Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Objections
Claim 20 is objected to because of the following informalities: It is suggested to recite “the reservoir” in lines 4 and 5 as “the petroleum reservoir”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1, claim 1 recites “a plurality of tracer particles” in line 4. It is unclear if the tracer particles of line 4 is the same or different from the “tracer particle” formed in line 3. It is unclear of the relationship between the formed tracer particle of line 3 and the tracer particles of line 4. If a plurality of tracer particles are required to be formed to be used in the dispersing step, it is suggested to amend the isolating and labeling steps to recite isolating a plurality of precursor particles and labeling the precursor particles with a plurality of tags to form a plurality of tracer particles. Claims 2-20 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1.
Regarding claim 1, claim 1 recites “tracer particles” in line 7. It is unclear if the tracer particles of line 7 is the same or different from the tracer particles in line 4. It is suggested to recite “tracer particles” in line 7 as “the tracer particles”. Claims 2-20 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1.
Regarding claim 1, claim 1 recites the limitation "the one or more samples" in line 7. There is insufficient antecedent basis for “or more samples” in the claim. While “a sample” is established in line 6, “or more samples” is not established. It is suggested to recite “the one or more samples” as “the sample”. Claims 2-20 are rejected by virtue of their dependency on claim 1.
Regarding claim 2, claim 2 recites “a petroleum reservoir” in line 2. It is unclear if the petroleum reservoir of claim 2 is the same or different from the petroleum reservoir established in claim 1.
Regarding claim 20, claim 20 recites “a petroleum reservoir” in line 2. It is unclear if the petroleum reservoir of claim 20 is the same or different from the petroleum reservoir established in claim 1.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Regarding claim 1, the closest prior art of Wang et al. (US 20230140917 A1) teaches a method (abstract), comprising:
labeling a precursor particle with a plurality of tags to form a tracer particle (Fig. 2 and [0075]-[0077] teaches forming tags, i.e. tracer particles, by having polymer molecules, i.e. tags, adsorb onto clay nanoparticles, i.e. precursor particles);
dispersing a plurality of tracer particles in injection water to form a tracer particle solution ([0080] teaches tags may be mixed with a water-based drilling fluid);
injecting the tracer particle solution into an injection well of a reservoir (Fig. 5 and [0089]-[0090] teaches tags are introduced into a drilling fluid and circulated through a well, i.e. injection well of a reservoir);
collecting a sample of produced water from one or more producing wells (Fig. 5 and [0091] teaches step 508 of collecting returned cuttings from the circulating drilling fluid of the well; [0080] teaches water-based drilling fluid; therefore, it is implied that at least a sample of produced water that includes the returned cuttings is collected); and
measuring the tracer particles from the one or more samples of produced water (Fig. 5, step 510).
While Wang teaches separating tagged cuttings from drilling fluid using screens in a flow path ([0032]) and the separated returned cuttings are analyzed using a detection system ([0033]), Wang fails to teach: isolating a precursor particle from a petroleum reservoir; injecting the tracer particle solution into an injection well of a petroleum reservoir; measuring the concentration of tracer particles from the one or more samples of produced water.
A reference Perriat et al. (US 20140323363 A1) teaches nanoparticles as tracers to track movement of fluid injected into an oil reservoir (abstract). Perriat teaches preparation of a colloidal solution of nanoparticles ([0040]). Perriat teaches use of these nanoparticles as tracers in injection waters of an oil reservoir ([0045]). Perriat teaches nanoparticles according to the invention are detectable, that is to say that it is possible to identify their presence or absence in the medium above a certain concentration and that it is even possible to quantify the concentration thereof when they are present in the medium ([0056]). However, Perriat fails to teach all of the limitations of claim 1, such as isolating a precursor particle from a petroleum reservoir.
A reference Deans (US 3990298 A) teaches a method for determining the fractional flow and corresponding fluid saturation of fluid phases in a subterranean oil-bearing formation containing more than one mobile fluid phase (abstract). Deans teaches a carrier fluid containing a plurality of precursors is injected into the formation by means of a well; each precursor forms at least one tracer product (abstract). Deans teaches conventional chemical analytical techniques can be employed to determine the presence and concentrations of tracers (column 11, lines 1-3). However, Deans fails to teach all of the limitations of claim 1, such as isolating a precursor particle from a petroleum reservoir.
A reference Guenin et al. (WO 2017136641 A1) teaches synthesis and characterization of mesoporous fluorescent silica nanoparticles as well as their application as tracers for subsurface formation characterization (abstract). Guenin teaches a fluorescent agent covalently bonded to the silica structure ([0009]). Guenin teaches synthesizing a nanoparticle further comprises conjugating one or more fluorescent dyes to a silica precursor prior to forming the first mixture ([0016]). Guenin teaches passive tracer nanoparticles can be mixed with a stimulating fluid and injected at different fracture sites, or subterranean regions, during plug-and- perf operations; after completion and after the removal of firac plugs, the concentration of the nanoparticles can be determined in the produced water, giving statistics in a stage-by-stage manner regarding the success, failure, or varied degree of success of the plug and perf operation ([0099]). However, Guenin fails to teach all of the limitations of claim 1, such as isolating a precursor particle from a petroleum reservoir.
A reference Nyhavn et al. (WO 2016105210 A2) teaches a tracer method in a petroleum production well comprising releasing tracers to a fluid in different production zones, and conducting sampling of tracer concentrations (abstract). However, Nyhavn fails to teach all of the limitations of claim 1.
A reference Ow et al. (US 10808529 B2) teaches a method (Fig. 3) including adding polymeric tracers to a drilling medium (step 202), taking a sample (step 204) and measuring the concentration of tracers (step 206). However, Ow fails to teach all of the limitations of claim 1.
A reference Hardy et al. (Hardy et al., "A novel fluorescent tracer for real-time tracing of clay transport over soil surfaces," Catena, February 2016, 141:39-45, 7 pages; cited in the IDS filed 07/18/2024) teaches a fluorescent tracer for tracing of clay transport (abstract). Hardy teaches the tracer was produced by sorbing Rhodamine onto the surface of clay particles (section 2.1). However, Hardy fails to teach all of the limitations of claim 1.
None of prior art teaches or fairly suggests, alone or in combination, all of the limitations of claim 1. Thus, claim 1 is deemed allowable. Claims 2-20 are deemed allowable based on their dependency on claim 1.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HENRY H NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-2338. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30A-5:00P.
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/HENRY H NGUYEN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1758
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