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).

  • Secondary recovery process utilizing sulfonated polyphenols
    Patent number: 4226731
    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, sulfonated, ethoxylated polyphenol, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Secondary recovery method utilizing thickened water
    Patent number: 4226730
    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, sulfated, ethoxylated polyphenol, 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Secondary recovery process
    Patent number: 4217230
    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 polymer comprising repeating units of vinyl sulfonic acid 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: August 12, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Secondary recovery process
    Patent number: 4216098
    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 polymer comprising repeating units of vinyl sulfonic acid alkoxylated with ethylene oxide or a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene 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: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corp.
    Inventor: Walter D. Hunter
  • Oil recovery process using oxyalkylated additives
    Patent number: 4187185
    Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation by injecting into the formation via an injection well an aqueous alkaline flooding medium such as water, steam, etc. containing a small amount of a sulfonated, oxyalkylated interfacial tension reducer, forcing the said flooding medium through the formation and recovering hydrocarbons via a production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1980
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventors: Jack H. Park, Walter D. Hunter