US4470462A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foam and particulate material with steam for permeability alteration in subsurface formations
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
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Filing: 1983-10-24
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Granted: 1984-09-11
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Expires: 2003-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A method is disclosed for altering the permeability of a gravity override path through a subsurface earth formation resulting from hot fluid (steam) injection into the subsurface formation. The method includes adding selected sized particulate material to a foam and injecting the foam into the gravity override path to deposit the particulate material thus altering the permeability in the path. The method may include the use of a noncondensible gas in the foam as well as a variety of combinations of the hot fluid injection and foam plus particulate material injection to maximize the sweep efficiency of the hot fluid injection into the subsurface formation.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley O. Hutchison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:22
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/50; C09K8/516; C09K8/58; C09K8/592; C09K8/60; C09K8/602; C09K8/92; C09K8/94; E21B21/00; E21B21/14; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; E21B33/138
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of treating a permeable earth formation containing a viscous petroleum crude from within a wellbore penetrating said earth formation comprising the steps of: (a) injecting steam down said wellbore and into said formation to heat and mobilize said viscous petroleum crude; (b) preparing a stable foam at the earth surface; (c) mixing finely divided particulate material with said foam; (d) alternating said injecting step with the step of pumping said stable foam mixed with finely divided particulate material down said wellbore and into said formation in a position along said wellbore to prevent gravity override of said steam into said formation; and (e) positioning said finely divided particulate material in said permeable formation as said mobilized viscous crude moves in response to said injected steam to alter the permeability of said formation where said finely divided particulate material is positioned.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method of treating a permeable earth formation containing a viscous petroleum crude from within a wellbore penetrating said earth formation comprising the steps of: (a) injecting steam down said wellbore and into said formation to heat and mobilize said viscous petroleum crude; (b) preparing a stable foam at the earth surface; (c) mixing finely divided particulate material with said foam; (d) alternating said injecting step with the step of pumping said stable foam mixed with finely divided particulate material down said wellbore and into said formation in a position along said wellbore to prevent gravity override of said steam into said formation; and (e) positioning said finely divided particulate material in said permeable formation as said mobilized viscous crude moves in response to said injected steam to alter the permeability of said formation where said finely divided particulate material is positioned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steam injected down said wellbore is injected until a steam gravity override occurs around said wellbore within said formation and then said foam and particulate material are injected into said steam gravity override zone as a permeability adjuster for said formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said steps of injecting steam until a gravity override occurs and said injection of said foam and particulate material are alternated to provide for a continuing permeability adjustment of said formation as said mobilized viscous crude moves in response to said injected steam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said foam is prepared using a foaming agent and an inert gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said inert gas is exhaust gas from a surface steam generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said inert gas is noncondensible at subsurface temperatures and pressures during the said steam injection process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said stable foam has a gas-to-liquid volume ratio of between 3 and 50 to 1 standard cubic feet per gallon and is formed from a foamable solution containing between 0.5 and 1.0 parts per weight surfactant per 100 parts liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said particulate material is a graded mixture with size distribution determined from analysis of the subsurface formation being treated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the 10% size for the particulate material ranges from between 6 times smaller and 100 times smaller than the 90% size of the subsurface formation grain sizes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said particulate material is sand.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said particulate material is silica flour.
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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) | 1987-09-11 | 1988-03-12 | 1988-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-11 | 1992-03-12 | 1992-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-11 | 1996-03-12 | 1996-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |