Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm John L. Wood
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Patent number: 8307898Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for cementing a liner in place in an open borehole using a tubular member having at least one obstruction in the tubular member to pass the cement into the liner and through the liner into an annular space surrounding the liner to position the liner in the open borehole.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignees: BP Corporation North America Inc., Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Mark O. Johnson, Robert D. Harris
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Patent number: 7775274Abstract: A method for the detection of a carbon dioxide leak from a plugged well extending from a surface of the earth to penetrate a subterranean formation which contains carbon dioxide by logging a collection chamber positioned in the plugged well.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Ray Wydrinski, Charles A. Christopher
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Patent number: 7686855Abstract: Disclosed are methods for transporting one or more synthetic products produced from a carbonaceous source, such as coal, natural gas, or biomass, which may be located in a location that is remote from markets for such products. The synthetic products may include lower molecular weight alcohols such as methanol, lower molecular weight ethers such as dimethyl ether, olefins and/or the products of a Fischer-Tropsch or other hydrocarbon synthesis. The methods include transport of such synthetic products via a pipeline in the dense phase state, either neat or blended with light hydrocarbons, such as natural gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2005Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Ronald Sills, Theo H. Fleisch, Taras Y. Makogon, Michael D. Briscoe
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Patent number: 7429287Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for sweetening a raw natural gas feed stream using a multi-stage membrane separation process, and in embodiments a two-stage membrane separation process. The method and system also include use of a gas turbine which operates with an impure fuel gas stream (such as in the sense of having a relatively high CO2 and H2S acid gas contaminant content) as derived from a permeate gas stream obtained in at least the second stage of a membrane separation process, or later stages if more than two stages are employed. In embodiments, the gas turbine is coupled with an electrical generator, which generates electrical power that drives a compressor for the second stage (or higher) of the membrane separation process, as well as other process equipment associated therewith, such as air coolers and process pumps. Alternatively, the gas turbine can be coupled mechanically to the compressor employed.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventor: Stephen R. Frantz
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Patent number: 7373285Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for allocating revenue or taxes to individual fluid streams commingled during an oil and gas production process, the method includes commingling fluid streams to produce a commingled fluid stream; (2) utilizing a process simulation model to predict a phase change of each fluid stream in the commingled fluid stream, wherein the process simulation model predicts the phase change of all the individual fluid streams in the commingled fluid stream the phase change of each individual fluid stream in isolation of the commingled fluid stream, the phase change of all the individual fluid streams in the commingled fluid stream absent a single fluid stream; and (3) determining the difference in phases between the calculated phase change of all the in individual fluid streams in the commingled fluid stream and calculated phase change of all the individual fluid streams in the commingled fluid stream absent a single fluid stream.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Webb
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Patent number: 7299655Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for vaporization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that employ a condensing gas stream to adjust the gross heating value (GHV) of the LNG such that, upon vaporization, a natural gas product is obtained that meets pipeline or other commercial specifications. The condensing gas can be air, nitrogen, or in embodiments, NGLs such as ethane, propane, or butane, or other combustible hydrocarbon such as dimethyl ether (DME) depending on a desired change in GHV. In some embodiments, the methods and systems employ an integrated air separation plant for generation of nitrogen used as a condensing gas, wherein a cool stream of a heat transfer medium, such as water, ethylene glycol, other common heat transfer fluids, or mixtures thereof, obtained by heat transfer during vaporization of the LNG is used to pre-cool an air feed to the air separation plant, or to cool other process streams associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventor: Patrick B. Ward
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Patent number: 7251956Abstract: Disclosed are methods for efficiently and economically designing, constructing, or operating a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process for the liquefaction of selected quantities of light hydrocarbon gas. The method includes a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction launch train to liquefy an initial amount of light hydrocarbon gas and one or more optional subsequent modular expansion phases to said light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction train to liquefy additional selected quantities of light hydrocarbon gas up to a selected maximum quantity of light hydrocarbon gas for the process. The methods employ shared use facilities, such as light hydrocarbon feed gas pretreatment facilities, refrigerant compression facilities, cryogenic heat exchange facilities, access services, other liquefaction equipment, and liquefied product storage and shipping facilities.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sawchuk, Richard Jones, Jr., Patrick B. Ward
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Patent number: 7243510Abstract: A reduced carbon dioxide emission system and method for providing power for refrigerant compression and shared electrical power for a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Richard Jones, Jr., Patrick B. Ward
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Patent number: 7168265Abstract: An integrated process for producing LNG and GTL products is provided, wherein a CO2-containing natural gas feed to an LNG production zone is first pre-treated to separate at least a portion of the CO2 therefrom, and the resulting CO2 stream obtained thereby is then directed to a GTL production zone and utilized to make GTL products that include methanol and/or methanol derivatives.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Briscoe, Theo H. Fleisch, Michael J. Gradassi, Jeffrey H. Sawchuk, Pedro Ernesto Fischer-Calderon
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Patent number: 7114351Abstract: A reduced carbon dioxide emissions system and method for providing power for refrigerant compression and shared electrical power for a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Richard Jones, Jr., Patrick B. Ward
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Patent number: 7074322Abstract: An improved system and method for providing reduced acid gas/dewatered light hydrocarbon gas to a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process wherein a plurality of light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction trains are used.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sawchuk, Richard Jones, Jr., Patrick B. Ward
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Patent number: 7047764Abstract: Disclosed are methods for efficiently and economically designing, constructing, or operating a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process for the liquefaction of selected quantities of light hydrocarbon gas. The method includes a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction launch train to liquefy an initial amount of light hydrocarbon gas and one or more optional subsequent modular expansion phases to said light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction train to liquefy additional selected quantities of light hydrocarbon gas up to a selected maximum quantity of light hydrocarbon gas for the process. The methods employ shared use facilities, such as light hydrocarbon feed gas pre-treeatment facilities, refrigerant compression facilities, cryogenic heat exchange facilities, access services, other liquefaction equipment, and liquefied product storage and shipping facilities.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sawchuk, Richard Jones, Jr., Patrick B. Ward
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Patent number: 7033470Abstract: Solid membranes comprising an intimate, gas-impervious, multi-phase mixture of an electronically-conductive material and an oxygen ion-conductive material and/or a mixed metal oxide of a perovskite structure are described. Electrochemical reactor components, such as reactor cells, and electrochemical reactors are also described for transporting oxygen from any oxygen-containing gas to any gas or mixture of gases that consume oxygen. The reactor cells generally comprise first and second zones separated by an element having a first surface capable of reducing oxygen to oxygen ions, a second surface capable of reacting oxygen ions with an oxygen-consuming gas, an electron-conductive path between the first and second surfaces and an oxygen ion-conductive path between the first and second surfaces. The element may further comprise (1) a porous substrate, (2) an electron-conductive metal, metal oxide or mixture thereof and/or (3) a catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: The Standard Oil CompanyInventors: Terry J. Mazanec, Thomas L. Cable, John G. Frye, Jr., Wayne R. Kliewer
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Patent number: 6953488Abstract: There is provided a process for preparation of synthesis gas from feedstocks containing methane and/or higher hydrocarbons having from about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms by an initial catalytic treatment of feedstock to provide a methane-containing gaseous mixture substantially free of compounds having 2 or more carbon atoms, and reforming the gaseous mixture at elevated temperatures using nickel-containing catalytic materials that are unusually active under mild conditions of conversion and resistant to deactivation. The process consists fundamentally in converting the higher hydrocarbon compounds to form the methane-containing gaseous mixture in an initial conversion zone containing a catalyst while controlling temperatures within the initial conversion zone to temperatures in a range downward from about 500° C. to about 300° C., and reforming the methane-containing gaseous mixture in a subsequent zone to form synthesis gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Alakananda Bhattacharyya, Wen-Dong Chang
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Patent number: 6866977Abstract: Disclosed are photoconductive elements including a conductive support, e.g., an electrically conductive film, drum, or belt, on which a negatively chargeable photoconductive layer is disposed. An electrical barrier layer is disposed between the conductive support and the photoconductive layer. The barrier layer provides a high energy barrier to the injection of positive charges, but transports electrons under an applied electric field. In embodiments, the barrier layer can transport charge by electronic mechanisms, and, is not substantially affected by humidity changes. The barrier layer includes a polyamide-co-imide having covalently bonded as repeat units in the polymer chain, aromatic tetracarbonylbisimide groups of the formula: wherein Ar1 and Ar2 respectively represent tetravalent or trivalent aromatic groups of 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, and X is O, C(CF3)2, S?O or SO2.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Louis J. Sorriero, Michel F. Molaire, Marie B. O'Regan, Wayne T. Ferrar, David S. Weiss, Jane Robin Cowdery
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Patent number: 6749829Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing synthesis gas comprising the steps of reacting a hydrogen-containing stream with an oxygen-containing stream and producing an oxidized stream comprising water; contacting a feedstream comprising hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon comprising at least one atom of oxygen with the oxidized stream comprising water and forming a reforming feedstream; and passing the reforming feedstream into a reforming reaction zone at reforming reaction conditions and producing a synthesis gas product.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Briscoe
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Patent number: 6743829Abstract: An integrated process for producing LNG and GTL products is provided comprising cooling natural gas in at least one cooling step so as to provide a cooled natural gas stream; processing the cooled natural gas stream in at least two expansion/separation cycles, each expansion/separation cycle comprising the Substeps of (a) isentropically or isenthalpically expanding at least a portion of the cooled natural gas steam for producing a natural gas vapor component and a LNG component, (b) separating at least a portion of the natural gas vapor component from the LNG component, and (c) repeating substeps (a) through (b) wherein at least a portion of the LNG component from the previous expansion/separation cycle is directed to each successive Substep (a) and wherein the final LNG product is the LNG component after the final separating step and is substantially liquid at substantially atmospheric pressure; and converting at least a portion of one or more of the expansion/separation cycle natural gas vapor components inType: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Ernesto Fischer-Calderon, Michael D. Briscoe, Michael J. Gradassi, Jeffrey H. Sawchuk
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Patent number: 6589703Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for electrographic development which utilize a rotating magnetic core, a toner shell disposed around the rotating magnetic core, and developer compositions disposed on the toner shell which include a hard magnetic material, such as a strontium ferrite. The shell in embodiments has an outer surface with a surface roughness Ra of less than 32 microinches. The methods and apparatus do not require special manufacturing steps to place surface roughness or irregularities on the shell, and, thus, can provide the same or better image quality with relatively less complex manufacturing steps and at reduced cost.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Eric C. Stelter, Robert D. Fields, Thomas A. Jadwin
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Patent number: 6564578Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing LNG by directing a feed stream comprising natural gas to a cooling stage that (a) cools the feed stream in at least one cooling step producing a cooled feed stream, (b) expands the cooled feed stream in at least one expansion step by reducing the pressure of the cooled feed stream producing a refrigerated vapor component and a liquid component, and (c) separates at least a portion of the refrigerated vapor component from the liquid component wherein at least a portion of the cooling for the process is derived from at least a portion of the refrigerated vapor component; and repeating steps (a) through (c) one or more times until at least substantial portion of the feed stream in the first cooling stage is processed into LNG wherein the feed stream in step (a) comprises at least a portion of the liquid component produced from a previous cooling stage.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2002Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventor: Ernesto Fischer-Calderon
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Patent number: 6232026Abstract: Conductive hard magnetic carrier particles are disclosed which contain a single-phase hexagonal crystal structure doped with at least one metal that, upon substitution of said metal into said crystal structure, produces a multi-valent ion of the formula Mn+, wherein n=4, 5, or 6. The carrier particles are useful in making developers for the development of electrostatic latent image patterns in an electrographic process. Also disclosed are methods for using such carrier particles in an electrographic process. Such carriers can display levels of conductivity such that the development efficiency, i.e., speed, of an electrographic process is improved.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2000Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Heidelberg Digital L.L.C.Inventor: Patrick M. Lambert