Patents by Inventor Michael W. Lin
Michael W. Lin 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: 10323495Abstract: Disclosed techniques include a method of obtaining an enhanced oil recovery fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir, comprising producing a hydrocarbon stream from the hydrocarbon reservoir, separating an associated gas stream from the hydrocarbon stream, and condensing at least a portion of the associated gas stream to obtain an enriched hydrocarbon fluid suitable for injecting into a liquid layer of the hydrocarbon reservoir to enhance recovery of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Jaime A. Valencia, David W. Maher, Robert D. Denton, Gary F. Teletzke, Michael W. Lin
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Publication number: 20170283688Abstract: Disclosed techniques include a method of obtaining an enhanced oil recovery fluid from a hydrocarbon reservoir, comprising producing a hydrocarbon stream from the hydrocarbon reservoir, separating an associated gas stream from the hydrocarbon stream, and condensing at least a portion of the associated gas stream to obtain an enriched hydrocarbon fluid suitable for injecting into a liquid layer of the hydrocarbon reservoir to enhance recovery of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Jaime A. VALENCIA, David W. Maher, Robert D. Denton, Gary F. Teletzke, Michael W. Lin
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Publication number: 20170204711Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for recovering hydrocarbons that minimize surface disturbance. The system includes an electrical heater, electrical cables substantially within the subsurface formation that connect to the electrical heater, electrical pathways substantially within the subsurface formation that are configured to transmit power to the electrical heater, and a first local electrical room that is configured to (i) detect a pathway error within the electrical pathways based on pathway characteristics of pathway sensors and (ii) correct the pathway error by switching power transmitted from a first one of the electrical pathways to a second one of the electrical pathways that is separate from the first one of the electrical pathways.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: Shaquiiria S. HOWELL, Michael W. LIN, Xianghui HUANG
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Publication number: 20170183949Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling delivery of heat to a subsurface formation that includes (a) heating a first heater pattern; (b) determining an expected electrical conductivity; (c) calculating an estimated electrical conductivity; (d) comparing an estimated electrical conductivity to the expected electrical conductivity until the estimated electrical conductivity equals the expected electrical conductivity; (e) determining a first heater pattern reaction extent when the estimated electrical conductivity equals the expected electrical conductivity; and (f) when the first heater pattern reaction extent is within a target coke first heater pattern reaction extent range, one of (i) heating a second heater pattern instead of the first heater pattern and (ii) modifying the heating of the first heater pattern, and when the first heater pattern reaction extent is outside of the target coke first heater pattern reaction extent range repeating steps (a)-(e).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Erik H. Clayton, Michael W. Lin
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Patent number: 9512699Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating an in situ pyrolysis process. The methods may include producing a product fluid stream from an active pyrolysis region of a subterranean formation. The methods further may include detecting a concentration of a first component in the product fluid stream and/or detecting a concentration of a second component in the product fluid stream. The concentration of the first component may be indicative of an intensive property of the pyrolyzed fluid production system. The concentration of the second component may be indicative of an extensive property of the pyrolyzed fluid production system. The methods further may include regulating at least one characteristic of the pyrolyzed fluid production system based upon the concentration of the first component and/or based upon the concentration of the second component. The systems may include systems that are configured to perform the methods.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Lloyd M. Wenger, Jr., William P. Meurer, Ana L Braun, Ana Maria Dos Santos Carmo, Michael W. Lin, Zhibin Wei
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Patent number: 9394772Abstract: A method for pyrolyzing organic matter in a subterranean formation includes powering a first generation in situ resistive heating element within an aggregate electrically conductive zone at least partially in a first region of the subterranean formation by transmitting an electrical current between a first electrode pair in electrical contact with the first generation in situ resistive heating element to pyrolyze a second region of the subterranean formation, adjacent the first region, to expand the aggregate electrically conductive zone into the second region, wherein the expanding creates a second generation in situ resistive heating element within the second region and powering the second generation in situ resistive heating element by transmitting an electrical current between a second electrode pair in electrical contact with the second generation in situ resistive heating element to generate heat with the second generation in situ resistive heating element within the second region.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: William P. Meurer, Chen Fang, Federico G. Gallo, Nazish Hoda, Michael W. Lin
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Publication number: 20160160624Abstract: Systems and methods for bulk heating of a subsurface formation with at least a pair of electrode assemblies in the subsurface formation are disclosed. The method may include electrically powering the pair of electrode assemblies to resistively heat a subsurface region between the pair of electrode assemblies with electrical current flowing through the subsurface region between the pair of electrode assemblies; flowing a shunt mitigator into at least one of the pair of electrode assemblies; and mitigating a subsurface shunt between the pair of electrode assemblies with the shunt mitigator. Mitigating may be responsive to a shunt indicator that indicates a presence of the subsurface shunt.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2015Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Erik H. CLAYTON, Shaquiiria S. Howell, Michael W. Lin, P. Matthew Spiecker, William A. Symington, Federico G. Gallo
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Publication number: 20150175875Abstract: Systems and methods for improved subterranean granular resistive heaters. The methods may include forming a composite granular resistive heating material. These methods may include determining an expected operating range for an environmental parameter for the composite granular resistive heating material within a subterranean formation, selecting a first material, selecting a second material, and/or generating the composite granular resistive heating material from the first material and the second material. The methods may include forming a granular resistive heater. The methods may include determining the expected operating range and/or locating the composite granular resistive heating material within the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Federico G. Gallo, Chen Fang, Nazish Hoda, Michael W. Lin, William P. Meurer
