US4609043A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Enhanced oil recovery using carbon dioxide
Assignee: Mobil Oil AS
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Filing: 1984-10-22
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Granted: 1986-09-02
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Expires: 2004-10-22
Abstract
Abstract An enhanced oil recovery process in which carbon dioxide is injected into the oil-bearing formation under supercritical conditions to act as a solvent for the oil. Mobility of the carbon dioxide is controlled by the use of a dissolved polymer whose solubility is enhanced by the use of an entrainer comprising a polar organic compound such as an alcohol or a glycol.
Inventors
- 👤 Alvin S. Cullick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:20
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/58; C09K8/594; C09K8/588; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/16; E21B43/164; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/54; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/935; Y10S507/936
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A method for increasing the solubility of a polymer in dense-phase carbon dioxide, which comprises dissolving a substantially water-insoluble polymer in dense-phase carbon dioxide in the presence of an entrainer which is soluble in the dense phase carbon dioxide.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
39 words
A method for increasing the solubility of a polymer in dense-phase carbon dioxide, which comprises dissolving a substantially water-insoluble polymer in dense-phase carbon dioxide in the presence of an entrainer which is soluble in the dense phase carbon dioxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the entrainer is a polar, organic compound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 2 in which the entrainer is an alcohol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 2 in which the entrainer is a glycol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean, oil-bearing formation by injecting carbon dioxide into the formation through an injection well into the formation under supercritical conditions and recovering oil and injected carbon dioxide from a production well at a distance from the injection well, the improvement which comprises controlling the mobility of the carbon dioxide in the reservoir by means of a substantially water-insoluble polymer dissolved in the carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions, in an amount sufficient to effect mobility control of the carbon dioxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a method for the recovery of oil from a subterranean, oil-bearing formation by injecting carbon dioxide into the formation through an injection well into the formation under supercritical conditions and recovering oil and injected carbon dioxide from a production well at a distance from the injection well, the improvement which comprises controlling the mobility of the carbon dioxide in the reservoir by means of a substantially water-insoluble polymer dissolved in the carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions, in an amount sufficient to effect mobility control of the carbon dioxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 5 in which the polymer is dissolved in the carbon dioxide in the presence of an entrainer compound which is soluble in the carbon dioxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 6 in which the entrainer comprises a polar organic compound.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 7 in which the entrainer comprises a hydroxylic organic compound.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 8 in which the entrainer comprises an alcohol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 8 in which the entrainer comprises a glycol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 8 in which the entrainer comprises a non-polar organic compound.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 11 in which the entrainer comprises a C 4 -C 6 hydrocarbon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 5 in which the polymer is an atactic hydrocarbon polymer.
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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) | 1989-09-01 | 1990-03-03 | 1990-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-01 | 1994-03-03 | 1994-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-01 | 1998-03-03 | 1998-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |