US4296203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Xanthomonas bipolymer for use in displacement of oil from partially depleted reservoirs
Assignee: SNF SA
•
Filing: 1977-11-15
•
Granted: 1981-10-20
•
Expires: 1997-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A mutant strain of the genus Xanthomonas produces a pyruvate-free biopolymer. This biopolymer and the deacetylated form of this new biopolymer provide mobility control solutions which are especially useful for enhanced oil recovery where high brine applications are involved. The mobility control solutions of the present invention may be made from whole or filtered fermentation broth containing the pyruvate-free biopolymer or its deacetylated form. Alternatively, the biopolymer or its deacetylated form may be recovered from the broth and the recovered product used to form the desired mobility control solutions.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Wernau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:36
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/90; C09K8/905; C09K8/02; C09K8/04; C09K8/06; C09K8/08; C12; C12N; C12N1/00; C12N1/20; C12N1/205; C12P; C12P19/00; C12P19/04; C12P19/06; C12R; C12R2001/00; C12R2001/01; C12R2001/64; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/8215; Y10S435/822; Y10S435/91; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A process for preparing a pyruvate-free xanthan-containing fermentation broth suitable for the preparation of mobility control solutions used in oil recovery which comprises aerobically fermenting a pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain of Xanthomonas campestris in an aqueous nutrient medium whose ingredients comprise a carbohydrate, a source of assimilable nitrogen and trace elements and continuing the fermentation until at least about 100 ppm of pyruvate-free xanthan is present in the broth.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process for preparing a pyruvate-free xanthan-containing fermentation broth suitable for the preparation of mobility control solutions used in oil recovery which comprises aerobically fermenting a pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain of Xanthomonas campestris in an aqueous nutrient medium whose ingredients comprise a carbohydrate, a source of assimilable nitrogen and trace elements and continuing the fermentation until at least about 100 ppm of pyruvate-free xanthan is present in the broth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain is Xanthomonas campestris ATCC 31313.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process for preparing a deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan-containing fermentation broth suitable for the preparation of mobility control solutions used in oil recovery which comprises (a) fermenting by aerobic propagation a pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain of Xanthomonas campestris in an aqueous nutrient medium whose ingredients comprise a carbohydrate, a source of assimilable nitrogen and trace elements and continuing the fermentation until at least about 100 ppm of pyruvate-free xanthan is present in the broth, and (b) adjusting the pH of the whole or filtered broth to at least about 9, allowing the resultant broth to stand at room temperature for at least about 10 minutes and optionally neutralizing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A process for preparing a deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan-containing fermentation broth suitable for the preparation of mobility control solutions used in oil recovery which comprises (a) fermenting by aerobic propagation a pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain of Xanthomonas campestris in an aqueous nutrient medium whose ingredients comprise a carbohydrate, a source of assimilable nitrogen and trace elements and continuing the fermentation until at least about 100 ppm of pyruvate-free xanthan is present in the broth, and (b) adjusting the pH of the whole or filtered broth to at least about 9, allowing the resultant broth to stand at room temperature for at least about 10 minutes and optionally neutralizing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain is Xanthomonas campestris ATCC 31313.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process for preparing pyruvate-free xanthan suitable for use in the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing subterranean formation by injecting a mobility control solution containing said pyruvate-free xanthan into said formation which comprises (a) fermenting by aerobic propagation a pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain of Xanthomonas campestris in an aqueous nutrient medium whose ingredients comprise a carbohydrate, a source of assimilable nitrogen and trace elements and continuing the fermentation until at least about 100 ppm of pyruvate-free xanthan is present in the broth, and (b) adding sufficient water miscible precipitating agent to cause precipitation of said pyruvate-free xanthan and separating said precipitated pyruvate-free xanthan therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process for preparing pyruvate-free xanthan suitable for use in the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing subterranean formation by injecting a mobility control solution containing said pyruvate-free xanthan into said formation which comprises (a) fermenting by aerobic propagation a pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain of Xanthomonas campestris in an aqueous nutrient medium whose ingredients comprise a carbohydrate, a source of assimilable nitrogen and trace elements and continuing the fermentation until at least about 100 ppm of pyruvate-free xanthan is present in the broth, and (b) adding sufficient water miscible precipitating agent to cause precipitation of said pyruvate-free xanthan and separating said precipitated pyruvate-free xanthan therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain is Xanthomonas campestris ATCC 31313.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
A process for preparing deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan suitable for use in the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing subterranean formation by injecting a mobility control solution containing said deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan into said formation which comprises (a) fermenting by aerobic propagation a pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain of Xanthomonas campestris in an aqueous nutrient medium whose ingredients comprise a carbohydrate, a source of assimilable nitrogen and trace elements until at least about 100 ppm of pyruvate-free xanthan is present in the broth, (b) adjusting the pH of the whole or filtered broth to about 9, allowing the resultant broth to stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes and optionally neutralizing, and (c) adding sufficient water miscible precipitating agent to cause precipitation of said deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan and separating said precipitated deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan therefrom.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
A process for preparing deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan suitable for use in the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing subterranean formation by injecting a mobility control solution containing said deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan into said formation which comprises (a) fermenting by aerobic propagation a pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain of Xanthomonas campestris in an aqueous nutrient medium whose ingredients comprise a carbohydrate, a source of assimilable nitrogen and trace elements until at least about 100 ppm of pyruvate-free xanthan is present in the broth, (b) adjusting the pH of the whole or filtered broth to about 9, allowing the resultant broth to stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes and optionally neutralizing, and (c) adding sufficient water miscible precipitating agent to cause precipitation of said deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan and separating said precipitated deacetylated pyruvate-free xanthan therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said pyruvate-free xanthan producing strain is Xanthomonas campestris ATCC 31313.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A biologically pure culture of the microorganism Xanthomonas campestris, having the identifying characteristics of ATCC 31313, said culture being capable of producing pyruvate-free xanthan in a recoverable quantity upon fermentation in an aqueous nutrient medium containing assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic substances.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A biologically pure culture of the microorganism Xanthomonas campestris, having the identifying characteristics of ATCC 31313, said culture being capable of producing pyruvate-free xanthan in a recoverable quantity upon fermentation in an aqueous nutrient medium containing assimilable sources of carbon, nitrogen and inorganic substances.
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) | 1984-10-19 | 1985-04-20 | 1985-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-19 | 1989-04-20 | 1989-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-19 | 1993-04-20 | 1993-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |