Patents by Inventor Philip Lee Wylie

Philip Lee Wylie 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).

  • Method for improving oil recovery by delivering vibrational energy in a well fracture
    Patent number: 6814141
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for improving oil recovery, preferably a high-viscosity oil relying on gravity drainage, by applying vibrational energy. A fracture is created at a wellbore and a fluid displacement device is inserted at or near the fracture opening. The optimum oil mobilization frequency and amplitude is determined. The fluid inside the fracture is oscillated to a prescribed range of frequency and amplitude to improve oil production. Applications for using the fracture as a delivery device for vibrational energy to enhance performance of the steam-assisted gravity drainage process, vapor-extraction gravity drainage, or cyclic steam process are provided. An application to improve recovery of heavy oil by aquifer drive or peripheral waterflood is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Chun Huh, Philip Lee Wylie, Jr., Jung-gi Jane Shyeh, Jeffrey R. Bailey
  • Method for improving oil recovery by delivering vibrational energy in a well fracture
    Publication number: 20030042018
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for improving oil recovery, preferably a high-viscosity oil relying on gravity drainage, by applying vibrational energy. A fracture is created at a wellbore and a fluid displacement device is inserted at or near the fracture opening. The optimum oil mobilization frequency and amplitude is determined. The fluid inside the fracture is oscillated to a prescribed range of frequency and amplitude to improve oil production. Applications for using the fracture as a delivery device for vibrational energy to enhance performance of the steam-assisted gravity drainage process, vapor-extraction gravity drainage, or cyclic steam process are provided. An application to improve recovery of heavy oil by aquifer drive or peripheral waterflood is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Chun Huh, Philip Lee Wylie, Jung-gi Jane Shyeh, Jeffrey R. Bailey