Patents Assigned to Oxane Materials, Inc.
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Publication number: 20150284626Abstract: The present invention relates to a plurality of proppants, wherein at least a portion of the proppants are immobile proppants and are immobile in a proppant pack. The proppants, pre-aggregated proppants, immobile proppants, or any combination thereof can be used for fracking of a well for hydrocarbon recovery. A method of producing, immobilizing, localizing, or any combination thereof a plurality of proppants is provided by the present invention. The present invention also provides a method of immobilizing proppants including flowing a plurality of proppants into a subterranean location, and fusing the plurality of proppants to each other, to a subterranean surface, or a combination thereof to immobilize the plurality of proppants. The fusing can be accomplished using a chemical reaction, physical interaction, cross-linking, polymerization, microwave sintering, surface diffusion, magnetism, colloid destabilization, mechanical entanglement, interlocking, in-situ dimpling, or any combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2013Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Christopher E. Coker, Steven Florio
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Patent number: 8916505Abstract: A cordierite material having an increased ?-cordierite phase and a reduced ?-cordierite phase is described. Methods of making the cordierite material are further described, and a proppant containing the cordierite is further described, as well as use of the proppant.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventor: Robert D. Skala
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Publication number: 20140318778Abstract: Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation are described wherein sintered ceramic proppants are used in at least two different stages. Each stage can utilize the same or a different type of proppant relative to one or more of the other stages, and the same or a different type of fracturing fluid relative to one or more of the other stages. At least one of the stages uses a proppant having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower. A first stage can be used that exhibits at least one proppant performance property having a first value. A second stage can be used that exhibits the same proppant performance property as the first stage but at a value that differs from the first value by at least 10%.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Skala, Christopher Y. Fang, Christopher E. Coker
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Publication number: 20140290349Abstract: Methods to classify a proppant with respect to functional performance is described and includes measuring a coefficient of restitution for the proppant. Methods to select a proppant, methods to design a proppant, methods to predict proppant performance in a subterranean formation, and methods for providing product specifications for proppants are also described as well as other uses.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Steven Florio, Christopher E. Coker
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Publication number: 20140249058Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight high strength microsphere containing ceramic particles having controlled microsphere placement and/or size and microsphere morphology, which produces an improved balance of specific gravity and crush strength such that they can be used in applications such as proppants to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more microsphere containing ceramic particles of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the microsphere containing ceramic particles of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the microsphere containing ceramic particles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Shanghua Wu, Yuming Xie, Christopher E. Coker, Dilip Chatterjee
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Patent number: 8728991Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight high strength microsphere containing ceramic particles having controlled microsphere placement and/or size and microsphere morphology, which produces an improved balance of specific gravity and crush strength such that they can be used in applications such as proppants to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more microsphere containing ceramic particles of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the microsphere containing ceramic particles of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the microsphere containing ceramic particles.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Shanghua Wu, Yuming Xie, Christopher E. Coker, Dilip Chatterjee
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Publication number: 20140038859Abstract: Synthetic ceramic proppants are described. Proppants having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower are also described, including methods to make these proppants and methods of using these proppants.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Skala, Christopher Y. Fang, Christopher E. Coker
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Publication number: 20140038860Abstract: Synthetic ceramic proppants are described. Proppants having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower are also described, including methods to make these proppants and methods of using these proppants.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Skala, Christopher Y. Fang, Christopher E. Coker
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Patent number: 8603578Abstract: The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Russell James Smith, John R. Loscutova, Elizabeth A. Whitsitt, Christopher E. Coker, Andrew R. Barron, Mark Wiesner, Stephen A. Costantino, Rajendra K. Bordia
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Publication number: 20130244914Abstract: Methods are described to make strong, tough, and lightweight whisker-reinforced glass-ceramic composites through a self-toughening structure generated by viscous reaction sintering of a complex mixture of oxides. The invention further relates to strong, tough, and lightweight glass-ceramic composites that can be used as proppants and for other uses.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: OXANE MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Shanghua Wu, Jody Pham, Yuming Xie, Dilip K. Chatterjee, Andrew Miiller, Christopher E. Coker
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Publication number: 20130206408Abstract: Methods are described to make strong, tough, and/or lightweight glass-ceramic composites having a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase generated by viscous reaction sintering of a complex mixture of oxides and other materials. The present invention further relates to strong, tough, and lightweight glass-ceramic composites that can be used as proppants and for other uses.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: OXANE MATERIALS, INC.Inventor: Oxane Materials, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130022816Abstract: The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: OXANE MATERIALS, INC.Inventor: Oxane Materials, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130014945Abstract: A proppant having low surface friction is described, which is useful in hydrocarbon recovery. Methods of making low surface friction proppants are further described, as well as uses thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: OXANE MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Christopher Y. Fang, Dilip K. Chatterjee, Robert D. Skala, Christopher E. Coker, John R. Loscutova
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Publication number: 20120190597Abstract: An extrusion method and apparatus are described for producing ceramics, glass, glass-ceramics, or composites suitable for use as proppants. The method includes forming one or more green body materials, extruding the green body materials to form a green body extrudate, separating and shaping the green body extrudate into individual green bodies, and sintering the green bodies to form proppants. The apparatus includes a means for forming an intimate mixture of green body materials, means to produce a green body extrudate, means for separating and shaping the green body extrudate into individual green bodies, and means to sinter the green green bodies to form proppants.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: OXANE MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Dilip K. Chatterjee, Shanghua Wu, Yuming Xie, Christopher E. Coker, Robert D. Skala
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Publication number: 20120181020Abstract: Proppants having added functional properties are provided, as are methods that use the proppants to track and trace the characteristics of a fracture in a geologic formation. Information obtained by the methods can be used to design a fracturing job, to increase conductivity in the fracture, and to enhance oil and gas recovery from the geologic formation. The functionalized proppants can be detected by a variety of methods utilizing, for example, an airborne magnetometer survey, ground penetrating radar, a high resolution accelerometer, a geophone, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultra-sound, impedance measurements, piezoelectric activity, radioactivity, and the like. Methods of mapping a subterranean formation are also provided and use the functionalized proppants to detect characteristics of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: OXANE MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Robert D. Skala, Christopher E. Coker, Dilip K. Chatterjee, Yuming Xie
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Publication number: 20120157358Abstract: Methods are described to make strong, tough, and lightweight whisker-reinforced glass-ceramic composites through a self-toughening structure generated by viscous reaction sintering of a complex mixture of oxides. The present invention further relates to strong, tough, and lightweight glass-ceramic composites that can be used as proppants and for other uses.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: OXANE MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Christopher Y. Fang, Yuming Xie, Dilip K. Chatterjee, Christopher E. Coker
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Patent number: 8178476Abstract: The present invention relates to glass-ceramic proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions, as well as other uses. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the glass-ceramic proppants.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Yuming Xie, Dilip Chatterjee, Christopher E. Coker, Christopher Y. Fang
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Patent number: 8178477Abstract: Proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions are described. Proppant formulations which use one or more proppants of the present invention are described, as well as methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions, and other uses for the proppants and methods of making the proppants.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Skala, John R. Loscutova, Christopher E. Coker
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Patent number: 8168570Abstract: Proppants having added functional properties are provided, as are methods that use the proppants to track and trace the characteristics of a fracture in a geologic formation. Information obtained by the methods can be used to design a fracturing job, to increase conductivity in the fracture, and to enhance oil and gas recovery from the geologic formation. The functionalized proppants can be detected by a variety of methods utilizing, for example, an airborne magnetometer survey, ground penetrating radar, a high resolution accelerometer, a geophone, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultra-sound, impedance measurements, piezoelectric activity, radioactivity, and the like. Methods of mapping a subterranean formation are also provided and use the functionalized proppants to detect characteristics of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Robert D. Skala, Christopher E. Coker, Dilip K. Chatterjee, Yuming Xie
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Publication number: 20120003136Abstract: The present invention relates to proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more proppants of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the proppants of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the proppants.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: OXANE MATERIALS, INC.Inventors: Robert D. Skala, John R. Loscutova, Christopher E. Coker