Patents by Inventor Michael M. Epstein

Michael M. Epstein 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).

  • Use of degradable ball sealers to seal casing perforations in well treatment fluid diversion
    Patent number: 4716964
    Abstract: Plugging perforations in casing in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation using degradale ball sealers. The ball sealer used is composed of a polyester polymer which is substantially insoluble in the wellbore fluid. The polymer degrades in the presence of water at an elevated temperature to form small molecules which are soluble in a fluid in the subterranean formation. After the polymer degrades, the flow through the perforation returns to substantially its initial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Steven R. Erbstoesser, Claude E. Cooke, Jr., Richard G. Sinclair, Michael M. Epstein
  • Composition for reducing the permeability of subterranean formations
    Patent number: 4526695
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the composition and method for reducing the permeability of subterranean formations penetrated by a wellbore. The composition of the present invention comprises a wellbore fluid having dispersed therein a fluid loss control agent comprising a polyester polymer which is substantially insoluble in the wellbore fluid. The polymer degrades in the presence of water at an elevated temperature to form small molecules which are soluble in a fluid in the subterranean formation. The method of the present invention comprises reducing the permeability of subterranean formations penetrated by a wellbore by placing the composition of the present invention down the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Steven R. Erbstoesser, Claude E. Cooke, Jr., Richard G. Sinclair, Michael M. Epstein
  • Method for reducing the permeability of subterranean formations
    Patent number: 4387769
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the composition and method for reducing the permeability of subterranean formations penetrated by a wellbore. The composition of the present invention comprises a wellbore fluid having dispersed therein a fluid loss control agent comprising a polyester polymer which is substantially insoluble in the wellbore fluid. The polymer degrades in the presence of water at an elevated temperature to form small molecules which are soluble in a fluid in the subterranean formation. The method of the present invention comprises reducing the permeability of subterranean formations penetrated by a wellbore by placing the composition of the present invention down the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Steven R. Erbstoesser, Claude E. Cooke, Jr., Richard G. Sinclair, Michael M. Epstein