Patents by Inventor William J. McCaffrey

William J. McCaffrey 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: 10145226
    Abstract: A system and method of production of hydrocarbons, such as heavy oil or bitumen, by injection of steam, solvent and NCG is provided, which combines the benefits of SAGD, VAPEX, and the use of an additional producer, with specific timing specifications for the initiation of solvent injection prior to inter-chamber fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: MEG ENERGY CORP.
    Inventors: Chi-Tak Yee, Subramanyam Bharatha, William J. McCaffrey
  • Publication number: 20170138160
    Abstract: A system and method of production of hydrocarbons, such as heavy oil or bitumen, by injection of steam, solvent and NCG is provided, which combines the benefits of SAGD, VAPEX, and the use of an additional producer, with specific timing specifications for the initiation of solvent injection prior to inter-chamber fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: CHI-TAK YEE, SUBRAMANYAM BHARATHA, WILLIAM J. McCAFFREY
  • Patent number: 5860475
    Abstract: A thermal oil recovery process is disclosed for use in a heavy oil reservoir having a plurality of laterally separated, generally vertical wells whose use have left the reservoir characterized by a heated depletion zone, a channel, voidage, or mobility and communication. The process includes the steps of: drilling a well having a horizontal section and an opening therein that is located laterally between at least two of the vertical wells and at a depth within the lower part of the reservoir; injecting a steam through the two vertical wells to establish thermal communication with said horizontal well; and using the combination of steam drive and gravity drainage to recover oil from the reservoir through the horizontal well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Godwin Ejiogu, Paul R. Sander, William J. McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 5417283
    Abstract: A thermal oil recovery process is disclosed for use in an oil reservoir containing a plurality of laterally separated generally vertical wells that have been used for cyclic steam stimulation and that have left in the reservoir at least one of a heated depletion zone and a channel. The process includes the steps of: drilling a well having a horizontal section and an opening therein that is located laterally between at least two of the vertical wells and at a depth within the lower part of the reservoir; injecting a heated fluid through the two vertical wells to establish thermal communication with said horizontal well; and using steam drive and gravity drainage to recover oil from the reservoir through the horizontal well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Godwin Ejiogu, Paul R. Sander, William J. McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 5273111
    Abstract: A method which combines fluid drive and gravity drainage to produce hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation comprises injecting a fluid through at least two upper horizontal wells out into the formation for moving hydrocarbons from the formation into at least one lower horizontal well through which the hydrocarbons are produced, wherein each lower horizontal well is spaced laterally and vertically below and between two respective upper horizontal wells; and producing hydrocarbons through the at least one lower horizontal well at a cumulative rate faster than the cumulative rate of the fluid injected into the upper horizontal wells. The method further comprises injecting a fluid and producing hydrocarbons as just described but with additional upper and lower horizontal wells longitudinally spaced from the first-mentioned upper and lower horizontal wells so that each of the lower horizontal wells operates as a discrete production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Geryl O. Brannan, William J. McCaffrey