Patents Assigned to Santrol, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7049272
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating of a well, a formation, or both, with the solids, liquids, or apparatuses, by 1) encasing said solids, liquids, or apparatuses in a water-soluble shell, 2) conveying said encased solids, liquids, or apparatuses to a predetermined location in the well, and then 3) allowing the water-soluble shell to dissolve in the aqueous phase in the wellbore. The shell is preferably made of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol copolymers and a waterproofing agent. The shell encases a variety of solids, liquids, or combinations thereof, where said solids or liquids are useful in the treatment of the well or of the producing formation. Illustrative encased material includes soap, acid, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, scale inhibitors, mutual solvents, paraffin inhibitors, paraffin dissolvers, clay stabilizers, and tracer materials. The encased materials may also be apparatuses, such as a prefabricated screen completion or a prefabricated sand-pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Santrol, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Richard Sinclair, S. Byron Smith
  • Patent number: 6279656
    Abstract: The invention is the method of treating of a well, a formation, or both, with the solids, liquids, or apparatuses, by 1) encasing the solids, liquids, or apparatuses in a water-soluble shell, 2) conveying the encased solids, liquids, or gases to the predetermined location in the well, and then 3) allowing the water-soluble shell to dissolve in the aqueous phase in the wellbore. The shell is preferably made of water-soluble polymers such as collagen, a crosslinking agent such as zolidine, optionally a hydrophobic compound such as a processed oil, and water used in processing. Other modifying or conditioning compounds, for example glycerin and other polymeric additives, may be incorporated to extend the strength or temperature range of the shell. The shell encases a variety of solids, liquids, or combinations thereof, where the solids or liquids are useful in the treatment of the well or of the producing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Santrol, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Richard Sinclair, S. Byron Smith
  • Patent number: 5837656
    Abstract: An improved resin coated particle comprises a particulate substrate, an inner coating of a curable resin and an outer coating of a substantially cured resin. These improved resin coated particles are produced by first coating the substrate with a reactive resin. A second or outer coating of a resin is then coated over the inner curable resin coating and subjected to conditions of time and temperature sufficient to substantially cure said outer coating while the inner coating remains curable. The particles can be used in a method for treating subterranean formations, which comprises placing in or adjacent to the formation a quantity of the resin coated particle and allowing them to cure into a high strength permeable mass in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignees: Santrol, Inc., Georgia-Pacific Resins, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Richard Sinclair, Richard L. Johnson, II, Richard A. Rediger, Van T. Smith
  • Patent number: 5597784
    Abstract: A high strength particle comprised of a particulate substrate, a substantially cured inner resin coating, an outer resin coating, and a reinforcing agent interspersed at the inner coating/outer coating boundary, which is used in the propping of a fracture in a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Santrol, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Richard Sinclair, Richard L. Johnson, II
  • Patent number: 5422183
    Abstract: A high strength particle comprised of a particulate substrate, a substantially cured inner resin coating, an outer resin coating, and a reinforcing agent interspersed at the inner coating/outer coating boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Santrol, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Richard Sinclair, Richard L. Johnson, II