US3598181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oil recovery employing viscosifiers produced by the action of anionic surfactants on bacterial cultures
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1970-02-17
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Granted: 1971-08-10
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Expires: 1990-02-17
Abstract
Abstract Bacterial cultures are treated with anionic surfactants to form a viscosifier for use in preparing a thickened aqueous medium for employment in the recovery of oil from oil-bearing stratum by waterflood methods.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene H Wegner
- 👤 Charles A Stratton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:39
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/90; C09K8/905; C09K8/58; C09K8/582
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said viscosifier is employed in an amount to provide from about 5 to 100 parts by weight of said viscosifier per 100 parts by weight of said aqueous medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said anionic surfactant is employed in an amount to provide from about 0.001 to 0.02 parts by weight of said surfactant per 100 parts by weight of said bacterial culture and wherein said bacterial culture contains at least 0.2 weight percent of bacterial cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process according to claim 3 wherein said surfactant is employed in an amount to provide from about 0.004 to 0.015 parts by weight of said surfactant per 100 parts by weight of said bacterial culture and wherein said bacterial culture comprises gram-negatiVe bacteria.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The process according to claim 3 wherein said bacterial culture comprises from about 2 to 4 weight percent of bacterial cells and said viscosifier is employed in an amount to provide from about 30 to 70 parts by weight of said viscosifier per 100 parts by weight of said aqueous medium drive fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process according to claim 5 wherein said bacterial culture comprises Pseudomonas sp. and wherein said anionic surfactant comprises sodium lauryl sulfate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-09 | 1975-02-08 | 1975-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-09 | 1979-02-08 | 1979-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-09 | 1983-02-08 | 1983-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |