Patents by Inventor Lewis B. Ledlow

Lewis B. Ledlow 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: 5325921
    Abstract: A two-fluid method for fracturing a subterranean formation to increase the production of fluids from a well therein has been discovered. In a typical operation, a fluid pad is injected into the well which essentially simultaneously fractures the formation and forms a low permeability filter cake on at least part of the fracture. A proppant transport fluid containing proppant is then injected to prop open the fracture once the pressure is decreased. The filter cake is removed to permit production to begin. Although many conventional fluids may be used for the fluid pad, one preferred fluid pad uses graded calcium carbonate particle sizes and a modified lignosulfonate as a filter control agent. Optionally, a thixotropic polymer may be present as a viscosifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael H. Johnson, Hang Nguyen, Lewis B. Ledlow