Patents Assigned to Conoco
  • Composition and placement process for oil field chemicals
    Patent number: 4986354
    Abstract: Oil field chemicals are incorporated in microcapsules of the condensation product of hydroxyacetic acid or the co-condensation product of hydroxyacetic acid and other compounds containing hydroxy-, carboxylic acid-, or hydroxycarboxylic acid moieties. The microcapsules are then introduced into an oil well bore and/or subterranean oil formation where the microcapsules dissolve over a period of time and release the oil field chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignees: Conoco Inc., E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Lisa A. Cantu, Marvin E. Yost
  • Cyclone separator
    Patent number: 4983283
    Abstract: A cyclone separator comprising an elongated separating chamber having a longitudinal axis of symmetry between opposite first and second ends, the separator including at least one feed inlet (3) adjacent the first end and at least two outlets (4), (5), the cyclone separator being characterized by the provision of control means (12) which is adapted to vary the cross-sectional dimension of the or one or more of the feed inlets (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Conoco Specialty Products Inc.
    Inventor: Mark I. Grey
  • Use of ultrasonic energy to decrease the gel strength of waxy crude oil
    Patent number: 4982756
    Abstract: Ultrasonic energy is applied to a combination of waxy crude oil and a solution of polymeric wax crystal modifier to effect dissolution of the modifier in the crude oil, thereby reducing the gel strength of the crude oil. The ultrasonic energy may be applied to the waxy crude oil to lower the gel strength of the wax crystals prior to addition of the solution of wax crystal modifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Scribner
  • Recirculating gas separator for electric submersible pumps
    Patent number: 4981175
    Abstract: A recirculating gas separator for a submersible well pump includes a rotary gas separator for separating liquid to be directed to the pump from a gas. The separator includes a separating chamber, a well fluid inlet upstream of the separating chamber, and a liquid discharge outlet downstream of the separating chamber. A recirculating system recirculates a portion of the liquid discharged from the discharge outlet back to the separating chamber so that a gas-to-liquid ratio in the separator is substantially lower than a gas-to-liquid ratio of well fluid entering the well fluid inlet. Thus, the submersible well pump with the recirculating gas separator can successfully pump wells having substantially higher gas-to-liquid ratios than can be accomplished with prior devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Conoco Inc
    Inventor: Maston L. Powers
  • Cyclone separator with enlarged underflow section
    Patent number: 4980064
    Abstract: A cyclone separator with an inlet and two outlets for separating oil and water from an oil-water mixture wherein the separation chamber has a large diameter inlet end and a smaller diameter underflow outlet end. The overflow is arranged as an axial outlet at the inlet end of the chamber. The underflow outlet end is provided with a cone shaped portion of increasing diameter in the direction of flow and a choke portion downstream of the cone shaped portion, the choke having a reducing diameter configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Specialty Products Inc.
    Inventor: Noel Carroll
  • Common offset depth migration with residual moveout correction
    Patent number: 4980866
    Abstract: In applying residual movement correction to common offset depth migrated data, common offset depth migration is applied using the best available velocity/depth model. Post migrated parts, which are depth migrated common midpoint gathers, are saved. The post migrated parts are treated as if they were in time not depth. Normal movement based on a constant velocity is removed. Velocity functions time-velocity pairs, are derived for the post migrated parts with normal movement removed using a standard velocity analysis program. Normal moveout based on these velocity functions is applied. The events on the post migrated parts ae not imaged to the same depth. The corrected post migrated parts are then stacked and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Shein S. Wang, Thomas D. Cavanaugh, Douglas W. Hanson
  • Process for producing terpolymers of alkyl acrylates or methacrylates, an olefinically unsaturated homo or heterocyclic-nitrogen compound and an allyl acrylate or methacrylate or perfluoroalkyl ethyl acrylates or methacrylates
    Patent number: 4980435
    Abstract: Terpolymers having enhanced pour point depressant properties are disclosed which comprise (1) an alkyl ester of unsaturated monocarboxlic acid, (2) an olefinically unsatured homo or heterocyclic-nitrogen compound, and (3) an allyl acrylate or methacrylate or a perfluoroalkyl ethyl acrylate or methacrylate. A process for preparing the terpolymers is additionally disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Hanh T. Le
  • Cyclone separator
    Patent number: 4976872
    Abstract: A cyclone separator for separating a denser liquid component from a less dense liquid component of a multi-phase liquid mixture wherein one phase is in the form of drops dispersed in the other phase, the separator having an elongated, unobstructed separating chamber with a longitudinal axis of symmetry between opposite first and second ends and including at least one feed inlet adjacent the first end and at least one outlet. The inlet is characterized by the provision of a control means for varying the cross-sectional dimension of the feed inlet. Means are provided for determining the concentrations of at least one of the phases in the mixture, and the control means is operated in response to the determination of phase concentration to vary the cross-sectional area of the feed inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Specialty Products Inc.
