US4187185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery process using oxyalkylated additives
Assignee: Texaco Development Corp
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Filing: 1978-02-13
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Granted: 1980-02-05
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Expires: 1998-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation by injecting into the formation via an injection well an aqueous alkaline flooding medium such as water, steam, etc. containing a small amount of a sulfonated, oxyalkylated interfacial tension reducer, forcing the said flooding medium through the formation and recovering hydrocarbons via a production well.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack H. Park
- 👤 Walter D. Hunter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:06
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584; C09K8/594; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/164; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936; Y10S516/00; Y10S516/01; Y10S516/02; Y10S516/03; Y10S516/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for recovering hydrocarbons from an underground formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well which comprises: (a) injecting into the said formation via said injection well an aqueous drive fluid having dissolved therein about 0.05 to about 5.0 weight percent of a sulfonated interfacial tension reducer, (b) forcing the said fluid through the formation to displace hydrocarbons in said formation, and (c) recovering the displaced hydrocarbons via said production well, and wherein the said sulfonated interfacial tension reducer has the formula: ##STR3## wherein t is an integer of from 3 to about 40, and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium and ammonium, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --(OC 2 H 4 ) s C 2 H 4 SO 3 M, where s is an integer of from 3 to about 40 and M has the same meaning as previously described.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for recovering hydrocarbons from an underground formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well which comprises: (a) injecting into the said formation via said injection well an aqueous drive fluid having dissolved therein about 0.05 to about 5.0 weight percent of a sulfonated interfacial tension reducer, (b) forcing the said fluid through the formation to displace hydrocarbons in said formation, and (c) recovering the displaced hydrocarbons via said production well, and wherein the said sulfonated interfacial tension reducer has the formula: ##STR3## wherein t is an integer of from 3 to about 40, and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium and ammonium, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --(OC 2 H 4 ) s C 2 H 4 SO 3 M, where s is an integer of from 3 to about 40 and M has the same meaning as previously described.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous drive fluid is water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous drive fluid is steam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous fluid contains an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide in about 0.001 to about 0.5 molar concentration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous fluid is saturated with carbon dioxide at injection pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fluid comprising water containing dissolved therein about 0.5 to about 5.0 weight percent of a sulfonated interfacial tension reducer having the formula: ##STR4## wherein t is an integer of from about 3 to about 40, M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium, and ammonium, and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --(OC 2 H 4 ) s C 2 H 4 SO 3 M where s is an integer of from 3 to about 40 and M has the same meaning as previously described.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
A fluid comprising water containing dissolved therein about 0.5 to about 5.0 weight percent of a sulfonated interfacial tension reducer having the formula: ##STR4## wherein t is an integer of from about 3 to about 40, M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium, and ammonium, and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --(OC 2 H 4 ) s C 2 H 4 SO 3 M where s is an integer of from 3 to about 40 and M has the same meaning as previously described.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The fluid of claim 5 wherein the said interfacial tension reducer M is --Na.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The fluid of claim 6 which contains an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide in about 0.001 to 0.5 molar concentration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The fluid of claim 6 saturated with carbon dioxide at pressure of about 300 to about 3000 psig.
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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) | 1983-02-04 | 1983-08-06 | 1984-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-04 | 1987-08-06 | 1988-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-04 | 1991-08-06 | 1992-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |