Dennis K O'Brien

US Patent:

43138624, Feb 2, 1982

Filed:

Apr 3, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/136835

Inventors:

Robert D. Lundberg - Bridgewater NJ
Henry S. Makowski - late of Scotch Plains NJ
Dennis O'Brien - Houston TX
Robert R. Klein - Berkeley Heights NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Research & Engineering Co. - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

C08F 836

US Classification:

260 296SQ

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a process for forming a polymeric solution or gel having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cps which includes the steps of dissolving an unneutralized or neutralized sulfonated polymer in a solvent to form a solution, a concentration of the unneutralized or neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0. 1 to about 20 wt. %, a viscosity of the solution being less than about 20,000 cps; and adding about 5 to about 500 vol. % water to the solution having a viscosity less than about 20,000 cps, the water being immiscible with the solvent and the solution, the viscosity of said solution increasing rapidly upon the addition of said water from less than 20,000 cps to greater than 50,000 cps.

US Patent:

43223290, Mar 30, 1982

Filed:

Apr 3, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/136837

Inventors:

Robert D. Lundberg - Bridgewater NJ
Dennis E. O'Brien - Houston TX
Henry S. Makowski - late of Scotch Plains NJ
Robert R. Klein - Berkeley Heights NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Research & Engineering Co. - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

C08F 836

US Classification:

524389

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a process for forming a polymeric solution or gel having a viscosity of less than about 50,000 cps which includes the steps of forming a solvent system of an organic liquid and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 wt. % of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 1,000 cps: dissolving a neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0. 5 to about 20 wt. %, a viscosity of the solution being about 5 to about 5,000 cps; and adding about 1 to about 500 vol. % water to the solution having a viscosity less than about 5,000 cps, the water being immiscible with the solution and the polar cosolvent transferring from the solution phase to the water phase thereby causing the viscosity of said solution to increase by a factor of at least 2 to less than 50,000 cps.

US Patent:

41834062, Jan 15, 1980

Filed:

Aug 1, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/930121

Inventors:

Robert D. Lundberg - Bridgewater NJ
Dennis E. O'Brien - Houston TX
Henry S. Makowski - Scotch Plains NJ
Robert R. Klein - Berkley Heights NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Production Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 33138

US Classification:

166295

Abstract:

Improvements in the treatment of wells that penetrate subterranean formations are accomplished through the use of a polymer solution which includes a neutralized ionomeric polymer dissolved in an organic solvent and a polar cosolvent. The polymer has a backbone that is substantially soluble in the organic solvent and pendant ionomeric groups that are substantially insoluble in the organic solvent. The polar cosolvent solubilizes the pendant ionomeric groups such that the polymer solution upon introduction into the well has a viscosity less than about 20,000 centipoises and upon mixing with water the polar cosolvent is taken up by the water causing the polymer to aggregate and increase in viscosity sufficient to form a plug. The polymer solution may be used in well drilling operations, well completion operations, and secondary recovery operations.

US Patent:

43616585, Nov 30, 1982

Filed:

Jan 8, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/223482

Inventors:

Robert D. Lundberg - Bridgewater NJ
Dennis E. O'Brien - Katy TX
Henry S. Makowski - late of Scotch Plains NJ
Robert R. Klein - Berkeley Heights NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Research and Engineering Co. - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

C08F 836

US Classification:

523132

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a process for forming a polymeric solution or gel having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cps which includes the steps forming a solvent system of an organic liquid and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 wt. % of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 1000 cps; dissolving to form a solution, a concentration of the neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0. 1 to about 20 wt. %, a viscosity of the solution being less than about 20,000 cps; and admixing or contacting said solution with about 5 to about 500 vol. % water, the water being immiscible with the solution and the polar cosolvent transferring from the solution phase to the water phase thereby causing the viscosity of said solution to increase rapidly from less to 20,000 cps to greater than 50,000 cps.

US Patent:

42821304, Aug 4, 1981

Filed:

Dec 21, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/106027

Inventors:

Robert D. Lundberg - Bridgewater NJ
Dennis E. O'Brien - Houston TX
Henry S. Makowski - Scotch Plains NJ
Robert R. Klein - Berkeley Heights NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Research & Engineering Co. - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

C08F 836

US Classification:

260 296SQ

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a process for forming a polymeric solution or gel having a viscosity of at least about 50,000 cps which includes the steps forming a solvent system of an organic liquid and a polar cosolvent, the polar cosolvent being less than about 15 wt. % of the solvent system, a viscosity of the solvent system being less than about 1000 cps; dissolving a neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solvent system to form a solution, a concentration of the neutralized sulfonated polymer in the solution being about 0. 1 to about 20 wt. %, a viscosity of the solution being less than about 20,000 cps; and adding about 5 to about 500 vol. % water to the solution having viscosity less than about 20,000 cps, the water being immiscible with the solution and the polar cosolvent transferring from the solution phase to the water phase thereby causing the viscosity of said solution to increase from less than 20,000 cps to greater than 50,000 cps.