Patents by Inventor Gary E. Fout
Gary E. Fout 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).
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Patent number: 10569305Abstract: A centrifugal dryer includes a housing and a basket positioned within the housing. The basket defines an opening formed laterally there through. The basket rotates around a central longitudinal axis through the housing. An annulus is formed between the basket and the housing. A cleaning device is positioned within the annulus, and the cleaning device introduces a liquid into the annulus. A scraping device is positioned within the annulus, and the scraping device rotates to remove cuttings from at least one surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Leonardo Vicentini
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Patent number: 10227837Abstract: A method transferring drill cuttings, the method comprising transferring the drill cuttings from a pressurized transference device to a pressurized container; transferring the drill cuttings from the pressurized container to a land-based pit discharging station; and discharging the drill cuttings into the land-based pit discharging station. Also, a system for transferring drill cuttings while drilling, the system comprising a pressurized transfer device; a pressurized container in fluid communication with the pressurized transfer device; a conduit disposed between the pressurized transfer device and the pressurized container; and a land-based pit discharging station in fluid communication with the pressurized container.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Trey W. Anderson, Gary E. Fout, Gordon MacMillian Logan, John Koch
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Publication number: 20180169705Abstract: A centrifugal dryer includes a housing and a basket positioned within the housing. The basket defines an opening formed laterally there through. The basket rotates around a central longitudinal axis through the housing. An annulus is formed between the basket and the housing. A cleaning device is positioned within the annulus, and the cleaning device introduces a liquid into the annulus. A scraping device is positioned within the annulus, and the scraping device rotates to remove cuttings from at least one surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Gary E. FOUT, Leonardo VICENTINI
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Patent number: 9758417Abstract: A system for processing drilling mud, the system including a primary separation tank having an inlet for receiving drilling waste and an outlet in fluid communication with a feed line, and an injection pump in fluid communication with a polymer tank and the feed line. The system also includes a clarifying tank in fluid communication with the feed line and a first collection tank, wherein effluent from the clarifying tank is discharged into the first collection tank, and a centrifuge in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and a second collection tank, wherein effluent from the centrifuge is discharged into the second collection tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
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Publication number: 20140158431Abstract: A method transferring drill cuttings, the method comprising transferring the drill cuttings from a pressurized transference device to a pressurized container; transferring the drill cuttings from the pressurized container to a land-based pit discharging station; and discharging the drill cuttings into the land-based pit discharging station. Also, a system for transferring drill cuttings while drilling, the system comprising a pressurized transfer device; a pressurized container in fluid communication with the pressurized transfer device; a conduit disposed between the pressurized transfer device and the pressurized container; and a land-based pit discharging station in fluid communication with the pressurized container.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Trey W. Anderson, Gary E. Fout, Gordon MacMillian Logan, John Koch
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Publication number: 20130299405Abstract: A system for processing drilling mud, the system including a primary separation tank having an inlet for receiving drilling waste and an outlet in fluid communication with a feed line, and an injection pump in fluid communication with a polymer tank and the feed line. The system also includes a clarifying tank in fluid communication with the feed line and a first collection tank, wherein effluent from the clarifying tank is discharged into the first collection tank, and a centrifuge in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and a second collection tank, wherein effluent from the centrifuge is discharged into the second collection tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
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Patent number: 8506821Abstract: A system for processing drilling mud, the system including a primary separation tank having an inlet for receiving drilling waste and an outlet in fluid communication with a feed line, and an injection pump in fluid communication with a polymer tank and the feed line. The system also includes a clarifying tank in fluid communication with the feed line and a first collection tank, wherein effluent from the clarifying tank is discharged into the first collection tank, and a centrifuge in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and a second collection tank, wherein effluent from the centrifuge is discharged into the second collection tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
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Patent number: 8349193Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Gary E. Fout
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Patent number: 8267200Abstract: A method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinization cell, the desalinization cell having a high end, a low end, and a cuttings pad. The method further includes washing the drill cuttings in the desalinization cell with a liquid phase and removing a cuttings runoff from the drill cuttings. Also, a method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinator, the desalinator having a geometric structure having a perforated side. The method further includes adding a liquid phase to the desalinator through the perforated side, washing the drill cuttings in the desalinator with the liquid phase, and producing desalinated drill cuttings and a cuttings runoff.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Gary E. Fout, John Candler, Kayli Clements, Will Marchbanks
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Publication number: 20120090899Abstract: A method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinization cell, the desalinization cell having a high end, a low end, and a cuttings pad. The method further includes washing the drill cuttings in the desalinization cell with a liquid phase and removing a cuttings runoff from the drill cuttings. Also, a method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinator, the desalinator having a geometric structure having a perforated side. The method further includes adding a liquid phase to the desalinator through the perforated side, washing the drill cuttings in the desalinator with the liquid phase, and producing desalinated drill cuttings and a cuttings runoff.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Gary E. Fout, John Candler, Kayli A. Clements, William Marchbanks
