Patents by Inventor John Lofton

John Lofton 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: 8353351
    Abstract: Pressure within a subsea well is managed as temperature within the well fluctuate. The management of the pressure mitigates stress to the structure of the well caused by the pressure. To manage the pressure, fluid is received from and/or provided to the well to reduce and/or increase pressure within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Carpenter, Omid Oujani, Krystian K. Maskos, John Lofton
  • Publication number: 20110284209
    Abstract: Pressure within a subsea well is managed as temperature within the well fluctuate. The management of the pressure mitigates stress to the structure of the well caused by the pressure. To manage the pressure, fluid is received from and/or provided to the well to reduce and/or increase pressure within the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert B. Carpenter, Omid Oujani, Krystian K. Maskos, John Lofton
  • Patent number: 6938707
    Abstract: A method and a system for minimizing circulating fluid return losses during drilling of a well bore are disclosed. Circulating fluid, or mud, is heated above conventional temperatures for circulating fluids. The heated circulating fluid then contacts a region of a formation, in which a well bore is to be drilled, maintaining the formation at a relative higher temperature than if no special sources of heat were used to add heat to the circulating fluid. The region, at the relatively higher temperature, has a tendency to expand and to be placed in a relatively higher compressive state as compared to a formation at a lower temperature. Consequently, the use of the heated circulating fluid minimizes fracture initiation and growth and circulation fluid losses into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Schmidt, Manuel E. Gonzalez, John Lofton, James B. Bloys, Gregory P. Pepin
  • Publication number: 20040226746
    Abstract: A method and a system for minimizing circulating fluid return losses during drilling of a well bore are disclosed. Circulating fluid, or mud, is heated above conventional temperatures for circulating fluids. The heated circulating fluid then contacts a region of a formation, in which a well bore is to be drilled, maintaining the formation at a relative higher temperature than if no special sources of heat were used to add heat to the circulating fluid. The region, at the relatively higher temperature, has a tendency to expand and to be placed in a relatively higher compressive state as compared to a formation at a lower temperature. Consequently, the use of the heated circulating fluid minimizes fracture initiation and growth and circulation fluid losses into the formation. The system may use a heater mounted on the surface of a well or else on a sea floor to add heat to the circulating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph H. Schmidt, Manuel E. Gonzalez, John Lofton, James B. Bloys, Gregory P. Pepin