Patents by Inventor Kirk Hollis

Kirk Hollis 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).

  • Kerogen extraction from subterranean oil shale resources
    Patent number: 8104536
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dean Looney, Robert Steven Lestz, Kirk Hollis, Craig Taylor, Scott Kinkead, Marcus Wigand
  • Kerogen Extraction from Subterranean Oil Shale Resources
    Publication number: 20100270038
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicants: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dean Looney, Robert Steven Lestz, Kirk Hollis, Craig Taylor, Scott Kinkead, Marcus Wigand
  • Kerogen extraction from subterranean oil shale resources
    Patent number: 7789164
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security
    Inventors: Mark Dean Looney, Robert Steven Lestz, Kirk Hollis, Craig Taylor, Scott Kinkead, Marcus Wigand
  • Kerogen Extraction from Subterranean Oil Shale Resources
    Publication number: 20090126934
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicants: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dean Looney, Robert Steven Lestz, Kirk Hollis, Craig Taylor, Scott Kinead, Marcus Wigand
  • Kerogen extraction from subterranean oil shale resources
    Patent number: 7500517
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dean Looney, Robert Steven Lestz, Kirk Hollis, Craig Taylor, Scott Kinkead, Marcus Wigand
  • Kerogen Extraction From Subterranean Oil Shale Resources
    Publication number: 20080006410
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Looney, Robert Lestz, Kirk Hollis, Craig Taylor, Scott Kinkead, Marcus Wigand