US4453597A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stimulation of hydrocarbon flow from a geological formation
Assignee: FMC Corp
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Filing: 1982-02-16
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2002-02-16
Abstract
Abstract Means are provided for increasing the productivity of a hydrocarbon formation by modifying the formation in the vicinity of the borehole by a succession of treatments utilizing a first fluid which releases energy within the borehole and a second fluid modifying the fluid within the borehole. The means provides successive treatment of steam, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and inert gases in any order desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Brown
- 👤 Frank E. Caropreso
- 👤 Charles J. Lymburner
- 👤 Robert D. Norris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:23
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B36/00; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/24; E21B43/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for generating fluid compositions within a borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth and for injecting the compositions into a formation communicating with the borehole comprising: (a) packer means within the borehole separating the borehole into a first section communicating with the surface and a second section communicating with the formation, (b) conduit means for conducting at least two fluids from the surface through the packer means into the second section of the borehole, (c) a heterogeneous decomposition catalyst for liberating energy from a first fluid to provide: (1) thermal energy, and (2) a vapor composition within the borehole, and (d) means to mix a second fluid with the vapor composition to form a fluid composition for delivery from the borehole into the formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for generating fluid compositions within a borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth and for injecting the compositions into a formation communicating with the borehole comprising: (a) packer means within the borehole separating the borehole into a first section communicating with the surface and a second section communicating with the formation, (b) conduit means for conducting at least two fluids from the surface through the packer means into the second section of the borehole, (c) a heterogeneous decomposition catalyst for liberating energy from a first fluid to provide: (1) thermal energy, and (2) a vapor composition within the borehole, and (d) means to mix a second fluid with the vapor composition to form a fluid composition for delivery from the borehole into the formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heterogeneous decomposition catalyst comprises a silver catalyst bed.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for generating fluid compositions within a borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth and injecting the compositions into a formation communicating with the borehole comprising: (a) packer means within the borehole separating the borehole into a first section communicating with the surface and a second section communicating with the formation, (b) conduit means for conducting at least two fluids from the surface through the packer means into the second section of the borehole, (c) a third conduit means to inject a fluid decomposition catalyst in the borehole thereby liberating energy from a first fluid to provide: (1) thermal energy, and (2) a vapor composition within the borehole, and (d) means to mix a second fluid with the vapor composition to form a fluid composition for delivery from the borehole into the formation.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for generating fluid compositions within a borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth and injecting the compositions into a formation communicating with the borehole comprising: (a) packer means within the borehole separating the borehole into a first section communicating with the surface and a second section communicating with the formation, (b) conduit means for conducting at least two fluids from the surface through the packer means into the second section of the borehole, (c) a third conduit means to inject a fluid decomposition catalyst in the borehole thereby liberating energy from a first fluid to provide: (1) thermal energy, and (2) a vapor composition within the borehole, and (d) means to mix a second fluid with the vapor composition to form a fluid composition for delivery from the borehole into the formation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
The process for stimulating the flow of a hydrocarbon from a formation in communication with a borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth, said borehole containing a packing means to separate the borehole into a first proximal section communicating with the surface, and a second distal section below said packing means communicating with the formation, said borehole being provided with conduit means for conveying fluid from the surface to said second section, said process comprising: (a) introducing a first fluid capable of releasing energy into the second section of the borehole through the conduit means, (b) causing liberation of energy and vapor from the first fluid into the second section of the borehole, and (c) mixing carbon dioxide into the vapor released in step (b) thus modifying the fluid composition for delivery into the formation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
The process for stimulating the flow of a hydrocarbon from a formation in communication with a borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth, said borehole containing a packing means to separate the borehole into a first proximal section communicating with the surface, and a second distal section below said packing means communicating with the formation, said borehole being provided with conduit means for conveying fluid from the surface to said second section, said process comprising: (a) introducing a first fluid capable of releasing energy into the second section of the borehole through the conduit means, (b) causing liberation of energy and vapor from the first fluid into the second section of the borehole, and (c) mixing carbon dioxide into the vapor released in step (b) thus modifying the fluid composition for delivery into the formation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the first fluid comprises hydrogen perioxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the hydrogen peroxide contains 10%-35% water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
149 words
The process for stimulating the flow of a hydrocarbon from a formation in communication with the borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth, said borehole containing a packing means to separate the borehole into a first proximal section communicating with the surface, and a second distal section below said packing means communicating with the formation, said borehole being provided with conduit means for conveying fluid from the surface to said second section, said process comprising: (a) introducing hydrogen perioxide as a first fluid capable of releasing energy into the second section of the borehole through the conduit means, (b) contacting the first fluid with a decomposition catalyst, causing liberation of energy and vapor from the first fluid into the second section of the borehole, and (c) mixing a second fluid into the vapor released in step (b) thus modifying the fluid composition for delivery into the formation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
149 words
The process for stimulating the flow of a hydrocarbon from a formation in communication with the borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth, said borehole containing a packing means to separate the borehole into a first proximal section communicating with the surface, and a second distal section below said packing means communicating with the formation, said borehole being provided with conduit means for conveying fluid from the surface to said second section, said process comprising: (a) introducing hydrogen perioxide as a first fluid capable of releasing energy into the second section of the borehole through the conduit means, (b) contacting the first fluid with a decomposition catalyst, causing liberation of energy and vapor from the first fluid into the second section of the borehole, and (c) mixing a second fluid into the vapor released in step (b) thus modifying the fluid composition for delivery into the formation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the second fluid in carbon dioxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the hydrogen peroxide contains 10%-35% water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
149 words
The process for stimulating the flow of a hydrocarbon from a formation in communication with a borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth, said borehole containing a packing means to separate the borehole into a first proximal section communicating with the surface, and a second distal section below said packing means communicating with the formation, said borehole being provided with conduit means for conveying fluid from the surface to said second section, said process comprising: (a) introducing hydrazine as a first fluid capable of releasing energy into the second section of the borehole through the conduit means, (b) contacting the first fluid with a decomposition catalyst, thereby causing liberation of energy and vapor from the first fluid into the second section of the borehole, and (c) mixing a second fluid into the vapor released in step (b) thus modifying the fluid composition for delivery into the formation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
149 words
The process for stimulating the flow of a hydrocarbon from a formation in communication with a borehole extending inward from a surface of the earth, said borehole containing a packing means to separate the borehole into a first proximal section communicating with the surface, and a second distal section below said packing means communicating with the formation, said borehole being provided with conduit means for conveying fluid from the surface to said second section, said process comprising: (a) introducing hydrazine as a first fluid capable of releasing energy into the second section of the borehole through the conduit means, (b) contacting the first fluid with a decomposition catalyst, thereby causing liberation of energy and vapor from the first fluid into the second section of the borehole, and (c) mixing a second fluid into the vapor released in step (b) thus modifying the fluid composition for delivery into the formation.
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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) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |