Patents by Inventor Michael J. Heymans

Michael J. Heymans 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: 5058012
    Abstract: A method of determining a numerical index from a cored well that corresponds to the performance data of a portion of a reservoir and a method of extrapolating the performance of such portion of a reservoir to the entire reservoir through use of the numerical index. Selected variables which affect fluid flow in the reservoir are compared by a statistical analysis computer program to performance data of the computer simulated portion of the reservoir after both the data and variables have been normalized to dimensionless values. The resulting numerical index is computed for the cored wells both inside and outside the small reservoir area, and a contour or iso-index map is drawn. Well performance outside the simulated area can be compared to expected performance through the numerical index values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Steven B. Hinchman, Raymond T. Brickey, Michael J. Heymans
  • Patent number: 5002431
    Abstract: A method of forming a lateral barrier to downward flow of fluid contaminants through a porous subterranean formation. A fluid medium capable of maturing into an impermeable material over a period of time, such as an aqueous composition capable of forming a gel or an aqueous slurry of portland cement, is injected into the formation at a pressure greater than the overburden pressure, lifting formations located above the level of injection, thereby creating a laterally extending void filled with the fluid medium. The lateral extent of travel of the fluid medium is monitored by utilizing tiltmeter technology. The fluid medium subsequently hardens into an impermeable barrier to downward fluid contaminant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Heymans, Frederick W. Obernolte, Jr.