Patent · US Active

Compositions and methods of using same in producing heavy oil and bitumen

US7691788B2 · kind B2 · utility

75Cited by
17References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 26, 2006
Grant dateApr 6, 2010
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 1, 2028

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC10L2300/20
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Compositions and methods of using same are described for negating asphaltene deposition in a formation, wellbore, near wellbore region, and production tubing. Compositions of the invention comprise an asphaltene solvent and a viscosity reducing agent, the asphaltene solvent and viscosity reducing agent present in a ratio so as to substantially reduce viscosity of an asphaltene-containing material while substantially negating deposition of asphaltenes either in a reservoir, in production tubing, or both when mixed or otherwise contacting the asphaltene-containing material. Methods of the invention comprise forcing a composition comprising an asphaltene solvent and a viscosity reducing agent to contact an asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon in an underground geologic formation, and producing from the formation a production composition comprising at least some of the treatment composition and at least some of the asphaltene-containing hydrocarbon under conditions sufficient to substantially negate deposition of asphaltenes in the formation.

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