US5095989A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microemulsion method for improving the injectivity of a well
Assignee: Texaco Development Corp
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Filing: 1991-02-21
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2011-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for improving the injectivity of an injection well for water or gas injection into an underground hydrocarbon formation which comprises injecting into the formation through an injection well a sufficient amount of a solvent-in-water microemulsion comprising about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of an alkoxylated linear alcohol having about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms in the linear alcohol moiety and an average of about 5 to about 12 alkoxylate groups, about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of an alkylbenzene sulfonate having an alkyl chain of about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, about 1% to about 10% by weight of an ethylene glycol alkylether solvent, and water.
Inventors
- 👤 Gabriel Prukop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:08
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/584; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936; Y10S507/937; Y10S507/938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for improving the injectivity of an injection well for water or gas injection into an underground hydrocarbon formation penetrated by said injection well which comprises: injecting into an underground hydrocarbon formation through an injection well a sufficient amount of a solvent-in-water microemulsion to treat the formation within a radial distance of about 5 to about 100 feet from the injection well, said solvent-in-water microemulsion comprising about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of an alkoxylated linear alcohol having about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms in the linear alcohol moiety and an average of about 5 to about 12 alkoxylate groups, about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of an alkylbenzene sulfonate having an alkyl chain of about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, about 1% to about 10% by weight of an ethylene glycol alkylether solvent, and water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
A method for improving the injectivity of an injection well for water or gas injection into an underground hydrocarbon formation penetrated by said injection well which comprises: injecting into an underground hydrocarbon formation through an injection well a sufficient amount of a solvent-in-water microemulsion to treat the formation within a radial distance of about 5 to about 100 feet from the injection well, said solvent-in-water microemulsion comprising about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of an alkoxylated linear alcohol having about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms in the linear alcohol moiety and an average of about 5 to about 12 alkoxylate groups, about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of an alkylbenzene sulfonate having an alkyl chain of about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, about 1% to about 10% by weight of an ethylene glycol alkylether solvent, and water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the alkoxylated linear alcohol is ethoxylated and propoxylated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the alkoxylated linear alcohol is ethoxylated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the ethoxylated linear alcohol has about 12 to about 14 carbon atoms in the linear alcohol moiety and about 6 to about 8 ethylene oxide groups.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the alkylbenzene sulfonate has about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent is 2-butoxyethanol.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for improving the injectivity of an injection well for water or gas injection into an underground hydrocarbon formation penetrated by said injection well which comprises: injecting into an underground hydrocarbon formation through an injection well a sufficient amount of a solvent-in-water microemulsion to treat the formation within a radial distance of about 15 to about 50 feet from the injection well, said solvent-in-water microemulsion comprising about 1% to about 3% by weight of an ethoxylated linear alcohol having about 12 to about 14 carbon atoms in the linear alcohol moiety and an average of about 6 to about 8 ethoxylate groups, about 1% to about 3% by weight of an alkylbenzene sulfonate having about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, about 3% to about 5% by weight of a butoxyethanol solvent, and water.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for improving the injectivity of an injection well for water or gas injection into an underground hydrocarbon formation penetrated by said injection well which comprises: injecting into an underground hydrocarbon formation through an injection well a sufficient amount of a solvent-in-water microemulsion to treat the formation within a radial distance of about 15 to about 50 feet from the injection well, said solvent-in-water microemulsion comprising about 1% to about 3% by weight of an ethoxylated linear alcohol having about 12 to about 14 carbon atoms in the linear alcohol moiety and an average of about 6 to about 8 ethoxylate groups, about 1% to about 3% by weight of an alkylbenzene sulfonate having about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, about 3% to about 5% by weight of a butoxyethanol solvent, and water.
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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) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |