Patents Assigned to Vitruvian Exploration, LLC
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Publication number: 20130340997Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8511372Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8505620Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8479812Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph Alan Zupanich
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Patent number: 8469119Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph Alan Zupanich
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Patent number: 8464784Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph Alan Zupanich
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Patent number: 8434568Abstract: A method for circulating drilling fluid in a well system includes drilling a substantially vertical well bore from a surface to a subterranean zone and drilling an articulated well bore from the surface to the subterranean zone. The articulated well bore is horizontally offset from the substantially vertical well bore at the surface and intersects the substantially vertical well bore at a junction proximate the subterranean zone. The method includes drilling a drainage bore from the junction into the subterranean zone and pumping a drilling fluid through the drill string when drilling the drainage bore. The method also includes providing fluid down the substantially vertical well bore through a tubing. A fluid mixture returns up the substantially vertical well bore outside of the tubing. The fluid mixture comprises the drilling fluid after the drilling fluid exits the drill string.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8376052Abstract: A method and system for surface production of gas from a subterranean zone includes forming a drainage pattern in a subsurface zone. The drainage pattern includes a plurality of cooperating bores and has a coverage area extending between the cooperating bores. Water pressure is lowered throughout the coverage area of the subsurface zone without significant subsurface drainage by producing water through the cooperating bores of the drainage pattern to the surface. Gas is produced from the coverage area of the subsurface zone with at least some of the water.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Patent number: 8376039Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8371399Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph Alan Zupanick
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Patent number: 8333245Abstract: A method and system for surface production of gas from a subterranean zone includes lowering reservoir pressure in an area of a subterranean zone having a medium to low effective permeability through a multi-branching well bore pattern. At least twenty-five percent of the total gas in the area of the subterranean zone is produced within three years of the start of production.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Patent number: 8316966Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8297377Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8297350Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8291974Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 8033337Abstract: A system and method of plugging a well bore includes intersecting a portion of a well with a subterranean cavern. A portion of the well may be isolated to prevent accumulation of reservoir fluids in the subterranean cavern by, for example, inserting a packer in the well to form a seal. A sealing material may be pumped into and allowed of solidify in the portion of the well to form a partition between the subterranean cavern and the remainder of the well. The formed partition permits continued production from the well and continued mining in the subterranean cavern.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Vitruvian Exploration, LLCInventor: Rick D. Johnson