Patent US4601338A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4601338A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Foam and impedance-guided steam injection
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1985-02-04
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Granted: 1986-07-22
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Expires: 2005-02-04
Abstract
Abstract A selective injection of gaseous fluid into a portion of a subterranean reservoir is improved by positioning an impedance to fluid flow in the annulus between a pipe string and a surrounding permeable-walled conduit, ensuring the presence of granular solids between the permeable-walled conduit and the reservoir, injecting the gaseous fluid through the pipe string to a point below the impedance and injecting fluid which is more viscous than the gaseous fluid down the annulus to restrict bypassing of the impedance.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Prats
- 👤 Paul B. Ritter, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:26
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/04; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
In a well treating process within a reservoir in which a gaseous fluid is injected through tubing surrounded by a permeable-walled conduit in a manner tending to provide a preferential inflow into a selected portion of the reservoir, an improvement comprising: in a location near but above that at which the gaseous fluid is to be injected into the reservoir, introducing solid granules into the space between the permeable-walled conduit and the reservoir to an extent sufficient to ensure that the vertical permeability in that space is not significantly more than the permeability provided by the interstices between a mass of gravel-sized solid particles; positioning a mechanical fluid-flow-impeding means within the annulus between the tubing string and the permeable-walled conduit at a depth which is below the top of said mass of gravel-sized particles and is just above the depth at which the gaseous fluid is to be injected into the reservoir; injecting fluid which is significantly more viscous than the gaseous fluid through the annulus and into said mass of particles above the mechanical flow impeding means at a rate and pressure such that the fluid pressure near the impedance exceeds the pressure at which the gaseous fluid is to be injected into the reservoir; and injecting the gaseous fluid through the tubing string and into the reservoir below the mechanical flow impeding means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
In a well treating process within a reservoir in which a gaseous fluid is injected through tubing surrounded by a permeable-walled conduit in a manner tending to provide a preferential inflow into a selected portion of the reservoir, an improvement comprising: in a location near but above that at which the gaseous fluid is to be injected into the reservoir, introducing solid granules into the space between the permeable-walled conduit and the reservoir to an extent sufficient to ensure that the vertical permeability in that space is not significantly more than the permeability provided by the interstices between a mass of gravel-sized solid particles; positioning a mechanical fluid-flow-impeding means within the annulus between the tubing string and the permeable-walled conduit at a depth which is below the top of said mass of gravel-sized particles and is just above the depth at which the gaseous fluid is to be injected into the reservoir; injecting fluid which is significantly more viscous than the gaseous fluid through the annulus and into said mass of particles above the mechanical flow impeding means at a rate and pressure such that the fluid pressure near the impedance exceeds the pressure at which the gaseous fluid is to be injected into the reservoir; and injecting the gaseous fluid through the tubing string and into the reservoir below the mechanical flow impeding means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 in which the permeable-walled conduit comprises a perforated liner or screen at the depth of the reservoir interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 2 in which the granular solids filling the annulus between the permeable-walled conduit and the reservoir are those of a previously installed gravel pack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 in which said flow impeding means is a pair of elastomeric cups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 in which the permeable-walled conduit is a perforated or slotted liner or screen surrounded by a perforated casing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 in which the flow impedance is a packer or retainer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 in which the fluid which is significantly more viscous than the gaseous fluid is a steam foam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 in which the steam foam is formed by a mixture of steam, water, surfactant, electrolyte and noncondensible gas.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 8 in which the viscosity of the steam foam is arranged to allow a significant flow of steam foam into the reservoir formation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 9 in which the well treating process is a steam soak process for recovering oil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-21 | 1990-01-20 | 1990-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-21 | 1994-01-20 | 1994-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-21 | 1998-01-20 | 1998-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |