YPF has been granted a patent for a method of oil recovery involving applying an electrical signal to a reservoir to alter the water-oil interface, causing coalescence of oil droplets for extraction. The method utilizes the characteristic frequency of the interface to enhance oil movement. GlobalData’s report on YPF gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on YPF, YPF's grant share as of March 2024 was 29%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Oil recovery using electrical signal altering water-oil interface
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11920447B2) discloses a method for oil recovery that involves applying an electrical signal to a reservoir to facilitate the coalescence of oil droplets and their movement for extraction. The method includes obtaining the characteristic frequency of the water-oil interface of the reservoir and applying an alternating current signal or a combination of direct current and alternating current signals. By altering the water-oil interface, the electrical signal causes the coalescence of oil droplets, making it easier to extract them from the reservoir.
To determine the characteristic frequency, the method involves collecting wellhead oil samples and water samples from the reservoir and subjecting them to electrochemical impedance spectrometry tests. These tests are conducted by combining oil and water samples to obtain different water cuts or water-oil ratios and applying signals ranging from 100 mHz to 1 MHz. The impedance spectra obtained from these tests are then fitted to an equivalent electrical circuit, such as a Randles circuit, to characterize the oil-water system and determine the characteristic frequency of the oil-water interface. The application of the electrical signal to the reservoir can be done by connecting injection wells with production wells, with various casing options like steel casing or glass fiber reinforced epoxy casing, and by using electrodes for wells cased with the latter to directly transmit the electrical signal to the reservoir. Additionally, the method allows for connecting multiple injection wells around a production well to enhance oil recovery efficiency.
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