Patents by Inventor Jason W. Lachance

Jason W. Lachance 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: 10590742
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering heat to a fluid in a fluid production pipeline. Particles are injected into a line adjacent the fluid production pipeline. The particles include a microencapsulated liquid exothermic phase change material configured to undergo a phase change by solidification and release heat at a selected temperature. The released heat is transferred to the fluid production pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Nader S. Berchane, Chisa K. Brookes, Douglas J. Turner, Jason W. Lachance
  • Patent number: 10487986
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for protecting a fluid stream from fouling using particles that include phase change materials. In an example, the particles are injected into the fluid stream and release energy at a selected temperature, which may warm the fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Nader S. Berchane, Chisa K. Brookes, Douglas J. Turner, Jason W. Lachance
  • Patent number: 10391445
    Abstract: Processes for forming and sequestering CO2 clathrates in a marine environment are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew S. Mettler, Ashish B. Mhadeshwar, Jean W. Beeckman, Robert D. Denton, Jason W. Lachance, Rustom M. Billimoria
  • Publication number: 20180363856
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for protecting a fluid stream from fouling using particles that include phase change materials. In an example, the particles are injected into the fluid stream and release energy at a selected temperature, which may warm the fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Nader S. Berchane, Chisa K. Brookes, Douglas J. Turner, Jason W. Lachance
  • Publication number: 20180328541
    Abstract: A method of transporting a mixed phase fluid in a conduit. A hydrate and/or wax film is permitted to deposit on an inner wall of the conduit in a conversion zone, the conversion zone being less than a length of the conduit. A quantity of heat is applied to the conduit in the conversion zone until the hydrate and/or wax deposited on the inner wall in the conversion zone separates therefrom, thereby inhibiting the continual formation of hydrates and/or wax on the inner wall. The separated hydrates and/or wax are flowed in the mixed phase fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Jason W. Lachance, Larry D. Talley, Charles J. Mart
  • Publication number: 20180229178
    Abstract: Processes for forming and sequestering CO2 clathrates in a marine environment are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew S. METTLER, Ashish B. MHADESHWAR, Jean W. BEECKMAN, Robert D. DENTON, Jason W. LACHANCE, Rustom M. BILLIMORIA
  • Patent number: 9896902
    Abstract: A method and systems are provided for injecting a hydrate slurry into a reservoir. The method includes combining gas and water within a subsea simultaneous water and gas (SWAG) injection system. The method also includes forming a hydrate slurry from the gas and the water, and injecting the hydrate slurry into a reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Richard F. Stoisits, Larry D. Talley, Jason W. Lachance, Douglas J. Turner
  • Patent number: 9868910
    Abstract: A process for managing hydrates and hydrocarbon-based solids in a hydrocarbon stream. The process includes: introducing the hydrocarbon stream into an inlet of a system comprising at least a first cold flow reactor and a second cold flow reactor, each cold flow reactor comprising a heat exchanger and at least one static mixer; directing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon stream to the first cold flow reactor; cooling the portion of the hydrocarbon stream directed to the first cold flow reactor to a temperature less than the hydrate formation temperature, the temperature effective to substantially complete hydrate formation upon exiting the system to form a hydrate and hydrocarbon-based solids managed hydrocarbon stream; directing a lesser portion of the hydrocarbon stream to the second cold flow reactor; and remediating the second cold flow reactor by removing hydrate or hydrocarbon-based solids formed on internal surfaces of the second cold flow reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jason W. LaChance, Michael G. Starkey, William E. Bond
  • Publication number: 20170321520
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering heat to a fluid in a fluid production pipeline. Particles are injected into a line adjacent the fluid production pipeline. The particles include a microencapsulated liquid exothermic phase change material configured to undergo a phase change by solidification and release heat at a selected temperature. The released heat is transferred to the fluid production pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Nader S. Berchane, Chisa K. Brookes, Douglas J. Turner, Jason W. Lachance
  • Patent number: 9758733
    Abstract: An asphaltenes separation system comprising a flocculant feed system configured to add a flocculant to a production fluid to flocculate asphaltenes in the production fluid, and an asphaltenes separator configured to remove flocculated asphaltenes from the production fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Payman Esmaeili, Jason W. Lachance, Brendon L. Keinath
  • Patent number: 9714374
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for protecting a fluid stream from fouling using particles that include phase change materials. In an example, the particles are injected into the fluid stream and release energy at a selected temperature, which may warm the fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Nader S Berchane, Chisa K Brookes, Douglas J Turner, Jason W Lachance
  • Patent number: 9551462
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing hydrocarbons from production fluids that have water as an external phase. A method for transporting a hydrocarbon through a pipeline includes injecting water into a production stream at a production center. The production stream includes a hydrocarbon, and the water injection forms a transportation stream that includes a water external phase. The transportation stream is flowed through a transportation line to a surface facility, wherein the transportation line comprises a plurality of static mixers spaced at intervals along the transportation line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jason W. Lachance, Douglas J. Turner, Richard F. Stoisits, Larry D. Talley
  • Publication number: 20160355740
    Abstract: A process for managing hydrates and hydrocarbon-based solids in a hydrocarbon stream. The process includes: introducing the hydrocarbon stream into an inlet of a system comprising at least a first cold flow reactor and a second cold flow reactor, each cold flow reactor comprising a heat exchanger and at least one static mixer; directing at least a portion of the hydrocarbon stream to the first cold flow reactor; cooling the portion of the hydrocarbon stream directed to the first cold flow reactor to a temperature less than the hydrate formation temperature, the temperature effective to substantially complete hydrate formation upon exiting the system to form a hydrate and hydrocarbon-based solids managed hydrocarbon stream; directing a lesser portion of the hydrocarbon stream to the second cold flow reactor; and remediating the second cold flow reactor by removing hydrate or hydrocarbon-based solids formed on internal surfaces of the second cold flow reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Jason W. LaChance, Michael G. Starkey, William E. Bond
  • Patent number: 9470070
    Abstract: A method, including: performing dual-side depressurization on a hydrate blockage in a subsea flow line, wherein dual-side depressurization includes, reducing pressure on a topside of the hydrate blockage in the subsea flow line by removing liquid from within a subsea riser with a bubble pump that has a first end in fluid communication with the liquid within the subsea riser, reducing pressure on a backside of the hydrate blockage, and concurrently controlling the reduction in pressure on the topside of the hydrate blockage and the backside of the hydrate blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Brendon L. Keinath, Jason W. Lachance
  • Publication number: 20160265725
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing hydrocarbons from production fluids that have water as an external phase. A method for transporting a hydrocarbon through a pipeline includes injecting water into a production stream at a production center. The production stream includes a hydrocarbon, and the water injection forms a transportation stream that includes a water external phase. The transportation stream is flowed through a transportation line to a surface facility, wherein the transportation line comprises a plurality of static mixers spaced at intervals along the transportation line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Jason W. Lachance, Douglas J. Turner, Richard F. Stoisits, Larry D. Talley
  • Patent number: 9399899
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for producing hydrocarbons from production fluids that have water as an external phase. A method for transporting a hydrocarbon through a pipeline includes injecting water into a production stream at a production center. The production stream includes a hydrocarbon, and the water injection forms a transportation stream that includes a water external phase. The transportation stream is flowed through a transportation line to a surface facility, wherein the transportation line comprises a plurality of static mixers spaced at intervals along the transportation line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Richard F Stoisits, Jason W Lachance, Larry D Talley, Douglas J. Turner
  • Publication number: 20160137928
    Abstract: An asphaltenes separation system comprising a flocculant feed system configured to add a flocculant to a production fluid to flocculate asphaltenes in the production fluid, and an asphaltenes separator configured to remove flocculated asphaltenes from the production fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Payman Esmaeili, Jason W. Lachance, Brendon L. Keinath
  • Publication number: 20160102531
    Abstract: A method, including: performing dual-side depressurization on a hydrate blockage in a subsea flow line, wherein dual-side depressurization includes, reducing pressure on a topside of the hydrate blockage in the subsea flow line by removing liquid from within a subsea riser with a bubble pump that has a first end in fluid communication with the liquid within the subsea riser, reducing pressure on a backside of the hydrate blockage, and concurrently controlling the reduction in pressure on the topside of the hydrate blockage and the backside of the hydrate blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Brendon L. Keinath, Jason W. Lachance
  • Publication number: 20150373555
    Abstract: A communications apparatus configured to communicate with a sensor network, comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a processor coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause the apparatus to retrieve configuration data from the memory regarding the sensor network, wherein the configuration data is preloaded on the memory at a first physical location prior to installing the apparatus at a second physical location, select a wireless communication gateway from a plurality of communication gateways in the sensor network based at least in part on the configuration data, and wirelessly transmit data to the wireless communication gateway, wherein the data comprises information indicating a sensor reading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Bin Xu, Jason W. Lachance, Vasudev Rayachoti, Wayne S. Pon
  • Publication number: 20150323441
    Abstract: A QCM sensor apparatus comprising a QCM mounting insert having a first opening, a second opening, and a barrier fluid chamber disposed between the first opening and the second opening, and a QCM wafer sealably coupled to the second opening, wherein the QCM wafer has an electrode contact exposed to the barrier fluid chamber and a sensitive layer that is not exposed to the barrier fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jason W. Lachance, Jeffrey D. Spitzenberger