Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Shlomo R. Frieman
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Patent number: 6255256Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about −30° C. (−22° F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1998Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 6159907Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 6110874Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 6107255Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 6034037Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1999Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of California,Inventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 6017854Abstract: Simplified drilling fluids (and other well bore fluids) contain a non-aqueous-base fluid and a viscosifying/fluid loss agent that meets certain performance criteria.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1997Date of Patent: January 25, 2000Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 5979556Abstract: A method for continuously acidizing a geological rock formation for at least 3 months comprising adding a dilute acid to a geothermal carrier fluid in a concentration less than 0.1 weight percent to produce an acidified fluid and continuously contacting the rock formation with the acidified fluid until the permeability of the formation is increased.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1996Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Darrell L. Gallup, Tim G. Rossknecht
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Patent number: 5965031Abstract: Sulfurous acid and/or sulfurous acid precursors, such as sulfur dioxide, are introduced into a hydrogen sulfide-containing geothermal brine or fluid prior to extracting energy from the resulting mixture by, e.g., passing the mixture through a flash vessel or a heat exchanger. The introduction of the sulfurous acid or its precursors into the geothermal brine or fluid inhibits scale formation and/or removes previously formed scale during processing of the brine or fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Kevin R. Kitz, Darrell L. Gallup
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Patent number: 5958845Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 90 weight percent total paraffins, (v) about 1 or less weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 volume percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1996Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 5957203Abstract: Cationic polymer-containing gels are stable at elevated temperatures in soft and hard waters.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1994Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Hoai T. Dovan, Burton B. Sandiford
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Patent number: 5879433Abstract: One or more contaminants selected from the group consisting of acidic gases, inert particulates, and mixtures thereof are removed from steam by contacting the contaminated steam with a nonaqueous sorbent such as crystalline molecular sieves, silica gels, soda ash, carbonaceous adsorbents, and amine liquid ion exchange resins.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Darrell L. Gallup, Thomas S. Powell
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Patent number: 5858245Abstract: A method for controlling fouling of a production or reinjection well, a flashing vessel or a heat-exchange surface exposed to a high-enthalpy geothermal brine that forms metal/silicon-containing scale comprises the addition of a metal complexing agent to the brine to form a fluid mixture containing a soluble metal/silicon component complex that inhibits the amount of scale formation when the temperature of the fluid mixture is reduced. The addition of a preferred metal complexing agent such as forms of EDTA, citric acid or acetic acid maintains dissolved aluminum species in the brine and inhibits the formation of aluminum silicate precipitate.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Darrell L. Gallup
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Patent number: 5788781Abstract: A method for cleaning oil-contaminated substrates employing a composition includes a diluent oil, a first surfactant having a HLB value of at least 10, and a second surfactant having a higher HLB value. The difference in the HLB values of the first and second surfactants is at least 3 and a mixture of the surfactants would have a HLB value of at least 11.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1997Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 5780407Abstract: Compositions comprising (a) a surfactant and (b) a diluent oil are employed in oil-based drilling fluids and processes for cleaning oil-contaminated substrates (e.g., oil-contaminated animals, drill cuttings) as well as in processes for cementing well casings, enhanced oil recovery, and lifting oil from wellbores.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 5762141Abstract: Cationic polymer-containing gels are stable at elevated temperatures in soft and hard waters.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1997Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Union Oil Company Of CaliforniaInventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Hoai T. Dovan, Burton B. Sandiford
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Patent number: 5723423Abstract: Compositions comprising (a) a surfactant and (b) a diluent oil are employed in oil-based drilling fluids and processes for cleaning oil-contaminated substrates (e.g., oil-contaminated animals, drill cuttings) as well as in processes for cementing well casings, enhanced oil recovery, and lifting oil from wellbores.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1996Date of Patent: March 3, 1998Assignee: Union Oil Company of California, dba UNOCALInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 5710111Abstract: Solids-free, essentially all-oil and invert emulsion wellbore fluids are employed in well drilling, completion, and workover operations. Techniques for remediating dense aromatic solvents wellbore fluids entail removal and/or dissolution of particulate matter.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 1994Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 5700763Abstract: Oil-base drilling fluids containing a non-sulfonated polymer and/or a non-organophilic clay maintain desirable rheological properties at elevated temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 5696058Abstract: A solids-free, essentially all-oil wellbore fluid comprises an organic fluid having (i) a melting point less than about 20.degree. C. (about 68.degree. F.), (ii) a flash point greater than about 54.4.degree. C. (about 130.degree. F.), and (iii) a dipole moment greater than 0 debye (D) and/or an aromatic solvent having a density at about 15.6.degree. C. (60.degree. F.) of at least about 0.9 g/ml (7.5 pounds per gallon (ppg)), a flash point of greater than about 54.4.degree. C. (130.degree. F.), a solubility in water at about 25.degree. C. (77.degree. F.) of less than about 1 weight percent, a solubility in benzene at about 25.degree. C. (77.degree. F.) of at least about 80 weight percent, and a pour point of less than about 15.6.degree. C. (60.degree. F.). Generally, a salt is dissolved in the organic fluid. The wellbore fluid is employed in well drilling, completion, and work-over operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke
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Patent number: 5635457Abstract: A non-toxic, inexpensive synthetic fluid for use in wellbore fluids (e.g., drilling fluids) is selected from the group consisting of (A) fluids having (I) a pour point greater than about -30.degree. C. (-22.degree. F.) and (II) a cetane index greater than 50, and comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 11 or more carbon atoms, (ii) greater than 5 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 18 or more carbon atoms, (iii) at least about 50 weight percent isoparaffins, (iv) at least about 80 weight percent total paraffins, (v) less than 10 weight percent naphthenics, (vi) less than 0.1 weight percent aromatics, and (vii) at least 2 hydrocarbons containing a consecutive number of carbon atoms, and (B) fluids comprising (i) at least about 95 weight percent hydrocarbons containing 10 or more carbon atoms and (ii) at least about 90 weight percent n-paraffins.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventor: Donald C. Van Slyke