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Patent number: 8100198Abstract: A method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinization cell, the desalinization cell having a high end, a low end, and a cuttings pad. The method further includes washing the drill cuttings in the desalinization cell with a liquid phase and removing a cuttings runoff from the drill cuttings. Also, a method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinator, the desalinator having a geometric structure having a perforated side. The method further includes adding a liquid phase to the desalinator through the perforated side, washing the drill cuttings in the desalinator with the liquid phase, and producing desalinated drill cuttings and a cuttings runoff.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Gary E. Fout, John Candler, Kayli A. Clements, William Marchbanks
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Publication number: 20110265993Abstract: A method for processing hydrocarbons recovered from a subterranean formation is disclosed. The method includes: feeding a stream including water, sand, and heavy hydrocarbons produced from a subterranean formation to a separation vessel; concurrently in the separation vessel: heating the stream components to an elevated temperature to reduce a viscosity of the heavy hydrocarbons; and separating the sand, the heavy hydrocarbon, and the water to form a water fraction, a hydrocarbon fraction, and a sand fraction comprising sand and at least one of water and heavy hydrocarbons; and recovering the water fraction from the separation vessel; recovering the hydrocarbon fraction from the separation vessel; and withdrawing the sand fraction from the separation vessel. Also disclosed are apparatus suitable for performing the above described method.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicants: M-I L.L.C., M-I DRILLING FLUIDS CANADA, INC., M-I DRILLING FLUIDS UK LIMITEDInventors: Steve Williams, David Aldus, Gary E. Fout
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Patent number: 8002991Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering drilling fluid including a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the aging tank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculant solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculant solution in the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and the flocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: M-I LLCInventors: Gary E. Fout, Julio Roberto Ronderos, Catalin Ivan
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Publication number: 20100243576Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering drilling fluid including a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the aging tank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculant solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculant solution in the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and the flocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: M-I LLCInventors: Gary E. Fout, Julio Roberto Ronderos, Catalin Ivan
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Publication number: 20100170859Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2010Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Gary E. Fout
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Patent number: 7736497Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering drilling fluid including a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the aging tank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculent solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculent solution in the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and the flocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Julio Roberto Ronderos, Catalin Ivan
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Publication number: 20100116753Abstract: A system for processing drilling mud, the system including a primary separation tank having an inlet for receiving drilling waste and an outlet in fluid communication with a feed line, and an injection pump in fluid communication with a polymer tank and the feed line. The system also includes a clarifying tank in fluid communication with the feed line and a first collection tank, wherein effluent from the clarifying tank is discharged into the first collection tank, and a centrifuge in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and a second collection tank, wherein effluent from the centrifuge is discharged into the second collection tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: M-I L.L.C.Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
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Publication number: 20090139770Abstract: A method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinization cell, the desalinization cell having a high end, a low end, and a cuttings pad. The method further includes washing the drill cuttings in the desalinization cell with a liquid phase and removing a cuttings runoff from the drill cuttings. Also, a method for treating drill cuttings including depositing drill cuttings in a desalinator, the desalinator having a geometric structure having a perforated side. The method further includes adding a liquid phase to the desalinator through the perforated side, washing the drill cuttings in the desalinator with the liquid phase, and producing desalinated drill cuttings and a cuttings runoff.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2008Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: M-I LLCInventors: Gary E. Fout, John Candler, Kayli A. Clements, William Marchbanks
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Publication number: 20080196890Abstract: A method and apparatus relates to incorporating a magnetic coupling for use in oilfield applications. The magnetic coupling is operatively coupled to an oilfield machine to provide a controlled operational speed. The magnetic coupling may be operatively connected to a motor and a drive shaft where a speed of rotation of the drive shaft is controlled by an operation of the magnetic coupling. The drive shaft is operatively connected to the oilfield machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2008Publication date: August 21, 2008Applicant: M-I LLCInventors: Gary E. Fout, Bruce Densmore
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Publication number: 20080087472Abstract: A method for disposing drill cuttings including transferring a plurality of drill cuttings from a drilling location to a disposal site. The drill cuttings being placed as a first layer onto a drilling cuttings pad located at the disposal site, and impounded onto the drill cuttings pad. Also, a method for disposing drill cuttings including transferring a plurality of drill cuttings from a drilling location to an onsite processing location. The plurality of drill cuttings then being processed into construction materials and used at the drilling location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: M-I LLCInventor: Gary E. Fout