Patents by Inventor Douglas E. Kenyon

Douglas E. Kenyon 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: 5778977
    Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of oil from an oil-bearing formation having a natural fracture network with substantial vertical communication and wherein gravity drainage is the primary means of recovery. A downwardly inflating gas-cap is pressured up with a chase gas having a density less than that of CO.sub.2. CO.sub.2 is injected and a CO.sub.2 -rich displacing slug is formed at the gas-liquid hydrocarbon contact. The chase gas is injected to facilitate displacing downwardly the CO.sub.2 -rich displacing slug to recover hydrocarbon from the reservoir. CO.sub.2 is replaced in the displacing slug as the CO.sub.2 is solubilized into the oil, including matrix oil, to facilitate recovery thereof. The oil is recovered through production wells in fluid communication with the reservoir, preferably the inlet to the well is below the water-liquid hydrocarbon contact at such a level to prevent free-gas production. The chase gas has a density less than that of the CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: James L. Bowzer, Douglas E. Kenyon, Eugene E. Wadleigh
  • Patent number: 5025863
    Abstract: A process for the enhanced recovery of liquid hydrocarbons from a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation wherein natural gas which is immiscible with the liquid hydrocarbons is injected into the formation via a well. The well is shut in for a period of time to permit the natural gas to render the liquid hydrocarbons mobile and thereafter the mobilized liquid hydrocarbons are produced from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Hiemi K. Haines, Teresa G. Monger, Douglas E. Kenyon, Lance J. Galvin