Solids-stabilized emulsion
US5910467A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jun 8, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S507/937
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The disclosed invention is a solids-stabilized emulsion and method for making same for use in recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. More specifically, the emulsion comprises oil and water and is stabilized using undissolved solid particles, which are preferably at least partially oleophilic. Carbon dioxide or another gas is added to the emulsion to adjust the emulsion's viscosity to the desired level. The solids-stabilized emulsion may be used either as a drive fluid for displacing hydrocarbons from the formation or to produce a barrier for diverting flow of fluids in the formation. Such solid particles may be either formation solid particles (i.e., indigenous to the formation) or nonformation solid particles (i.e., obtained from outside the formation). Nonformation solid particles may either be naturally occurring or synthetic. Some preferred solids include clays, quartz, feldspar, gypsum, coal dust, asphaltenes, and polymers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.