Patents by Inventor Duncan Charles MacDonald

Duncan Charles MacDonald 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).

  • Wellbore manufacturing processes for in situ heat treatment processes
    Patent number: 8327681
    Abstract: A method includes making coiled tubing at a coiled tubing manufacturing unit coupled to a coiled tubing transportation system. One or more coiled tubing reels are transported from the coiled tubing manufacturing unit to one or more moveable well drilling systems using the coiled tubing transportation system. The coiled tubing transportation system runs from the tubing manufacturing unit to one or more movable well drilling systems, and then back to the coiled tubing manufacturing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ian Alexander Davidson, Cameron James Geddes, Randall Lynn Rudolf, Bruce Allen Selby, Duncan Charles MacDonald
  • Heater connections in mines and tunnels for use in treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
    Patent number: 8177305
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more shafts. At least two substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels extend from one or more of the shafts. A plurality of heat sources are located in at least one heat source wellbore extending between at least two of the substantially horizontal tunnels. Electrical connections for the heat sources are located in at least one of the substantially horizontal tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • Electrical current flow between tunnels for use in heating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
    Patent number: 8172335
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more shafts. A first substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. A second substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. Two or more heat source wellbores extend from the first tunnel to the second tunnel. The heat source wellbores are configured to allow electrical current to flow between the heat source wellbores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • Using tunnels for treating subsurface hydrocarbon containing formations
    Patent number: 8162405
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more tunnels having an average diameter of at least 1 m. At least one tunnel is connected to the surface. Two or more wellbores extend from at least one of the tunnels into at least a portion of the subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation. At least two of the wellbores contain elongated heat sources configured to heat at least a portion of the subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation such that at least some hydrocarbons are mobilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • Dual motor systems and non-rotating sensors for use in developing wellbores in subsurface formations
    Patent number: 8151907
    Abstract: A method for forming a subsurface wellbore is disclosed. The method includes operating a drilling string in a first direction of rotation. A first motor located near the end of the drilling string is operated in a direction of rotation opposite that of the drilling string. A drill bit is rotated using a second motor that is coupled to the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Duncan Charles MacDonald
  • METHODS FOR HEATING WITH SLOTS IN HYDROCARBON FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20110247810
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation. Some methods include providing heat to a first section of the hydrocarbon containing formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation; allowing the heat to transfer from the heaters to heat a portion of the first section to mobilize formation fluid; and producing formation fluid from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Ernesto Rafael Fonseca Ocampos, John Michael Karanikas, Duncan Charles MacDonald
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FORMING SUBSURFACE WELLBORES
    Publication number: 20100108379
    Abstract: A system for forming a subsurface wellbore includes a rack and pinion system including a chuck drive system. The chuck drive system operates a drilling string. An automatic position control system includes at least one measurement sensor coupled to the rack and pinion system. The automatic position control system controls the rack and pinion system to determine a position of the drilling string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: David Alston Edbury, Duncan Charles MacDonald
  • HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION FROM MINES AND TUNNELS USED IN TREATING SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20100071904
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels extending from one or more shafts. A production system is located in at least one of the tunnels. The production system is configured to produce fluids from the formation that collect in the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • MINES AND TUNNELS FOR USE IN TREATING SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20100071903
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels extending from at least one shaft. One or more heater sources are located in one or more heater wellbores coupled to at least one of the substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Robert George Prince-Wright, Jochen Marwede, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Duncan Charles MacDonald, David Booth Burns
  • ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOW BETWEEN TUNNELS FOR USE IN HEATING SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20090272526
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more shafts. A first substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. A second substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. Two or more heat source wellbores extend from the first tunnel to the second tunnel. The heat source wellbores are configured to allow electrical current to flow between the heat source wellbores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • HEATED FLUID FLOW IN MINES AND TUNNELS USED IN HEATING SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20090272533
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more shafts. A first substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. A second substantially horizontal or inclined tunnel extends from one or more of the shafts. Two or more heat source wellbores extend from the first tunnel to the second tunnel. The heat source wellbores are configured to allow heated fluid to flow through the wellbores from the first tunnel to the second tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • DUAL MOTOR SYSTEMS AND NON-ROTATING SENSORS FOR USE IN DEVELOPING WELLBORES IN SUBSURFACE FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20090272578
    Abstract: A method for forming a subsurface wellbore is disclosed. The method includes operating a drilling string in a first direction of rotation. A first motor located near the end of the drilling string is operated in a direction of rotation opposite that of the drilling string. A drill bit is rotated using a second motor that is coupled to the first motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Duncan Charles MacDonald
  • USING TUNNELS FOR TREATING SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20090272535
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more tunnels having an average diameter of at least 1 m. At least one tunnel is connected to the surface. Two or more wellbores extend from at least one of the tunnels into at least a portion of the subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation. At least two of the wellbores contain elongated heat sources configured to heat at least a portion of the subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation such that at least some hydrocarbons are mobilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • HEATER CONNECTIONS IN MINES AND TUNNELS FOR USE IN TREATING SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20090272536
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more shafts. At least two substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels extend from one or more of the shafts. A plurality of heat sources are located in at least one heat source wellbore extending between at least two of the substantially horizontal tunnels. Electrical connections for the heat sources are located in at least one of the substantially horizontal tunnels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • MINES AND TUNNELS FOR USE IN TREATING SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20090260823
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels extending from at least one shaft. One or more heater sources are located in one or more heater wellbores coupled to at least one of the substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Robert George Prince-Wright, Jochen Marwede, Horng Jay Hwang, Duncan Charles MacDonald, David Booth Burns
  • HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION FROM MINES AND TUNNELS USED IN TREATING SUBSURFACE HYDROCARBON CONTAINING FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20090260824
    Abstract: A system for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon containing formation includes one or more substantially horizontal or inclined tunnels extending from one or more shafts. A production system is located in at least one of the tunnels. The production system is configured to produce fluids from the formation that collect in the tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: David Booth Burns, Horng Jye (Jay) Hwang, Jochen Marwede, Duncan Charles MacDonald, Robert George Prince-Wright
  • WELLBORE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR IN SITU HEAT TREATMENT PROCESSES
    Publication number: 20090090158
    Abstract: A method includes making coiled tubing at a coiled tubing manufacturing unit coupled to a coiled tubing transportation system. One or more coiled tubing reels are transported from the coiled tubing manufacturing unit to one or more moveable well drilling systems using the coiled tubing transportation system. The coiled tubing transportation system runs from the tubing manufacturing unit to one or more movable well drilling systems, and then back to the coiled tubing manufacturing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Ian Alexander Davidson, Cameron James Geddes, Randall Lynn Rudolf, Bruce Allen Selby, Duncan Charles MacDonald