Patents Assigned to ACT Operating Company
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Patent number: 8469099Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous oxidizing solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, the aqueous oxidizing agent solution is pumped into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: ACT Operating CompanyInventor: Marshall Charles Watson
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Patent number: 8074744Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a lateral channel in a subterranean formation using a flexible hose with a waterjet that may be directed down a well casing and into a waterjet guide. The waterjet guide has a diverter assembly configured to receive and divert the flexible hose in a shortened radius. The diverter assembly includes an inlet curvature and a pivot curvature, where the pivot curvature pivots between stowed and deployed configurations in response to forces provided through a mandrel assembly communicably coupled thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: ACT Operating CompanyInventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Joseph Straeter
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Publication number: 20100282471Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous oxidizing solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, the aqueous oxidizing agent solution is pumped into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: ACT OPERATING COMPANYInventor: Marshall Charles Watson
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Patent number: 7770647Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, a base solution is injected into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: ACT Operating CompanyInventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Donald W. Raymond
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Publication number: 20100181113Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a lateral channel in a subterranean formation using a flexible hose with a waterjet that may be directed down a well casing and into a waterjet guide. The waterjet guide has a diverter assembly configured to receive and divert the flexible hose in a shortened radius. The diverter assembly includes an inlet curvature and a pivot curvature, where the pivot curvature pivots between stowed and deployed configurations in response to forces provided through a mandrel assembly communicably coupled thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: ACT OPERATING COMPANYInventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Joseph Straeter
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Publication number: 20100101795Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, a base solution is injected into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: ACT OPERATING COMPANYInventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Donald W. Raymond
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Patent number: 7690444Abstract: A method of completing a lateral channel in a coal seam using a flexible hose with a waterjet that may be directed down a well casing and into a guide shoe. The guide shoe defines a window configured to open into the coal seam and allow the waterjet to engage the coal seam in a substantially horizontal direction. High pressure fluid is then pumped into the waterjet to make a lateral channel therein, and the flexible hose is rigid enough to allow an operator to manually-move the flexible hose.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: ACT Operating CompanyInventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Donald W. Raymond