Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Sultenfuss
Daniel R. Sultenfuss 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).
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Patent number: 9970275Abstract: A method of producing heavy oil from a heavy oil formation by combining electromagnetic heating to achieve fluid communication between wells, following by in situ combustion to mobilize and upgrade the heavy oil.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris CorporationInventors: Daniel R Sultenfuss, Mark Alan Trautman
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Patent number: 9458709Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery technique that combines gas injection with EM radiation to heat and mobilize heavy oil at least until fluid communication is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris CorporationInventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Richard Treinen, Mark A. Trautman
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Patent number: 9267367Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons with steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) with pressure differential injection. Methods for producing hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation having at least two well pairs include installing a highest pressure well pair in the subterranean formation; installing a lowest pressure well pair in the subterranean formation; applying a pressure differential across the highest pressure well pair and the lowest pressure well pair; injecting steam into the first injection well to form a first steam chamber; injecting steam into the final injection well to form an adjacent steam chamber; monitoring the steam chambers until they merge into a final steam chamber; ceasing the flow of steam into the first injection well; and injecting steam into the final injection well to maintain the final steam chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Wheeler, Daniel R. Sultenfuss
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Patent number: 8978755Abstract: The method begins by forming a gravity drainage production well pair within a formation comprising an injection well and a production well. The pre-soaking stage begins by soaking at least one of the wellbores of the well pair with a solvent, wherein the solvent does not include water. The pre-heating stage begins by heating the soaked wellbore of the well pair to produce a vapor. The squeezing stage begins by introducing the vapor into the soaked wellbore of the well pair, and can thus overlap with the pre-heating stage. The gravity drainage production begins after the squeezing stage, once the wells are in thermal communication and the heavy oil can drain to the lower well.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris CorporationInventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne Reid Dreher, Jr., Thomas J. Wheeler, Jr., Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
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Patent number: 8936090Abstract: A method is described for accelerating start-up for SAGD-type operation by providing radio frequency heating devices inside the lateral wells that can re-heat the injected steam after losing heat energy during the initial injection. The method also extends the lateral wells such that the drilling of vertical wells can be reduced to save capital expenses.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris CorporationInventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne R. Dreher, Jr., Thomas J. Wheeler, Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
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Patent number: 8720549Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Dwijen K. Banerjee, John L. Stalder, Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne Reid Dreher, Jr., Thomas J. Wheeler
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Patent number: 8720547Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat solvent within a subterranean region wherein the heated solvent, vapor, contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Dwijen K. Banerjee, John L. Stalder, Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne Reid Dreher, Jr., Thomas J. Wheeler
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Publication number: 20140102700Abstract: Methods are provided for mitigating thief zone losses during hydrocarbon recovery by thief zone pressure maintenance through downhole radio frequency (RF) radiation heating. A thief zone situated near a hydrocarbon reservoir poses a risk of losing valuable components from the reservoir to the thief zone. In addition to the risk of loss of diluent, heat, or steam to the thief zone, valuable hydrocarbons may also be lost to the thief zone. One way to mitigate these losses is by maintaining thief zone pressure. RF radiation may be used to heat a thief zone fluid to maintain pressure in the thief zone, decreasing the driving force for losses to the thief zone. In some cases, steam generated thusly may be used to enhance hydrocarbon thermal recovery. Advantages of methods herein include: lower costs, higher efficiencies, higher hydrocarbon recovery, less hydrocarbon contamination, increased hydrocarbon mobility, and fewer thief zone losses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Daniel R. SULTENFUSS, Chris LEHECKA
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Patent number: 8689865Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Dwijen K. Banerjee, John L. Stalder, Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wendell P. Menard, Wayne R. Dreher, Jr., Curtis G. Blount
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Publication number: 20140090834Abstract: A method of producing heavy oil from a heavy oil formation by combining electromagnetic heating to achieve fluid communication between wells, following by in situ combustion to mobilize and upgrade the heavy oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicants: Harris Corporation, ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Mark Alan Trautman
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Patent number: 8534350Abstract: A method of producing heavy oil from a heavy oil formation with steam assisted gravity drainage. The method begins by drilling a borehole into a heavy oil formation comprising a steam barrier between a first pay zone and a second pay zone, wherein the steam barrier prevents a steam chamber to be formed between the first pay zone and the second pay zone. The steam barrier is then heated with a radio frequency. The steam barrier is then fractured to permit a steam chamber to be formed within the first pay zone and the second pay zone. Heavy oil is then produced from the heavy oil formation with steam assisted gravity drainage.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris CorporationInventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wendell Menard, Wayne R. Dreher, Jr., Curtis G. Blount, Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
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Publication number: 20120273195Abstract: A process for recovering hydrocarbons with steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) with pressure differential injection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Thomas J. Wheeler, Daniel R. Sultenfuss
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Publication number: 20120234537Abstract: The method begins by forming a gravity drainage production well pair within a formation comprising an injection well and a production well. The pre-soaking stage begins by soaking at least one of the wellbores of the well pair with a solvent, wherein the solvent does not include water. The pre-heating stage begins by heating the soaked wellbore of the well pair to produce a vapor. The squeezing stage begins by introducing the vapor into the soaked wellbore of the well pair, and can thus overlap with the pre-heating stage. The gravity drainage production begins after the squeezing stage, once the wells are in thermal communication and the heavy oil can drain to the lower well.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicants: HARRIS CORPORATION, CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne Reid Dreher, JR., Thomas J. Wheeler, JR., Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
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Publication number: 20120061080Abstract: The present invention provides a method for accelerating start-up for SAGD-type operation by providing radio frequency heating devices inside the lateral wells that can re-heat the injected steam after losing heat energy during the initial injection. The method also extends the lateral wells such that the drilling of vertical wells can be reduced to save capital expenses.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicants: HARRIS CORPORATION, CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne R. Dreher, JR., Thomas J. Wheeler, Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
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Publication number: 20120061081Abstract: A method of producing heavy oil from a heavy oil formation with steam assisted gravity drainage. The method begins by drilling a borehole into a heavy oil formation comprising a steam barrier between a first pay zone and a second pay zone, wherein the steam barrier prevents a steam chamber to be formed between the first pay zone and the second pay zone. The steam barrier is then heated with a radio frequency. The steam barrier is then fractured to permit a steam chamber to be formed within the first pay zone and the second pay zone. Heavy oil is then produced from the heavy oil formation with steam assisted gravity drainage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicants: HARRIS CORPORATION, CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wendell Menard, Wayne R. Dreher, JR., Curtis G. Blount, Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
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Publication number: 20110259585Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Dwijen K. Banerjee, John L. Stalder, Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wendell P. Menard, Wayne R. Dreher, JR., Curtis G. Blount
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Publication number: 20110253368Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat solvent within a subterranean region wherein the heated solvent, vapor, contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Dwijen K. Banerjee, John L. Stalder, Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne Reid Dreher, JR., Thomas J. Wheeler
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Publication number: 20110253370Abstract: A process for utilizing microwaves to heat H2O within a subterranean region wherein the heated H2O contacts heavy oil in the subterranean region to lower the viscosity of the heavy oil and improve production of the heavy oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANYInventors: Dwijen K. Banerjee, John L. Stalder, Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne Reid Dreher, JR., Thomas J. Wheeler