US4048078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery process utilizing air and superheated steam
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1975-07-14
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Granted: 1977-09-13
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Expires: 1995-07-14
Abstract
Abstract Petroleum may be recovered from viscous petroleum containing formations including tar sand deposits by first creating a fluid communication path in the formation, followed by injecting via an injection well a fluid comprising superheated steam and air into the formation via the fluid communication path whereby in situ combustion occurs providing heat and pressure for driving the petroleum in the formation toward the production well. Recovery of the displaced petroleum is accomplished via the production well.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Allen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:20
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A fluid which comprises about 20 to about 80 weight percent steam and about 80 to about 20 weight percent of air together with about 0.001 to about 0.02 weight percent of a solubilizing agent having the structural formula: ##STR4## wherein r is an integer of from 3 to 10, s is an integer of from 5 to about 50 and wherein the sum of r plus s is not more than 55 and from about 0.001 to about 0.05 weight percent of an alkaline agent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fluid which comprises about 20 to about 80 weight percent steam and about 80 to about 20 weight percent of air together with about 0.001 to about 0.02 weight percent of a solubilizing agent having the structural formula: ##STR4## wherein r is an integer of from 3 to 10, s is an integer of from 5 to about 50 and wherein the sum of r plus s is not more than 55 and from about 0.001 to about 0.05 weight percent of an alkaline agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fluid of claim 1 wherein the alkaline agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The fluid of claim 2 wherein the said alkaline agent is sodium hypochlorite.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The fluid of claim 2 wherein the said steam is superheated steam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-09-12 | 1981-03-14 | 1981-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-12 | 1985-03-14 | 1985-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-12 | 1989-03-14 | 1989-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |