Patents by Inventor Larry D. Talley

Larry D. Talley 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: 10274381
    Abstract: The present techniques are directed to a pipeline transporting a production fluid including hydrocarbon. An optical fiber is disposed along a length of the pipeline. A control system determines a predicted operating temperature based on pressure and flow rate of the production fluid in the pipeline. The control system determines a measured temperature along the pipeline using the optical fiber. The control system detects and locates a temperature anomaly by comparing the measured temperature of the pipeline to the predicted operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mohan G. Kulkarni, Larry D. Talley
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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: 20150377716
    Abstract: The present techniques are directed to a pipeline transporting a production fluid including hydrocarbon. An optical fiber is disposed along a length of the pipeline. A control system determines a predicted operating temperature based on pressure and flow rate of the production fluid in the pipeline. The control system determines a measured temperature along the pipeline using the optical fiber. The control system detects and locates a temperature anomaly by comparing the measured temperature of the pipeline to the predicted operating temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Mohan G. Kulkarni, Larry D. Talley
  • Publication number: 20150260348
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for inhibiting the formation and/or growth of clathrate hydrates in a mixed phase fluid at or near the walls of a tubular through use of a chemical or physical coating on the tubular wall. An exemplary embodiment provides a method for producing a flowable mixed phase fluid having the potential to create clathrate hydrates. The method includes inhibiting hydrate formation in a tubular by injecting an additive into a fluid stream in the tubular, and the additive adheres, at least in part, to the walls of the tubular and inhibits hydrate growth proximate to the wall. When sufficient additive is injected into the tubular system, the hydrate film growth on the tubular walls is inhibited, at least to some extent, and a continuous flow rate is maintained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Larry D. Talley, Jason W. Lachance
  • Publication number: 20130312980
    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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Richard F. Stoisits, Larry D. Talley, Jason W. Lachance, Douglas J. Turner
  • Patent number: 8436219
    Abstract: Method for reducing loss of flow due to hydrate solids deposits and wax deposition in a pipeline without the aid of chemicals and system for transporting a flow of wellstream hydrocarbons containing water, using a main pipeline and a cold-flow reactor connected to the main pipeline or within or forming a part of the pipeline, wherein at least a portion of the wellstream is fed to the cold-flow reactor. Also provided is a method for preventing hydrate nucleation and growth in a pipeline and preventing hydrate agglomeration as well as for preventing wax deposition. The provided method eliminates the use of energized equipment for melting, grinding or scraping hydrate solids from inside of pipelines or flowlines. Generating dry hydrates to be mixed with main flow of a wellstream is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Larry D. Talley, Douglas J. Turner, Douglas K. Priedeman
  • Patent number: 8430169
    Abstract: A method for managing hydrates in a subsea production system is provided. The production system includes a host production facility, a control umbilical, at least one subsea production well, and a single production line. The method generally comprises producing hydrocarbon fluids from the at least one subsea production well and through the production line, and then shutting in the production line. In addition, the method includes the steps of depressurizing the production line to substantially reduce a solution gas concentration in the produced hydrocarbon fluids, and then repressurizing the production line to urge any remaining gas in the free gas phase within the production line back into solution. The method also includes displacing production fluids within the production line by moving displacement fluids from a service line within the umbilical line and into the production line. The displacement fluids preferably comprise a hydrocarbon-based fluid having a low dosage hydrate inhibitor (LDHI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Richard F. Stoisits, David C. Lucas, Larry D. Talley, Donald P. Shatto, Jiyong Cai
  • Publication number: 20120255737
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus, systems, and methods for generating a non-plugging hydrate slurry. The apparatus, systems, and methods for generating a hydrate slurry are useful for transport and/or production of wellstream hydrocarbons in subsea and arctic environments. The present invention provides methods of seeded or unseeded methods of making dry hydrates. Dry hydrates are made with or without the aid of chemicals and, preferably, with minimum use of rotating or other energized equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Chad A. Broussard, Tracy A. Fowler, Donald P. Shatto, Douglas J. Turner, Larry D. Talley, Jason W. Lachance, David Greaves
  • Publication number: 20120216899
    Abstract: Provided are piggable static mixers, apparatus for generating a non-plugging hydrate slurry, systems incorporating the same, and methods of using the same. Piggable static mixers include an inlet orifice, an outlet orifice in fluid communication with the inlet orifice, and a mechanism fluidly coupled between the inlet and outlet orifices. The mechanism is configurable between a first state and a second state. Fluid flow between the inlet and outlet orifices is substantially unimpeded when the mechanism is in the first state. A static mixer element impinges upon the fluid flow when the mechanism is in the second state. The system further includes a production facility and a production line. The system and methods provided are useful for production of wellstream hydrocarbons from subsea and arctic environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Chad A. Broussard, Tracy A. FOWLER, Donald P. SHATTO, Douglas J. TURNER, Larry D. TALLEY, Jason LACHANCE, David GREAVIS
  • Publication number: 20110308625
    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: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Richard F. Stoisits, Jason W. Lachance, Larry D. Talley, Douglas J. Turner
  • Patent number: 7994374
    Abstract: A method for treating a fluid having hydrate-forming constituents is provided. In one or more embodiments, the method includes including a mixture (110) comprising glycol and one or more kinetic inhibitors to a fluid (105) that includes one or more hydrate-forming constituents and water to provide a treated fluid comprising the glycol, one or more kinetic inhibitors, one or more hydrate-forming constituents and water. The treated fluid (125) is then separated at conditions sufficient to provide an oil phase stream and an aqueous phase stream, wherein the aqueous phase stream includes one or more kinetic inhibitors, glycol and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Larry D. Talley, Karla S. Colle
  • Patent number: 7958939
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a process for providing a pumpable hydrate slurry in a hydrocarbon pipeline fluid mixture having a water-cut greater than about 50 volume percent. In one or more embodiments the process comprises treating the fluid mixture with an anti-agglomerant and adding water to the fluid mixture in an amount sufficient to lower the gas-water ratio sufficiently to achieve a pumpable hydrate slurry. Also disclosed are methods for producing hydrocarbons utilizing a process for providing a pumpable hydrate slurry in a hydrocarbon pipeline fluid mixture having a water -cut greater than about 50 volume percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventor: Larry D. Talley
  • Publication number: 20100193194
    Abstract: A method for managing hydrates in a subsea production system is provided. The production system includes a host production facility, a control umbilical, at least one subsea production well, and a single production line. The method generally comprises producing hydrocarbon fluids from the at least one subsea production well and through the production line, and then shutting in the production line. In addition, the method includes the steps of depressurizing the production line to substantially reduce a solution gas concentration in the produced hydrocarbon fluids, and then repressurizing the production line to urge any remaining gas in the free gas phase within the production line back into solution. The method also includes displacing production fluids within the production line by moving displacement fluids from a service line within the umbilical line and into the production line. The displacement fluids preferably comprise a hydrocarbon-based fluid having a low dosage hydrate inhibitor (LDHI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Richard F. Stoisits, David C. Lucas, Larry D. Talley, Donald P. Shatto, Jiyong Cai
  • Patent number: 7585816
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of gas hydrates in a petroleum fluid having hydrate-forming constituents is claimed. More specifically, the method can be used to treat a petroleum fluid, such as natural gas conveyed in a pipe, to inhibit the formation of a hydrate flow restriction in the pipe. The preferred hydrate inhibitors used for practicing the method comprise substantially water soluble homopolymers and copolymers of isopropylmethacrylamide derivatives which have a bimodal molecular weight distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Karla S. Colle, Larry D. Talley, John M. Longo
  • Publication number: 20090221451
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a process for providing a pumpable hydrate slurry in a hydrocarbon pipeline fluid mixture having a water-cut greater than about 50 volume percent. In one or more embodiments the process comprises treating the fluid mixture with an anti-agglomerant and adding water to the fluid mixture in an amount sufficient to lower the gas-water ratio sufficiently to achieve a pumpable hydrate slurry. Also disclosed are methods for producing hydrocarbons utilizing a process for providing a pumpable hydrate slurry in a hydrocarbon pipeline fluid mixture having a water-cut greater than about 50 volume percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Larry D. Talley
  • Publication number: 20090078406
    Abstract: Method for reducing loss of flow due to hydrate solids deposits and wax deposition in a pipeline without the aid of chemicals and system for transporting a flow of wellstream hydrocarbons containing water, using a main pipeline and a cold-flow reactor connected to the main pipeline or within or forming a part of the pipeline, wherein at least a portion of the wellstream is fed to the cold-flow reactor. Also provided is a method for preventing hydrate nucleation and growth in a pipeline and preventing hydrate agglomeration as well as for preventing wax deposition. The provided method eliminates the use of energized equipment for melting, grinding or scraping hydrate solids from inside of pipelines or flowlines. Generating dry hydrates to be mixed with main flow of a wellstream is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Larry D. Talley, Douglas J. Turner, Douglas K. Priedeman