Patent · US Expired

Composition and process for removing sulfur scale from interstices in petroleum bearing formations and the like to improve the flow of petroleum

US4213866A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
8References
29Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 3, 1978
Grant dateJul 22, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 3, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S507/934
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Petroleum values bound in formations by sulfur scale blocked passages are freed by effectively dissolving the scale and formation rock with a solution containing a primary acid, a catalyst, and, preferably, a chelating or sequestering agent and a wetting agent. The primary acid is preferably hydrochloric. The catalyst is tetravalent or pentavalent vanadium. The chelating agent is at least one member selected from the class consisting of dicarboxylic acid, or tricarboxylic acid, or both acids, and glycerine, wherein the above acid group is always present. The primary acid attacks the sulfur scale and formation rock, and its action is substantially completed because of the catalyst. The chelating or sequestering agent maintains the dissolved minerals in solution. The wetting agent enables mineral penetration.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.