Patents Represented by Attorney Russell J. Egan

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  • Apparatus for providing strain relief during retrieving of marine seismic cables
    Patent number: 5217176
    Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving marine seismic cable uses an endless traction member which defines a helical path of at least two turns for pulling the cable in a uniform fashion without forming overlapping layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Hall
  • Washpipe support clamp
    Patent number: 5211229
    Abstract: An apparatus to support washpipes has a pair of substantially mirror image components which, when clamped together about an inner string, define an annual chamber for receiving and supporting the ends of one or more washpipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: William W. Pecue, II
  • Method and apparatus for measuring borehole fluid density, formation density and/or borehole diameter using back-scattered gamma radiation
    Patent number: 5204529
    Abstract: The present invention is a formation compensated fluid density meter which includes a well logging sonde that is inserted into a borehole traversing an earthen formation. The sonde includes within it a source which emits gamma rays into the borehole fluid and formation partially collimated and detector assemblies which detect returning gamma rays and provide count signals corresponding to a count of the detected gamma rays. A cable connected to the detector assembly conveys the count signals to the surface where surface electronics includes apparatus which processes the count signals to provide a signal corresponding to the density of the fluid in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Victor Diatschenko
  • Subsea pumping device incorporating a wellhead aspirator
    Patent number: 5199496
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for subsea transportation of a hydrocarbon production stream utilizing a wellhead aspirator to reduce wellhead flowing pressure. By using the Bernoulli effect, a head is delivered to the flowing stream that enables the crude oil/water/gas fluid within the system to be moved farther distances than wellhead pressure alone would allow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford L. Redus, Peter L. Sigwardt
  • Controlled gas trap system
    Patent number: 5199509
    Abstract: An improved gas trap for mud logging is vertically mounted such that its lower end is constantly beneath the surface of mud flowing in a tank. The mud is drawn into the housing where it is agitated to release the entrained gases which are drawn off for measurement. The spent mud is returned to the tank through a mud exit port and related pipe to a point below the level of the mud and remote from the mud intake to the gas trap. This gas trap is insensitive to mud level changes and is relatively free of maintenance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Alan C. Wright, Scott A. Hanson, Patrick L. DeLaune, Howard L. McKinzie, Hossein Aghazeynali
  • Method and apparatus for isolating well bores using external packers
    Patent number: 5190109
    Abstract: An external packer assembly for isolating well bores has an inflatable member initially containing a catalyst or activator solution. An insertion assembly introduces a resin to the inflatable member which then inflates, under the influence of the expanding resin, into sealing engagement with the bore hole walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Carlos W. Pardo
  • Produced steam survey device and method
    Patent number: 5191210
    Abstract: A device and method for determining the flow of steam in a production well has a sonde with a pair of gamma ray detectors and a source of gaseous radioactive material therein. The sonde is lowered into the well and measured amounts of the gas are released and detected by the gamma detectors to thereby determine the volume and velocity of steam flowing in the production well as well as its depth of entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Pauley, Irwin R. Supernaw, Thomas M. Williams
  • Method and apparatus for automatic well stimulation
    Patent number: 5188178
    Abstract: An apparatus for stimulating production from oil and gas wells has a magazine which is sequentially actuated to allow chemical stimulant to be dispensed into the well to cause agitation of fluid loading up said well and allow the recovery of hydrocarbons therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Noyes
  • Method for determination of average downhole steam quality by measuring the slip ratio between the vapor and liquid phases of steam
    Patent number: 5182939
    Abstract: The quality of steam downhole is determined by injecting into the steam first and second tracers, each tracer having an affinity to a single of the two phases, and then sensing the passage of the tracers over a pair of sensors spaced apart or known measured distance. Thus the velocity of the phases, the slip ratio between the phases and the steam quality can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Sze-Foo Chien, Eugene F. Traverse
  • Means of measuring the rate and character of hydrocarbon generation from source rocks using hydrous pyrolysis
    Patent number: 5180556
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a laboratory determination of the rate and type of hydrocarbon generated from a hydrocarbon source utilizes hydrous pyrolysis to generate hydrocarbons from the sample and then utilizes cryogenic methods to remove the fluid portions to a transfer vessel. The gaseous components are removed to a further vessel of known dimensions for determination of weight. The hydrocarbons in the transfer vessel are passed through a dryer to separate the water and their makeup determined. The hydrocarbons remaining in the reactor vessel are removed by working with solvents and their weights are determined after separation and evaporation of the solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Nolte, Helen K. Haskin, Edwin L. Colling, Jr.
  • Gas saving back pressure device
    Patent number: 5178177
    Abstract: A back pressure control device is connected to the actuator of a control valve to limit the amount of gas released from the actuator after each actuation. Approximately two thirds of the volume of the actuation gas is retained in the actuator by the subject device after each actuation, this being both the release of a sufficient volume to assure actuation of the control valve while retaining gas which was heretofore wasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Jesse C. Scott
  • Heater tube skin thermocouple
    Patent number: 5172979
    Abstract: A skin thermocouple assembly is formed by a mounting block profiled to be mounted on the device to be monitored and to receive an end of the thermocouple therein. A heat shield is received over the block to prevent it from becoming a fin for heat exchange causing an error in the reading of the thermocouple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Rich W. Barkley, Ken C. Leung, Jordan Loftus
  • Method and apparatus for remotely controlling a rotary valve or the like
    Patent number: 5156373
    Abstract: A rotary actuated valve choke or the like is remotely controlled by motor means fixedly mounted with respect to said valve to rotationally drive a stem thereof. Means are included to measure the rotation of said stem. Means are provided to measure valve output and appropriately control the energization of the motor in response thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jackie R. Boyles, Joseph L. Porter, Albert P. Richter, Jr.
  • Optical thermal sensing device in fired oil treaters
    Patent number: 5129025
    Abstract: An optical fiber thermal sensor is mounted in an operative position by a member fixed to the unit to be monitored. The member has an axial bore and means to position the optical fiber therein. The member is also profiled so as to not affect measurement by causing heat build-up or drain from around the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Loftus, George M. Welch, Jr.
  • Method and apparatus for positioning a sample with repeatable accuracy
    Patent number: 5113420
    Abstract: An apparatus for moving samples through a CAT scanner is comprised of a driver table assembly and a follower table assembly. The assemblies are fixedly positioned in aligned spaced condition on opposite sides of a CAT scanner and are adapted to move a sample therethrough with great linear accuracy. The driver table assembly is the active member in moving the sample while the follower table assembly is passive in responding to movement of the driver table assembly. Both table assemblies have lathe heads mounted thereon for securing the sample therebetween in a self-centering manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Lorne A. Davis, Jr., Gregory P. Pepin, David L. Gebert
  • RF in situ heating of heavy oil in combination with steam flooding
    Patent number: 5109927
    Abstract: A subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation is preheated by application of RF energy to the formation so that subsequent steam flooding will more effectively sweep the hydrocarbons from the formation without steam override occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventors: Irwin R. Supernaw, Kerry D. Savage
  • Method and apparatus utilizing a single nozzle for effecting measurment of steam characteristics
    Patent number: 5092159
    Abstract: A system for measuring steam flowing through a convergent-divergent nozzle at critical flow uses selected measurements along with Napier's Parameter, Dimensionless Critical Steam Flux and Critical Density Ratio to determine steam quality and flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Sze-Foo Chien
  • Riser and tendon management system
    Patent number: 5088859
    Abstract: A riser and tendon management system for offshore hydrocarbon production facilities has a data acquisition system with instrumentation suitable for gathering all necessary information concerning the immediate condition of the facility and a riser and tendon analysis system for comparing actual with ideal conditions for the facility. Information is generated as to what corrective action must be taken. The analysis system stores past corrective actions and results and factors this information into the current suggestion for correction thereby reducing riser and tendon stress while increasing their fatigue life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Paul V. Devlin
  • Method of performing hydrous pyrolysis for studying the kinetic parameters of hydrocarbons generated from source material
    Patent number: 5082787
    Abstract: A method for studying the rate and type of hydrocarbon generated from a hydrocarbon source utilizes hydrous pyrolysis to generate hydrocarbons from the sample and then utilizes cryogenic methods to remove the fluid portions to a transfer vessel. The gaseous components are removed to a further vessel of known dimensions for determination of weight. The hydrocarbons in the transfer vessel are passed through a dryer to separate the water and their makeup determined. The hydrocarbons remaining in the reactor vessel are removed by working with solvents and their weights are determined after separation and evaporation of the solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Nolte, Helen K. Haskin, Edwin L. Colling, Jr.
  • Static mixing system with high turndown ratios to minimize pressure drops
    Patent number: 5076705
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving mixing of fluids has at least two static mixing stages connected in series with a bypass valve connected in parallel across each but the last of the mixing units. The capacity of each downstream mixing unit should be such that its minimum flow requirements overlap the opening point for the check valve of the preceding mixing unit. Pressure drops exceeding predetermined limits cause the bypass valves to open allowing fluid flow therethrough thereby preventing further pressure drop through the mixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Brickhouse, Michael G. Durrett, Gregory J. Hatton