Additives for improving hydrocarbon recovery

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018100098-A1
Application number	US-201715839572-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 12, 2017
Priority date	Jun 13, 2011
Publication date	Apr 12, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

Processes for recovering hydrocarbons from subterranean formations are disclosed. The hydrocarbon can be contacted with water or steam and one or more additives, and subsequently recovered. The hydrocarbon can be selected from the group consisting of heavy or light crude oil, bitumen, as oil sand ore, a tar sand ore and combinations thereof. The additive can be, for example, a fluorinated hydrocarbon, one or more alcohols, combinations of alcohols, and combinations of one or more alcohols and one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons. Compositions or mixtures including hydrocarbons, water or steam, and additives are also disclosed.

First claim

1 .- 17 . (canceled)

18 . A composition comprising a hydrocarbon, water or steam, one or more alcohols, and one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons.

19 . The composition of claim 18 , wherein the hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of heavy or light crude oil, bitumen, an oil sand tar, a tar sand ore and combinations thereof.

20 . The composition of claim 18 , wherein the one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons are selected from the group consisting of trifluoroethanol, trifluoropropanol, trifluorobutanol, allylhexafluoroisopropanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, trifluoroacetic acid, methyl trifluoroacetate, ethyl trifluoroacetate, isopropyl trifluoroacetate, trifluoroacetaldehydemethyl hemiacetal, trifluoroacetaldehyde ethyl hemiacetal, trifluoroacetic anhydride, trifluoroacetone, fluorotoluene, and any combination of mixture thereof, further wherein the one or more alcohols are selected from the group consisting of C 1 alcohols, C 2 alcohols, C 3 alcohols, C 4 alcohols, C 5 alcohols, C 6 alcohols, C 7 alcohols, C 8 alcohols, C 9 alcohols, or C 10 alcohols, C 11 alcohols, C 12 alcohols, C 13 alcohols, C 14 alcohols, C 15 alcohols, and any combination, mixture, or isomer thereof; or wherein the one or more alcohols is ethanol, 1-butanol, 2-pentanol, a mixture of propanol, butanol, and 1-pentanol, or a mixture of ethanol and 1-pentanol; or wherein the one or more alcohols is ethanol and the one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons is trifluoroethanol; or wherein the one or more fluorinated hydrocarbons is trifluoroethanol and the one or more alcohols is butanol.

Assignees

• Ecolab Usa Inc

Inventors

• Cross Kimberly Jantunen
• Sommese Anthony G
• Maharajh Edward

Classifications

• C09K8/58

  Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids · CPC title

• E21B43/24

  using heat, e.g. steam injection · CPC title

• E21B43/16 Primary

  Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons · CPC title

• C09K8/592

  Compositions used in combination with generated heat, e.g. by steam injection · CPC title

• C09K8/584 Primary

  characterised by the use of specific surfactants · CPC title