Patents by Inventor James Louis Menotti
James Louis Menotti 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: 8381806Abstract: Systems for coupling ends of elongated heaters and methods of using such systems to treat a subsurface formation are described herein. A system may include two elongated heaters with an end portion of one heater abutted or near to an end portion of the other heater and a core coupling material. The core coupling material may extend between the two elongated heaters. The elongated heaters may include cores and at least one conductor substantially concentrically surrounds the cores. The cores may have a lower melting point than the conductors. At least one end portion of the conductor may have a beveled edge. The gap formed by the beveled edge may be filled with a coupling material for coupling the one or more conductors. One end portion of at least one core may have a recessed opening and the core coupling material may be partially inside the recessed opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: James Louis Menotti
-
Publication number: 20130043029Abstract: A heater system may include an alternating current supply and an electrical conductor. An alternating current may be applied to one or more electrical conductors at a voltage above about 200 volts. The electrical conductors may be located in a formation. The electrical conductors may provide an electrically resistive heat output upon application of the alternating electrical current. At least one of the electrical conductors may include an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material. An electrical conductor may provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature. Heat may be allowed to transfer from an electrical conductor to a part of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Chester Ledlie Sandberg, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Jaime Santos Son, James Louis Menotti, Joan Carl
-
Patent number: 8200072Abstract: Systems and methods are described for heating a subsurface formation. Alternating electrical current may be applied to one or more electrical conductors. The electrical conductors may be located in a subsurface formation. The electrical conductors may provide an electrically resistive heat output upon application of the alternating electrical current. At least one of the electrical conductors may include an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material. The electrical conductor may provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the electrical conductor to a part of the subsurface formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Chester Ledlie Sandberg, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Jaime Santos Son, James Louis Menotti, Fredrick Gordon Carl, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20110308814Abstract: Systems for coupling ends of elongated heaters and methods of using such systems to treat a subsurface formation are described herein. A system may include two elongated heaters with an end portion of one heater abutted or near to an end portion of the other heater and a core coupling material. The core coupling material may extend between the two elongated heaters. The elongated heaters may include cores and at least one conductor substantially concentrically surrounds the cores. The cores may have a lower melting point than the conductors. At least one end portion of the conductor may have a beveled edge. The gap formed by the beveled edge may be filled with a coupling material for coupling the one or more conductors. One end portion of at least one core may have a recessed opening and the core coupling material may be partially inside the recessed opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventor: James Louis Menotti
-
Patent number: 7798221Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles, Thomas David Fowler, Charles Robert Keedy, Ajay Madhav Madgavkar, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld, Robert Charles Ryan, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Frederick Gordon Carl
-
Patent number: 7673786Abstract: Systems for coupling end portions of two elongated heater portions and methods of using such systems to treat a subsurface formation are described herein. A system may include a holding system configured to hold end portions of the two elongated heater portions so that the end portions are abutted together or located near each other; a shield for enclosing the end portions, and one or more inert gas inlets configured to provide at least one inert gas to flush the system with inert gas during welding of the end portions. The shield may be configured to inhibit oxidation during welding that joins the end portions together. The shield may include a hinged door that, when closed, is configured to at least partially isolate the interior of the shield from the atmosphere. The hinged door, when open, is configured to allow access to the interior of the shield.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: James Louis Menotti
-
Publication number: 20090101346Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2007Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, IIya Emil Berchenko, George Leo Stegemeier, Kevin Albert Maher, Etuan Zhang, Gordon Thomas Shahin, James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles, Thomas David Fowler, Charles Robert Keedy, Ajay Madhav Madgavkar, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld, Robert Charles Ryan, Lanny Gene Schoeling, Frederick Gordon Carl
-
Patent number: 7156176Abstract: In an embodiment, a system may be used to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation. The system may include a heater placed in an opening in the formation. The system may allow heat to transfer from the heater to a part of the formation. The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. The heater may be removable from the opening in the formation and redeployable in at least one alternative opening in the formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2002Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, James Louis Menotti, Christopher Arnold Pratt, Scott Lee Wellington
-
Patent number: 7013972Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may be supplied to the formation by reacting an oxidant with hydrocarbons adjacent to wellbores to generate heat. Generated heat may be transferred to the portion substantially by conduction to pyrolyze at least a portion of hydrocarbon material within the portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, James Louis Menotti, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld, Scott Lee Wellington
