US4444654A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the resolution of enhanced oil recovery emulsions
Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Co
•
Filing: 1983-09-01
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Granted: 1984-04-24
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Expires: 2003-09-01
Abstract
Abstract An oil-in-water emulsion of crude oil, water and hydrophilic surfactant is resolved by first heating said emulsion until it separates into a surfactant laden water layer and an oil-rich emulsion layer, removing the water layer from the oil-rich emulsion layer, treating the emulsion layer by the addition of from 20 to 40 volume percent of water containing a demulsifier and recovering the crude oil which separates from the water upon standing.
Inventors
- 👤 Virgil H. Cargle
- 👤 Donald L. Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 05:32
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10G; C10G33/00; C10G33/04; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/04; B01D17/042; B01D17/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In a process for recovering crude oil from an oil-in-water emulsion of crude oil, water and hydrophilic surface active agents produced from a reservoir wherein the emulsion is contacted with an emulsion breaking reagent, the improvement comprising a first step consisting essentially of heating the emulsion until it separates into a surfactant laden water layer and an oil-rich emulsion layer, a second step of thereafter removing the water layer from the oil-rich emulsion layer and finally adding said emulsion breaking reagent to said oil-rich emulsion layer while treating said layer with from 20 to 40 volume percent of water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a process for recovering crude oil from an oil-in-water emulsion of crude oil, water and hydrophilic surface active agents produced from a reservoir wherein the emulsion is contacted with an emulsion breaking reagent, the improvement comprising a first step consisting essentially of heating the emulsion until it separates into a surfactant laden water layer and an oil-rich emulsion layer, a second step of thereafter removing the water layer from the oil-rich emulsion layer and finally adding said emulsion breaking reagent to said oil-rich emulsion layer while treating said layer with from 20 to 40 volume percent of water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
Process of claim 1 wherein said emulsion breaking reagent is a cationic polyquaternary amine demulsifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Process of claim 1 wherein said heating is at from 350° C. to 70° C. and said reagent is present in an amount ranging from 125 ppm to 1000 ppm based on the weight of said emulsion layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
Process of claim 1 wherein the produced emulsion contains 1 to 30 LV% oil and 0.005 to 5 grams of surfactant per 100 ml of emulsion.
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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) | 1987-04-24 | 1987-10-24 | 1988-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-24 | 1991-10-24 | 1992-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-24 | 1995-10-24 | 1996-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |