USRE30767E
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method using lignosulfonates for high-temperature plugging
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
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Filing: 1979-10-15
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Granted: 1981-10-13
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Expires: 1999-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A method of selective plugging of undesirable high permeability streaks and channels in oil-bearing reservoirs during high temperature (250° F. or higher) injection recovery processes such as steamflooding, underground combustion, flooding of a naturally occurring high-temperature reservoir or the like. Improved sweep efficiency can be effected by injecting a gel-forming solution consisting essentially of sodium or ammonium lignosulfonate and water or brine in the absence of other gelation promoters and then allowing the high temperatures of the underground formation to promote gelation. Optionally, a precooling water injection step can be used prior to placement of the gel-forming solution. This system has the advantage of gel times which are sufficiently long at temperatures in excess of 250° F. to permit placement of large volumes characteristic of commercial use. This method is particularly useful in selectively forming firm, strong gels in thief zones for steamflooding recovery operations.
Inventors
- 👤 Betty J. Felber
- 👤 Dwight L. Dauben
- 👤 Richard E. Marrs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:23
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592; C09K8/50; C09K8/504; C09K8/506; C09K8/508; C09K8/514; E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/10; E21B33/13; E21B33/138; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/243
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from an underground deposit thereof, said deposit being penetrated by an injection well and by a producing well, in which method a steamflooding medium, underground combustion medium, or high-temperature flooding medium is injected into said deposit through said injection well to displace oil toward said producing well, and wherein said steamflooding, combustion medium, or high-temperature flooding medium tends to channel through relatively high permeability strata in said deposit, resulting in a nonuniform steamflood, combustion front, or high-temperature flooding front, the improvement which comprises introducing into said deposit an aqueous gel-forming solution of a water-soluble lignosulfonate containing from about 2 to about 20 weight percent reducing sugars wherein said solution is capable of gelation at temperatures in excess of 250° F., with a characteristic gel time from about 1 to about 2,000 hours, and said solution being in an amount sufficient to flow into said high permeability strata, allowing said solution to set in said high permeability strata to form a gel therein, thereafter introducing said steamflooding or combustion medium into said deposit through said injection, and recovering oil from said producing well.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from an underground deposit thereof, said deposit being penetrated by an injection well and by a producing well, in which method a steamflooding medium, underground combustion medium, or high-temperature flooding medium is injected into said deposit through said injection well to displace oil toward said producing well, and wherein said steamflooding, combustion medium, or high-temperature flooding medium tends to channel through relatively high permeability strata in said deposit, resulting in a nonuniform steamflood, combustion front, or high-temperature flooding front, the improvement which comprises introducing into said deposit an aqueous gel-forming solution of a water-soluble lignosulfonate containing from about 2 to about 20 weight percent reducing sugars wherein said solution is capable of gelation at temperatures in excess of 250° F., with a characteristic gel time from about 1 to about 2,000 hours, and said solution being in an amount sufficient to flow into said high permeability strata, allowing said solution to set in said high permeability strata to form a gel therein, thereafter introducing said steamflooding or combustion medium into said deposit through said injection, and recovering oil from said producing well.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said lignosulfonate is selected from the group consisting of sodium lignosulfonate and ammonium lignosulfonate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the concentration of said sodium or ammonium lignosulfonate employed in said solution ranges from about 3 to about 20 weight percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the gel-forming occurs from about 250° to 450° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the concentration of said sodium or ammonium lignosulfonate employed in said solution ranges from about 4 to about 10 weight percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which said gel-forming solution is introduced into said deposit via said injection well.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 in which said gel-forming solution is introduced into said deposit via said producing well.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said lignosulfonate-containing solution is capable of gelation with a characteristic gel time from about 10 to 840 hours.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said lignosulfonate is an ammonium lignosulfonate.