US4548268A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for oil recovery using a polymer containing fluid
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1983-12-27
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Granted: 1985-10-22
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Expires: 2003-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation penetrated by injection well and a production well includes the steps of injecting into the formation via an injection well an aqueous drive fluid comprising water and more than about 200 parts per million of Beta-(1→6)-D-glucan having an average molecular weight of more than about 2×10 4 and comprising recurring units of the disaccharide gentiobiose: ##STR1## forcing said aqueous drive fluid through the formation and recovering hydrocarbons from the production well. The process also includes using a more concentrated solution of the glucan, more than about 2,000 parts per million, as a vertical conformance agent. The invention also includes a concentrate of the glucan in dimethylsulfoxide or in a 4 molar or higher concentration of aqueous urea which is diluted to form the aqueous drive fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Arthur J. Stipanovic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:29
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/90; C09K8/905; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well which comprises: (a) injecting into the formation via said injection well an aqueous drive fluid comprising water and more than about 200 ppm of a Beta-(1→6)-D-glucan having an average molecular weight more than about 2×10 4 and comprising recurring units of the disaccharide gentiobiose: ##STR4## (b) forcing said aqueous drive fluid through the formation; and (c) recovering hydrocarbons from said production well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well which comprises: (a) injecting into the formation via said injection well an aqueous drive fluid comprising water and more than about 200 ppm of a Beta-(1→6)-D-glucan having an average molecular weight more than about 2×10 4 and comprising recurring units of the disaccharide gentiobiose: ##STR4## (b) forcing said aqueous drive fluid through the formation; and (c) recovering hydrocarbons from said production well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said aqueous drive fluid further comprises a hydrogen bond breaker.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said hydrogen bond breaker comprises urea.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said Beta-(1→6)-D-glucan comprises from about 200 ppm to about 5% by weight of said aqueous drive fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said aqueous drive fluid further comprises and additive selective from the group consisting of from about 2,000 to 150,000 ppm of an inorganic salt, a surfactant, and carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at a pressure of about 300 to about 3,000 psig.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said aqueous drive fluid further comprises from about 0.005 to about 0.3 weight percent of an alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium orthosilicates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said Beta(1→6)-D-glucan has a molecular weight between about 2×10 4 and 1×10 5 .
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 and further comprising the step of injecting into the formation via said injection well a surfactant containing aqueous drive solution prior to step (a).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean, hydrocarbon bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well wherein said formation has areas of high permeability which comprises: (a) injecting into the formation via said injection well and/or said production well an aqueous drive fluid comprising water and more than about 2,000 ppm of a Beta-(1→6)-D-glucan having an molecular weight more than about 2×10 4 and comprising recurring units of the disaccharide gentiobiose: ##STR5## wherein said aqueous drive fluid has a viscosity similar to water, (b) forcing said drive fluid through the formation into the areas of high permeability, (c) permitting said drive fluid to increase its viscosity therein (d) injecting into the formation via said injection well a second drive fluid; and (e) recovering hydrocarbons through said production well.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean, hydrocarbon bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well wherein said formation has areas of high permeability which comprises: (a) injecting into the formation via said injection well and/or said production well an aqueous drive fluid comprising water and more than about 2,000 ppm of a Beta-(1→6)-D-glucan having an molecular weight more than about 2×10 4 and comprising recurring units of the disaccharide gentiobiose: ##STR5## wherein said aqueous drive fluid has a viscosity similar to water, (b) forcing said drive fluid through the formation into the areas of high permeability, (c) permitting said drive fluid to increase its viscosity therein (d) injecting into the formation via said injection well a second drive fluid; and (e) recovering hydrocarbons through said production well.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said Beta-(1→6)-D-glucan is present at a concentration of from about 2,500 to about 10,000 ppm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said second drive fluid is forced through the hydrocarbon bearing portions of the formation and wherein said second drive fluid is prevented from penetrating the high permeability areas of the formation by the presence of said viscous Beta-(1→6)-D-glucan containing aqueous drive fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said aqueous Beta-(1-6)-D-glucan containing drive fluid further comprises a hydrogen bond breaker.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said hydrogen bond breaker comprises urea.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said second drive fluid comprises water and more than about 200 ppm of said Beta (1-6)-D-glucan of claim 9.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said second drive fluid further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, about 2,000 to about 150,000 ppm of an inorganic salt, and carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at a pressure of about 300 to 3,000 psig.
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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) | 1988-10-21 | 1989-04-22 | 1989-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-21 | 1993-04-22 | 1993-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-21 | 1997-04-22 | 1997-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |