Patents Represented by Attorney S. R. LaPaglia
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Patent number: 5175225Abstract: A process for preparing an oligomeric copolymer of an unsaturated acidic reactant and a high molecular weight olefin having a sufficient number of carbon atoms such that the resulting copolymer is soluble in lubricating oil and wherein at least 20 weight percent of the total olefin comprises an alkylvinylidene isomer, which process comprises reacting the high molecular weight olefin with the unsaturated acidic reactant in the presence of a solvent which comprises the reaction product of an unsaturated acidic reactant and a high molecular weight olefin.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1989Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Assignee: Chevron Research and Technology CompanyInventor: William R. Ruhe, Jr.
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Patent number: 4904278Abstract: Disclosed are additives which are useful as dispersants in lubricating oils, gasolines, marine crankcase oils and hydraulic oils. In particular, disclosed are polyamino alkenyl or alkyl succinimides which contain carbamate functionalities.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1986Date of Patent: February 27, 1990Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: Robert H. Wollenberg, Frank Plavac
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Patent number: 4862424Abstract: A method and means for determining the amount of stretch in a well logging cable is disclosed. An optical fiber is run into a well with a logging cable and looped back to the surface. A second optical fiber of nominal length is maintained on the surface. A source of monochromatic light is passed through both fibers and recombined. As the well logging tool is raised and lowered in the wellbore, the number of interference fringes passing a fixed point is determined. The change in length of the optical fiber and, therefore, the cable will be equal to 1/2 the number of interference fringes passing a fixed point times the wavelength of light used. A precise determination of vertical location can then be made when this information is combined with information from a surface mounted odometer or encoder. This information further allows a precise determination of interval bulk density or other formation parameters in which it is important to know the depth of a tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1988Date of Patent: August 29, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: Peter Graebner, Swan A. Sie, Jorg A. Angehrn
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Patent number: 4859442Abstract: A crystalline zeolite SSZ-23 is prepared using an adamantane quaternary ammonium ion as a template.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1987Date of Patent: August 22, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: Stacey I. Zones, R. A. Innes
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Patent number: 4852652Abstract: A caustic waterflooding process for enhanced oil recovery from a production well is disclosed comprising injection of an aqueous solution under pressure to sweep oil to the production well. That aqueous solution comprises a caustic and a polymer that has an intrinsic viscosity that is at least twice as high in its hydrolyzed form than in its unhydrolyzed form, wherein the polymer is injected with less than 15% of polymer being hydrolyzed. The aqueous solution contains from 100 to 5,000 ppm of polymer and 100 to 50,000 ppm of caustic. Such solutions have improved injectivity and good efficiency in recovering oil from underground formations.Preferably, the polymer is injected with from 5% to 10% of polymer being hydrolyzed. That polymer is preferably a polyacrylamide (such as a polyacrylamide homopolymer, a polymethylacrylamide homopolymer, or a copolymer of acrylamide and monomers selected from the group consisting of methylacrylamide, N-alkyl-substituted acrylamides, alkylacrylates, and acrylic acids).Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1988Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventor: Donald L. Kuehne
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Patent number: 4852651Abstract: A polymer is disclosed that is useful in increasing the viscosity of carbon dioxide. That polymer comprises a polydialkylsilalkylene polymer; wherein the dialkyl group is preferably dimethyl, methylethyl, or diethyl; and the alkylene group is preferably ethylene or methylene. Preferably, the polymer is polydimethylsilalkylene. That polymer can be used in a method for recovering oil from an underground oil-bearing earth formation penetrated by an injection well and a producing well, in which method carbon dioxide is injected into the formation to displace oil towards the producing well from which oil is produced to the surface. The viscosity of the carbon dioxide injected into the formation is increased at least three-fold by the presence of a sufficient amount of the polydialkylsilalkylene polymer and a sufficient amount of a cosolvent to form a solution of the polymer in the carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 1988Date of Patent: August 1, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventor: Bruce W. Davis
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Patent number: 4847814Abstract: A system is disclosed for creating a three-dimensional image of data obtained from scanning a borehole wall with an acoustic transducer. Each scan produces an orientation pulse and a series of signals, including a fire pulse and echo signals. The system uses the transit times of the echo signals to modulate the geometry of the three-dimensional image, and uses the amplitudes of the echo signals to control the gray scale shading of the image. In one embodiment, a counting means keeps track of the angular position of the transducer, a ramp generating means produces a ramp voltage proportional to the elapsed time since the fire pulse, a sine table means and a sine conversion means produce a sine signal proportional in amplitude to the ramp voltage, a cosine table means and a cosine conversion means produce a cosine signal porportional in amplitude to the ramp voltage, and a monitoring means displays points on the monitoring means when the echo signals are received.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1987Date of Patent: July 11, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventor: Jorg A. Angehrn
