IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,674,087
Granted Patent B2
US 12,674,087 · App. 18/187,110 · Granted Jul 7, 2026

Multi-functional compositions for enhanced oil and gas recovery and other petroleum industry applications

Inventors: Sean Farmer (Ft. Lauderdale, FL); Ken Alibek (Solon, OH); Karthik N. Karathur (Solon, OH); Anthony Nerris (Solon, OH)
Assignee: LOCUS SOLUTIONS IPCO, LLC
C09K8/584C09K8/524C09K8/528C09K8/54C09K8/582C09K8/604C09K8/64E21B43/16C09K2208/32
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,674,087
App. No.
18/187,110
Filed
Mar 21, 2023
Granted
Jul 7, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
1766
USPC
166/246
Abstract

The subject invention provides multi-functional biochemical compositions, as well as their use in enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing subterranean formation. Advantageously, the compositions and methods of the subject invention are operationally-friendly, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly. More specifically, in preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides a multi-functional composition for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) comprising one or more surfactants, one or more chelating agents, and one or more solvents.

Claims (17)

1 . A method for enhancing oil recovery from an oil-bearing formation by stimulating the flow of oil from the formation, the method comprising introducing a composition comprising one or more glycolipid biosurfactants, one or more chelating agents, one or more semi-ionic liquids, and one or more alcohols into the formation;

wherein the one or more glycolipid biosurfactants include lactonic sophorolipids, and wherein the one or more chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more chelating agents further comprise sodium citrate and/or citric acid.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more alcohols comprise isopropyl alcohol and/or ethanol.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying monoammonium phosphate to the well and/or equipment.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein scale and/or paraffin deposits that have plugged rock pore throats in the formation are dissolved and/or dispersed.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein asphaltene agglomeration in oil is prevented and/or reduced, and/or deposition of asphaltene on surfaces of equipment associated with the formation is prevented and/or reduced.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobility of oil is increased during recovery.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the wettability of the formation rock is increased.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein, in addition to enhancing oil recovery, the method improves the quality of recovered oil.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein oil quality is improved by reduction and/or prevention of asphaltene agglomerates in the oil.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied directly to equipment associated with oil production, processing, transportation, storage and/or refining, and wherein the method is useful for maintaining said equipment.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the equipment comprises pipes.

13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein maintenance of equipment is achieved through the prevention, removal, and/or dispersal of contaminating deposits of asphaltenes that form on the equipment.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the one or more semi-ionic liquids in the composition is between 0.01% and 10%.

15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein

the chelating agents remove or sequester heavy metal that serve as anchors for asphaltene particle agglomeration.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 11, 2024
From: LOCUS SOLUTIONS IPCO, LLC
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069333/0911 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 30, 2024
From: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LOCUS SOLUTIONS IPCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 069273/0361 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 8, 2023
From: LOCUS SOLUTIONS IPCO, LLC
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065836/0868 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2023
From: FARMER, SEAN; ALIBEK, KEN; KARATHUR, KARTHIK N.; NERRIS, ANTHONY
To: LOCUS OIL IP COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 063181/0982 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 31, 2023
From: LOCUS OIL IP COMPANY, LLC
To: LOCUS SOLUTIONS IPCO, LLC
Reel/Frame 063182/0001 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16978301 · Mar 27, 2019
Provisional Application 62648456 · Mar 27, 2018
Related Publication 20230220270A1 · Jul 13, 2023
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