Patents Assigned to CARBO Ceramics Inc.
  • Patent number: 12091944
    Abstract: A gravel pack containing a substrate particle coated with an inducibly degradable and a porous particle having an internal interconnected porosity that is at least partially infused with an inducer material for dissolving of a layer of filter cake disposed between the gravel pack and a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Terrence Palisch, Joshua Leasure, Todd Roper, Nicolas Lopez
  • Patent number: 12037895
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for evaluating a gravel pack, a frac-pack, or cement in a wellbore. In at least one embodiment, a method for evaluating a gravel pack, frac-pack or cement in a wellbore, includes pumping a first material into the wellbore, wherein the first material comprises a first tracer that is not radioactive. The method includes pumping a second material into the wellbore, wherein the second material comprises a second tracer that is not radioactive. The method includes obtaining a set of data using the downhole tool in the wellbore after the first and second materials are pumped into the wellbore. The method includes obtaining a baseline using the downhole tool in the wellbore in a depth interval without the first or second material. The method includes comparing the set of data with the baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12037894
    Abstract: A method for evaluating induced fractures in a wellbore includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole tool. The method also includes pumping a first proppant into the wellbore after the first set of data is obtained. The first proppant includes a first tracer that is not radioactive. The method also includes pumping a second proppant into the wellbore. The second proppant includes a second tracer that is not radioactive. The second tracer is different than the first tracer. The first proppant and the second proppant flow into fractures in the wellbore. The method also includes obtaining a second set of data in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the first and second proppants are pumped into the wellbore. The method also includes comparing the first and second sets of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12037545
    Abstract: A composition and method for hydraulically fracturing an oil or gas well to improve the production rates and ultimate recovery using a porous ceramic proppant infused with a chemical treatment agent is provided. The chemical treatment agent may be a tracer material that provides diagnostic information about the production performance of a hydraulic fracture stimulation by the use of distinguishable both water soluble and hydrocarbon soluble tracers. The tracer can be a biological marker, such as DNA. The porous ceramic proppant can be coated with a polymer which provides for controlled release of the chemical treatment agent into a fracture or well bore area over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Mark Conner, Chad Cannan, Daniel Cady, Joshua Leasure, Thu Lieng, Todd Roper, Peter A. Read
  • Patent number: 12031089
    Abstract: Ceramic foundry media is provided. The ceramic foundry media have a size of about 80 mesh to about 10 mesh, an average largest pore size of less than about 20 microns, and a surface roughness of less than about 4 microns. The ceramic foundry media are formed by drip casting. A slurry of finely divided particles is flowed through nozzles and formed into droplets under the influence of vibration. Uniform sized, smooth surface, spherical green particles are formed. The green particles are dried and sintered to form the foundry media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Howe, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper
  • Patent number: 11994015
    Abstract: Methods for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation to improve the production rates and ultimate recovery by contacting unconsolidated resin-coated proppant particulates residing in a propped fracture with a reactive crosslinker in order to form a consolidated proppant pack are described. Additionally, methods for use in water injection wells to consolidate the resin-coated proppant particulates in a gravel packed or frac packed region of a wellbore are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Chad Cannan, Thu Lieng, Daryl Johnson, Mark Conner
  • Patent number: 11970429
    Abstract: A composite particle is described herein. The composite particle can contain a seed particle of an agricultural treatment material and a shell disposed on the seed particle, wherein the shell comprises a clay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Keith Hogan, Steve Canova, David Osby
  • Publication number: 20240110471
    Abstract: A method for evaluating induced fractures in a wellbore includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole logging tool. A first proppant is pumped into the wellbore, after the first set of data is captured. The first proppant includes a first tracer that is not radioactive. A second proppant is also pumped into the wellbore, after the first proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The second proppant includes a second tracer that is not radioactive, and the second tracer is different than the first tracer. A second set of data is obtained in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the first and second proppants are pumped into the wellbore. The first and second sets of data are compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy ZHANG, Harry D. SMITH, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11945024
    Abstract: A mullite shell mold for casting includes a facecoat layer containing ceramic flour. The mullite shell mold also includes a first layer disposed on the facecoat layer. The first layer can contain sintered ceramic media. The facecoat layer and the first layer can each contain less than 1 wt % crystalline silica.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Ray Janson, Ryan Canfield
  • Patent number: 11787994
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to material for use in oil and gas well completion activities. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to diversion particles, along with methods for making and using the diversion particles. In an embodiment, a composite diversion material includes a non-degradable component comprising two or more non-degradable particulates, wherein the non-degradable particulates have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 20 D. The composite diversion material includes a degradable component surrounding at least a portion of the non-degradable component. In another embodiment, a method of making a composite diversion material includes mixing non-degradable proppant particles with an aqueous solution containing a first degradable material to provide a mixture having a proppant concentration of at least about 20 volume percent. The method includes drying the mixture at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 200° C. to provide the composite diversion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Thu Lieng, Todd Roper, Olatunji Orekha
  • Patent number: 11781412
    Abstract: A method for evaluating induced fractures in a wellbore includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole logging tool. A first proppant is pumped into the wellbore, after the first set of data is captured. The first proppant includes a first tracer that is not radioactive. A second proppant is also pumped into the wellbore, after the first proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The second proppant includes a second tracer that is not radioactive, and the second tracer is different than the first tracer. A second set of data is obtained in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the first and second proppants are pumped into the wellbore. The first and second sets of data are compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11768013
    Abstract: Ceramic particles for use in a solar power tower and methods for making and using the ceramic particles are disclosed. The ceramic particle can include a sintered ceramic material formed from a mixture of a raw material and MnO. The sintered ceramic material can include about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % MnO, about 0.1 wt % to about 20 wt % Fe2O3, and about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt % Mn2O3. The ceramic particle can have a size from about 8 mesh to about 170 mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Claude Krause, Benjamin Eldred, Steve Canova
  • Patent number: 11739260
    Abstract: Proppant compositions and methods for using same are disclosed herein. In particular, a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed herein. The proppant composition can contain a plurality of particulates and at least one particulate of the plurality of particulates containing a chemical treatment agent. The at least one particulate having a long term permeability measured in accordance with ISO 13503-5 at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D. The at least one chemical treatment agent can separate from the at least one particulate when located inside a fracture of a subterranean formation after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Mark Conner, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper, Joshua Leasure, Thu Lieng, Daniel Cady, Peter A. Read
  • Patent number: 11673836
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides processes for forming angular ceramic particles. In at least one embodiment, a process for forming angular ceramic particles includes providing a slurry having a ceramic raw material having alumina. The process includes atomizing the slurry into droplets and coating seeds comprising alumina with the droplets to form green pellets. The process includes sintering the green pellets to form sintered pellets. The process includes breaking the sintered pellets to form the angular ceramic particles comprising a sintered ceramic material. The angular ceramic particles can have an abrasion loss that is less than that of angular ceramic particles formed by crushing the green pellets prior to sintering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Steve Canova
  • Patent number: 11649718
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for evaluating a gravel pack, a frac-pack, or cement in a wellbore. In at least one embodiment, a method for evaluating a gravel pack, frac-pack or cement in a wellbore, includes pumping a first material into the wellbore, wherein the first material comprises a first tracer that is not radioactive. The method includes pumping a second material into the wellbore, wherein the second material comprises a second tracer that is not radioactive. The method includes obtaining a set of data using the downhole tool in the wellbore after the first and second materials are pumped into the wellbore. The method includes obtaining a baseline using the downhole tool in the wellbore in a depth interval without the first or second material. The method includes comparing the set of data with the baseline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11624023
    Abstract: Catalyst particles and methods for making same are disclosed herein. The catalyst particles can include a ceramic support containing silica and alumina. The ceramic support can have a macropore concentration of about 15% to about 45%, a mesopore concentration of about 20% to 50%, and a micropore concentration of about 8% to about 30% based on the total pore volume of the ceramic support. The ceramic support can also have a surface area of about 0.5 m2/g to about 50 m2/g. The catalyst particles can have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D in accordance with ISO 13503-5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Steve Savoy, Daniel R. Mitchell, Byron Zollars, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper
  • Patent number: 11613989
    Abstract: A method for evaluating induced fractures in a wellbore includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole tool. The method also includes pumping a first proppant into the wellbore after the first set of data is obtained. The first proppant includes a first tracer that is not radioactive. The method also includes pumping a second proppant into the wellbore. The second proppant includes a second tracer that is not radioactive. The second tracer is different than the first tracer. The first proppant and the second proppant flow into fractures in the wellbore. The method also includes obtaining a second set of data in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the first and second proppants are pumped into the wellbore. The method also includes comparing the first and second sets of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy Zhang, Harry D. Smith, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11597872
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a micromesh proppant for use in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells. In one embodiment, a process for forming proppant particles includes providing a slurry comprising a ceramic raw material containing alumina, atomizing the slurry into droplets, coating seeds comprising alumina with the droplets to form green pellets, sintering the green pellets to form sintered pellets, and breaking the sintered pellets to form proppant particles comprising a sintered ceramic material and having a size of from about 150 mesh to about 500 mesh and a crush strength at 7,500 psi of from about 1% to about 20%. In one embodiment, a proppant particle includes a sintered ceramic material and having a size of from about 150 mesh to about 500 mesh and a crush strength at 7,500 psi of from about 1% to about 20%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Don Conkle
  • Patent number: 11591903
    Abstract: A method for determining a location of a proppant in a subterranean formation includes obtaining a first set of data in a wellbore using a downhole tool. The proppant is pumped into the wellbore after the first set of data is obtained. The proppant is pumped while or after the subterranean formation is fractured. A second set of data is obtained in the wellbore using the downhole tool after the proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The first set of data and the second set of data include a gravitational field measurement. The first and second sets of data are compared, and in response to the comparison, the location of the proppant in the subterranean formation is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventor: Souvik Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 11590469
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Minjung Cho, Todd Roper, Thu Lieng