Patents by Inventor Walter D. Hunter

Walter D. Hunter 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: 4440652
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide and, if desired, a small amount of a sulfonated, alkoxylated polyacrylamide, i.e., an N-substituted polyacrylamide having N-substituents of the formula:--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m-1 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 M,where m is an integer of from 2 to 5 and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium or ammonium. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4431778
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof or with a copolymer of acrylamide and styrene sulfonic acid or salts thereof as well as these same copolymers alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas or mixtures of these gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4430482
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide and, if desired, a small amount of a sulfated, alkoxylated polyacrylamide, i.e., an N-substituted polyacrylamide having N-substituents of the formula:--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m SO.sub.3 M,where m is an integer of from 1 to 5 and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium or ammonium. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4430481
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water or brine, thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and diacetone acrylamide alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide or glycidol, optionally sulfated or sulfonated. If desired, said drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas or mixtures of these gases at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4425453
    Abstract: Asphaltic compositions having improved elastic properties and improved adhesion to aggregate particles as well as a high degree of resistance to stripping action are provided which comprise a major amount of asphalt and a minor amount of terpolymer of ethylene, vinyl acetate or vinyl chloride and an organic acid alkoxylated with about 1 to about 10 weight percent of an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the composition may contain a minor amount of a synthetic terpenic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1984
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4417989
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof and a minor amount of polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. An aqueous fracturing fluid containing a small amount of alkoxylated polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4406799
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof or with a copolymer of acrylamide and styrene sulfonic acid or salts thereof as well as these same copolymers alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas or mixtures of these gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4403071
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof and saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. If desired, the drive fluid may contain a small amount of a sulfated or sulfonated, ethoxylated acrylic acid polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4343712
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof or with a copolymer of acrylamide and styrene sulfonic acid or salts thereof as well as these same copolymers alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide, nitrogen, natural gas or mixtures of these gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4341647
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof and saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. If desired, the drive fluid may contain a small amount of a sulfated or sulfonated, ethoxylated acrylic acid polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4338203
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof and saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. If desired, the drive fluid may contain a small amount of a sulfated or sulfonated, ethoxylated acrylic acid polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4331796
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of (a) vinyl sulfonic acid alkoxylated with ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and (b) acrylamide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4326969
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof and a minor amount of polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide or the sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure. An aqueous fracturing fluid containing a small amount of alkoxylated polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1982
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4298479
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from subterranean formations by injecting into a hydrocarbon bearing formation via an injection well a fluid comprising water containing a small amount of a water-soluble, ethoxylated, sulfonated poly-(2,6-dialkyl phenol), forcing the said fluid through the formation and recovering hydrocarbons through a production well. The fluids employed may, if desired, contain an alkaline agent such as sodium hydroxide. Optionally, the fluids can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4297469
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of (a) vinyl sulfonic acid alkoxylated with 2,3-epoxy-1-propanol and (b) acrylamide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4297226
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with polyacrylamide or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide and, if desired, a small amount of a sulfated, alkoxylated polyacrylamide, i.e., an N-substituted polyacrylamide having N-substituents of the formula:--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m SO.sub.3 M,where m is an integer of from 1 to 5 and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sodium, potassium or ammonium. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4228018
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4228017
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of (a) vinyl sulfonic acid alkoxylated with 2,3-epoxy-1-propanol and (b) acrylamide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4228016
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of acrylamide and vinyl sulfonic acid or salts thereof alkoxylated with 2,3-epoxy-1-propanol. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Patent number: 4228019
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation penetrated by an injection well and a production well by displacing hydrocarbons toward the production well using a drive fluid such as water thickened with a copolymer of (a) vinyl sulfonic acid alkoxylated with ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and (b) acrylamide. Optionally, the drive fluid can be saturated with carbon dioxide and/or natural gas at the injection pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter