Patent ID: 9447674
Filing Date: 2016-09-20
CPC Classification: C09K,E21B

Claim Text:
1. A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation while simultaneously removing heavy metals from the hydrocarbons, the method comprising: providing a dilution fluid containing a fixing agent dissolved in a diluent; injecting the dilution fluid containing a fixing agent dissolved in a diluent into the formation; fracturing the formation to generate fractures under applied pressure with the dilution fluid; reducing the pressure for the dilution fluid to flow back through a well bore, wherein at least a portion of the fixing agent remains in the formation; allowing the hydrocarbons to pass through the fractures and rocks having the fixing agent adsorbed thereon, wherein the heavy metals in the hydrocarbons react with the fixing agent remaining in the formation forming heavy metal complexes; and recovering the hydrocarbons from the formation via a well bore.