Patent US4676316A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4676316A
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Method and composition for oil recovery by gas flooding
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1985-11-15
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Granted: 1987-06-30
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Expires: 2005-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and composition for improved enhanced oil recovery of oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir by effecting simultaneous mobility and profile control in gas flooding which includes pre-injecting into the reservoir an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer in combination with a stable surfactant, followed by injecting a gas into the reservoir under pressure sufficient to effect oil production while recovering oil at a producing well of said reservoir.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas O. Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:42
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/92; C09K8/94; C09K8/58; C09K8/594; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/164
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
In a method for improved enhanced recovery of oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir by water alternating gas flooding, the improvement which comprises effecting simultaneous mobility and profile control by injecting into said reservoir an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer in combination with a stable foam-forming surfactant in an amount of from about 0.05% to 2.0% of said aqueous solution, and injecting into said reservoir a gas under pressure sufficient to effect mobility of hydrocarbon deposits, and continuously recovering oil at a producing well of said reservoir.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a method for improved enhanced recovery of oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir by water alternating gas flooding, the improvement which comprises effecting simultaneous mobility and profile control by injecting into said reservoir an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polymer in combination with a stable foam-forming surfactant in an amount of from about 0.05% to 2.0% of said aqueous solution, and injecting into said reservoir a gas under pressure sufficient to effect mobility of hydrocarbon deposits, and continuously recovering oil at a producing well of said reservoir.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gas is miscible with said hydrocarbon deposits and said pressure is sufficient to effect miscibility with said hydrocarbon deposits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous solution comprises brine in an amount of from about 0.05 pore volume to about 1.0 pore volume of the portion of said reservoir included in the injection and production well pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said slug pore volume is up to about 0.15 of the portion of said reservoir included in the injection and production well pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of biopolymer polysaccharides and polyacrylamides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said polymer is included in an amount of from about 250 ppm to about 4000 ppm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said concentration is from about 500 ppm to about 1000 ppm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of surfactant quaternary ammonium salts, polyoxyethylene alkylphenols, alcohol ethoxylates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alcohol ethoxysulfates, and alcohol ethoxysulfonates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is concentration is from about 0.05% to about 0.5%.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 which further comprises injection of a drive fluid selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, combustion gas, flue gas, separation gas, natural gas, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof whereby oil and previously injected fluids are displaced towards said production well.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said aqueous solution injection and said gas injecting are sequentially repeated.
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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) | 1990-06-29 | 1990-12-29 | 1991-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-29 | 1994-12-29 | 1995-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-29 | 1998-12-29 | 1999-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |