Patents by Inventor Brad C. Harker

Brad C. Harker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Use of a heavy petroleum fraction as a drive fluid in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation
    Patent number: 8256511
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for using heavy petroleum fraction as a drive fluid in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. The hydrocarbons may be in the form of bitumen or heavy oil. The heavy petroleum fraction may be injected into at least one injection well and hydrocarbons produced out of at least one distinct production well. The heavy petroleum fraction may be co-injected together with steam and/or hot water and/or solvent. The heavy petroleum fraction may be a heavy fraction of a process used to upgrade crude oil, such as a heavy asphaltene fraction produced from solvent deasphalting crude oil produced by this recovery process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Boone, Mori Y. Kwan, J. Pierre Lebel, Brad C. Harker
  • Use Of A Heavy Petroleum Fraction As A Drive Fluid In The Recovery of Hydrocarbons From A Subterranean Formation
    Publication number: 20100155062
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for using heavy petroleum fraction as a drive fluid in the recovery of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. The hydrocarbons may be in the form of bitumen or heavy oil. The heavy petroleum fraction may be injected into at least one injection well and hydrocarbons produced out of at least one distinct production well. The heavy petroleum fraction may be co-injected together with steam and/or hot water and/or solvent. The heavy petroleum fraction may be a heavy fraction of a process used to upgrade crude oil, such as a heavy asphaltene fraction produced from solvent deasphalting crude oil produced by this recovery process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Boone, Mori Y. Kwan, J. Pierre Lebel, Brad C. Harker