Patents Represented by Attorney Richard W. Collins
  • Patent number: 6199330
    Abstract: A skylight protector having a support frame covered by a protective mesh and including positioning members for positioning the protector relative to a skylight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Charles L. Cobb
  • Patent number: 5588459
    Abstract: A sewage removal device for use with a recreational vehicle. The device is comprised of a housing attachable to the sewage drain conduit of the recreational vehicle. Sewage from the recreational vehicle drains into a cavity in the housing, and a water inlet directs a stream of water through a nozzle into an outlet conduit in the housing. The water stream facilitates removal of sewage as the sewage drains from the recreational vehicle into the cavity of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventor: Mark E. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5577374
    Abstract: A wheel-mounted rotary string trimmer includes an engine mounted on a frame supported by individually adjustable wheels. A handle extending rearwardly from the frame at an adjustable angle provides handle height adjustment. The cutter head angle is adjustable, and the cutter head is offset to one side of the frame and extends forward from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas G. Huston
  • Patent number: 5402847
    Abstract: A process for producing methane from a subterranean coal bed by continuously injecting a carbon dioxide-containing gas into the coal bed and recovering displaced and desorbed methane from a recovery well. The injection gas may be exhaust gas from a hydrocarbon fueled engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Wilson, Pat Lively, Jamal A. Sandarusi, Pete Bowser, Matt Stanley
  • Patent number: 5246861
    Abstract: Complex metal anions such as cobaltic hexacyanide are utilized as nonradioactive tracers in reservoir studies. Sensitive analytical procedures enable detection and measurement of very low tracer levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Miller, Clyde O. Sheely, Jerry W. Wimberley, Rhea A. Howard
  • Patent number: 5232048
    Abstract: A prepacked well screen assembly for preventing sand from being produced with well fluids. The assembly includes a filter medium surrounded by an outer support, with the outer surface of the filter medium being fluted or otherwise shaped to have a larger outer surface area than the surface area of the outer support member surrounding the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Lee E. Whitebay, Nobuo Morita
  • Patent number: 5211842
    Abstract: A three-phase well test apparatus and method using a two-phase separator. A separator is used to separate well fluid into gas and liquid constituents. The gas constituent is measured by a gas flow meter, and a pressure control valve is used to prevent surging of the gas beyond the range of the meter A pump is used to pump liquid out of the separator through a liquid flow line. A recirculating line is provided, and a valve may be acutated between a flow position and a recirculating position in response to a liquid level in the separator. When liquid is not being flowed for measurement, it is recirculated to the separator and thereby continuously mixed to maintain the liquid in a homogeneous condition. Downstream from the valve is a liquid meter and a meter prover connection. The recirculation mixes the liquid A mixer may be positioned downstream from the pump to additionally mix the liquid flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard M. Tuss, Robert A. Kendrick
  • Patent number: 5180020
    Abstract: Fracture initiation and propagation during drilling are prevented or inhibited by including an effective amount of a specially sized solid particulate loss prevention material in the drilling fluid prior to encountering formation breakdown in a susceptible zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Giin-Fa Fuh, Nobuo Morita, Donald L. Whitfill, David A. Strah
  • Patent number: 5163981
    Abstract: A glycol dehydrator for removing water from produced natural gas includes a conduit for conveying uncondensed hydrocarbons from a reboiler overhead condenser to an auxiliary burner in the reboiler firetube by natural draft from the firetube flue stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Choi
  • Patent number: 5156767
    Abstract: A method of emulsion breaking comprising contacting an emulsion with a substrate having adhered thereto an alkylphenol-polyethylene oxide-acrylate polymer. The emulsion breaking material is used to separate water-in-oil emulsion by coalescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick H. Fitzgerald, Nicholas O. Wolf, Charles R. Clark, D. Philip Cords
  • Patent number: 5125427
    Abstract: Temporary plugs are formed in process flowlines by injecting into the flowlines a plugging material having a freezing point only slightly below the ambient temperature. The plugging material is frozen in place, and a servicing operation is conducted on the flowline. The plugging material is then allowed to thaw or is thawed by applied heat. Linear primary alcohols and normal paraffinic hydrocarbons are preferred plugging materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa A. Cantu, Allen R. Petree
  • Patent number: 5090478
    Abstract: A water-producing zone in a reservoir penetrated by a gravel-packed well is isolated by placing a bridge plug in the well tubing adjacent to the top of the water-producing zone, then placing a first coarse sand on the bridge plug, followed by a fine sand on top of the coarse sand, and finally by placing a flowable resin on top of the fine sand where it spreads out through the gravel pack to provide a flow barrier to water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Laine E. Summers
  • Patent number: 5080170
    Abstract: Low permeability formations are hydraulically fractured with a fracturing fluid which includes a material capable of (1) bonding fine formation particles to prevent movement of the particles into and within the formation and (2) forming a permeability-reducing skin at the formation/fluid interface to reduce fluid leak-off into the formation. The stabilizing and fluid leak-off reducing material is comprised of a water soluble polymer and an alkaline potassium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Lee E. Whitebay, Lisa A. Cantu
  • Patent number: 5012869
    Abstract: A method of forming a flow-restricting layer on a wellbore surface prior to cementing a casing string in the wellbore. The flow-restricting layer is formed by reaction of an injected fluid with divalent ions at and near the wellbore surface. The injected fluid is a composition containing a water-soluble polymer and one or more potassium salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Lee E. Whitebay
  • Patent number: 5009269
    Abstract: A fluid loss additive for addition to a cement slurry used in cementing a casing string in a wellbore. The additive reduces loss of water from the slurry into the formation, resulting in a better cement job. The additive is comprised of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate polymer, calcium sulfate, a crosslinker for the polymer, and optionally a defoamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1991
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Larry K. Moran, Thomas R. Murray
  • Patent number: 4959165
    Abstract: A well completion and servicing fluid comprising an aqueous solution of calcium chloride containing a viscosifier and zinc and/or zinc oxide as a weighting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: R. Leroy Grimsley
  • Patent number: 4957165
    Abstract: Hydroxyacetic acid condensation product is used as a fluid loss material in a well completion or workover process in which a fluid comprising a hydrolyzable aqueous gel is used. The hydroxyacetic acid condensation product degrades at formation conditions to provide hydroxyacetic acid which breaks the aqueous gel, thereby restoring full formation permeability without the need for separate addition of gel breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa A. Cantu, Marion W. Osborne, Edward F. McBride
  • Patent number: 4957174
    Abstract: Loss of drilling fluid into a subterranean formation penetrated in the drilling of a well is controlled by addition to the drilling fluid of a lost circulation material comprising petroleum coke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Edwin Kubena, Jr., Terry S. Cantu, Matthew C. Sooter
  • Patent number: 4918894
    Abstract: A refractory supporting end anchor for the end of a refractory lined conduit, and a lined conduit having a series of the anchors at the end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Page
  • Patent number: 4905763
    Abstract: A method for servicing an offshore well having a subsea blowout preventer. A sealing nipple having a wireline extending therethrough and connected to a servicing tool is lowered into the well and sealed by sealing rams of the blowout preventer. After the sealing rams are closed about the sealing nipple, the well can be pressurized through a fluid line extending to a work area. The method is particularly useful for pressurizing a cased well to eliminate any microannulus between the well casing and cement surrounding the casing prior to running a cement evaluation logging tool through the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Carl W. Sauer, Michael P. Stockinger, Larry K. Moran