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Publication number: 20150122492Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling in situ resistive heating elements may be utilized to enhance hydrocarbon production within a subterranean formation. An in situ resistive heating element may be controlled by heating a controlled region associated with the in situ resistive heating element, injecting a control gas into the controlled region, and adjusting the electrical conductivity of the controlled region with the control gas. The controlled region may be located such that the heating and injecting may change the shape of the in situ resistive heating element and/or guide the in situ resistive heating element towards subterranean regions of potentially higher productivity and/or of higher organic matter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Michael W. Lin, Chen Fang, Nazish Hoda, William P. Meurer, Shaquiiria S. Howell
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Publication number: 20150122491Abstract: A method for pyrolyzing organic matter in a subterranean formation includes powering a first generation in situ resistive heating element within an aggregate electrically conductive zone at least partially in a first region of the subterranean formation by transmitting an electrical current between a first electrode pair in electrical contact with the first generation in situ resistive heating element to pyrolyze a second region of the subterranean formation, adjacent the first region, to expand the aggregate electrically conductive zone into the second region, wherein the expanding creates a second generation in situ resistive heating element within the second region and powering the second generation in situ resistive heating element by transmitting an electrical current between a second electrode pair in electrical contact with the second generation in situ resistive heating element to generate heat with the second generation in situ resistive heating element within the second region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: William P. Meurer, Chen Fang, Federico G. Gallo, Nazish Hoda, Michael W. Lin
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Publication number: 20150107828Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating an in situ pyrolysis process. The methods may include producing a product fluid stream from an active pyrolysis region of a subterranean formation. The methods further may include detecting a concentration of a first component in the product fluid stream and/or detecting a concentration of a second component in the product fluid stream. The concentration of the first component may be indicative of an intensive property of the pyrolyzed fluid production system. The concentration of the second component may be indicative of an extensive property of the pyrolyzed fluid production system. The methods further may include regulating at least one characteristic of the pyrolyzed fluid production system based upon the concentration of the first component and/or based upon the concentration of the second component. The systems may include systems that are configured to perform the methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Lloyd M. Wenger, Jr., William P. Meurer, Ana L. Braun, Ana Maria Dos Santos Carmo, Michael W. Lin, Zhibin Wei
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Patent number: 8926888Abstract: An imprint lithography release agent having general formula (1): where R1 represents H or CH3, n is an integer from 1 to 5, and m is an integer from 1 to 40. Fluorinated silazanes of general formula (1) can be used to form a release layer on an imprint lithography template, added to an imprint lithography resist, or both.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Carlton Grant Willson, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Michael W. Lin, Daniel J. Hellebusch, B. Michael Jacobsson, William K. Bell
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Publication number: 20150000898Abstract: Systems and methods for decreasing compaction within a pyrolyzed zone are disclosed herein. The methods include injecting a sealing fluid into the pyrolyzed zone and flowing the sealing fluid to a peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone. The methods further include fluidly sealing the peripheral region of the pyrolyzed zone with a sealing fluid where fluidly sealing limits a fluid leakage from the pyrolyzed zone. Subsequent to the fluidly sealing, the methods further include pressurizing the pyrolyzed zone to a zone pressure. The systems include hydrocarbon production systems and/or components thereof that are formed using the methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Nazish Hoda, Michael W. Lin, William P. Meurer, Robert D. Kaminsky
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Patent number: 8770284Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting an intersection between a wellbore and a subterranean structure that includes a marker material. The systems and methods include drilling the wellbore and determining that the wellbore has intersected a portion of the subterranean structure that includes the marker material by detecting the marker material. The systems and methods also may include distributing the marker material within the subterranean structure, aligning the marker material within the subterranean structure, determining one or more characteristics of the marker material, ceasing the drilling, repeating the method, and/or producing a hydrocarbon from the subterranean structure. The systems and methods further may include forming an electrical connection between an electric current source and a granular resistive heater that forms a portion of the subterranean structure, forming the granular resistive heater, and/or forming the subterranean structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: William P. Meurer, Chen Fang, Federico G. Gallo, Nazish Hoda, Michael W. Lin
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Publication number: 20130292114Abstract: A method for containing and capturing liquids and gases generated during in situ pyrolysis that migrate through pyrolysis generated or natural fractures includes placing a row of horizontal hydraulic fractures above and below the heated zone and completing production wells within the horizontal hydraulic fractures. The method serves at least two purposes: 1) provides a local zone of weak mechanical strength to blunt the propagation of vertical pyrolysis generated fractures and 2) provides a drainage point for fluids to relieve pressure in the formation and improve recovery. Preferably, the organic-rich rock formation is an oil shale formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Michael W. Lin, Lara E. Heister, Nazish Hoda, William P. Meurer
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Publication number: 20130292177Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting an intersection between a wellbore and a subterranean structure that includes a marker material. The systems and methods include drilling the wellbore and determining that the wellbore has intersected a portion of the subterranean structure that includes the marker material by detecting the marker material. The systems and methods also may include distributing the marker material within the subterranean structure, aligning the marker material within the subterranean structure, determining one or more characteristics of the marker material, ceasing the drilling, repeating the method, and/or producing a hydrocarbon from the subterranean structure. The systems and methods further may include forming an electrical connection between an electric current source and a granular resistive heater that forms a portion of the subterranean structure, forming the granular resistive heater, and/or forming the subterranean structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: William P. Meurer, Chen Fang, Federico G. Gallo, Nazish Hoda, Michael W. Lin
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Publication number: 20120217676Abstract: An imprint lithography release agent having general formula (1): where R1 represents H or CH3, n is an integer from 1 to 5, and m is an integer from 1 to 40. Fluorinated silazanes of general formula (1) can be used to form a release layer on an imprint lithography template, added to an imprint lithography resist, or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEMInventors: Carlton Grant Willson, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Michael W. Lin, Daniel J. Hellebusch, B. Michael Jacobsson, William K. Bell