US4113631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Foaming and silt suspending agent
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1976-08-10
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Granted: 1978-09-12
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Expires: 1996-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A foaming and silt suspending agent is disclosed containing at least one alkyltrimethylammonium chloride and an amine oxide selected from the group consisting of bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide, and dimethyl-hydrogenated tallowamine oxide. The agent is particularly useful in a variety of aqueous based fluids of the type used in treating subterranean formations, including fluids containing other cationic additives such as certain acid inhibitors and clay stabilization agents which tend to impair the effectiveness of prior art agents.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:28
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/66; C09K8/68; C09K8/685; C09K23/00; C09K23/017; C09K23/18; C09K23/26; C09K8/02; C09K8/38; C09K8/70; C09K8/703; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/922; Y10S507/933; Y10S507/934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A composition suitable for imparting foaming and silt suspending properties to aqueous based fluids of the type suitable for use in treating subterranean formations, comprising a blend of: (a) at least one alkyltrimmethylammonium chloride, wherein the alkyl chain length is from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the mode alkyl chain length is 12 or 14 carbon atoms, and (b) an amine oxide selected from the group consisting of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide, and dimethyl-hydrogenated tallowamine oxide, wherein Component (a) and Component (b) are in a weight ratio to one another of (i) from about 45:55 to about 85:15 when Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoammine oxide, and (ii) from about 40:60 to about 95:5 when said Components (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A composition suitable for imparting foaming and silt suspending properties to aqueous based fluids of the type suitable for use in treating subterranean formations, comprising a blend of: (a) at least one alkyltrimmethylammonium chloride, wherein the alkyl chain length is from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the mode alkyl chain length is 12 or 14 carbon atoms, and (b) an amine oxide selected from the group consisting of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide, and dimethyl-hydrogenated tallowamine oxide, wherein Component (a) and Component (b) are in a weight ratio to one another of (i) from about 45:55 to about 85:15 when Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoammine oxide, and (ii) from about 40:60 to about 95:5 when said Components (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride, Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocamine oxide, and Components (a) and (b) are in a weight ratio to one another of from about 45:55 to about 85:15.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composition of claim 2 wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a weight ratio to one another of from about 60:40 to about 80:20.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
9 words
The composition of claim 3 containing, in addition, isopropanol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a weight ratio of from about 40:60 to about 95:5 and Components (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride with bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composition of claim 5 wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a weight ratio of from about 75:25 to about 95:5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein Component (a) is a blend of quaternary ammonium chlorides characterized by the following alkyl moiety distribution: dodecyl, about 90%, tetradecyl, about 9%; and octadecenyl, about 1%.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The composition of claim 1 wherein Component (a) is a blend of quaternary ammonium chlorides characterized by the following alkyl moiety distribution: octyl, about 8%; decyl, about 9%; dodecyl, about 47%; tetradecyl, about 18%; hexadecyl, about 8%; octadecyl, about 5%; and octadecenyl, about 5 percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
A foam comprised of an aqueous based fluid, an inert gas, and a blend of (a) at least one alkyltrimethylammmonium chloride, wherein the alkyl chain length is from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the mode alkyl chain length is 12 or 14 carbon atoms, (b) an amine oxide selected from the group consisting of bis(2-hydroxyetyl) cocoamine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide, and dimethyl-hydrogenated tallowamine oxide, said blend being present in an amount effective to impart foaming and silt suspending properties to said aqueous based fluid, wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a synergistic weight ratio to one another within the range of (i) from about 45:55 to about 85:15 when Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, and (ii) from about 40:60 to about 95:5 when said Components (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
154 words
A foam comprised of an aqueous based fluid, an inert gas, and a blend of (a) at least one alkyltrimethylammmonium chloride, wherein the alkyl chain length is from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the mode alkyl chain length is 12 or 14 carbon atoms, (b) an amine oxide selected from the group consisting of bis(2-hydroxyetyl) cocoamine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide, and dimethyl-hydrogenated tallowamine oxide, said blend being present in an amount effective to impart foaming and silt suspending properties to said aqueous based fluid, wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a synergistic weight ratio to one another within the range of (i) from about 45:55 to about 85:15 when Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, and (ii) from about 40:60 to about 95:5 when said Components (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein the aqueous based fluid is a brine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The foam of claim 11 wherein Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride, Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, and Components (a) and (b) are in a weight ratio to one another of from about 60:40 to about 80:20.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
9 words
