US4212748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymer flood filtration improvement
Assignee: ConocoPhillips Co
•
Filing: 1978-05-26
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Granted: 1980-07-15
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Expires: 1998-05-26
Abstract
Abstract Filterability of aqueous solutions of polymers employed to thicken waterfloods such as biopolymers (e.g. heteropolysaccharides) is improved by addition of a surfactant (e.g. a sulfated alkoxylated alcohol). Filterability is further enhanced by addition of an ethoxylated alcohol surfactant and/or an alcohol.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard H. Ferrell
- 👤 Dell Conley
- 👤 Burton M. Casad
- 👤 Olaf M. Stokke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:57
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/90; C09K8/905; C09K8/58; C09K8/584; C09K8/588; C09K8/607; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In a process for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation wherein an aqueous fluid is injected into an injection well and hydrocarbons are produced from a production well; wherein at least a portion of the aqueous fluid is thickened with a heteropolysaccharide biopolymer produced by fermentation with Xanthomonas campestris; and wherein the aqueous mixture containing the biopolymer is filtered prior to injection of the biopolymer; the improvement comprising: adding an amount of a hydrocarbon sulfonate surfactant or a sulfated alkoxylated alcohol surfactant sufficient to improve filterability of the aqueous mixture containing the biopolymer prior to filtration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a process for recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation wherein an aqueous fluid is injected into an injection well and hydrocarbons are produced from a production well; wherein at least a portion of the aqueous fluid is thickened with a heteropolysaccharide biopolymer produced by fermentation with Xanthomonas campestris; and wherein the aqueous mixture containing the biopolymer is filtered prior to injection of the biopolymer; the improvement comprising: adding an amount of a hydrocarbon sulfonate surfactant or a sulfated alkoxylated alcohol surfactant sufficient to improve filterability of the aqueous mixture containing the biopolymer prior to filtration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 1 wherein 0.04 to 0.12 grams of the sulfated ethoxylated alkanol surfactant are employed for each gram of heteropolysaccharide in the mixture filtered, and wherein the biopolymer is a heteropolysaccharide biopolymer produced by Xanthomonas campestris NRRL B-1459.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein filterability is further enhanced by addition of a water soluble alcohol to the polymer prior to filtration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein an ethoxylated alcohol surfactant is added to the biopolymer prior to filtration to further enhance filterability.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein both an ethoxylated alcohol surfactant and an alcohol are added to the biopolymer solution prior to filtration to further enhance filterability.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the surfactant is a water soluble sodium hydrocarbon sulfonate surfactant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1983-07-15 | 1984-01-14 | 1984-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-15 | 1988-01-14 | 1988-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-15 | 1992-01-14 | 1992-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |