Solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion and method for using same

US6734144B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Ramesh Varadaraj · Flemington, US
• James R. Bragg · Houston, US
• Monte K. Dobson · Bellaire, US
• Dennis G. Peiffer · Annandale, US
• John Huang · Annandale, US
• Donald B. Siano · Fanwood, US
• Cornelius H. Brons · Hackettstown, US
• Chester W. Elspass · Alpha, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 2001
• Grant date: May 11, 2004
• Expiry date: Dec 17, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S507/906
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method for enhancing the stability of a solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion by pretreating the oil prior to emulsification. The pretreatment step can be accomplished by adding dilute acid to the oil, adding a lignosulfonate additive to the oil, sulfonating the oil, thermally oxidizing the oil, thermally treating the oil in an inert environment, and combinations thereof. The emulsion can be used in enhanced oil recovery methods, including using the emulsion as a drive fluid to displace hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation, and using the emulsion as a barrier fluid for diverting flow of fluids in the formation.