Patents by Inventor Clarence A. Miller

Clarence A. Miller 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).

  • Patent number: 9856412
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to compositions for enhanced oil recovery. In some embodiments, such compositions include: (1) a first agent, wherein the first agent acts as a foam booster; (2) a second agent, wherein the second agent includes a sulfonated or sulfated anionic surfactant; a (3) a third agent, wherein the third agent includes an alkoxylated and anionic surfactant; and (4) a base liquid. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure further include a gas, such as nitrogen. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of formulating the aforementioned compositions for enhanced oil recovery. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of recovering oil from a reservoir by utilizing the aforementioned compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Maura Puerto, José Luis López Salinas, Clarence A. Miller, George Hirasaki
  • Publication number: 20150267104
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to compositions for enhanced oil recovery. In some embodiments, such compositions include: (1) a first agent, wherein the first agent acts as a foam booster; (2) a second agent, wherein the second agent includes a sulfonated or sulfated anionic surfactant; a (3) a third agent, wherein the third agent includes an alkoxylated and anionic surfactant; and (4) a base liquid. In some embodiments, the compositions of the present disclosure further include a gas, such as nitrogen. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of formulating the aforementioned compositions for enhanced oil recovery. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of recovering oil from a reservoir by utilizing the aforementioned compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Maura Puerto, José Luis López Salinas, Clarence A. Miller, George Hirasaki
  • Patent number: 8911615
    Abstract: A composition and method demulsify a produced emulsion from anionic surfactants and polymer (SP) and alkali, surfactants, and polymer (ASP). The produced emulsion is demulsified into oil and water. In one embodiment, the composition includes a surfactant. The surfactant comprises a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, or any combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, NALCO Company
    Inventors: Olina G. Raney, John Hera, Jr., Duy T. Nguyen, Michael K. Poindexter, George J. Hirasaki, Clarence A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130196886
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising a combination of an internal olefin sulfonate and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate, more specifically a hydrocarbon recovery composition comprising surfactant and water, wherein the surfactant comprises a combination of an internal olefin sulfonate with a chain length of greater than C20 and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate selected from an ethoxylated glycidyl sulfonate and a propoxylated glycidyl sulfonate. Further, the invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising (a) providing a hydrocarbon recovery composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises a blend of an internal olefin sulfonate and an alkoxy glycidyl sulfonate; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Julian Richard Barnes, George J. Hirasaki, Clarence A. Miller, Maura Puerto
  • Publication number: 20110247966
    Abstract: A composition and method demulsify a produced emulsion from anionic surfactants and polymer (SP) and alkali, surfactants, and polymer (ASP). The produced emulsion is demulsified into oil and water. In one embodiment, the composition includes a surfactant. The surfactant comprises a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, or any combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicants: NALCO COMPANY, WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Olina G. Raney, John Hera, JR., Duy T. Nguyen, Michael K. Poindexter, George J. Hirasaki, Clarence A. Miller
  • Patent number: 6695055
    Abstract: Methods of reducing the water permeability of a water producing zone in a subterranean formation are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing a polymeric surfactant and an inert gas into the water producing zone to thereby form a water permeability reducing foam therein. The polymeric surfactant has the property of facilitating the formation of the foam and the additional property of stabilizing the foam in the presence of flowing formation water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Wm. Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: George J. Hirasaki, Clarence A. Miller
  • Publication number: 20030092578
    Abstract: Methods of reducing the water permeability of a water producing zone in a subterranean formation are provided. The methods basically comprise introducing a polymeric surfactant and an inert gas into the water producing zone to thereby form a water permeability reducing foam therein. The polymeric surfactant has the property of facilitating the formation of the foam and the additional property of stabilizing the foam in the presence of flowing formation water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: George J. Hirasaki, Clarence A. Miller