Patents by Inventor Dale R. Doherty

Dale R. Doherty 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).

  • Publication number: 20220290526
    Abstract: Method of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique are described. The method allows the tubing to be left in place. Only a short (<2 m) section is cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole to block a bottom of the plug section, and bismuth alloy pellets dropped onto the blocking device. A heater is deployed to melt the bismuth alloy pellets. Next, the alloy liquid is allowed to cool and solidify. During solidification, the alloy expands and fills the section of well to be plugged or a portion thereof. Once primary and secondary barriers are in place, the well can be closed and the Christmas tree removed. A rock-to-rock plug can be set by removing or partially removing the tubular and outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Dan MUELLER, Geir Ove TITLESTAD, David D. HEARN, Curtis G. BLOUNT, Rick D. WATTS, Randall S. SHAFER, Dale R. DOHERTY
  • Patent number: 11377925
    Abstract: Method of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique are described. The method allows the tubing to be left in place. Only a short (<2 m) section is cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole to block a bottom of the plug section, and bismuth alloy pellets dropped onto the blocking device. A heater is deployed to melt the bismuth alloy pellets. Next, the alloy liquid is allowed to cool and solidify. During solidification, the alloy expands and fills the section of well to be plugged or a portion thereof. Once primary and secondary barriers are in place, the well can be closed and the Christmas tree removed. A rock-to-rock plug can be set by removing or partially removing the tubular and outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Dan Mueller, Geir Ove Titlestad, David D. Hearn, Curtis G. Blount, Rick D. Watts, Randall S. Shafer, Dale R. Doherty
  • Patent number: 10550663
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for sealing stage tool leaks are disclosed. In one aspect a stage tool for wellbore cementing comprises an external stage tool body and a sliding sleeve within the external stage tool body configured to regulate cement flow through the stage tool. At least a portion of the sliding sleeve comprises a meltable alloy configured to seal a leak. The meltable alloy is configured to be melted by a heating source, flow into the leak, and resolidify as the melted alloy cools, thereby sealing the leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Dale R. Doherty
  • Publication number: 20190128092
    Abstract: Method of plugging a hydrocarbon well by a through-tubing technique are described. The method allows the tubing to be left in place. Only a short (<2 m) section is cut, milled, perforated, ruptured and expanded, or combinations thereof. A blocking device is sent downhole to block a bottom of the plug section, and bismuth alloy pellets dropped onto the blocking device. A heater is deployed to melt the bismuth alloy pellets. Next, the alloy liquid is allowed to cool and solidify. During solidification, the alloy expands and fills the section of well to be plugged or a portion thereof. Once primary and secondary barriers are in place, the well can be closed and the Christmas tree removed. A rock-to-rock plug can be set by removing or partially removing the tubular and outer casing, or just inner casing/tubulars can be removed if the exterior cement and casing are of sufficient quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Dan MUELLER, Geir Ove TITLESTAD, David D. HEARN, Curtis G. BLOUNT, Rick D. WATTS, Randall S. SHAFER, Dale R. DOHERTY
  • Publication number: 20190003282
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for sealing stage tool leaks are disclosed. In one aspect a stage tool for wellbore cementing comprises an external stage tool body and a sliding sleeve within the external stage tool body configured to regulate cement flow through the stage tool. At least a portion of the sliding sleeve comprises a meltable alloy configured to seal a leak. The meltable alloy is configured to be melted by a heating source, flow into the leak, and resolidify as the melted alloy cools, thereby sealing the leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventor: Dale R. DOHERTY
  • Patent number: 8596356
    Abstract: Synthesis gas is more effectively produced from the underground gasification of coal from a coal seam when the casing lining is cemented with a cementitious slurry containing a cementitious material, graphite and an aluminum silicate, such as metakaolin. The cementitious slurry of the cement mix sets as a cement sheath at bottomhole static temperatures less than or equal to 65° C. The set cement may withstand extreme dry heat temperatures which are greater than or equal to 800° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Andreas Brandl, Dale R. Doherty
  • Publication number: 20120103611
    Abstract: Synthesis gas is more effectively produced from the underground gasification of coal from a coal seam when the casing lining is cemented with a cementitious slurry containing a cementitious material, graphite and an aluminum silicate, such as metakaolin. The cementitious slurry of the cement mix sets as a cement sheath at bottomhole static temperatures less than or equal to 65° C. The set cement may withstand extreme dry heat temperatures which are greater than or equal to 800° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Andreas Brandl, Dale R. Doherty