US4379490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for removal of asphaltene depositions with amine-activated disulfide oil
Assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
•
Filing: 1981-04-22
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Granted: 1983-04-12
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Expires: 2001-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for treating and removing unwanted asphaltene deposits from oil and gas wells, surface equipment, flow lines, and pore spaces of oil-baring formations comprises treatment with an amine-activated aliphatic disulfide oil as an asphaltene solvent. In a preferred aspect, the aliphatic disulfide oil is a dialkyl disulfide oil and is activated by the addition of 10 weight percent of diethylamine. In a specific use, the activated disulfide oil is used to remove asphaltene deposits from an oil-bearing formation and a producing well penetrating the formation.
Inventors
- 👤 Shelby P. Sharp
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:26
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/52; C09K8/524; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/927; Y10S507/929; Y10S507/93
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
18 words
A method for treating an asphaltene deposit comprising contacting the asphaltene deposit with an amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
18 words
A method for treating an asphaltene deposit comprising contacting the asphaltene deposit with an amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil is employed to remove asphaltenes from an injection well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil is employed to remove asphaltenes from surface petroleum production equipment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil is employed to remove asphaltenes from surface production equipment.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
29 words
A method for treating an asphaltene deposit in an oil-bearing formation and a producing well penetrating said formation comprising contacting the asphaltene deposit with an amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
29 words
A method for treating an asphaltene deposit in an oil-bearing formation and a producing well penetrating said formation comprising contacting the asphaltene deposit with an amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 comprising: (a) injecting the amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil into said well penetrating said formation; (b) displacing said amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil into said formation; (c) shutting said well in for a time period; and (d) returning said well to production.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said time period is about 12 hours.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil comprises a diethylamine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising, after Step (c) is performed but before Step (d) is commenced, injecting an additional amount of a displacing agent into the formation and shutting in the well for an additional time period.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
33 words
A method for treating an asphaltene deposit comprising contacting the asphaltene deposit with an amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil in an amount effective for removal of at least a portion of the asphaltene deposit.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
33 words
A method for treating an asphaltene deposit comprising contacting the asphaltene deposit with an amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil in an amount effective for removal of at least a portion of the asphaltene deposit.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of claims 1, 5 or 10 wherein the amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil comprises a dialkyl disulfide oil activated by diethylamine.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for treating asphaltene deposits in an oil-bearing formation comprising: (a) injecting an amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil into a well penetrating said formation; (b) displacing said amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil into said formation; (c) shutting said well in for a time period; and (d) returning said well to production.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for treating asphaltene deposits in an oil-bearing formation comprising: (a) injecting an amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil into a well penetrating said formation; (b) displacing said amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil into said formation; (c) shutting said well in for a time period; and (d) returning said well to production.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising, after Step (c) is performed but before Step (d) is commenced, injecting an additional amount of a displacing agent into the formation, and shutting in the well for an additional time period.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said amine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil comprises a diethylamine-activated dialkyl disulfide oil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said time period is about 12 hours.
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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) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-10-11 | 1987-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-11 | 1990-10-11 | 1991-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-11 | 1994-10-11 | 1995-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |