Patents by Inventor Michael F. Rainbolt

Michael F. Rainbolt 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).

  • Patent number: 6935426
    Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods in which a non-viscous fluid, having a heavy concentration of an appropriate breaker, is pumped into a well in front of viscosified fluid, such as a cross-linked polymeric fracturing fluid, to saturate permeable media with a breaker agent. When a polymer filter cake is subsequently formed on the surfaces of the media the breaker is provided good communication with the polymer filter cake for its breakdown and removal. Communication between the breaker and the polymer filter cake is substantially controlled by an operator in that the breaker remains saturated in the permeable media until such time as the operator decreases hydraulic pressure within the well to a point at which the hydraulic pressure of the media forces the breaker back into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Encana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Rainbolt, Andrew W. Tullis