Application of Burton B. Sandiford

ALMOND, Judge.

Burton B. Sandiford appeals from the decision of the Board of Appeals affirming the rejection of method claims 1 to 6, inclusive, of appellant’s application, 1 entitled “Water Flooding,” as unpatentable over the prior art under 35 U.S.C. § 103. No claims have been allowed.

The claimed invention relates to an improvement in the viscous water flooding method for displacing oil from a subterranean oil-bearing reservoir in the process of secondary petroleum recovery. It appears that reliance cannot be had on natural forces and pumping to induce the residual oil to the withdrawal well…