US5076357A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil-bearing formation
Assignee: Chevron USA Inc
•
Filing: 1990-05-31
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Granted: 1991-12-31
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Expires: 2010-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A method for enhancing the recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprises the at least periodic injection of a foam forming composition or a preformed foam into the reservoir. The foam comprises a mixture of a non-condensible gas, preferably CO 2 , water and an alpha-olefin sulfonate. The alpha-olefin sulfonate comprises a mixture of hydroxy-sulfonates and alkene-sulfonates wherein the ratio of alkene-sulfonates to hydroxy-sulfonates is preferably not greater than about 4. In addition, the hydroxy-sulfonates comprises 3-hydroxy and 4-hydroxy-sulfonates wherein the ratio of 3-hydroxy-sulfonates to 4-hydroxy-sulfonates is at least about 2. The method is preferably employed within a light oil bearing formation comprising sandstone.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Marquis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:15
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; E21B43/166; E21B43/168; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprising at least periodically injecting a preformed foam into said oil bearing formation, said preformed foam comprises a mixture of said gas, water and an effective foam-forming amount of an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS), said AOS comprising a mixture of hydroxysulfonates and alkene-sulfonates and further wherein the hydroxy-sulfonates comprise 3-hydroxy- and 4-hydroxy-sulfonates with the ratio of 3-hydroxy-sulfonates to 4-hydroxy-sulfonates being at least about 3.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprising at least periodically injecting a preformed foam into said oil bearing formation, said preformed foam comprises a mixture of said gas, water and an effective foam-forming amount of an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS), said AOS comprising a mixture of hydroxysulfonates and alkene-sulfonates and further wherein the hydroxy-sulfonates comprise 3-hydroxy- and 4-hydroxy-sulfonates with the ratio of 3-hydroxy-sulfonates to 4-hydroxy-sulfonates being at least about 3.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ratio of alkenesulfonates to hydroxy-sulfonates is not greater than about 4.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 2 wherein the AOS has 12 to 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 1 wherein the AOS has 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 1 wherein the AOS has 8 to 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 1 wherein the ratio of 3-hydroxy to 4-hydroxy is from about 4 to about 6.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 1 wherein the non-condensible gas comprises CO 2 , N 2 , methane or mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 1 wherein the oil bearing formation comprises sandstone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 1 wherein the water comprises a brine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 1 wherein the foam further includes at least one additional surface active agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 10 wherein the total amount of the at least one additional surface active agent is not greater than about 5 percent by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 10 wherein the at least one additional surface active agent comprises amphoteric surfactants, AOS dimers, chelating agents or mixtures thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 1 wherein the preformed foam is not greater than about 40 volume percent of liquid phase in an amount of about 0.1 to about 1% by weight.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 1 wherein the alkene-sulfonates include alkene-1sulfonates, alkene-2-sulfonates, alkene-3+-sulfonates, and the ratio of the total amount of alkene-1-sulfonate and alkene-2sulfonates to alkene-3+-sulfonates is at least about 2.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprising at least periodically injecting a preformed foam into said oil bearing formation, said preformed foam comprises a mixture of said gas, water and an effective foam forming amount of an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS), wherein the AOS comprises a mixture of hydroxysulfonates and alkene-sulfonates and further wherein the hydroxy sulfonates comprise 3-hydroxy-sulfonates which are present in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of the AOS.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprising at least periodically injecting a preformed foam into said oil bearing formation, said preformed foam comprises a mixture of said gas, water and an effective foam forming amount of an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS), wherein the AOS comprises a mixture of hydroxysulfonates and alkene-sulfonates and further wherein the hydroxy sulfonates comprise 3-hydroxy-sulfonates which are present in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of the AOS.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the ratio of alkene-sulfonates to hydroxy-sulfonates is not greater than about 4.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 16 wherein the AOS has 12 to 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 15 wherein the AOS has 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 15 wherein the AOS has 8 to 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 15 wherein the non-condensible gas comprises CO 2 , N 2 , methane, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 15 wherein the preformed foam is not greater than about 40 volume percent of liquid phase and the AOS is present in the liquid phase in an amount about 0.1 to about 1% by weight.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 15 wherein the water comprises a brine.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 15 wherein the oil bearing formation comprises sandstone.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 15 wherein the foam further includes at least one additional surface active agent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of enhancing recovery of claim 24 wherein the total amount of the at least one additional surface active agent is not greater than about 5 percent by weight.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 24 wherein the at least on additional surface active agent comprises amphoteric surfactants, AOS dimers, chelating agents or mixtures thereof.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprising at least periodically injecting a foam forming composition which comprises an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) and water, into said oil bearing formation, said foam forming composition including an effective foam-forming amount of said AOS, wherein the AOS comprises a mixture of hydroxy-sulfonate and alkene-sulfonates and further wherein the hydroxy-sulfonates comprise 3-hydroxy- and 4-hydroxy-sulfonates with the ratio of 3-hydroxy-sulfonates to 4-hydroxy-sulfonate being at least about 3.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprising at least periodically injecting a foam forming composition which comprises an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) and water, into said oil bearing formation, said foam forming composition including an effective foam-forming amount of said AOS, wherein the AOS comprises a mixture of hydroxy-sulfonate and alkene-sulfonates and further wherein the hydroxy-sulfonates comprise 3-hydroxy- and 4-hydroxy-sulfonates with the ratio of 3-hydroxy-sulfonates to 4-hydroxy-sulfonate being at least about 3.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the ratio of alkene-sulfonate to hydroxy-sulfonates is not greater than about 4.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 28 wherein the AOS has 12 to 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 27 wherein the AOS has 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 27 wherein the AOS has 8 to 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 27 wherein the ratio of 3-hydroxy-sulfonate to 4-hydroxy-sulfonate is from about 4 to about 6.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 27 wherein the non-condensible gas comprises CO 2 , N 2 , a light hydrocarbon or mixtures thereof.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 27 wherein the oil bearing formation comprises sandstone.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 27 wherein the water comprises a brine.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 27 wherein the composition further includes at least one additional surface active agent.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 36 wherein the total amount of the at least one additional surface active agent is not greater than about 5 percent by weight.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 36 wherein the at least one additional surface active agent comprises amphoteric surfactants, AOS dimers, chelating agents or mixtures thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 27 wherein foam formed is not greater than about 40 volume percent liquid phase and the AOS is present in the liquid phase in an amount about 0.1 to about 1% by weight.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 27 wherein the alkene-sulfonates include alkene-1sulfonates, alkene-2-sulfonates, alkene-3+-sulfonates, and the ratio of the total amount of alkene-1-sulfonate and alkene-2-sulfonates to alkene-3+-sulfonates is at least about 2.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprising at least periodically injecting a foam forming composition comprising an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) and water, into said oil bearing formation, said foam forming composition including an effective foam forming amount of said AOS, wherein the AOS comprises a mixture of hydroxy-sulfonates and alkene-sulfonates and further wherein the hydroxy-sulfonates comprise 3-hydroxy-sulfonates which are present in an amount of at least about 20% by weight.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of enhancing recovery of petroleum from an oil bearing formation during injection of a non-condensible gas comprising at least periodically injecting a foam forming composition comprising an alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) and water, into said oil bearing formation, said foam forming composition including an effective foam forming amount of said AOS, wherein the AOS comprises a mixture of hydroxy-sulfonates and alkene-sulfonates and further wherein the hydroxy-sulfonates comprise 3-hydroxy-sulfonates which are present in an amount of at least about 20% by weight.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the ratio of alkene-sulfonates to hydroxy-sulfonates not greater than about 4.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 42 wherein the AOS has 12 to 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 41 wherein the AOS has 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 41 wherein the AOS has 8 to 14 carbon atoms.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 41 wherein the non-condensible gas comprises CO 2 , N 2 , methane, or mixtures thereof.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of enhancing recovery of petroleum according to claim 41 wherein foam formed is not greater than about 40 volume percent liquid phase and the AOS is present in the liquid phase in an amount about 0.1 to about 1% by weight.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 41 wherein the water comprises a brine.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method enhancing recovery according to claim 41 wherein the oil bearing formation comprises sandstone.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 41 wherein the composition further includes at least one additional surface active agent.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 50 wherein the total amount of the at least one additional surface active agents is not greater than about 5 percent by weight.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of enhancing recovery according to claim 50 wherein the at least one additional surface active agent comprises amphoteric surfactants, AOS dimers, chelating agents or mixtures thereof.
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-30 | 1999-07-01 | 1999-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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