Patent US3796264A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3796264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Permeability improvement technique
Assignee: Texaco Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-26
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A water sensitive subterranean fluid reservoir, a petroleum reservoir, for example, previously damaged by swelling due to contact with water is improved in permeability by treating the reservoir with potassium chloride at about 100* C. for several hours.
Inventors
- 👤 A Thigpen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:47
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/592; C09K8/60; C09K8/607; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the potassium chloride is present in the solution contacting the reservoir in an amount from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the concentration of potassium chloride is from about 1 weight percent to about 3 weight percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 1 wherein the time of heating is about 6 to 8 hours.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the reservoir is heated to a temperature of about 80* C. to about 100* C.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of improving permeability in a subterranean fluid containing reservoir composed partially of clay subject to swelling said reservoir containing interconnected pores and wherein said reservoir having been previously damaged by contact with water causing the clay in the reservoir matrix to swell thereby reducing the permeability of the reservoir to fluid flow comprising, contacting the reservoir with a solution of potassium chloride, passing a gas through the portion of the reservoir so contacted to remove a portion of the water and heating the portion of the reservoir originally contacted with the potassium chloride solution to a temperature of about 80* to 120* C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the potassium chloride is present in the solution originally contacting the reservoir in an amount from about 0.5 weight percent to about 10 weight percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the concentration of potassium chloride is from about 1 weight percent to about 3 weight percent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the time of heating is about 6 to 8 hours.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 6 wherein the reservoir is heated to a temperature of about 80* C. to about 100* C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3358763A
Cited
US3603396A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |