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US4216097A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waterflooding employing amphoteric surfactants
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
•
Filing: 1977-07-15
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Granted: 1980-08-05
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Expires: 1997-07-15
Abstract
Abstract Process for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir involving the injection into the reservoir of an aqueous solution of an amphoteric surfactant having an inner quaternary ammonium group linked to a terminal sulfonate or carboxylate group. The amphoteric surfactants may be employed in relatively low concentrations within the range of 0.0005 to 0.1 weight percent and injected in a slug of at least 0.5 pore volume. The invention may be applied in situations in which the reservoir waters and/or the waters employed in formulating the surfactant solution contain relatively high amounts of divalent metal ions. Specifically disclosed amphoteric surfactants include hydrocarbyl dialkyl or dihydroxyalkyl ammonium alkane sulfonates and carboxylates in which the hydrocarbyl group contains from 8 to 26 carbon atoms.
Inventors
- 👤 Stamoulis Stournas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:28
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584; C09K23/00; C09K23/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR12## wherein: R 1 is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 8 to 26 carbon atoms, R 2 and R 3 are each independently a hydrocarbyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and having a ratio of carbon atoms to oxygen atoms within the range of 2 to 3, R 4 is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and A is a sulfonate group or a carboxylate group, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR12## wherein: R 1 is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 8 to 26 carbon atoms, R 2 and R 3 are each independently a hydrocarbyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and having a ratio of carbon atoms to oxygen atoms within the range of 2 to 3, R 4 is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and A is a sulfonate group or a carboxylate group, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said subterranean oil reservoir contains water having a divalent metal ion concentration of at least 0.1 weight percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said subterranean oil reservoir contains water having a divalent metal ion concentration of at least 0.5 weight percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein R 1 is an aliphatic group containing from 10 to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein R 1 is an aliphatic group containing from 14 to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 wherein R 4 is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein R 1 is an aliphatic group containing from 16 to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7 wherein R 4 is a methane, ethane, or propane group.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein R 1 is an aliphatic-substituted mononuclear or condensed ring dinuclear aryl group containing from 6 to 18 aliphatic carbon atoms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein R 1 is an aliphatic-substituted mononuclear aryl group containing from 10 to 18 aliphatic carbon atoms.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 wherein R 4 is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein R 2 and R 3 are each independently a methyl group or an ethyl group.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR13## wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups containing in combination a total number of carbon atoms within the range of 17 to 24 and at least two of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 containing at least 8 carbon atoms, R 4 is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and A is a sulfonate or carboxylate group, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
160 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR13## wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are aliphatic hydrocarbyl groups containing in combination a total number of carbon atoms within the range of 17 to 24 and at least two of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 containing at least 8 carbon atoms, R 4 is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and A is a sulfonate or carboxylate group, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 wherein R 1 contains from 14 to 20 carbon atoms and R 2 and R 3 each independently contains 1 or 2 carbon atoms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein R 4 contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 14 wherein R 1 contains from 16 to 18 carbon atoms and R 4 contains 3 carbon atoms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR14## wherein: R 1 is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 10 to 26 carbom atoms, R 2 and R 3 are each independently a methyl, ethyl, or hydroxyethyl group, and R 4 is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
131 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR14## wherein: R 1 is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 10 to 26 carbom atoms, R 2 and R 3 are each independently a methyl, ethyl, or hydroxyethyl group, and R 4 is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR15## wherein: R is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 10 to 26 carbon atoms, n is 2 or 3, x and y are at least 1 and the sum of x and y is within the range of 2 to 10, and R' is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR15## wherein: R is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 10 to 26 carbon atoms, n is 2 or 3, x and y are at least 1 and the sum of x and y is within the range of 2 to 10, and R' is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 18 wherein R is an aliphatic group containing from 16 to 22 carbon atoms and the sum of x and y is within the range of 4 to 6.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 wherein R' is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein R' is a methane, ethane, or propane group.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR16## wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 10 to 26 carbon atoms, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR16## wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 10 to 26 carbon atoms, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 wherein R is an aliphatic group containing from 10 to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22 wherein R is an aliphatic group containing from 16 to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is hexadecyl dimethylammonium propane sulfonate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is octadecyl dimethylammonium propane sulfonate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR17## wherein: R is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 10 to 26 carbon atoms, and R' is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
115 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean oil reservoir penetrated by spaced injection and production systems in which an aqueous liquid is introduced into said reservoir via said injection system to displace oil to said production system, the improvement comprising employing as at least a portion of the fluid introduced into said injection system at least 0.5 pore volume of an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble amphoteric surfactant characterized by the formula: ##STR17## wherein: R is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 10 to 26 carbon atoms, and R' is an aliphatic group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in a concentration within the range of 0.005 to 0.05 weight percent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 wherein R is an aliphatic group containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is octadecyl dihydroxyethylammonium propane sulfonate.
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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) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-02-04 | 1984-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-05 | 1988-02-04 | 1988-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-05 | 1992-02-04 | 1992-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |