Aminosulphonate foam stabilizers
AssigneeRhodia Operations
InventorsMikel Morvan, Max Chabert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of an aminosulphonate compound corresponding to the following formula (I): R1R2N—CHR3—CHR4—CHR5—SO3− (I) where: •R1 is a preferably C2 to C24 alkyl or alkylamido radical; •R2 is an optionally hydroxylated alkyl radical; •R3, R4 and R5 are, independently of one another, H or OH; it being understood that at least one of the R3, R4 and/or R5 groups is OH, for stabilizing a foam, in particular a foam used to extract hydrocarbons in an underground formation.
Claims7
A method for improving the stability of foams in an aqueous foaming composition, the method comprising adding to the aqueous foaming composition a foam stabilizer consisting of an aminosulfonate compound corresponding to the following formula:
- or a mixture of the aminosulfonate compound and its protonated form, wherein the aqueous foaming composition does not comprise an anionic surfactant and wherein the aqueous foaming composition does not comprise a foam stabilizer other than the aminosulfonate compound.
A method for the extraction of hydrocarbons present in a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
- (a) forming a foam from a foaming composition comprising:
- a foam stabilizer consisting of an aminosulfonate compound or a mixture of the aminosulfonate compound and its protonated form;
- and a gas appropriate for bringing about the expansion in volume of the foaming composition;
- wherein the aminosulfonate compound corresponds to the following formula:
- and wherein the foaming composition does not comprise an anionic surfactant and wherein the foaming composition does not comprise a foam stabilizer other than the aminosulfonate compound,
- (b) injecting said foam within said formation, and
- (c) extracting the hydrocarbons via a well in the subterranean formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.