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).

  • Patent number: 10569305
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Leonardo Vicentini
  • Patent number: 10227837
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Trey W. Anderson, Gary E. Fout, Gordon MacMillian Logan, John Koch
  • Publication number: 20180169705
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Gary E. FOUT, Leonardo VICENTINI
  • Patent number: 9758417
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
  • Publication number: 20140158431
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Trey W. Anderson, Gary E. Fout, Gordon MacMillian Logan, John Koch
  • Publication number: 20130299405
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
  • Patent number: 8506821
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
  • Patent number: 8349193
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gary E. Fout
  • Patent number: 8267200
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, John Candler, Kayli Clements, Will Marchbanks
  • Publication number: 20120090899
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, John Candler, Kayli A. Clements, William Marchbanks
  • Patent number: 8100198
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, John Candler, Kayli A. Clements, William Marchbanks
  • Publication number: 20110265993
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicants: M-I L.L.C., M-I DRILLING FLUIDS CANADA, INC., M-I DRILLING FLUIDS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Steve Williams, David Aldus, Gary E. Fout
  • Patent number: 8002991
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Julio Roberto Ronderos, Catalin Ivan
  • Publication number: 20100243576
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Julio Roberto Ronderos, Catalin Ivan
  • Publication number: 20100170859
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Gary E. Fout
  • Patent number: 7736497
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Julio Roberto Ronderos, Catalin Ivan
  • Publication number: 20100116753
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: John O. Pruett, Gary E. Fout
  • Publication number: 20090139770
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, John Candler, Kayli A. Clements, William Marchbanks
  • Publication number: 20080196890
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Gary E. Fout, Bruce Densmore
  • Publication number: 20080087472
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventor: Gary E. Fout