    Inventor: Mark I. Grey
  • Method for selective plugging of a zone in a well
    Patent number: 4972906
    Abstract: A mixture of a liquid epoxy material and a hardener is selectively placed in a well traversing a subterranean formation adjacent to a zone in said formation which is to be plugged. The mixture is displaced into the zone and allowed to harden, thereby plugging the zone. The process is particularly applicable to sealing off water production in a gravel-packed well. A positive displacement bailer may be effectively used to deliver the mixture to the zone. The epoxy material used is immiscible with and is heavier than the fluid in the well. The epoxy material is further characterized as being essentially free of solids and having a low viscosity at downhole conditions of temperature and pressure. The hardener has an activation temperature which is lower than the downhole formation temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. McDaniel
  • Reactivation of spent alkanolamine
    Patent number: 4970344
    Abstract: Aqueous alkanolamine solution containing alkali metal salts of anions which form heat stable salts with such alkanolamine is reactivated by contacting the solution sequentially with a basic anion exchange resin to remove such anions and an acidic cation ion exchange resin to remove alkali metal ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Cyclone separator
    Patent number: 4966703
    Abstract: Cyclone separator having an elongate tapered separating chamber (25) with an axial overflow outlet (34) at the larger diameter end (10a) and an underflow outlet (23) at the smaller diameter end (10b). Inlet to the separating chamber is provided via an axially extending duct (70) which joins the separating chamber at its larger diameter end. The duct is of annular configuration and has a helical flight (90) positioned therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Specialty Products Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Kalnins, Phillip C. Tuckett, Soren R. Z. Hansen
  • Process for producing hot melt wax compositions
    Patent number: 4965306
    Abstract: Hot melt wax compositions and a process for producing said hot melt wax compositions are disclosed. The wax compositions are suitable for coating fibrous materials, for example, paper and corrugated paper boards. The coating compositions comprise a mixture of a fully refined paraffin wax, a petroleum wax selected from the group consisting of a recrystallized heavy intermediate wax, a microcrystalline wax and mixtures thereof, a polymeric hydrocarbon compound, a tackifier resin and optionally, a phenolic anti-oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Jones
  • Hot melt coatings made from a novel petroleum wax
    Patent number: 4965305
    Abstract: A hot melt wax composition and process for producing said hot melt wax composition are disclosed. The wax compositions are suitable for coating fibrous materials, for example, paper and corrugated paper boards. The coating compositions comprise a blend of a recrystallized heavy intermediate wax, a polymeric hydrocarbon compound, a tackifier resin and a phenolic anti-oxidant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Richard L. Jones
  • Mass flowmeter apparatus
    Patent number: 4962666
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for a liquid mass non-venting flowmeter. The flowmeter apparatus gives correct flow regardless of changes in density, viscosity, or composition of the liquid and corrects flow in spite of errors common in currently used flowmeters, such as calibration shifts, restricted orifices and/or bearing drag and blade wear of turbine meters. The non-venting characteristic allows use with toxic and corrosive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Billy R. Adney, Charles W. Alworth, John B. Durkee, Bryce T. Jeffries
  • Three dimensional image construction using a grid of two dimensional depth sections
    Patent number: 4964097
    Abstract: A method for generating a three dimensional velocity model makes use of two dimensional depth images, which are the result of two dimensional pre-stack depth migration, and corrects the out of plane distortion by ray tracing through a three dimensional model. The three dimensional model boundaries are iterated until the three dimensional effects are minimized. The final model can be used for a final three dimensional pre-stack depth migration, or as a three dimensional interpretation of all the two dimensional depth migration results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Shein S. Wang, Douglas W. Hanson, Thomas D. Cavanaugh
  • Three dimensional before stack depth migration of two dimensional or three dimensional seismic data
    Patent number: 4964103
    Abstract: The present invention provides a three dimensional before stack depth migration of two dimensional or three dimensional seismic data. Ray tracing is used to move before stack trace segments to their approximate three dimensional position. The trace segments are scaled to depth, binned, stacked and compared to the model. The model can then be changed to match the depth trace segments which will be stacked better, moved closer to their correct three dimensional position and will compare better to the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: James H. Johnson
  • Method for derivation of internal velocities from post-migration parts
    Patent number: 4964089
    Abstract: A method for derivation of interval velocities from post-migration parts first includes the step of determining the apparent depth and slope of an event. The apparatus depth of an event is measured. The travel time of the recorded reflection for a particular offset is determined by ray-tracing through the old model and recorded. A trial velocity is assigned to the layer between events in the new model. The depth of the reflector is varied up or down until the computed travel time agrees with the measured travel time, keeping the source/receiver separation constant. A new velocity for the layer between reflectors is selected for which the depths at each offset are the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Shein S. Wang, Douglas W. Hanson, Thomas D. Cavanaugh
  • Method for tomographically laterally varying seismic data velocity estimation
    Patent number: 4964088
    Abstract: A process for tomographic development of seismic section data having known source and receiver positions. The process employs forward modeling to estimate travel times of the rays through the earth medium. The medium is assigned a cellular constitution and ray tracking proceeds through individual cell analysis within a two dimensional neighborhood to join a series of individual cell velocity values, e.g. the velocity values at the cell corners. Ray tracing proceeds utilizing derived expressions for position, orientation, and travel time of the ray in the cell as a function of cell dimensions, initial ray position, ray orientation, and the neighborhood velocity values. A travel time equation is then derived and used to construct a model parameter estimation and finalized estimated data output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Chittibabu Chittineni
  • Apparatus for generating elliptically polarized shear waves
    Patent number: 4959818
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a controlled parameter elliptically polarized shear wave into an earth medium. The apparatus consists of a baseplate for engagement with the earth medium in omni-directionally resistant manner and a reaction mass and actuator assembly affixed thereto and energizable to impart reciprocal lateral forces to the baseplate that exert a predetermined resultant force at a controlled rate of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventor: Jack H. Cole
  • Binder pitch and method of preparation
    Patent number: 4959139
    Abstract: Binder pitch is prepared by combining a petroleum aromatic mineral oil thermal tar and super finely subdivided calcined premium coke particles. The petroleum aromatic mineral oil thermal tar is obtained by hydrotreating, thermally cracking and vacuum distilling an aromatic mineral oil. Additionally, the aromatic mineral oil thermal tar may be subjected to heat soaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Dave L. Blakeburn, II, Ta-Wei Fu, Keith M. Roussel