Patents by Inventor Ian Donald

Ian Donald 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: 8272435
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron Systems (Ireland) Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 8235110
    Abstract: Techniques for preconditioning an oilfield reservoir including heavy oil and/or bitumen prior to production of a petroleum product are described. A preconditioning agent can be injected into a mobile water film included in the oilfield reservoir. The preconditioning agent preconditions the reservoir prior to production of the petroleum product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Gushor Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Larter, Ian Donald Gates, Jennifer Jane Adams, Chunqing Jiang, Lloyd Ross Snowdon, Barry Bennett, Haiping Huang
  • Patent number: 8220535
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron Systems (Ireland) Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20120175103
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20120160507
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replace the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20120160187
    Abstract: This invention provides a new process to generate steam directly from untreated water produced simultaneously with thermally recovered crude oil, and to inject the steam and combustion products into a hydrocarbon reservoir to recover hydrocarbons and to sequester a portion of the carbon dioxide produced during the creation of steam. The invention removes the ongoing additional water requirements for thermal oil recovery and the need for surface treating of produced water for re-use, yielding improved process efficiencies, reduced environmental impact, and improved economic value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicants: Paxton Corporation, Paramount Resources Ltd., Clean Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Bunio, Ian Donald Gates, Paul Sudlow, Roger E. Anderson, Murray E. Propp
  • Publication number: 20120145388
    Abstract: This invention consists of a method to enable methane recovery from hydrate reservoirs. The invention, in particular, relates to a Saltwater Hydrate Extraction Process (SHEP) in which high salinity water is injected into a hydrate reservoir into a lower horizontal well to promote and control gas production by hydrate decomposition to an upper deviated production well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: MGM Energy Corp.
    Inventors: Gary Bunio, Ian Donald Gates, Jacky Wang
  • Patent number: 8167049
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replace the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron Systems (Ireland) Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 8122948
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron Systems (Ireland) Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 8124571
    Abstract: An underground formation is consolidated by (a) incorporating into a treatment fluid (i) at least one chemical substance which is capable of undergoing a chemical change that alters the physico-chemical environment of the treatment fluid and which is a bicarbonate or a compound that generates a phosphate, phosphoric acid, sulphate, sulphuric acid, hydrogen sulphide, S2?, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, base or acid; and, optionally, (ii) at least one additional chemical substance selected from salts and complexes of metals having a valency of 2 or higher; introducing the treatment fluid into the formation; and allowing the chemical substance (i), alone or in combination with the optional chemical substance (ii), to undergo a chemical change that alters the physico-chemical environment of the treatment fluid such that a consolidating mineral is deposited in the underground formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cleansorb Limited
    Inventors: Ralph Edmund Harris, Ian Donald McKay
  • Patent number: 8104541
    Abstract: A system, including a first module (35b) configured to process fluid from a well, wherein the first module (35b) includes a processing device coupleable to a manifold (5), a first access tunnel (4b) extending through the processing device, wherein the access tunnel (4b) is configured to provide access to the manifold (5), a processing input (18a), and a processing output (19a). Further provided is a method of assembling a manifold, including coupling a processing module (35b) to a manifold (5), wherein the processing module comprises an access tunnel (4b) through the processing module (35b) that enables access to the manifold (5) while the processing module (35b) is coupled to the manifold (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 8091630
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron Systems (Ireland) Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20110290500
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 8066063
    Abstract: A mineral extraction system includes a branch having a branch passage, a diverter coupled to the branch passage, and a capillary injection conduit disposed inside to the branch passage. A method of injecting chemicals includes injecting a chemical into a capillary injection conduit disposed internal to a production passage, wherein the chemical injection capillary conduit comprises an inlet and an outlet configured to terminate proximate a well formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid, Manish Vyas
  • Patent number: 8066067
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replacing the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Patent number: 8066076
    Abstract: A connection system for connecting flow interface equipment to a subsea manifold is disclosed. The connection system relates particularly to a connection apparatus adapted to land a conduit means on a subsea manifold in a first stage of the connection and to connect a conduit means of the connection apparatus to a choke body of the manifold in a second stage of the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron Systems (Ireland) Limited
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid, Alan Crawford, Paul W. White
  • Patent number: 8056624
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in situ reservoir recovery process that uses a horizontal well located near the top of a reservoir and an inclined production well to extract bitumen or heavy oil from a reservoir. In a first stage, the top well is used for cold production of reservoir fluids to the surface, in which, reservoir fluids are pumped to the surface in the absence of stimulation by steam or other thermal and/or solvent injection. A lower production well is drilled into the formation below the top well. The top well is converted to an injection well or, if no cold production then a top well is drilled as an injector well. A portion of the bottom well is inclined so that one end of the incline is closer to the injector well than the other end of the incline. In the process, steam circulation creates a heated zone at the point of the two wells that are closest together in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: UTI Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ian Donald Gates, Stephen Richard Larter, Jennifer Jane Adams
  • Publication number: 20110253380
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retro-fitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replace the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid
  • Publication number: 20110250582
    Abstract: A method and system for production of biogenerated gas from a zone in a reservoir are described. Microbial conversion of petroleum in the zone to biogenerated gas is stimulated. The biogenerated gas can be, for example, methane, hydrogen or carbon dioxide, or another gas. Gas including the biogenerated gas is produced from the zone to surface. While producing the gas, production parameters are monitored including reservoir pressure and an isotopic composition of the produced gas. Based on the monitored production parameters, at least one of stimulation of the microbial conversion to control the composition of the produced gas or gas saturation in the zone to control mobility of the biogenerated methane is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: Ian Donald Gates, Jennifer Jane Adams, Stephen Richard Larter
  • Publication number: 20110226483
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for diverting fluids either into or from a well are described. Some embodiments include a diverter conduit that is located in a bore of a tree. The invention relates especially but not exclusively to a diverter assembly connected to a wing branch of a tree. Some embodiments allow diversion of fluids out of a tree to a subsea processing apparatus followed by the return of at least some of these fluids to the tree for recovery. Alternative embodiments provide only one flowpath and do not include the return of any fluids to the tree. Some embodiments can be retrofitted to existing trees, which can allow the performance of a new function without having to replace the tree. Multiple diverter assembly embodiments are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid