Bruce E Davis

US Patent:

51025604, Apr 7, 1992

Filed:

Nov 20, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/615953

Inventors:

Bruce W. Davis - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Chevron Research and Technology Company - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E21B 4322

US Classification:

252 8554

Abstract:

A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises an organosilicon polymer having nonrandom crosslinkages that enhance backbone rigidity. Preferably, that polymer is a polyalkylsilsesquioxane. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

US Patent:

41966155, Apr 8, 1980

Filed:

Jun 29, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/920584

Inventors:

Bruce W. Davis - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Chevron Research Company - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G01N 1302

US Classification:

73 644

Abstract:

A tensiometer apparatus for use in the field, for instance at the site of an oil well, for measuring the interfacial tension between two immiscible fluids, for instance oil and water, wherein a droplet of one fluid is caused to move under the force of gravity through the second fluid and a characteristic of the droplet is determined by measuring the change the droplet causes in capacitance of one or more capacitors as the droplet moves through the second fluid. The determined characteristic is then converted by calibration means to interfacial tension between the fluids.

US Patent:

50801694, Jan 14, 1992

Filed:

Nov 13, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/613024

Inventors:

Bruce W. Davis - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Chevron Research and Technology Company - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

F21B 4322

US Classification:

166268

Abstract:

A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polysilalkylenesilane polymer, preferably polydimethylsilmethylenedimethylsilane. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of a polysilalkylenesilane polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

US Patent:

43740235, Feb 15, 1983

Filed:

Oct 26, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/315317

Inventors:

Bruce W. Davis - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Chevron Research Company - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

C10G 100

US Classification:

208 11LE

Abstract:

A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a diatomite-type ore which comprises contacting the diatomite ore with a C. sub. 4 -C. sub. 10 alcohol and thereafter contacting the diatomite ore-alcohol mixture with an aqueous alkaline solution to separate a hydrocarbon-alcohol phase and an alkaline aqueous phase containing the stripped diatomite ore. Thereafter, the alcohol is distilled off from the hydrocarbon phase and recycled back into the initial process.

US Patent:

44858710, Dec 4, 1984

Filed:

Mar 9, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/473510

Inventors:

Bruce W. Davis - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Chevron Research Company - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E21B 4322
E21B 4324
E21B 4340

US Classification:

166266

Abstract:

An in-situ process for recovering hydrocarbons from a diatomite-type formation which comprises contacting the diatomite formation with a C. sub. 4 -C. sub. 10 alcohol and thereafter displacing the hydrocarbon-alcohol mixture with an aqueous alkaline solution towards a production well. The aqueous alkaline solution can be displaced with additional solution or another suitable medium such as a connate water drive.

US Patent:

48280313, May 9, 1989

Filed:

Oct 13, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/107323

Inventors:

Bruce W. Davis - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Chevron Research Company - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E21B 4322
E21B 4324

US Classification:

166272

Abstract:

An improved method of recovering oil from diatomite is described. A solvent is injected into the diatomite followed by an aqueous surface active solution. The aqueous surface active solution contains a diatomite/oil water wettability improving agent and an oil/water surface tension lowering agent. The method may be supplemented by injection of water and/or steam into the diatomite.

US Patent:

48526517, Aug 1, 1989

Filed:

Nov 23, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/275248

Inventors:

Bruce W. Davis - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Chevron Research Company - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

E21B 4322

US Classification:

166268

Abstract:

A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polydialkylsilalkylene polymer; wherein the dialkyl group is preferably dimethyl, methylethyl, or diethyl; and the alkylene group is preferably ethylene or methylene. Preferably, the polymer is polydimethylsilalkylene. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polydialkylsilalkylene polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.

US Patent:

50065840, Apr 9, 1991

Filed:

Feb 22, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/485794

Inventors:

Bruce W. Davis - Fullerton CA

Assignee:

Chevron Research and Technology Company - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

C08K 509

US Classification:

524284

Abstract:

A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polydialkylsilalkylene polymer; wherein the dialkyl group is preferably dimethyl, methylethyl, or diethyl; and the alkylene group is preferably ethylene or methylene. Preferably, the polymer is polydimethylsilalkylene. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polydialkylsilalkylene polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.