US4199027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery process
Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1978-02-14
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Granted: 1980-04-22
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Expires: 1998-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A thickener and surfactant for a driving fluid used in enhanced oil recovery comprises a salt of a sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol in which at least 40 wt % of the alcohol portion of the sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol is a C8 to C20 primary alcohol having a C1 to C3 alkyl substituent in the 2-position of an otherwise linear chain. The balance of the alcohol portion may be made up of a linear primary alcohol of same carbon number as the 2-alkyl branched alcohol.
Inventors
- 👤 Terence Cox
- 👤 Roger I. Hancock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:07
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A process for the recovery of oil from a subterranean formation, comprising the steps of: (1) contacting the formation with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a thickening amount of an alkali metal or an ammonium salt of a sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol comprising an average of one to ten (CH 2 CH 2 O) groups per alcohol group in which at least 40% by weight of the alcohol portion of said sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol is a C 8 to C 20 primary alcohol having a C 1 to C 3 alkyl substituent in the 2-position of an otherwise linear chain; and (2) driving the said solution through the formation by water flooding.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for the recovery of oil from a subterranean formation, comprising the steps of: (1) contacting the formation with an aqueous solution or dispersion of a thickening amount of an alkali metal or an ammonium salt of a sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol comprising an average of one to ten (CH 2 CH 2 O) groups per alcohol group in which at least 40% by weight of the alcohol portion of said sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol is a C 8 to C 20 primary alcohol having a C 1 to C 3 alkyl substituent in the 2-position of an otherwise linear chain; and (2) driving the said solution through the formation by water flooding.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 in which the balance of the alcohol portion of the sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol comprises a linear primary alcohol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 in which the alkali metal is sodium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 1 in which the salt of the sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol is used in an aqueous solution or dispersion in a concentration up to 5% by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 in which the salt of the sulphated polyoxyethylene alcohol is used in an aqueous solution of greater than 1 wt % salinity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-04-22 | 1983-10-22 | 1984-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-10-22 | 1988-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-04-22 | 1991-10-22 | 1992-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |