Patent US4174753A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4174753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Well stimulation by two-phase flow
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-09-07
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Granted: 1979-11-20
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Expires: 1997-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of treating a subterranean formation to remove fines lodged therein wherein a mixture comprising an aqueous liquid and an immiscible fluid is injected into the formation at matrix rates to cause two-phase flow.
Inventors
- 👤 John W. Graham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:45
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/72; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for treating a porous subterranean formation which comprises injecting, under matrix rates and pressures, a non-emulsified intimate mixture of an aqueous liquid forming a continuous phase and a fluid forming a discontinuous phase into said formation to cause two-phase flow through at least a portion of the porous formation, said mixture being substantially free of surface-active agents tending to form emulsions, said aqueous liquid comprising at least 60 volume percent of said mixture and being substantially immiscible with said fluid and being capable of wetting formation materials.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for treating a porous subterranean formation which comprises injecting, under matrix rates and pressures, a non-emulsified intimate mixture of an aqueous liquid forming a continuous phase and a fluid forming a discontinuous phase into said formation to cause two-phase flow through at least a portion of the porous formation, said mixture being substantially free of surface-active agents tending to form emulsions, said aqueous liquid comprising at least 60 volume percent of said mixture and being substantially immiscible with said fluid and being capable of wetting formation materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said aqueous liquid includes an acid solution capable of reacting with material in said formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said discontinuous phase is a hydrocarbon liquid substantially immiscible with said aqueous acid solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 3 wherein said hydrocarbon liquid is a hydrocarbon oil having an interfacial tension with water of at least 5 dynes per cm. at 72° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as defined in claim 3 wherein the hydrocarbon liquid constitutes at least 5 volume percent of said mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 3 wherein the volumetric ratio of said acid solution and said hydrocarbon liquid ranges between about 3:2 and about 4:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said acid solution is aqueous hydrochloric acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein said aqueous acid solution is a mud acid solution containing a mixture of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said mixture comprises from about 60 volume percent to about 80 volume percent of the aqueous acid solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and further comprising injecting into said formation after said mixture an acid solution capable of reacting with constituents in said formation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said discontinuous phase is a gas.
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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) | 1982-11-19 | 1983-05-21 | 1983-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-19 | 1987-05-21 | 1987-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-19 | 1991-05-21 | 1991-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |