Patents by Inventor Barry Ekstrand

Barry Ekstrand 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).

  • Methods using low concentrations of gas bubbles to hinder proppant settling
    Patent number: 9328285
    Abstract: Methods for reducing settling rates of proppants in fracturing fluids include injecting sufficient gas into the fluid to form bubbles that reduce proppant settling rates. Compositions including proppants made buoyant with gas bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventors: Barry Ekstrand, Frank Zamora, Sarkis R. Kakadjian
  • Apparatus, compositions, and methods of breaking fracturing fluids
    Patent number: 9012378
    Abstract: Apparatus and compositions for reducing the viscosity of a gelled fluid is provided. In one embodiment, a viscosity reducing microbe is disposed in a capsule and added to the gelled fluid. The gelled fluid may include a thickening agent adapted to increase its viscosity. Upon release from the capsule, the microbe begins to digest the thickening agent in the gelled fluid and/or releases enzymes that that breakdown the thickening agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Barry Ekstrand, Frank Zamora, Sarkis R. Kakadjian
  • Process and system for creating enhanced cavitation
    Patent number: 8011431
    Abstract: A system and method for cavitating a producible formation is disclosed to improve hydrocarbon production and to increase a production rate without an concurrent co-production of formation particulate. The method and system include conglomerating the producible formation using a conglomerating composition. Once the producible formation is conglomerated, the conglomerated, producible formation is produced above its critical draw down pressure to form a cavity surrounding the wellborn in the conglomerated, producible formation and placing the cavitated, conglomerated, producible formation on production below a higher maximum sand free rate (MSFR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Barry Ekstrand
  • APPARATUS, COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS OF BREAKING FRACTURING FLUIDS
    Publication number: 20110177982
    Abstract: Apparatus and compositions for reducing the viscosity of a gelled fluid is provided. In one embodiment, a viscosity reducing microbe is disposed in a capsule and added to the gelled fluid. The gelled fluid may include a thickening agent adapted to increase its viscosity. Upon release from the capsule, the microbe begins to digest the thickening agent in the gelled fluid and/or releases enzymes that that breakdown the thickening agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Clearwater International, LLC, A Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Ekstrand, Frank Zamora, Sarkis R. Kakadjian
  • Apparatus, compositions, and methods of breaking fracturing fluids
    Patent number: 7942201
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of reducing the viscosity of a gelled fluid is provided. In one embodiment, a viscosity reducing microbe is disposed in a capsule and added to the gelled fluid. The gelled fluid may include a thickening agent adapted to increase its viscosity. Upon release from the capsule, the microbe begins to digest the thickening agent in the gelled fluid and/or releases enzymes that that breakdown the thickening agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Ekstrand, Frank Zamora, Sarkis R. Kakadjian
  • LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF GAS BUBBLES TO HINDER PROPPANT SETTLING
    Publication number: 20100252262
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for reducing settling rates of proppants in fracturing fluids, where the method includes injection sufficient gas into the fluid to form bubbles that reduce proppant settling rates. Compositions including a proppants make buoyant with gas bubbles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Barry Ekstrand, Frank Zamora, Sarkis R. Kakadjian
  • PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING ENHANCED CAVITATION
    Publication number: 20100181071
    Abstract: A system and method for cavitating a producible formation is disclosed. The method include conglomerating the formation, producing the formation above its critical draw down pressure resulting in cavitation of the formation and producing the cavitated formation below a higher maximum sand free rate (MSFR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Barry Ekstrand
  • APPARATUS, COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS OF BREAKING FRACTURING FLUIDS
    Publication number: 20080283242
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of reducing the viscosity of a gelled fluid is provided. In one embodiment, a viscosity reducing microbe is disposed in a capsule and added to the gelled fluid. The gelled fluid may include a thickening agent adapted to increase its viscosity. Upon release from the capsule, the microbe begins to digest the thickening agent in the gelled fluid and/or releases enzymes that that breakdown the thickening agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: Clearwater International, LLC, A Delaware Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Ekstrand, Frank Zamora, Sarkis R. Kakadjian