Patents by Inventor Eric R. Upchurch

Eric R. Upchurch 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).

  • Method of determining fracture closure pressures in hydraulicfracturing of subterranean formations
    Patent number: 6364015
    Abstract: The closure pressure (Pc) of a fracture generated in a subterranean formation is determined by creating a fracture in the formation, permitting the fracture to close, and performing post-closure pulse testing. The method is particularly applicable to soft formations (i.e. those having a rock plain-strain modulus (E′) of less than 800,000 psi).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Eric R. Upchurch