Patents by Inventor Joseph A. Zupanick
Joseph A. Zupanick 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).
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Publication number: 20040007352Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a subterranean drainage pattern for accessing a subterranean zone includes a main well bore extending from a surface well bore, located at a first end of the area, to a second end of the area. A first plurality of lateral well bores extend in spaced apart relation to each other from the main well bore to the periphery of the area on a first side portion of the main well bore. A second plurality of lateral well bores extend in spaced apart relation to each other from the main well bore to a periphery of the area on a second, opposite side portion of the main well bore. A first plurality of ramping well bores extend in spaced apart relation to each other from the main well bore toward a boundary of the subterranean zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Publication number: 20040007351Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a subterranean drainage pattern for accessing a subterranean zone includes at least one undulating well bore. The undulating well bore includes at least one inclining portion drilled through the subterranean zone at an inclination sloping toward an upper boundary of the single layer of subterranean deposits and at least one declining portion drilled through the subterranean zone at a declination sloping toward a lower boundary of the single layer of subterranean deposits. At least one bending portion couples the at least one inclining portion and the at least one declining portion to form a waveform.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 6668918Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: CDX Gas, L.L.C.Inventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 6662870Abstract: A method and system for accessing subterranean resources from a limited surface area includes a first well bore extending from the surface to the target zone. The first well bore includes an angled portion disposed between the target zone and the surface to provide an offset between a surface location of the first well bore and an intersection of the first well bore with the subterranean resource. The system also includes an articulated well bore extending from the surface to the target zone. The articulated well bore is offset from the first well bore at the surface and intersects the first well bore proximate the target zone. The system further includes a well bore pattern extending from the intersection of the first well bore and the articulated well bore in the target zone to provide access to the target zone.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: CDX Gas, L.L.C.Inventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Publication number: 20030217842Abstract: A method and system for accessing subterranean resources from a limited surface area includes a first well bore extending from the surface to the target zone. The first well bore includes an angled portion disposed between the target zone and the surface to provide an offset between a surface location of the first well bore and an intersection of the first well bore with the subterranean resource. The system also includes an articulated well bore extending from the surface to the target zone. The articulated well bore is offset from the first well bore at the surface and intersects the first well bore proximate the target zone. The system further includes a well bore pattern extending from the intersection of the first well bore and the articulated well bore in the target zone to provide access to the target zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: CDX Gas, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability companyInventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Patent number: 6604580Abstract: A method and system for accessing subterranean zones from the surface includes a substantially vertical well bore extending from the surface to a target zone, and an articulated well bore extending from the substantially vertical well bore to the target zone. The articulated well bore diverges from the substantially vertical well bore between the surface and the target zone. The system also includes a well bore pattern extending from the articulated well bore in the target zone operable to collect resources from the target zone. The system also includes a subsurface channel operable to communicate resources from the well bore pattern to the substantially vertical well bore. The system further includes a vertical pump disposed in the substantially vertical well bore and operable to lift resources collected in the substantially vertical well bore to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: CDX Gas, LLCInventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Patent number: 6604910Abstract: A fluid controlled pumping system includes a pumping unit disposed within a fluid cavity. The pumping unit includes a passage extending to a suction end of the pumping unit. The system also includes a pressure source coupled to the passage and operable to force a fluid outwardly from the passage proximate to the suction end of the pumping unit. The system includes a pressure sensor coupled to the passage and operable to determine a fluid pressure within the passage. The system further includes a controller coupled to the pumping unit and operable to regulate an operating parameter of the pumping unit using the fluid pressure.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: CDX Gas, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Patent number: 6598686Abstract: A system for enhanced access to subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore pattern having a first well bore extending from a surface well bore substantially defining a first end of the area in the subterranean zone to a distant end of the area. The pattern also includes a plurality of lateral well bores extending outwardly from the first well bore. The distance from an end of a lateral well bore to the surface well bore may be configured to be substantially equal for each of the lateral well bores to facilitate forming the lateral well bores. The system and method may also include nesting two or more well bore patterns within the subterranean zone to provide uniform coverage of the zone. Additionally, the system and method may include multiple well bore patterns in communication with a common surface well bore to reduce the surface area required for accessing the subterranean zone.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 29, 2003Assignee: CDX Gas, LLCInventor: Joseph A Zupanick
