Patents by Inventor Michael G. DaGue

Michael G. DaGue 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).

  • Hydrocarbon recovery comprising injecting a slug comprising oil soluble alkoxylated surfactants from lignin
    Patent number: 5230814
    Abstract: A method of producing oil soluble surfactants from lignin is disclosed, along with a method for recovering oil from underground formations by means of a surfactant flooding system containing these lignin surfactants. Lignin is reduced in the presence of a carbon monoxide or hydrogen reducing agent at high temperature and pressure, alkoxylated with an .alpha.-olefin epoxide and then changed into oil soluble lignin surfactants by a reaction selected from the group consisting of sulfonation, sulfation and alkoxysulfation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas G. Naae, Michael G. DaGue, Nancy G. Dunn
  • Lignin amine microemulsions
    Patent number: 5094296
    Abstract: The invention is a method of recovering hydrocarbons from an underground hydrocarbon formation having at least one injecting well and at least one production well which comprises injecting a microemulsion into the formation through an injection well, driving said microemulsion through the formation and producing hydrocarbons through a production well, said microemulsion comprised of an internal phase of a primary amine having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, lignin, a water-soluble anionic sulfonate surfactant, a solubilizer and an oil, and an external phase of brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Michael G. DaGue
  • Alkylated oxidized lignins as surfactants
    Patent number: 4790382
    Abstract: The invention is a method of producing surfactants from lignin which comprises subjecting lignin to two reactions, alkylation with an alkyl chain having about 3 to about 24 carbon atoms at phenolic sites, and oxidation sufficient to break the lignin into smaller polymeric and monomeric units. The invention also includes using these lignin surfactants in surfactant floods for enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Morrow, Michael G. DaGue, Lawrence E. Whittington
  • Alkylated oxidized lignins as surfactants
    Patent number: 4739041
    Abstract: The invention is a method of producing surfactants from lignin which comprises subjecting lignin to two reactions, alkylation with an alkyl chain having about 3 to about 24 carbon atoms at phenolic sites, and oxidation sufficient to break the lignin into smaller polymeric and monomeric units. The invention also includes using these lignin surfactants in surfactant floods for enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Morrow, Michael G. DaGue, Lawrence E. Whittington
  • Corrosion inhibition system containing dicyclopentadiene sulfonate salts
    Patent number: 4435361
    Abstract: A series of novel oil-dispersible corrosion inhibiting solutions are disclosed which contain dicyclopentadiene (3a, 4, 7, 7a-tetrahydro-4, 7 methanoindene) sulfonate salts along with an organic corrosion inhibitor in a low molecular weight solvent. The inhibiting solutions containing dicyclopentadiene sulfonate salts are effective in dramatically reducing corrosion rates in the oil field, especially pitting from hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. DaGue, Frederick W. Valone