Patent · US Expired

Insoluble salt control system and method

US6196314A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
16References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 15, 1999
Grant dateMar 6, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 15, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC09K8/528
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for enhancing hydrocarbon production from a subsurface hydrocarbon-bearing formation. The system includes a mechanical fluid treatment unit that substantially reduces the concentration of precursor ions from the injection water. The treated water is injected under pressure into an injection well to cause the hydrocarbons to flow toward a production well. A chemical unit injects selected amounts of additives into the injection well to inhibit in-situ growth of crystals from insoluble salt precipitates formed due to the interaction of precursor ions present in the injected water and ions residents in the reservoir. The selected chemicals and their respective amounts are determined at least partially based on reservoir characteristics and the concentration of precursor ions in the treated water.

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