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Patent number: 6595301Abstract: A single-blade underreamer for forming a cavity within a well bore includes a housing rotatably disposed within the well bore, and a stabilizer coupled to the housing. The stabilizer is operable to stabilize the housing within the well bore during formation of the cavity. The underreamer also includes a single cutter pivotally coupled to the housing, and a piston slidably disposed within the housing and adapted to engage the cutter. A downwardly disposed force applied to the piston is operable slide the piston relative to the housing to correspondingly extend the cutter outwardly relative to the housing from a retracted position to form the cavity during rotation of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: CDX Gas, LLCInventors: Lawrence W. Diamond, Joseph A. Zupanick, Harold E. Payne
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Patent number: 6575235Abstract: A method and system for accessing subterranean zones from the surface includes a substantially vertical well bore extending from the surface to a target zone, and an articulated well bore extending from the substantially vertical well bore to the target zone. The articulated well bore diverges from the substantially vertical well bore between the surface and the target zone. The system also includes a well bore pattern extending from the articulated well bore in the target zone operable to collect resources from the target zone. The system also includes a subsurface channel operable to communicate resources from the well bore pattern to the substantially vertical well bore. The system further includes a vertical pump disposed in the substantially vertical well bore and operable to lift resources collected in the substantially vertical well bore to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: CDX Gas, LLCInventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Patent number: 6561288Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: CDX Gas, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Publication number: 20030075322Abstract: An improved method for management of by-products from subterranean zones, comprising drilling a first well system into a subterranean zone, wherein the first well system comprises a first drainage pattern. By-product and gas from a first volume of the subterranean zone is removed via the first well system. A second well system is drilled into the subterranean zone, wherein the second well system comprises a second drainage pattern, and by-product is moved from a second volume of the subterranean zone to the first volume of the subterranean zone. Gas is then produced from the second volume of the subterranean zone. Subsequent drainage patterns repeat the process.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2001Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: CDX Gas, LLC.Inventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Patent number: 6497556Abstract: A fluid level controlled pumping system includes a pumping unit disposed within a fluid cavity. The pumping unit includes an inlet operable to receive a fluid to be pumped from the fluid cavity. The system also includes a valve slidably coupled to the pumping unit. The valve includes a passage for receiving pumped fluid from an outlet of the pumping unit. In response to a decreasing fluid level within the fluid cavity, movement of the valve relative to the pumping unit aligns the passage with a port of the pumping unit to recirculate the pumped fluid from the outlet to the inlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: CDX Gas, LLCInventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Publication number: 20020189801Abstract: A method and system for accessing subterranean resources from a limited surface area includes a first well bore extending from the surface to the target zone. The first well bore includes an angled portion disposed between the target zone and the surface to provide an offset between a surface location of the first well bore and an intersection of the first well bore with the subterranean resource. The system also includes an articulated well bore extending from the surface to the target zone. The articulated well bore is offset from the first well bore at the surface and intersects the first well bore proximate the target zone. The system further includes a well bore pattern extending from the intersection of the first well bore and the articulated well bore in the target zone to provide access to the target zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Applicant: CDX Gas, L.L.C., a Texas limited liability companyInventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Patent number: 6478085Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: CDX Gas, LLPInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Publication number: 20020155003Abstract: A fluid level controlled pumping system includes a pumping unit disposed within a fluid cavity. The pumping unit includes an inlet operable to receive a fluid to be pumped from the fluid cavity. The system also includes a valve slidably coupled to the pumping unit. The valve includes a passage for receiving pumped fluid from an outlet of the pumping unit. In response to a decreasing fluid level within the fluid cavity, movement of the valve relative to the pumping unit aligns the passage with a port of the pumping unit to recirculate the pumped fluid from the outlet to the inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2001Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: CDX Gas, LLCInventors: Joseph A. Zupanick, Monty H. Rial
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Publication number: 20020148613Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: CDX Gas, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Publication number: 20020148605Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2002Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: CDX Gas, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Publication number: 20020148647Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2001Publication date: October 17, 2002Applicant: CDX Gas, LLCInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick
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Publication number: 20020134546Abstract: Improved method and system for accessing subterranean deposits from the surface that substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with previous systems and methods. In particular, the present invention provides an articulated well with a drainage pattern that intersects a horizontal cavity well. The drainage patterns provide access to a large subterranean area from the surface while the vertical cavity well allows entrained water, hydrocarbons, and other deposits to be efficiently removed and/or produced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: CDX Gas, LLC, Texas limited liability companyInventor: Joseph A. Zupanick