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for plugging permeable zones in the vicinity of a wellbore at temperatures in excess of 400° F. involving the steps of introducing in the permeable zone to be plugged an aqueous gel-forming solution of a water-soluble lignosulfonate containing from about 2 to about 20 weight percent reducing sugars wherein said solution is capable of gelation at temperatures in excess of 400° F., with a characteristic gel time from about 1 to about 30 hours, and said solution being in an amount sufficient to flow into said permeable zone, and allowing said solution to set in said permeable zone to form a gel therein, thereby plugging said permeable zone.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for plugging permeable zones in the vicinity of a wellbore at temperatures in excess of 400° F. involving the steps of introducing in the permeable zone to be plugged an aqueous gel-forming solution of a water-soluble lignosulfonate containing from about 2 to about 20 weight percent reducing sugars wherein said solution is capable of gelation at temperatures in excess of 400° F., with a characteristic gel time from about 1 to about 30 hours, and said solution being in an amount sufficient to flow into said permeable zone, and allowing said solution to set in said permeable zone to form a gel therein, thereby plugging said permeable zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said lignosulfonate is selected from the group consisting of sodium lignosulfonate and ammonium lignosulfonate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
563 words
A method for plugging permeable zones of a wellbore at temperatures in excess of 250° F. involving the steps of introducing in the permeable zone to be plugged an aqueous gel-forming solution of a water-soluble lignosulfonate containing from about 2 to about 20 weight percent reducing sugars wherein said solution is capable of gelation at temperatures in excess of 250° F., with a characteristic gel time from about 1 to about 2000 hours, and said solution being in an amount sufficient to flow into said permeable zone, and allowing said solution to set in said permeable zone to form a gel therein, thereby plugging said permeable zone. .Iadd. 13. A method for treating an underground zone having a temperature in excess of about 250° F. which comprises: introducing into said zone an aqueous gel-forming solution of a water-soluble lignosulfonate, wherein said solution comprises at least about 2.5 weight percent reducing sugars based on the weight of said water-soluble lignosulfonate and maintaining said gel-forming solution in said zone until said gel-forming solution is converted to a gel. .Iaddend..Iadd. 14. A method for plugging permeable zones of an underground formation at temperatures in excess of about 250° F. involving the steps of introducing in said permeable zone to be plugged an aqueous gel-forming solution of a water-soluble lignosulfonate containing at least about 2.5 weight percent reducing sugars based on the weight of said water-soluble lignosulfonate and allowing said solution to set in said permeable zone to form a gel therein, thereby plugging said permeable zone. .Iaddend..Iadd. 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein said lignosulfonate is selected from the group consisting of sodium lignosulfonate and ammonium lignosulfonate. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the concentration of said sodium or ammonium lignosulfonate employed in said solution ranges from about 3 to about 20 weight percent. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the gel-forming occurs from about 250° F. to 450° F. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the concentration of said sodium or ammonium lignosulfonate employed in said solution ranges from about 4 to about 10 weight percent. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein said lignosulfonate containing solution is capable of gelation with a characteristic gel time from about 1 to 2000 hours. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 20. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein said lignosulfonate containing solution is capable of gelation with a characteristic gel time from about 10 to 840 hours. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein said lignosulfonate containing solution and said reducing sugars is derived from the wood pulping process. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. A method of claim 13 or 14 performed during a steam-flooding process. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. A method of claim 13 or 14 performed during a combustion medium process. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24. A method of claim 13 or 14 performed during a high-temperature flooding medium process. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. In a method for treating an underground zone having a temperature in excess of about 250° F. and recovering oil therefrom, the specific improvement comprising: introducing into said zone an aqueous gel-forming solution of a water-soluble lignosulfonate, wherein said solution comprises at least about 2.5 weight percent reducing sugars based on the weight of said water-soluble lignosulfonate; maintaining said gel-forming solution in said zone until said gel-forming solution is converted to a gel; and thereafter recovering oil therefrom. .Iaddend.
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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) | 1984-10-12 | 1985-04-13 | 1985-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-12 | 1989-04-13 | 1989-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-12 | 1993-04-13 | 1993-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |