of r plus s is an integer of from 2 to about 12 and with the proviso that r and s are each not less than 1 and t is an integer of from 5 to about 32 and wherein the said aqueous alkaline flooding medium contains an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal hypochlorites, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation having in communication therewith at least one injection well and at least one production well comprising: a. injecting into the said formation through said injection well an aqueous alkaline flooding medium containing a solubilizing agent comprising a water-soluble, oxyalkylated, nitrogen-containing aromatic compound, b. forcing said alkaline flooding medium through the formation and, c. recovering hydrocarbons through said production well, wherein the said water-soluble oxyalkylated, nitrogencontaining aromatic compound is selected from the group consisting of: A. a block-type, water-soluble, oxyalkylated compound of the formula: ##STR8## wherein n is an integer of from 1 to about 10 and m is an integer of from 5 to about 40, and B. a random-type, water-soluble oxyalkylated compound which has been further reacted with ethylene oxide having the formula: ##STR9## wherein the sum of r plus s is an integer of from 2 to about 12 and with the proviso that r and s are each not less than 1 and t is an integer of from 5 to about 32 and wherein the said aqueous alkaline flooding medium contains an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal hypochlorites, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said nitrogen-containing compound has the formula: ##STR10## wherein n is an integer of from 1 to about 10 and m is an integer of from 5 to about 40.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said nitrogen-containing aromatic compound is a random type oxyalkylated compound which has been further reacted with ethylene oxide and has the formula: ##STR11## wherein the sum of r plus s is an integer of from 2 to about 12, and with the proviso that r and s are each not less than 1 and t is an integer of from 5 to about 32.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said nitrogen-containing aromatic compound is: ##STR12##
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said nitrogen-containing aromatic compound is prepared by oxyalkylating m-nitrophenol with a mixture of three moles of propylene oxide and two moles of ethylene oxide and then with eight moles of ethylene oxide and has the formula: ##STR13##
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous alkaline flooding medium comprises an aqueous medium containing an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal hypochlorites, alkaline earth metal hydroxides and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said alkaline agent is sodium hydroxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the said alkaline agent is contained in the aqueous medium in amounts in the range of from about 0.001 to about 0.5 molar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the said aqueous medium is steam.
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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 |