Patents by Inventor Lee L. Shafer

Lee L. Shafer 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: 8790514
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Publication number: 20130330128
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Patent number: 8529763
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Patent number: 8323495
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method for operating a bioreactor and filtration system. The method adds excess iron to the bioreactor to improve the overall operation and efficiency of the bioreactor/filtration system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventor: Lee L. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20120152830
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Patent number: 8105488
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Publication number: 20100224564
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method for operating a resin treatment system and a novel organic polisher. The method for operating the resin treatment system is efficient and cost effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventor: Lee L. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20100224557
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a novel method for operating a bioreactor and filtration system. The method adds excess iron to the bioreactor to improve the overall operation and efficiency of the bioreactor/filtration system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventor: Lee L. Shafer
  • Patent number: 7722770
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for treating the waste water contaminated with methanol and boron in addition to other contaminants. The systems and methods allow specifically for the removal of the methanol and boron without the addition of significant chemicals to raise the pH. The water is treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Publication number: 20100038310
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Patent number: 7628919
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for treating the waste water contaminated with methanol and boron in addition to other contaminants. The systems and methods allow specifically for the removal of the methanol and boron without the addition of significant chemicals to raise the pH. The water is treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Publication number: 20090236281
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for treating the waste water contaminated with methanol and boron in addition to other contaminants. The systems and methods allow specifically for the removal of the methanol and boron without the addition of significant chemicals to raise the pH. The water is treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: ANTICLINE DISPOSAL, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Patent number: 7527736
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water in order to produce a treated water having a quality adequate for reuse as a fracturing water. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water has had a sufficient amount of the gellation-inhibiting contaminants, such as acrylamide friction reducing compounds, removed to allow the treated water to be an economically viable fracturing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Patent number: 7510656
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Anticline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Publication number: 20080053900
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for treating the waste water contaminated with methanol and boron in addition to other contaminants. The systems and methods allow specifically for the removal of the methanol and boron without the addition of significant chemicals to raise the pH. The water is treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: AntiCline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Publication number: 20080058576
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water in order to produce a treated water having a quality adequate for reuse as a fracturing water. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water has had a sufficient amount of the gellation-inhibiting contaminants, such as acrylamide friction reducing compounds, removed to allow the treated water to be an economically viable fracturing water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: AntiCline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Publication number: 20080053896
    Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for reclaiming water contaminated with the expected range of contaminants typically associated with produced water, including water contaminated with slick water, methanol and boron. The system includes anaerobically digesting the contaminated water, followed by aerating the water to enhance biological digestion. After aeration, the water is separated using a flotation operation that effectively removes the spent friction reducing agents and allows the treated water to be reclaimed and reused as fracturing water, even though it retains levels of contaminants, including boron and methanol, that would prevent its discharge to the environment under existing standards. The treated water may further be treated by removing the methanol via biological digestion in a bioreactor, separating a majority of the contaminants from the water by reverse osmosis and removing the boron that passes through the reverse osmosis system with a boron-removing ion exchange resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: AntiCline Disposal, LLC
    Inventors: Lee L. Shafer, John W. James, Richard D. Rath, Jesse Eubank
  • Patent number: 7059407
    Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying within said wellbore a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device and a sealing mechanism, wherein pressure communication is established between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. The BHA is positioned within the wellbore such that the sealing mechanism, when actuated, establishes a hydraulic seal in the wellbore to positively force fluid to enter the perforations corresponding to the interval to be treated. A treating fluid is pumped down the wellbore and into the perforations created in the perforated interval. The sealing mechanism is released, and the steps are repeated for as many intervals as desired, without having to remove the BHA from said wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Lawrence O. Carlson, David A. Kinison, Kris J. Nygaard, Glenn S. Goss, William A. Sorem, Lee L. Shafer
  • Patent number: 6957701
    Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying within said wellbore a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device and a sealing mechanisms, wherein pressure communication is established between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. The BHA is positioned within the wellbore such that the sealing mechanism, when actuated, establishes a hydraulic seal in the wellbore to positively force fluid to enter the perforations corresponding to the interval to be treated. A treating fluid is pumped down the wellbore and into the perforations created in the perforated interval. The sealing mechanism is released, and the steps are repeated for as many intervals as desired, without having to remove the BHA from said wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: ExxonMobile Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Lawrence O. Carlson, David A. Kinison, Kris J. Nygaard, Glenn S. Goss, William A. Sorem, Lee L. Shafer
  • Publication number: 20030051876
    Abstract: The invention discloses methods of, as well as apparatus and systems for, perforating and treating multiple intervals of one or more subterranean formations intersected by a wellbore by deploying within said wellbore a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) having a perforating device, a sealing mechanism and at least one pressure equalization means that establishes pressure communication between the portions of the wellbore above and below the sealing mechanism. The BHA is positioned within the wellbore such that the sealing mechanism, when actuated, establishes a hydraulic seal in the wellbore to positively force fluid to enter the perforations corresponding to the interval to be treated. A treating fluid is pumped down the wellbore and into the perforations created in the perforated interval. The sealing mechanism is released, and the steps are repeated for as many intervals as desired, without having to remove the BHA from said wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Lawrence O. Carlson, David A. Kinison, Kris J. Nygaard, Glenn S. Goss, William A. Sorem, Lee L. Shafer