Patents Assigned to CARBO Ceramics Inc.
  • Patent number: 11970429
    Abstract: A composite particle is described herein. The composite particle can contain a seed particle of an agricultural treatment material and a shell disposed on the seed particle, wherein the shell comprises a clay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Keith Hogan, Steve Canova, David Osby
  • Publication number: 20240110471
    Abstract: A method for evaluating induced fractures in a wellbore includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole logging tool. A first proppant is pumped into the wellbore, after the first set of data is captured. The first proppant includes a first tracer that is not radioactive. A second proppant is also pumped into the wellbore, after the first proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The second proppant includes a second tracer that is not radioactive, and the second tracer is different than the first tracer. A second set of data is obtained in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the first and second proppants are pumped into the wellbore. The first and second sets of data are compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy ZHANG, Harry D. SMITH, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11945024
    Abstract: A mullite shell mold for casting includes a facecoat layer containing ceramic flour. The mullite shell mold also includes a first layer disposed on the facecoat layer. The first layer can contain sintered ceramic media. The facecoat layer and the first layer can each contain less than 1 wt % crystalline silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Ray Janson, Ryan Canfield
  • Patent number: 11787994
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to material for use in oil and gas well completion activities. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to diversion particles, along with methods for making and using the diversion particles. In an embodiment, a composite diversion material includes a non-degradable component comprising two or more non-degradable particulates, wherein the non-degradable particulates have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 20 D. The composite diversion material includes a degradable component surrounding at least a portion of the non-degradable component. In another embodiment, a method of making a composite diversion material includes mixing non-degradable proppant particles with an aqueous solution containing a first degradable material to provide a mixture having a proppant concentration of at least about 20 volume percent. The method includes drying the mixture at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 200° C. to provide the composite diversion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Thu Lieng, Todd Roper, Olatunji Orekha
  • Patent number: 11781412
    Abstract: A method for evaluating induced fractures in a wellbore includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole logging tool. A first proppant is pumped into the wellbore, after the first set of data is captured. The first proppant includes a first tracer that is not radioactive. A second proppant is also pumped into the wellbore, after the first proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The second proppant includes a second tracer that is not radioactive, and the second tracer is different than the first tracer. A second set of data is obtained in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the first and second proppants are pumped into the wellbore. The first and second sets of data are compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11768013
    Abstract: Ceramic particles for use in a solar power tower and methods for making and using the ceramic particles are disclosed. The ceramic particle can include a sintered ceramic material formed from a mixture of a raw material and MnO. The sintered ceramic material can include about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % MnO, about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt % Fe2O3, and about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % Mn2O3. The ceramic particle can have a size from about 8 mesh to about 170 mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Claude Krause, Benjamin Eldred, Steve Canova
  • Patent number: 11739260
    Abstract: Proppant compositions and methods for using same are disclosed herein. In particular, a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed herein. The proppant composition can contain a plurality of particulates and at least one particulate of the plurality of particulates containing a chemical treatment agent. The at least one particulate having a long term permeability measured in accordance with ISO 13503-5 at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D. The at least one chemical treatment agent can separate from the at least one particulate when located inside a fracture of a subterranean formation after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Mark Conner, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper, Joshua Leasure, Thu Lieng, Daniel Cady, Peter A. Read
  • Patent number: 11673836
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for forming angular ceramic particles. In at least one embodiment, a process for forming angular ceramic particles includes providing a slurry having a ceramic raw material having alumina. The process includes atomizing the slurry into droplets and coating seeds comprising alumina with the droplets to form green pellets. The process includes sintering the green pellets to form sintered pellets. The process includes breaking the sintered pellets to form the angular ceramic particles comprising a sintered ceramic material. The angular ceramic particles can have an abrasion loss that is less than that of angular ceramic particles formed by crushing the green pellets prior to sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Steve Canova
  • Patent number: 11649718
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for evaluating a gravel pack, a frac-pack, or cement in a wellbore. In at least one embodiment, a method for evaluating a gravel pack, frac-pack or cement in a wellbore, includes pumping a first material into the wellbore, wherein the first material comprises a first tracer that is not radioactive. The method includes pumping a second material into the wellbore, wherein the second material comprises a second tracer that is not radioactive. The method includes obtaining a set of data using the downhole tool in the wellbore after the first and second materials are pumped into the wellbore. The method includes obtaining a baseline using the downhole tool in the wellbore in a depth interval without the first or second material. The method includes comparing the set of data with the baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11624023
