US4540498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Block copolymers for enhanced oil recovery
Assignee: Standard Oil Co
•
Filing: 1983-05-31
•
Granted: 1985-09-10
•
Expires: 2003-05-31
Abstract
Abstract Water soluble block copolymers having two or more water soluble polymer blocks useful for controlling the viscosity of aqueous media used in enhanced oil recovery techniques are described.
Inventors
- 👤 Muyen M. Wu
- 👤 Lawrence E. Ball
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:01
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/588
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
In a process of recovering hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means and wherein polymer solution is injected into the formation to displace hydrocarbon toward the production means through which hydrocarbon is recovered, the improvement comprising injecting a polymer solution comprising a water soluble block copolymer, said copolymer comprising two or more water soluble polymer blocks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a process of recovering hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation having at least one injection means in fluid communication with at least one production means and wherein polymer solution is injected into the formation to displace hydrocarbon toward the production means through which hydrocarbon is recovered, the improvement comprising injecting a polymer solution comprising a water soluble block copolymer, said copolymer comprising two or more water soluble polymer blocks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymer in said solution comprises a water soluble block copolymer comprising two water soluble polymer blocks.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 2 wherein one of said water soluble polymer blocks comprises polymerized acrylic acid and the other said water soluble polymer block comprises polymerized acrylamide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 2 wherein one of said water soluble polymer blocks comprises polymerized 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and the other said water soluble polymer block comprises polymerized acrylamide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said polymer blocks comprise polymerized monomers wherein said monomers are selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, methacrylamide, vinyl methyl ether, vinyl pyrrolidone, acrylic and methacrylic acid and their water soluble salts and N-substituted acrylamides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 2 wherein one said water soluble polymer block comprises polymerized acrylic acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the other said water soluble polymer block comprises polymerized acrylamide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 2 wherein one said water soluble polymer block comprises polymerized 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the other said water soluble polymer block comprises polymerized acrylamide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 2 wherein one said water soluble polymer block comprises polymerized acrylamide.
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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) | 1988-09-09 | 1989-03-11 | 1989-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-09 | 1993-03-11 | 1993-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-09 | 1997-03-11 | 1997-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |