Patent · US Expired

Method of improving the permeability of an underground petroleum-containing formation

US6972274B1 · kind B1 · utility

79Cited by
39References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 15, 2000
Grant dateDec 6, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 15, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF16L19/00
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a method and a composition useful in restoring the permeability of a porous underground petroleum containing formation. Restoring permeability to the formation enhances the injectivity thereby accelerating petroleum recovery. The method of the invention comprises treating said formation with a composition which comprises a combination of at least one nonionic compound, preferably an alkoxylated alcohol, with at least one cationic compound, preferably a quaternary ammonium compound, in an amount effective to improve the permeability of the formation. The composition may also optionally contain an alkyl glycoside.

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