Patents by Inventor Gordon Bruce Lepper

Gordon Bruce Lepper 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).

  • Forming openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation using magnetic tracking
    Patent number: 6991045
    Abstract: A method for forming one or more openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method may include forming or providing a first opening in the formation. A plurality of magnets may be provided into the first opening. The plurality of magnets may be positioned along a portion of the first opening. The plurality of magnets may produce a series of magnetic fields along the portion of the first opening. A second opening in the formation may be formed using magnetic tracking of the series of magnetic fields. The second opening may be spaced a desired distance from the first opening. Alternate embodiments include use of an energized conduit to create a magnetic field. Such energized conduit can be used alone or with the plurality of magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Robin Adrianus Hartmann, Christopher Arnold Pratt, Gordon Bruce Lepper, Randolph Rogers Wagner
  • Forming openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation using magnetic tracking
    Publication number: 20030173072
    Abstract: A method for forming one or more openings in a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The method may include forming or providing a first opening in the formation. A plurality of magnets may be provided into the first opening. The plurality of magnets may be positioned along a portion of the first opening. The plurality of magnets may produce a series of magnetic fields along the portion of the first opening. A second opening in the formation may be formed using magnetic tracking of the series of magnetic fields. The second opening may be spaced a desired distance from the first opening. Alternate embodiments include use of an energized conduit to create a magnetic field. Such energized conduit can be used alone or with the plurality of magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Robin Adrianus Hartmann, Christopher Arnold Pratt, Gordon Bruce Lepper, Randolph Rogers Wagner