Patents by Inventor Monte K. Dobson

Monte K. Dobson 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).

  • Solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion and method for using same
    Patent number: 6734144
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the stability of a solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion by pretreating the oil prior to emulsification. The pretreatment step can be accomplished by adding dilute acid to the oil, adding a lignosulfonate additive to the oil, sulfonating the oil, thermally oxidizing the oil, thermally treating the oil in an inert environment, and combinations thereof. The emulsion can be used in enhanced oil recovery methods, including using the emulsion as a drive fluid to displace hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation, and using the emulsion as a barrier fluid for diverting flow of fluids in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, James R. Bragg, Monte K. Dobson, Dennis G. Peiffer, John S. Huang, Donald B. Siano, Cornelius H. Brons, Chester W. Elspass
  • Solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion and method for using same
    Publication number: 20010049902
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the stability of a solids-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion by pretreating the oil prior to emulsification. The pretreatment step can be accomplished by adding dilute acid to the oil, adding a lignosulfonate additive to the oil, sulfonating the oil, thermally oxidizing the oil, thermally treating the oil in an inert environment, and combinations thereof. The emulsion can be used in enhanced oil recovery methods, including using the emulsion as a drive fluid to displace hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation, and using the emulsion as a barrier fluid for diverting flow of fluids in the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, James R. Bragg, Monte K. Dobson, Dennis G. Peiffer, John S. Huang, Donald B. Siano, Cornelius H. Brons, Chester W. Elspass