-
Patent number: 7004247Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation from one or more heat sources to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. Some of the heat sources may be conductors placed within conduits. The conductors may be resistively heated so that the conductors radiantly heat the conduits. The generated heat may transfer to the formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2002Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Anthony Thomas Cole, Lawrence James Bielamowicz, Fredrick Gordon Carl, Jr., John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, John Michael Karanikas, James Louis Menotti, Christopher Arnold Pratt, Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
-
Patent number: 6910536Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may be supplied to the formation by reacting an oxidant with hydrocarbons adjacent to heater wellbores to generate heat. Generated heat may be transferred to the portion substantially by conduction to pyrolyze at least a portion of hydrocarbon material within the portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Kevin Albert Maher, Gordon Thomas Shahin, Jr., James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles
-
Publication number: 20040211569Abstract: In an embodiment, a system may be used to heat a hydrocarbon containing formation. The system may include a heater placed in an opening in the formation. The system may allow heat to transfer from the heater to a part of the formation. The transferred heat may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. The heater may be removable from the opening in the formation and redeployable in at least one alternative opening in the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2002Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, James Louis Menotti, Christopher Amold Pratt, Scott Lee Wellington
-
Publication number: 20040211557Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation from one or more heat sources to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. Some of the heat sources may be conductors placed within conduits. The conductors may be resistively heated so that the conductors radiantly heat the conduits. The generated heat may transfer to the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Anthony Thomas Cole, Lawrence James Bielamowicz, Fredrick Gordon Carl, John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, John Michael Karanikas, James Louis Menotti, Christopher Arnold Pratt, Horold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington
-
Patent number: 6769483Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation from heat sources to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. Some of the heat sources may be conductors placed within conduits. The conductors may be resistively heated so that the conductors radiantly heat the conduits. The conduits may transfer heat to the formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Harold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas, James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, Lawrence James Bielamowicz, Fredrick Gordon Carl, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20040146288Abstract: Systems and methods are described for heating a subsurface formation. Alternating electrical current may be applied to one or more electrical conductors. The electrical conductors may be located in a subsurface formation. The electrical conductors may provide an electrically resistive heat output upon application of the alternating electrical current. At least one of the electrical conductors may include an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material. The electrical conductor may provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the electrical conductor to a part of the subsurface formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Chester Ledlie Sandberg, Christopher Kelvin Harris, Jaime Santos Son, James Louis Menotti, Fredrick Gordon Carl
-
Patent number: 6725928Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may be supplied to the formation by reacting an oxidant with hydrocarbons adjacent to heater wellbores to generate heat. Generated heat may be transferred to the portion substantially by conduction to pyrolyze at least a portion of the hydrocarbons within the portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles
-
Publication number: 20030146002Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation from one or more heat sources to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Some or all of the sources may be removable from the formation during and/or after use.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Fredrick Gordon Carl, John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, Bruce Gerard Hunsucker, James Louis Menotti, Scott Lee Wellington
-
Publication number: 20030148894Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. A reducing environment may be maintained within a portion of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, John Matthew Coles, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, James Louis Menotti, Robert Martijn Van Hardeveld, Scott Lee Wellington
-
Publication number: 20020049358Abstract: A coal formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may be supplied to the formation by reacting an oxidant with hydrocarbons adjacent to heater wellbores to generate heat. Generated heat may be transferred to the portion substantially by conduction to pyrolyze at least a portion of the hydrocarbons within the portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Scott Lee Wellington, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles
-
Publication number: 20020038709Abstract: A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat may be supplied to the formation by reacting an oxidant with hydrocarbons adjacent to heater wellbores to generate heat. Generated heat may be transferred to the portion substantially by conduction to pyrolyze at least a portion of hydrocarbon material within the portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Harold J. Vinegar, Eric Pierre de Rouffignac, John Michael Karanikas, Ilya Emil Berchenko, Kevin Albert Maher, Gordon Thomas Shahin, James Louis Menotti, John Matthew Coles