Patents by Inventor Michael E. McCracken

Michael E. McCracken 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).

  • Publication number: 20130220604
    Abstract: A method of creating a network of fractures in a reservoir is provided. The method includes designing a desired fracture network system, and determining required in situ stresses to create the desired fracture network within the reservoir. The method further includes designing a layout of wells to alter the in situ stresses within the stress field, and then injecting a fracturing fluid under pressure into the reservoir to create an initial set of fractures within the reservoir. The method also includes monitoring the in situ stresses within the stress field, and modifying the in situ stresses within the stress field. The method then includes injecting a fracturing fluid under pressure into the reservoir in order to expand upon the initial set of fractures and to create the network of fractures. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is also provided herein, wherein a fracture network is created from a single, deviated wellbore production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Abdel Wadood M. El-Rabaa, Leonard V. Moore, Michael E. McCracken, Chris E. Shuchart, Pavlin B. Entchev, Stephen Karner, Jose Oliverio Alvarez
  • Patent number: 8473268
    Abstract: Methods and system for incorporating downhole and surface data with models and adjustment algorithms to back allocate flow rates of commingled zones. The models include fluid flow in the reservoir and wellbore, pressure drop across a choke, and fluid flow in the well completion. The models are coupled with an algorithm for comparing the results from the individual commingled zones to the total cumulative commingled volume and adjusting at least one predicted rate so that they match the measured flow rate over a specified time period. One method utilizes a reassignment factor for the adjustment of the predicted rates. These comparisons and allocation adjustments can be accomplished even when the frequency of the commingled flow rate and cumulative measurements, and the frequency of the predicted rates from the model differ from each other and the specified time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy G Benish, Michael E McCracken
  • Publication number: 20130110485
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for determining interwell communication in a hydrocarbon-producing field that has a plurality of wells. An exemplary method comprises determining communication relationships for the plurality of wells using a multivariate dynamic joint analysis algorithm based on data representing properties of each of the plurality of wells. The multivariate dynamic joint analysis algorithm may employ a self-response of each of the plurality of wells and an interwell response between combinations of the plurality of wells. Data representative of the communication relationships is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Weichang Li, Niranjan A. Subrahmanya, Limin Song, Adam K. Usadi, Krishnan Kumaran, Peng Xu, Michael E. McCracken, Dale E. Fitz
  • Publication number: 20090198477
    Abstract: Methods and system for incorporating downhole and surface data with models and adjustment algorithms to back allocate flow rates of commingled zones. The models include fluid flow in the reservoir and wellbore, pressure drop across a choke, and fluid flow in the well completion. The models are coupled with an algorithm for comparing the results from the individual commingled zones to the total cumulative commingled volume and adjusting at least one predicted rate so that they match the measured flow rate over a specified time period. One method utilizes a reassignment factor for the adjustment of the predicted rates. These comparisons and allocation adjustments can be accomplished even when the frequency of the commingled flow rate and cumulative measurements, and the frequency of the predicted rates from the model differ from each other and the specified time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy G. Benish, Michael E. McCracken
  • Patent number: 6912039
    Abstract: A method for scheduling motion picture and promotional content for an audience at an exhibitor site includes the steps of: assembling an electronic play list (62) for the motion picture and for related promotional content. The play list (62) identifies at least one time slot (64) for presentation of the promotional content. An ad auction entry (32) is posted, soliciting a bid from an advertisement provider for purchase of the time slot (64). In response to a received bid, an advertisement is provided for the time slot (64) so that the advertisement can be downloaded from a networked advertisement provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David L. Patton, John R. Fredlund, Dale F. McIntyre, Carlo V. Hume, Michael E. McCracken, Arthur J. Cosgrove, Glenn L. Kennel, Rohan S. Khaleel