    Abstract: Catalyst particles and methods for making same are disclosed herein. The catalyst particles can include a ceramic support containing silica and alumina. The ceramic support can have a macropore concentration of about 15% to about 45%, a mesopore concentration of about 20% to 50%, and a micropore concentration of about 8% to about 30% based on the total pore volume of the ceramic support. The ceramic support can also have a surface area of about 0.5 m2/g to about 50 m2/g. The catalyst particles can have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D in accordance with ISO 13503-5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Steve Savoy, Daniel R. Mitchell, Byron Zollars, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper
  • Patent number: 11613989
    Abstract: A method for evaluating induced fractures in a wellbore includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole tool. The method also includes pumping a first proppant into the wellbore after the first set of data is obtained. The first proppant includes a first tracer that is not radioactive. The method also includes pumping a second proppant into the wellbore. The second proppant includes a second tracer that is not radioactive. The second tracer is different than the first tracer. The first proppant and the second proppant flow into fractures in the wellbore. The method also includes obtaining a second set of data in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the first and second proppants are pumped into the wellbore. The method also includes comparing the first and second sets of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11597872
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a micromesh proppant for use in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells. In one embodiment, a process for forming proppant particles includes providing a slurry comprising a ceramic raw material containing alumina, atomizing the slurry into droplets, coating seeds comprising alumina with the droplets to form green pellets, sintering the green pellets to form sintered pellets, and breaking the sintered pellets to form proppant particles comprising a sintered ceramic material and having a size of from about 150 mesh to about 500 mesh and a crush strength at 7,500 psi of from about 1% to about 20%. In one embodiment, a proppant particle includes a sintered ceramic material and having a size of from about 150 mesh to about 500 mesh and a crush strength at 7,500 psi of from about 1% to about 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Don Conkle
  • Patent number: 11590469
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Minjung Cho, Todd Roper, Thu Lieng
  • Patent number: 11591903
    Abstract: A method for determining a location of a proppant in a subterranean formation includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole tool. The proppant is pumped into the wellbore after the first set of data is obtained. The proppant is pumped while or after the subterranean formation is fractured. A second set of data is obtained in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The first set of data and the second set of data include a gravitational field measurement. The first and second sets of data are compared, and in response to the comparison, the location of the proppant in the subterranean formation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Souvik Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 11572769
    Abstract: A gravel pack containing a substrate particle coated with an inducibly degradable and a porous particle having an internal interconnected porosity that is at least partially infused with an inducer material for dissolving of a layer of filter cake disposed between the gravel pack and a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Terrence Palisch, Joshua Leasure, Todd Roper, Nicolas Lopez
  • Patent number: 11512025
    Abstract: Proppant particles formed from slurry droplets and methods of use are disclosed herein. The proppant particles can include a sintered ceramic material and can have a size of about 80 mesh to about 10 mesh and an average largest pore size of less than about 20 microns. The methods of use can include injecting a hydraulic fluid into a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to open a fracture therein and injecting a fluid containing a proppant particle into the fracture, the proppant particle including a sintered ceramic material, a size of about 80 mesh to about 10 mesh, and an average largest pore size of less than about 20 microns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin T. Eldred, Brett A. Wilson, Clayton F. Gardinier, Robert Duenckel
  • Patent number: 11480041
    Abstract: An in-line treatment cartridge and methods of using same are disclosed. The in-line treatment cartridge can include a cylindrical body configured to allow fluid to flow therethrough and a plurality of particulates contained within the body. At least one particulate of the plurality of particulates can include a chemical treatment agent. The at least one chemical treatment agent can separate from the at least one particulate upon contact with a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Billy Dale Peters, Joshua Leasure, Todd Roper, Chad Cannan, Jeff Michael Hebert, Thu Lieng
  • Patent number: 11428839
    Abstract: A method includes acquiring a first set of data before a proppant is pumped into a wellbore. The method also includes acquiring a second set of data after the proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The method also includes determining a weighted average median of the first set of data and of the second set of data. The method also includes determining a location of the proppant in a subterranean formation based at least partially upon the weighted average medians.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Souvik Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 11384630
    Abstract: Methods for logging a well utilizing natural radioactivity originating from clay based particulates are disclosed. The methods can include utilizing a gravel pack slurry containing a liquid and gravel pack particles to hydraulically place the particles into a gravel pack zone of a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation and obtaining a post gravel pack data set by lowering into the borehole traversing the subterranean formation a gamma ray detector and detecting gamma rays resulting from a native radioactivity of the gravel pack particles. The methods can further include using the post gravel pack data set to determine a location of the gravel pack particles and correlating the location of the gravel-pack particles to a depth measurement of the borehole to determine the location, height, and/or percent fill of gravel-pack particles placed in the gravel pack zone of the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11339323
    Abstract: Lightweight proppant particles are disclosed. The lightweight proppant particle can include a proppant particle having an apparent specific gravity of at least about 1.5 g/cc, a coating of a hydrophobic material formed on an outer surface of the proppant particle, and a coating of an amphiphilic material formed on an outer surface of the coating of the hydrophobic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Todd Roper, Thu Lieng, Olatunji Orekha, William Scott Woolfolk