An Analysis of the Intellectual Property Market in the Field of Enhanced Oil Recovery Methods

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of the intellectual property market in the field of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods. The search retrospectively covers the period from 2010 to 2020. Russia, China, and the United States are the leading countries in enhanced oil recovery methods. Canada, Germany, and Saudi Arabia also have a high level of patent activity compared with other countries. Semantic and statistical analysis of the obtained sample of documents made it possible to highlight the areas of intensive patenting, high competitiveness, as well as mainstream methods of enhanced oil recovery. The analysis of the leading companies’ patent portfolios revealed the similarities and differences in their structure. Tatneft, ConocoPhillips Co., Sinopec, and PetroChina Co. are actively patenting in the field of thermal enhanced oil recovery, which has been identified as the mainstream. BASF SE is focused on the production of chemicals, including chemicals for oil production. The Saudi Arabian Oil Company produces light oil using waterflooding and physicochemical methods. Software dominates the patent collection sector in the EORs of Gazpromneft STC and Lukoil.

Keywords

• enhanced oil recovery
• intellectual property market
• patenting intensity
• mainstream EOR methods