Surfactant mixtures used during chemical enhanced oil recovery and methods of use thereof
US11254855B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2019 |
| Grant date | Feb 22, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/16
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Surfactant mixtures include a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant in a brine solution. The cationic surfactant may include at least one quaternary ammonium, at least one brominated trimethylammonium, or combinations thereof. The anionic surfactant may include at least one organosulfate. The nonionic surfactant may include the nonionic surfactant comprised of a polyoxyethylene fatty acid ester, a phenylated ethoxylate, or combinations thereof. The surfactant mixtures may be incorporated into methods for reducing the interfacial tension between the surfactant mixture and oily fluids during chemical enhanced oil recovery. The methods for reducing the interfacial tension may include introducing the surfactant mixture comprising a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant in a brine solution to a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir, thereby reducing the interfacial tension at a liquid-liquid interface of the surfactant mixture and the fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.