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Patent number: 4819729Abstract: A method for recovering petroleum from a subterranean, petroleum-containing formation. It includes injecting into said formation a formulation comprising an oligomeric surfactant wherein said oligomeric surfactant has the following formula:R--X--(CH.sub.2 --CR.sub.1 Y).sub.a --(CH.sub.2 --CR.sub.2 Z).sub.b --Hwherein R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkylaryl radical having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms; R.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl; R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, and a hydrocarbon having the formula CH.sub.2 COOH; X is selected from the group consisting of sulfides, sulfones, and sulfoxides; Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons having the formulas CN, CONH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, CONHCH.sub.3, CONHC.sub.2 H.sub.5, COOCH.sub.3, COOC.sub.2 H.sub.5, COOC.sub.2 H.sub.4 OH, COOC.sub.3 H.sub.6 OH, CONHCH.sub.2 OH; Z is selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons having the formulas COOH, CH.sub.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1987Date of Patent: April 11, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: J. H. Bae, S. I. Chou
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Patent number: 4811598Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for developing a temperature profile of a well. That apparatus has a spring bow centralizer, wherein the bow of the centralizer contacts the sidewall of the well, and it has a temperature probe attached to the underside of the bow opposite to a point of contact with the sidewall. In one embodiment, the temperature probe is attached to the underside of the bow with studs and a shim steel backing. That temperature probe is a platinum resistance thermometer surface sensor less than 0.05 inches thick coated with a polyimide insulator.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1987Date of Patent: March 14, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: Justin M. Dillier, Richard H. Clark
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Patent number: 4809780Abstract: A method is disclosed for selectively sealing thief zones in a formation. First, a saline pre-flush water is injected into the formation. Then, at least one slug of a saline soution of heat-sensitive sealing fluid is injected into the formation, followed by injection of a saline push water. Electrical resistance heating of the formation is induced sufficient to cause the sealing fluid to undergo in-situ transformation to seal the thief zones.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1988Date of Patent: March 7, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventor: Joseph J. S. Shen
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Patent number: 4805725Abstract: The invention relates to a nondestructive downhole seismic source capable of generating S.sub.V -waves, S.sub.H -waves, and P-waves alone or in combination to determine information about a surrounding geologic formation. The invention also includes processes of performing crosswell tomography and reverse vertical seismic profiling. The invention also includes a means and process to carry out in hole seismic logging operations.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1987Date of Patent: February 21, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventor: Bjorn N. P. Paulsson
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Patent number: 4804906Abstract: An oil and gas well casing inspection tool is disclosed. The casing inspection tool comprises a body; inner and outer contact rollers extending from the body; means for generating a current between the outer contacts; and means for measuring a potential difference between the inner contacts. To enhance the accuracy of the device, capacitance is used downhole to increase the amount of current that can be supplied to the casing. Leaf springs engage the contact rollers to maintain a clean connection between the body and the casing. Signal coders and decoders are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1987Date of Patent: February 14, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: Allan Hamberg, Elmer L. Thomas, Henry T. Carruth, Jr., Mitchell F. Peterson
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Patent number: 4799331Abstract: A device is described for the automatic closing of openings on a floating structure whereby the need for human or manual intervention is eliminated. Once the floating structure is subjected to tilting (heeling), lateral, or other accelerating forces, an unstable mass is used as a triggering device to remove a block from interfering with the path of the closure. The closure rolls down a ramp and covers an adjacent opening to seal it, thus preventing uncontrolled flooding or fire from spreading within the structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 1986Date of Patent: January 24, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventor: Darryl E. Laxo
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Patent number: 4793414Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for determining injection profiles in a steam injection well is disclosed. The mass flow rate and quality of steam entering the well is measured. A well logging tool is then used to measure temperature and/or pressure profiles within the perforated zone of the well. A liquid phase tracer is then injected for a short time into the well with the steam. The well logging tool contains dual gamma ray detectors and is used to measure the transit time of the tracer slug. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid tracer is radioactive elemental iodine or sodium iodide. The procedure is repeated with a vapor phase tracer which is radioactive Krypton, Argon, or Xenon in the preferred embodiment. A vapor and liquid profile can then be calculated with simple mass balance equations. In a second approach, a spinner survey and a single tracer survey are conducted.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1987Date of Patent: December 27, 1988Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: Tanh V. Nguyen, C. Brent Davenport
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Patent number: 4784528Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for increasing the capacity of a tubular driven pile. A refrigeration unit is lowered into the pile and grouted in place above a cement plug. The area between the refrigeration unit and the plug is filled with a secondary refrigerant. Seawater fills the pile above the refrigeration unit and is used for refrigeration unit cooling. The refrigeration unit cools the brine until the soil surrounding the pile is frozen. The adfreeze strength of the frozen soil and the pile increase the pullout resistance of the pile. Further, the end-bearing capacity of the pile is increased as a result of the large frozen mass surrounding the pile.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1987Date of Patent: November 15, 1988Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: August V. Spalding, Richard C. Lundberg, Ronald O. Hamburger, Mahmoud H. Sabet, Gerald F. Borrmann
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Patent number: 4780517Abstract: A water thickening terpolymer of polymerized units of (A) about 50 to 98 mole percent of acrylamide, (B) about 1.9 to 49.9 mole percent of an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of acrylic acid, and (C) about 0.1 to 5 mole percent of a copolymerizable ionic surfactant containing (1) an acrylyl or methacrylyl group, (2) a pendant hydrophobic group of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, and (3) an ionic polar group.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1985Date of Patent: October 25, 1988Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventor: Ta Yen Ching
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Patent number: 4778654Abstract: A hydrocarbon-soluble corrosion inhibitor composition comprising the reaction product obtained by the acid-catalyzed oligomerization of alkylaniline, formaldehyde, and an aromatic compound selected from aniline, phenol, alkylphenol and an ethoxylated alkylphenol. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting corrosion of a corrodible metal utilizing said composition.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1986Date of Patent: October 18, 1988Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: Robert Bacskai, Albert H. Schroeder
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Patent number: 4771982Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric valve device used in remotely operable applications. It comprises a valve body with a centrally placed slidable valve core. The core has an aperture for fluid passage and may be held in position by an electromagnet in the valve body. Windings are placed in one end of the valve body so that they encircle the slidable core and a spring is placed in the other end. To move the core, a DC current source is connected to the windings so that when they are energized a force is generated to move the core in a specific direction. The core is then held in this position by the contact between the electromagnet in the valve body and the valve core until the current in the magnetic windings is switched off, then the spring return to the core to its original, closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1987Date of Patent: September 20, 1988Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: James A. Bodine, Judson S. Kuehn, William H. Silcox
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Patent number: 4770389Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric valve device used in subsea applications. It comprises a valve body with a centrally placed slidable valve core. The core has an aperture for fluid passage and may be held in position by 2 permanent magnets in the valve body. Windings are placed in the valve body so that they encircle the slidable core. To move the core, a DC current source is attached to the windings so that when they are energized a force is generated to move the core in a specific direction. The core is then held in this position by the contact between the magnets in the valve body and the valve core until the polarity of the windings is switched and the valve is moved in the opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1986Date of Patent: September 13, 1988Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventors: James A. Bodine, Judson S. Kuehn, William H. Silcox
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Patent number: RE32866Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing fluids within a subterranean borehole wherein a submersible pump is introduced into the borehole at a first location. An intake port of the pump is connected to the first end of an intake duct having an unconnected second end located at a second location within the wellbore from which location fluid is to be withdrawn. An output port of the pump is connected to a first end of a second duct having an unconnected second end at a third location within the wellbore into which location fluid is to be introduced. By activating the pump, fluids, such as scale and corrosion inhibitors, are distributed from above the intake of a production pump to as low in the borehole as is required to protect wellbore contents.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1986Date of Patent: February 14, 1989Assignee: Chevron Research CompanyInventor: Don S. Cruise