Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Polyester diverting agents for low-temperature oil wells
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Application No.: US17617729Application Date: 2020-06-15
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Publication No.: US11898096B2Publication Date: 2024-02-13
- Inventor: Douglas Kip Hillshafer , Sarah Wolek
- Applicant: STEPAN COMPANY
- Applicant Address: US IL Northfield
- Assignee: Stepan Company
- Current Assignee: Stepan Company
- Current Assignee Address: US IL Northfield
- Agency: DILWORTH IP, LLC
- International Application: PCT/US2020/037782 2020.06.15
- International Announcement: WO2020/257112A 2020.12.24
- Date entered country: 2021-12-09
- Main IPC: C09K8/68
- IPC: C09K8/68 ; C09K8/72 ; C09K8/88

Abstract:
A hydraulic fracturing method for recovering oil from a low-temperature subterranean oil formation is disclosed. Before, during, or after inducing hydraulic fracturing within the formation, a particulate, degradable polyester diverting agent is introduced into the formation in an amount effective to improve oil production from the formation. The diverting agent is allowed to degrade, and oil is recovered. The diverting agent has a melting point greater than the average temperature of the formation and is selected from: (i) ethylene glycol succinates; (ii) acid-terminated ethylene glycol succinates; (iii) acid-terminated polyglycolic acids; (iv) acid-terminated polylactic acids; (v) mixtures of any of (i) through (iv) with a half acid ester; and (vi) mixtures of polylactic acids or polyglycolic acids with a half acid ester. These easily synthesized classes of particulate polyester diverting agents degrade more effectively than polylactides under the conditions present in low-temperature wells and should help to enhance well productivity.
Public/Granted literature
- US20220251441A1 POLYESTER DIVERTING AGENTS FOR LOW-TEMPERATURE OIL WELLS Public/Granted day:2022-08-11
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