Patents Assigned to Koch Exploration Canada Ltd
  • Patent number: 5582652
    Abstract: A method for removing fines, such as sand, from a crude oil tank generally includes the steps of directing a fluid into the bottom of the tank to stir up the sand settled therein to create a sand and fluid slurry. The method further includes the step of suctioning the slurry from the tank. To accomplish the steps, a pressure line is coupled to a pump which jettisons fluid through holes in the pressure line located near the bottom of the oil tank to stir the fines, thereby creating a slurry. A drain line is also located near the bottom of the tank, and is coupled to another pump for simultaneously suctioning the slurry through the drain line outside of the tank. A gravel or dump truck, or the like, is retrofitted with the pressure line and drain line pumps and tubing adapted to couple the drain line to the bed of the truck so that the slurry is extracted from the tank through the drain line into the bed of the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignees: Koch Exploration Canada Ltd, Sandman Oilfield Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Glenn D. Robertson, John F. Brown