Patents Assigned to ACT Operating Company
  • Patent number: 8469099
    Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous oxidizing solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, the aqueous oxidizing agent solution is pumped into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: ACT Operating Company
    Inventor: Marshall Charles Watson
  • Patent number: 8074744
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a lateral channel in a subterranean formation using a flexible hose with a waterjet that may be directed down a well casing and into a waterjet guide. The waterjet guide has a diverter assembly configured to receive and divert the flexible hose in a shortened radius. The diverter assembly includes an inlet curvature and a pivot curvature, where the pivot curvature pivots between stowed and deployed configurations in response to forces provided through a mandrel assembly communicably coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ACT Operating Company
    Inventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Joseph Straeter
  • Publication number: 20100282471
    Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous oxidizing solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, the aqueous oxidizing agent solution is pumped into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: ACT OPERATING COMPANY
    Inventor: Marshall Charles Watson
  • Patent number: 7770647
    Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, a base solution is injected into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: ACT Operating Company
    Inventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Donald W. Raymond
  • Publication number: 20100181113
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a lateral channel in a subterranean formation using a flexible hose with a waterjet that may be directed down a well casing and into a waterjet guide. The waterjet guide has a diverter assembly configured to receive and divert the flexible hose in a shortened radius. The diverter assembly includes an inlet curvature and a pivot curvature, where the pivot curvature pivots between stowed and deployed configurations in response to forces provided through a mandrel assembly communicably coupled thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: ACT OPERATING COMPANY
    Inventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Joseph Straeter
  • Publication number: 20100101795
    Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, a base solution is injected into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: ACT OPERATING COMPANY
    Inventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Donald W. Raymond
  • Patent number: 7690444
    Abstract: A method of completing a lateral channel in a coal seam using a flexible hose with a waterjet that may be directed down a well casing and into a guide shoe. The guide shoe defines a window configured to open into the coal seam and allow the waterjet to engage the coal seam in a substantially horizontal direction. High pressure fluid is then pumped into the waterjet to make a lateral channel therein, and the flexible hose is rigid enough to allow an operator to manually-move the flexible hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: ACT Operating Company
    Inventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Donald W. Raymond