US4458759A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of surfactants to improve oil recovery during steamflooding
Assignee: Alberta Oil Sands Technology and Research Authority
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Filing: 1982-04-29
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Granted: 1984-07-10
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Expires: 2002-04-29
Abstract
Abstract An improvement is provided in an in situ steamflooding process for recovering oil from a subterranean, heavy oil-containing reservoir. An organic sulfonate surfactant, for example a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, is injected with the steam into the reservoir. The steam-surfactant injection stream is introduced to the reservoir at a temperature in the range of about 180° C. to 260° C. The process may be practised in a single well or multi-well pattern using any of a continuous steam drive, steam soak or cyclic steam recovery program. A substantial increase in oil recovery is achieved by this process, as compared to a steam-only injection scheme.
Inventors
- 👤 Ezra E. Isaacs
- 👤 Daniel R. Prowse
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:51
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
In an oil recovery process wherein steam is injected into a heavy oil reservoir through an injection well, and wherein formation fluids, including reservoir and injected fluids, are produced either through an adjacent production well or by backflowing the injection well, the improvement comprising: injecting into the reservoir an injection stream at a temperature of about 180° to 260° C., said stream consisting essentially of steam and a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, which steam is superheated by between about 5° to 50° C. above the vapour-liquid equilibrium prior to mixing with the surfactant, whereby the surfactant is substantially volatilized and carried into the reservoir as an aerosol; and producing a stream of reservoir and injected fluids.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
In an oil recovery process wherein steam is injected into a heavy oil reservoir through an injection well, and wherein formation fluids, including reservoir and injected fluids, are produced either through an adjacent production well or by backflowing the injection well, the improvement comprising: injecting into the reservoir an injection stream at a temperature of about 180° to 260° C., said stream consisting essentially of steam and a petroleum sulfonate surfactant, which steam is superheated by between about 5° to 50° C. above the vapour-liquid equilibrium prior to mixing with the surfactant, whereby the surfactant is substantially volatilized and carried into the reservoir as an aerosol; and producing a stream of reservoir and injected fluids.
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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) | 1987-07-10 | 1988-01-09 | 1988-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-10 | 1992-01-09 | 1992-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-10 | 1996-01-09 | 1996-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |