US4055399A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tracers in predetermined concentration ratios
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1976-11-24
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Granted: 1977-10-25
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Expires: 1996-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A method for tracing the flow of a plurality of fluid slugs injected into a subsurface formation using a number of tracers smaller than the number of fluid slugs. Single tracers are used in a number of fluid slugs equal to the number of tracers. In the remaining injected fluid slugs, combinations of at least two of the tracers in predetermined concentration ratios are used. Recovered fluid is analyzed for the presence of each of the tracers and the ratios of the tracers indicates breakthrough of each injected slug.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Parrish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:53
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; E21B47/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for tracing the flow of three or more slugs of fluid injected into a subsurface formation by means of a smaller number of tracers comprising: adding a different one of said tracers to each of a number of injected fluid slugs equal to the number of said tracers; adding a different preselected ratio of at least two of said tracers to each of the remaining injected fluid slugs; recovering a sample of fluid at a recovery point; and analyzing said sample to determine the concentration of each of said tracers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for tracing the flow of three or more slugs of fluid injected into a subsurface formation by means of a smaller number of tracers comprising: adding a different one of said tracers to each of a number of injected fluid slugs equal to the number of said tracers; adding a different preselected ratio of at least two of said tracers to each of the remaining injected fluid slugs; recovering a sample of fluid at a recovery point; and analyzing said sample to determine the concentration of each of said tracers.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for tracing the flow of water from three or more origin points by use of a smaller number of tracers comprising: adding a different one of said tracers to each of a number of origin points equal to the number of tracers; adding a different preselected ratio of at least two of said tracers to each of the remaining origin points; recovering a sample of water at a recovery point; and analyzing said sample to determine the concentration of each of said tracers.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for tracing the flow of water from three or more origin points by use of a smaller number of tracers comprising: adding a different one of said tracers to each of a number of origin points equal to the number of tracers; adding a different preselected ratio of at least two of said tracers to each of the remaining origin points; recovering a sample of water at a recovery point; and analyzing said sample to determine the concentration of each of said tracers.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for tracing the flow of water from three origin points which comprises: adding a first tracer to a first of three origin points; adding a second tracer to a second of said three origin points; adding both said first tracer and said second tracer in a preselected ratio to a third of said three origin points; recovering a sample of water at a recovery point; and analyzing said sample to determine the concentrations of said first and second tracers.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for tracing the flow of water from three origin points which comprises: adding a first tracer to a first of three origin points; adding a second tracer to a second of said three origin points; adding both said first tracer and said second tracer in a preselected ratio to a third of said three origin points; recovering a sample of water at a recovery point; and analyzing said sample to determine the concentrations of said first and second tracers.
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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) | 1980-10-24 | 1981-04-25 | 1981-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-24 | 1985-04-25 | 1985-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-24 | 1989-04-25 | 1989-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |