Patents by Inventor Alan Moorehead

Alan Moorehead has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070169938
    Abstract: An improved acidization method is provided in which an aqueous solution comprising one or more esters or polyesters of lactic acid or of glycerol is placed in a well where the esters or polyesters undergo hydrolysis. The hydrolysis of the esters or polyesters occurs at a slower reaction rate than that of several other known acidization esters, such as diethyleneglycol diformate, at temperatures higher than 60° C. or even higher than 100° C. Thus, the solution may be distributed substantially throughout a region in the well where acidization is required before hydrolysis is completed, despite being exposed to relatively high temperatures. The hydrolysis may result in the slow release of an acid that is capable of consuming all or most of an undesirable substance in the well, e.g., a filter cake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Moorehead, William Shumway, Bradley Todd
  • Publication number: 20070173416
    Abstract: An improved acidization solution is provided which comprises water and one or more esters or polyesters of hydroxy acid or of glycerol. The solution may include, for example, ethyl lactate and pure water or a brine. The hydrolysis of the esters or polyesters occurs at a slower reaction rate than that of several other known acidization esters, such as diethyleneglycol diformate, at temperatures higher than 60° C. or even higher than 100° C. Thus, the acidization solution may be distributed substantially throughout a region in a well where acidization is required before hydrolysis is completed, despite being exposed to relatively high temperatures. The hydrolysis may result in the slow release of an acid that is capable of consuming all or most of an undesirable substance in the well, e.g., a filter cake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Alan Moorehead, William Shumway, Bradley Todd