Patents by Inventor Alton R. Hagedorn

Alton R. Hagedorn has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 3946809
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for recovering oil from a subterranean oil-bearing formation in which adjacent wells are subjected to steam stimulation to create a zone around each well which is initially heated to approximately steam temperature and which has a high water saturation following steam injection and oil production. Subsequently, a fluid having a relatively high electrical conductivity, such as a brine solution, is injected into the heated zone around the wells. Preferably the injected volume of high conductivity fluid is sufficient to displace the steam condensate from the zone and to fill the zone with the high conductivity fluid. The wells are then completed as electrodes and current is passed through the formation to heat the oil which was not heated to any significant amount by the steam. Following one or more cycles of steam stimulation and electrical heating, additional oil is recovered from the formation, preferably by line-drive steam displacement or by pattern steam flooding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1976
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Alton R. Hagedorn