Patents by Inventor Ralph S. Millhone

Ralph S. Millhone 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: 4958684
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for determining injection profiles in a steam injection well is disclosed. The mass flow rate of steam entering the well is measured. A well logging tool is then used to measure temperature and/or pressure profiles within the perforated zone of the well. A liquid phase tracer is then injected for a short time into the well with the steam. The well logging tool contains dual gamma ray detectors and is used to measure the transit time of the tracer slug. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid tracer is radioactive elemental iodine or sodium iodide. The procedure is repeated with a vapor phase tracer which is radioactive Krypton. Argon, or Xenon in the preferred embodiment. A vapor and liquid profile can then be calculated with simple mass balance equations. In a second approach, a spinner survey and a single tracer survey are conducted. By combining the spinner and tracer survey results, vapor and liquid rates can be determined and steam injection profiles can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Tanh V. Nguyen, C. Brent Davenport, Christopher E. Stevens, John C. Reis, Ralph S. Millhone
  • Patent number: 4817713
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for determining injection profiles in a steam injection well is disclosed. The mass flow rate of steam entering the well is measured. A well logging tool is then used to measure temperature and/or pressure profiles within the perforated zone of the well. A liquid phase tracer is then injected for a short time into the well with the steam. The well logging tool contains dual gamma ray detectors and is used to measure the transit time of the tracer slug. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid tracer is radioactive elemental iodine or sodium iodide. The procedure is repeated with a vapor phase tracer which is radioactive Krypton, Argon, or Xenon in the preferred embodiment. A vapor and liquid profile can then be calculated with simple mass balance equations. In a second approach, a spinner survey and a single tracer survey are conducted. By combining the spinner and tracer survey results, vapor and liquid rates can be determined and steam injection profiles can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Tanh V. Nguyen, C. Brent Davenport, Christopher E. Stevens, John C. Reis, Ralph S. Millhone
  • Patent number: 4548269
    Abstract: A packing material useful in a gravel pack for open or cased wells or in a prepack for use in steam or hot fluid injection and production wells. The packing material is a material which is insoluble in high temperature caustic fluids and subsurface formation fluids. Sintered bauxite is a claimed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Elson, Ralph S. Millhone
  • Patent number: 4537254
    Abstract: A packing material useful in a gravel pack for open or cased wells or in a prepack for use in steam or hot fluid injection and production wells. The packing material is a material which is insoluble in high temperature caustic fluids and subsurface formation fluids. Sintered bauxite is a claimed material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Elson, Ralph S. Millhone
  • Patent number: 4460045
    Abstract: A method for packing particulate material in the annulus surrounding a liner in a subsurface well having a substantial deviation from vertical. Foam carrier fluid is employed for placing the particulate material. The geometry of the apparatus at the location where the material is to be placed is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Elson, Ralph S. Millhone
  • Patent number: 4438815
    Abstract: A method of gravel packing a subsurface well is disclosed wherein particulate material is fluidized in a gas/liquid foam carrier fluid and transported to the subsurface where the particulate material forms the gravel pack and the foam carrier fluid returns to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Elson, Ralph S. Millhone