US4706750A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of improving CO2 foam enhanced oil recovery process
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1987-03-06
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Granted: 1987-11-17
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Expires: 2007-03-06
Abstract
Abstract Oil is recovered from a subterranean oil-containing formation by fracturing the formation around the injection well and thereafter injecting a CO 2 foam or a mixture of steam and a CO 2 foam into the injection well to displace mobilized oil toward a production well for recovery.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Buckles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:14
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/164; E21B43/24; E21B43/2405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one spaced-apart production well comprising (a) forming a plurality of horizontal fractures extending radially around and near said injection well; (b) injecting into said injection well a mixture of CO 2 and a foaming agent; and (c) recovering fluids including oil from the formation via the production well.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one spaced-apart production well comprising (a) forming a plurality of horizontal fractures extending radially around and near said injection well; (b) injecting into said injection well a mixture of CO 2 and a foaming agent; and (c) recovering fluids including oil from the formation via the production well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal fractures are formed by control pulse fracturing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal fractures are formed by hydraulic fracturing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic sulfates and anionic sulfonates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fractures extend radially around the injection well for a horizontal distance of about 10 feet and a vertical distance of about 10 feet in the high permeability portion of the formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) is continued until there is CO 2 breakthrough at the production well.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one spaced-apart production well comprising (a) forming a plurality of horizontal fractures extending radially around and near said injection well; (b) injecting into the injection well a mixture of steam, about 0.2 to about 5 reservoir barrels of CO 2 per reservoir barrel of steam in the injected mixture and about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of a foaming agent based upon the weight of the steam in the injected mixture; and (b) recovering hydrocarbons and other fluids from the formation via the production well.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least one spaced-apart production well comprising (a) forming a plurality of horizontal fractures extending radially around and near said injection well; (b) injecting into the injection well a mixture of steam, about 0.2 to about 5 reservoir barrels of CO 2 per reservoir barrel of steam in the injected mixture and about 0.1% to about 2.0% by weight of a foaming agent based upon the weight of the steam in the injected mixture; and (b) recovering hydrocarbons and other fluids from the formation via the production well.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the horizontal fractures are formed by control pulse fracturing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the horizontal fracture are formed by hydraulic fracturing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates and toluene sulfonates.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein said fractures extend radially around the injection well for a horizontal distance of about 10 feet and a vertical distance of about 10 feet in the high permeability portion of the formation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein step (b) is continued until there is CO 2 breakthrough at the production well.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least spaced apart production well comprising: (a) forming a plurality of horizontal fractures extending radially around and near said injection well, (b) injecting into said injection well a slug of a foaming agent in an aqueous solution; (c) injecting CO 2 into said injection well; and (d) recovering fluids including oil from the formation via the production well.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-containing formation penetrated by at least one injection well and at least spaced apart production well comprising: (a) forming a plurality of horizontal fractures extending radially around and near said injection well, (b) injecting into said injection well a slug of a foaming agent in an aqueous solution; (c) injecting CO 2 into said injection well; and (d) recovering fluids including oil from the formation via the production well.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the horizontal fractures are formed by control pulse fracturing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the horizontal fractures are formed by hydraulic fracturing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said fractures extend regularly around the injection well for a horizontal distance of about 10 feet and a vertical distance of about 10 feet in the high permeability portion of the formation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 wherein step (c) is continued until there is a CO 2 breakthrough at the production well.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of anionic sulfates and anionic sulfonates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the aqueous solution contains 0.1% to 2.0% by weight of foaming agent.
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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) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-05-18 | 1991-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-05-18 | 1995-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-16 | 1999-05-18 | 1999-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |