Patent US4610304A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4610304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Heavy oil recovery by high velocity non-condensible gas injection
Assignee: DOSCHER LUELYNE B DR
•
Filing: 1984-11-27
•
Granted: 1986-09-09
•
Expires: 2004-11-27
Abstract
Abstract Oil recovery method using injection of non-condensible gas (1) into an oil zone (16) via perforations along the length of an injection well (12) to drive oil through the zone to a production well (14), with the gas injected at a rate no greater than 2,000,000 SCFD per acre and with sufficient velocity to emulsify the oil.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd M. Doscher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:11
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of enhanced recovery of oil from oil zone disposed below an impermeable zone, said method comprising the steps of: injecting a non-condensible gas under pressure via an injection well into said oil zone at a rate at least 100,000 standard cubic feet per day (SCFD) per acre of oil zone projection to cause the gas to drive through a flow channel delineated between the impermeable zone and the underlying oil with sufficient velocity to mobilize a layer of oil at the top of said oil zone thereby creating an emulsion of oil in reservoir waters which is driven through the reservoir to the producing well for removal of said oil, said gas being injected at a rate no greater than 2,000,000 standard cubic feet per day (SCFD) per acre of oil zone projection.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of enhanced recovery of oil from oil zone disposed below an impermeable zone, said method comprising the steps of: injecting a non-condensible gas under pressure via an injection well into said oil zone at a rate at least 100,000 standard cubic feet per day (SCFD) per acre of oil zone projection to cause the gas to drive through a flow channel delineated between the impermeable zone and the underlying oil with sufficient velocity to mobilize a layer of oil at the top of said oil zone thereby creating an emulsion of oil in reservoir waters which is driven through the reservoir to the producing well for removal of said oil, said gas being injected at a rate no greater than 2,000,000 standard cubic feet per day (SCFD) per acre of oil zone projection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the non-condensible gas includes nitrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the non-condensible gas includes flue gas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the non-condensible gas includes air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the surfactant includes a soap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the surfactant includes an alkyl aryl sulphonate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the surfactant includes an alkyl sulphonate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the surfactant includes an alpha olefin sulphonate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
11 words
The method of claims 1 wherein the non-condensible gas includes methane.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
12 words
The method of claims 1 wherein the non-condensible gas includes carbon dioxide.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
30 words
The method of claims 1 wherein the non-condensible gas includes a mixture of at least two gases from the group which includes nitrogen, flue gas, air, methane and carbon dioxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 further including injecting a surfactant into the oil zone along with, ahead of or in squence with the non-condensible gas to promote mobilization and transport of crude oil through the reservoir and to and into the production well.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the surfactant includes a petroleum sulphonate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 wherein an aqueous solution of alkalizing compound is injected into the oil zone along with said non-condensible gas for recting with acid components in the crude oil to produce a soap for reducing the interfacial tension and thereby aiding in the mobilization and transport of acid-bearing crude oils.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said alkalizing compound is selected from the group which includes sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
19 words
The method of either of claims 1 further including heating said oil zone prior to injecting said non-condensible gas.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of either of claim 16 in which the injection of gas is interrupted to reheat the reservoir to a desired temperature level.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 in which said heating is accomplished by driving a combustion front through said oil zone.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 16 in which said heating is accomplished by injecting steam into said oil zone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 in which said heating is accomplished by injecting hot water into said oil zone.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
21 words
The method of either of claims 1 in which steam is injected coincidently with said non-condensible gas into said oil zone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which hot water is injected coincidentally with non-combustible gas into said oil zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3129757A
Cited
US3279538A
Cited
US3853178A
Cited
US3847219A
Cited
US4068717A
Cited
US4086964A
Cited
US4393937A
Cited
US4516636A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-08 | 1990-03-10 | 1990-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-08 | 1994-03-10 | 1994-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-08 | 1998-03-10 | 1998-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |