Patents by Inventor W. Thomas Ballantine

W. Thomas Ballantine 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: 5961438
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the disposal of solid particulate material in subterranean formations penetrated by a borehole are disclosed. The invention includes, but is not limited to, the disposal of oil field waste and therefore provides means and methods for the disposal of virtually any type of waste slurry stream. A slurry is formed at the surface of the earth by mixing the solid waste in particulate form with liquid and preferably a viscosifier thereby forming a slurry. A borehole is drilled into a selected injection formation and the slurry is pumped or flowed "on vacuum" from the surface through the borehole and into the injection formation. Some surface pretreating of the slurry may be required including sizing of the particulate solids, adding weighting material, removing excessive amounts of oil and grease and diluting to reduce the level of radioactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: W. Thomas Ballantine, Albert H. D. Alexander, Leland D. Lakey, Frank L. Lyon, Stephen A. Marinello