The foam of claim 12 containing in addition, isopropanol.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The foam of claim 13 wherein Components (a) and (b) are present in a total amount of from about 0.05 to about 2 percent, based on the weight of the fluid to be foamed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The foam of claim 14 wherein Components (a) and (b) are present in a total amount of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 percent, based on the weight of the fluid to be foamed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a weight ratio of from about 75:25 to about 95:5 and Componets (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyll ammoniumm chloride with bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein Component (a) is a blend of quaternary ammonium chlorides characterized by the following alkyl moiety distribution: dodecyl, about 90%; tetradecyl, about 9%; and octadecenyl, about 1%.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein Component (a) is blend of quaternary ammonium chlorides characterized by the following alkyl moiety distribution: octyl, about 8%; decyl, about 9%; dodecyl, about 47%; tetradecyl, about 18%; hexadecyl, about 8%; octadecyl, about 5%; and octadecenyl, about 5 percent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The foam of claim 18 wherein Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein Components (a) and (b) are present in a total amount of from about 0.05 to about 2 percent, based on the weight of aqueous based fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The foam of claim 20 wherein Components (a) and (b) are present in a total amount of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 percent, based on the weight of the aqueous based fluid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein the aqueous based fluid is fresh water.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein the aqueous based fluid is an acid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The foam of claim 25 wherein the aqueous based fluid is inhibited hydrochloric acid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein the aqueous based fluid is a spent acid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The foam of claim 10 wherein the aqueous based fluid contains zirconium oxychloride as a clay stabilization agent.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of acidizing or fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a borehole, comprising injecting into the formation via the borehole so that said formation is acidized or fractured, an aqueous based acidizing or fracturing fluid containing a foaming and silt suspending quantity of a blend of (a) at least one alkyltrimethylammonium chloride, wherein the alkyl chain length is from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the mode alkyl chain length is 12 or 14 carbon atoms, and (b) an amine oxide selected from the group consisting of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide, and dimethyl-hydrogenated tallowamine oxide, wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a synergistic weight ratio to one another of (i) from about 45:55 to about 85:15 when Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoammine oxide, and (ii) from about 40:60 to about 95:5 when said Components (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, said fluid being admixed with an inert gas to form a foam.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of acidizing or fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a borehole, comprising injecting into the formation via the borehole so that said formation is acidized or fractured, an aqueous based acidizing or fracturing fluid containing a foaming and silt suspending quantity of a blend of (a) at least one alkyltrimethylammonium chloride, wherein the alkyl chain length is from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the mode alkyl chain length is 12 or 14 carbon atoms, and (b) an amine oxide selected from the group consisting of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, dimethylhexadecylamine oxide, and dimethyl-hydrogenated tallowamine oxide, wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a synergistic weight ratio to one another of (i) from about 45:55 to about 85:15 when Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoammine oxide, and (ii) from about 40:60 to about 95:5 when said Components (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, said fluid being admixed with an inert gas to form a foam.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 27 wherein Component (a) is cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride, Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, and Components (a) and (b) are in a weight ratio to one another of from about 60:40 to about 80:20.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
9 words
The method of claim 28 containing, in addition, isopropanol.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 29 wherein Components (a) and (b) are present in a total amount of from about 0.05 to about 2 percent, based on the weight of the aqueous based fluid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 30 wherein Components (a) and (b) are present in a total amount of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 percent, based on the weight of the aqueous based fluid.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 27 wherein Components (a) and (b) are in a weight ratio of from about 75:25 to about 95:5 and Components (a) and (b) are selected so as to provide a combination other than cocotrimethyl ammonium chloride with bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 27 wherein Component (a) is a blend of quaternary ammonium chlorides characterized by the following alkyl moiety distribution: dodecyl, about 90%; tetradecyl, about 9%; and octadecenyl, about 1%.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 27 wherein Component (a) is a blend of quaternary ammonium chlorides characterized by the following alkyl moiety distribution: octyl, about 8%; decyl, about 9%; dodecyl, about 47%; tetradecyl, about 18%; hexadecyl, about 8%; octadecyl, about 5%; and octadecenyl, about 5 percent.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 34 wherein Component (b) is bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 27 wherein Components (a) and (b) are presennt in a total amount of from about 0.05 to about 2 percent, based on the weight of the aqueous based fluid.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 36 wherein Components (a) and (b) are present in a total amount of from about 0.1 to about 0.5 percent, based on the weight of the aqueous based fluid.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the aqueous based fluid is fresh water.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the aqueous based fluid is an acid.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the aqueous based fluid is inhibited hydrochloric acid.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 27 where in the aqueous based fluid is a brine.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the aqueous based fluid and the blend are admixed with an inert gas to form a foam prior to injection into the borehole.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 42 which includes a subsequent step of removing at least a portion of the injected fluid from the borehole after said portion has contacted the formation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the aqueous based fluid and the blend are admixed with an inert gas subsequent to injection into the borehole to form a foam in situ.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 44 including a subsequent step of removing at least a portion of said injected fluid from the borehole after said portion has contacted the formation.
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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) | 1981-09-11 | 1982-03-13 | 1982-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-11 | 1986-03-13 | 1986-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-11 | 1990-03-13 | 1990-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |