US4129183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of organic acid chrome complexes to treat clay containing formations
Assignee: Texaco Inc
•
Filing: 1977-06-30
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Granted: 1978-12-12
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Expires: 1997-06-30
Abstract
Abstract The instant invention is concerned with the use of organic acid chrome complexes for stabilizing a formation against clay swelling and particle migration and, in one embodiment, to improve oil recovery by rendering watered out channels within a produced formation water repellent and oil wettable.
Inventors
- 👤 George Kalfoglou
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:41
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592; C09K8/60; C09K8/607
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of treating a subterranean formation containing hydratable clay to stabilize said formation against clay-swelling and particle migration comprising: contacting said clay within the formation with an aqueous solution of a chrome complex of the Werner-type in which trivalent chromium atoms are coordinated with a carboxylic acido ligand having a hydrocarbon radical containing two to eight carbon atoms to form a polynucleated chrome complex on the surface of the clay particles.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of treating a subterranean formation containing hydratable clay to stabilize said formation against clay-swelling and particle migration comprising: contacting said clay within the formation with an aqueous solution of a chrome complex of the Werner-type in which trivalent chromium atoms are coordinated with a carboxylic acido ligand having a hydrocarbon radical containing two to eight carbon atoms to form a polynucleated chrome complex on the surface of the clay particles.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of introducing a heated gas into the formation to dry said chrome complex.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said hydrocarbon radical contains from two to four carbon atoms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the additional step of raising the pH of said aqueous solution.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of treating a subterranean formation containing hydratable clay to stabilize said formation against clay-swelling and particle migration comprising: contacting said clay within the formation with an aqueous solution of a chrome complex of the Werner-type in which trivalent chromium atoms are coordinated with a carboxylic acid ligand having a hydrocarbon radical containing two to four carbon atoms; and introducing a heated gas into the formation, to dry said chrome complex and to form a polynucleated chrome complex on the treated surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of treating a subterranean formation containing hydratable clay to stabilize said formation against clay-swelling and particle migration comprising: contacting said clay within the formation with an aqueous solution of a chrome complex of the Werner-type in which trivalent chromium atoms are coordinated with a carboxylic acid ligand having a hydrocarbon radical containing two to four carbon atoms; and introducing a heated gas into the formation, to dry said chrome complex and to form a polynucleated chrome complex on the treated surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 comprising the additional step of raising the pH of said aqueous solution by contacting said solution with a weak base buffer solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a method of secondary recovery when a water flood is employed to force oil from a subterranean formation containing hydratable clay, the improvement comprising: introducing through an injection well a dilute solution of a chrome complex of the Werner-type in which trivalent chromium atoms are coordinated with a carboxylic acido ligand having a hydrocarbon radical containing two to four carbon atoms; and contacting said clay with said solution to form a polynucleated chrome complex on the clay surface; heating said formation with a heated gas to dry said complex.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
In a method of secondary recovery when a water flood is employed to force oil from a subterranean formation containing hydratable clay, the improvement comprising: introducing through an injection well a dilute solution of a chrome complex of the Werner-type in which trivalent chromium atoms are coordinated with a carboxylic acido ligand having a hydrocarbon radical containing two to four carbon atoms; and contacting said clay with said solution to form a polynucleated chrome complex on the clay surface; heating said formation with a heated gas to dry said complex.
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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) | 1981-12-11 | 1982-06-12 | 1982-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-11 | 1986-06-12 | 1986-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-11 | 1990-06-12 | 1990-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |