US4415033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inverse viscosity grading
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
•
Filing: 1981-09-14
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Granted: 1983-11-15
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Expires: 2001-09-14
Abstract
Abstract The method of oil recovery for use within a fluid flood comprising grading the viscosity of injected fluids at a low concentration at the front thereof to a high concentration at the rear thereof to prevent the formation of viscous zones within the injected fluids which reduce oil recovery.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert F. Chan
- 👤 Jerry F. Casteel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:52
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/20; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of fluid flooding to increase oil recovery from a subterranean oil-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, comprising grading the viscosity of all injected fluids in the fluid flood from a given viscosity at the initiation of the fluid flood to a higher viscosity at the end of the fluid flood to prevent the formation of viscous zones within the injected fluids.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of fluid flooding to increase oil recovery from a subterranean oil-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well, comprising grading the viscosity of all injected fluids in the fluid flood from a given viscosity at the initiation of the fluid flood to a higher viscosity at the end of the fluid flood to prevent the formation of viscous zones within the injected fluids.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of oil recovery from a subterranean oil-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, comprising introducing a bank of micellar fluid into the formation and introducing a bank of mobility control fluid into the formation, wherein the mobility control agent in the micellar bank is graded from a low concentration at the front thereof to a higher concentration at the rear thereof.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of oil recovery from a subterranean oil-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, comprising introducing a bank of micellar fluid into the formation and introducing a bank of mobility control fluid into the formation, wherein the mobility control agent in the micellar bank is graded from a low concentration at the front thereof to a higher concentration at the rear thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of micellar flooding wherein viscous zones within the injected fluid are prevented, comprising injecting a bank of aqueous micellar fluid into the formation and thereafter injecting a bank of mobility control fluid into the formation, said micellar fluid and said mobility control fluid having a graded polymer concentration from a low concentration adjacent to the front of the micellar fluid bank to a higher concentration adjacent the rear of the mobility control fluid.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of micellar flooding wherein viscous zones within the injected fluid are prevented, comprising injecting a bank of aqueous micellar fluid into the formation and thereafter injecting a bank of mobility control fluid into the formation, said micellar fluid and said mobility control fluid having a graded polymer concentration from a low concentration adjacent to the front of the micellar fluid bank to a higher concentration adjacent the rear of the mobility control fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the polymer concentration is graded from about 0 ppm to about 2500 ppm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the polymer concentration is graded from about 0 ppm to about 1000 ppm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the polymer concentration is graded from about 0 ppm to about 800 ppm.
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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) | 1986-11-14 | 1987-05-16 | 1987-11-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-11-14 | 1991-05-16 | 1991-11-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-11-14 | 1995-05-16 | 1995-11-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |