Patents Represented by Attorney Salvatore J. Casamassima
  • Patent number: 4160482
    Abstract: A method for sequential treatment of formation strats when treating fluid is pumped into a well at a matrix rate by temporarily closing perforations in the well casing. The perforations are closed by ball sealers injected into the wall during the treatment. The ball sealers are sized to plug the perforations and have a density less than the density of the treating fluid. The treating fluid is injected at a rate which transports the ball sealers to the perforations but which is sufficiently low to prevent formation fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1979
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Steven R. Erbstoesser, Thomas W. Muecke, Claude E. Cooke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4142770
    Abstract: A subsea wet electrical connector capable of repeated mating and unmating underwater at great depths and capable of operating under conditions of continuous and simultaneous high amperages and high voltages up to 35,000 volts while mated. The connector employs cylindrical pin contacts in the male plug and a dummy piston and cylinder mechanisms in the female receptacle to protect the female contact prior to mating. Dielectric insulating blocks, preferably machined from polycarbonate, and a dielectric insulating fluid provide the electrical insulation for the conductive components of both the male plug and female receptacle. Passageways within the dielectric block of the female receptacle permit flow of dielectric fluid through the cylinder of the female receptacle during mating and allow convective circulation of the dielectric fluid through the cylinder to dissipate heat from the vicinity of the electrical conductors and solid insulating blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Alfred Y. Butler, Jr., Harold W. Clemons
  • Patent number: 4126336
    Abstract: A multiline fluid swivel comprises a plurality of vertically mounted modules, each module containing a shaft and a housing which circumferentially surrounds the shaft. A conduit within the shaft and a manifold within the housing provide a continuous fluid path through each module. Completing the fluid paths of the modules are fluid lines entering the base of each shaft and entering ports located on each housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1978
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: John E. Ortloff, Anthony J. Masciopinto, Kerry G. Kirkland
  • Patent number: 4123354
    Abstract: Suspended droplets of oil are removed from a waste water stream by the method of the present invention. The oil and water mixture is injected into a partially submerged, vertical pipe and is contacted by an endless oleophilic, fibrous cord which is drawn through the pipe and which selectively removes the oil droplets from the waste water. Preferably, the fibrous cord is drawn upwardly through the pipe in a direction counter-current to the flow of the waste water. Oil which coalesces on the fibrous cord is squeezed from the cord at the surface while clarified waste water is discharged from the lower end of the pipe. If used to clarify waste water from an offshore rig the pipe is vertically positioned adjacent the rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Robert E. Williams
  • Patent number: 4120166
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the location and set of a cement slurry within a support member of an offshore structure is disclosed. The location and setting properties of the cement are determined by monitoring the electrical resistivity of the fluid within the support member. Preferably, a plurality of electrical probes mounted along the length of the support member can be used to measure the electrical resistivity of fluid within the member. Normally, the presence of cement would be indicated by an abrupt change of resistivity as the cement displaces the original fluid (air or sea water) present in the support member. Resistivity of the cement slurry will also change gradually as the cement sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Fred A. Brooks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4099583
    Abstract: An improved offshore drilling method and apparatus are disclosed which are useful in preventing formation fracture caused by excessive hydrostatic pressure in a drilling riser. Gas is injected into the riser to provide the lift necessary to return the drilling fluid to the surface and to reduce the density of the drilling fluid. The rate of gas injection overlifts the drilling fluid to the extent that the pressure of the fluid is reduced to less than that of the seawater surrounding the riser. Seawater is permitted to flow into the lower end of the riser in response to the differential pressure between the drilling fluid and seawater so that the pressures of the drilling fluid and the seawater approximately equalize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Leo Donald Maus
  • Patent number: 4091881
    Abstract: An improved offshore drilling method and apparatus are disclosed which are particularly useful in preventing formation fracture caused by excessive hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid in a drilling riser. One or more flow lines are used to withdraw drilling fluid from the upper portion of the riser pipe. Gas injected into the flow lines substantially reduces the density of the drilling fluid and provides the lift necessary to return the drilling fluid to the surface. The rate of gas injection and drilling fluid withdrawal can be controlled to maintain the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid remaining in the riser and wellbore below the fracture pressure of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Leo Donald Maus
  • Patent number: 4090395
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for testing the pressure integrity of blowout preventers and wellhead casing hanger seals. An annular pressure chamber between the blowout preventer and wellhead casing hanger is formed by closing the blowout preventer on a tubular member having a test plug which seats within and sealingly engages the casing hanger. Pressure sensing means disposed along the length of the tubular member are used to monitor pressure above, below and within the annular chamber. Pressure changes detected by the sensing means are indicative of leakage across the blowout preventer or wellhead casing seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1978
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: William P. Dixon, Thomas C. Caldwell, William T. Ilfrey
  • Patent number: 4068718
    Abstract: An improved method of fracturing a subterranean formation wherein particles composed of sintered bauxite are placed in the formation fracture to maintain the walls of the fracture spaced apart. The sintered bauxite particles have a specific gravity greater than 3.4 and are prepared from bauxite material having a grain size of about 12 microns or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Claude E. Cooke, Jr., Walter A. Hedden, William C. Chard
  • Patent number: 4063602
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for offshore drilling is described which is particularly useful for drilling in deep water from a floating surface vessel. Drilling fluid is introduced into a drill string extending from the vessel into a wellbore in the floor of the body of water. In order to maintain a controlled hydrostatic pressure within the riser, drilling fluids are diverted from the lower end of the riser and are either discharged into the body of water or pumped to the surface through a return conduit adjacent the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: James Damron Howell, Robert William Beck, George Hayden Bruce, John David McLain
  • Patent number: 4048943
    Abstract: An offshore structure, adapted for operation in an ice infested arctic environment, includes a floating caisson that can be actively heaved in the water to break ice. The caisson comprises a radially tapered upper portion, preferably conically shaped. Means for vertically moving the caisson are provided so that the upper portion of the caisson can obliquely contact ice sheets and other ice masses with sufficient dynamic force to pierce and break the ice. A plurality of mooring lines anchored to the sea floor are attached to the caisson to secure its position in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Ben G. Gerwick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4049239
    Abstract: An apparatus for limiting the tension to which a suspended member can be subjected is disclosed. The apparatus responds to excessive tensile stress by increasing in length at a rate to keep such stress from exceeding a predetermined level. The present invention includes a closed cylinder with a piston disposed therein. Connected to the piston is a piston rod which extends through an opening in one end of the cylinder. The cylinder and piston rod are adapted to connect with a suspended member and a hoisting means. A bypass conduit connects the cylinder chambers by extending from one side of the piston to the other. In the conduit, there is a flow control regulator which actuates when the pressure on one side of the piston reaches a predetermined level, corresponding to a proportional tensile stress, permitting fluid to flow through the conduit in such a volume that the pressure on that side of the piston is maintained at the predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: James D. Howell
  • Patent number: 4046301
    Abstract: A metal sleeve having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and having first and second inner surfaces tapering outwardly longitudinally from at least adjacent the center thereof is formed to provide equal angles with abutting ends of two hollow cylindrical members such as pipe; the center inner surface of the sleeve is formed to contact abutting ends of the two hollow cylindrical members at least adjacent the ends thereof. The sleeve has a high explosive mass placed circumferentially thereon and is formed of a circumferential body having a greater thickness at least adjacent the center of the mass than at its ends such that on detonation maximum explosive impact is exerted inwardly toward said sleeve to weld the abutting ends together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Wittman, William G. Howell
  • Patent number: 4046191
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus used for offshore drilling operations is disclosed which is particularly useful in those operations where a floating vessel or drilling platform is situated at the surface of a body of water with a riser assembly extending between the platform and the well and a blowout preventer assembly is positioned therebetween near the lower end of the riser assembly. In the practice of this invention at least one fluid bypass conduit provides a path for high pressure fluid to flow from the wall at a point below at least one of the blowout preventers to the riser assembly at a point below the surface of the water and above the blowout preventer assembly. A means in each of said bypass conduits controls the flow of fluid through the conduit to regulate the fluid pressure in the well when the blowout preventers are in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Robert Arthur Neath
  • Patent number: 4046197
    Abstract: A well completion and workover method wherein a subterranean formation is contacted with a high density, nondamaging treating fluid which comprises a saturated, aqueous solution having finely divided particles of a water soluble salt suspended therein. The saturated aqueous saline solution should have a density of at least about 1.2 g/cc and the suspended salt particles should be present in sufficient quantities to substantially increase the overall density of the treating solution. The preferred fluid comprises a suspension of pulverized sodium chloride in a saturated calcium chloride solution. Dispersants and viscosifiers can be added in minor amounts to help maintain the salt particles in suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Clay Gruesbeck, Jr., Walter L. Penberthy, Jr., Thomas W. Muecke
  • Patent number: 4046198
    Abstract: The annular passage defined by the interior of a perforated liner and the exterior of a stinger pipe extending through the liner is substantially restricted so that the resistance to flow in the annular passage is increased sufficiently to maintain high fluid flow velocity outside the liner during gravel packing. The increased flow velocity prevents the premature settling of gravel and stabilizes the formation of gravel dunes in the wellbore annulus, thereby significantly increasing gravel packing efficiency in inclined wells. The proper flow restriction can be obtained using a wide diameter stinger pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Clay Gruesbeck, William M. Salathiel, Thomas W. Muecke, Claude E. Cooke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4038093
    Abstract: A cement composition suitable for cementing high temperature wells comprises dry cement grains coated with a tenacious film of a crosslinked hydroxyalkyl cellulose. The film resists high temperature hydrolysis and is effective to retard the setting of the cement in high temperature environments. The method of preparing the composition involves coating the dry cement grains, preferably by a microencapsulation process, with the crosslinked hydroxyalkyl cellulose film. The cement composition is particularly useful in cementing pipe strings in wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Fred A. Brooks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4018285
    Abstract: A method of controlling the migration of fines in a subterranean formation comprising contacting the formation with a dilute resin solution; displacing the resin solution into the formation, preferably with an overflush oil, so as to leave behind a thin film of resin solution; extracting the diluent present in the resin, and then curing the resin to an infusible state. The preferred resin is a one-step phenolic type resin which cures at formation temperatures and which should comprise from about 5 to about 30 weight percent of the resin solution and preferably about 10 to 20 weight percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Larry A. Watkins, John W. Graham, William M. Salathiel
  • Patent number: 4018282
    Abstract: A perforated liner is sealed at longitudinally spaced intervals with a removable sealant. The partially sealed liner maintains sufficiently high fluid flow velocity outside the liner during gravel packing so as to prevent the formation of gravel dunes. After packing is completed, the sealant is removed permitting the passage of fluids through the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: John W. Graham, William M. Salathiel, Clay Gruesbeck, Thomas W. Muecke
  • Patent number: 4018283
    Abstract: The perforations of a tubular pipe are sealed with a selectively removable plugging material. The pipe is then wire wrapped to form a well screen. The annular passage defined by the pipe and wire wrapping is restricted enough so that the flow resistance in the annular passage is sufficient to maintain high fluid flow velocity outside the well screen during gravel packing so as to prevent the formation of gravel dunes. After gravel packing is completed, the plugging material is removed, permitting the passage of fluids through the well screen and pipe mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventor: Larry A. Watkins