Patents by Inventor Nathan Garret Clark

Nathan Garret Clark 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: 20190271219
    Abstract: By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George BELL, David S. WESSON, Nathan Garret CLARK, John Thomas HARDESTY
  • Patent number: 10337310
    Abstract: By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Publication number: 20170204713
    Abstract: By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George BELL, David S. WESSON, Nathan Garret CLARK, John Thomas HARDESTY
  • Patent number: 9644460
    Abstract: By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GEODynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Publication number: 20160341018
    Abstract: By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George BELL, Davis S. WESSON, Nathan Garret CLARK, John Thomas HARDESTY
  • Patent number: 9080431
    Abstract: By substantially eliminating the crushed zone surrounding a perforation tunnel and expelling debris created upon activation of a shaped charge with first and second successive explosive events, the need for surge flow associated with underbalanced perforating techniques is eliminated. The break down of the rock fabric at the tunnel tip, caused by the near-instantaneous overpressure generated within the tunnel, further creates substantially debris-free tunnels in conditions of limited or no underbalance as well as in conditions of overbalance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Patent number: 8726995
    Abstract: By using reactive shaped charges, a dynamic underbalance effect associated with detonation of a perforating system is enhanced without compromising shot density. Fewer shaped charges can be loaded to achieve the same or better effective shot density as a gun fully loaded with conventional shaped charges, thereby increasing the free volume within the gun while creating debris-free tunnels with fractured tips and substantially eliminating the crushed zone surrounding each perforated tunnel. Further, the strength and grade of gun steel required to construct the gun can be reduced without compromising the amount the gun swells following detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Geodynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Patent number: 8245770
    Abstract: By using reactive shaped charges to perforate failure prone formations, the present invention is able to keep formation sand in place and increase productivity. An efficient flow distribution is surprisingly produced without requiring surge flow or post-perforation stimulation. Further, using the secondary reactive effects of reactive shaped charges allows for the reduction of the risk of erosion and minimization of sand production. In a preferred embodiment, a liner capable of producing a strongly exothermic intermetallic reaction between liner components within and around the tunnel is used to achieve a high percentage of substantially clean and enlarged perforation tunnels conducive to flow or gravel packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Geodynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Publication number: 20100132945
    Abstract: By substantially eliminating the crushed zone surrounding a perforation tunnel and expelling debris created upon activation of a shaped charge with first and second successive explosive events, the need for surge flow associated with underbalanced perforating techniques is eliminated. The break down of the rock fabric at the tunnel tip, caused by the near-instantaneous overpressure generated within the tunnel, further creates substantially debris-free tunnels in conditions of limited or no underbalance as well as in conditions of overbalance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Publication number: 20100132946
    Abstract: By removing material of low permeability from within and around a perforation tunnel and creating at least one fracture at the tip of a perforation tunnel, injection parameters and effects such as outflow rate and, in the case of multiple perforation tunnels benefiting from such cleanup, distribution of injected fluids along a wellbore are enhanced. Following detonation of a charge carrier, a second explosive event is triggered within a freshly made tunnel, thereby substantially eliminating a crushed zone and improving the geometry and quality (and length) of the tunnel. In addition, this action creates substantially debris-free tunnels and relieves the residual stress cage, resulting in perforation tunnels that are highly conducive to injection under fracturing conditions for disposal and stimulation purposes, and that promote even coverage of injected fluids across the perforated interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Publication number: 20100132947
    Abstract: By using reactive shaped charges to perforate failure prone formations, the present invention is able to keep formation sand in place and increase productivity. An efficient flow distribution is surprisingly produced without requiring surge flow or post-perforation stimulation. Further, using the secondary reactive effects of reactive shaped charges allows for the reduction of the risk of erosion and minimization of sand production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty
  • Publication number: 20100133005
    Abstract: By using reactive shaped charges, a dynamic underbalance effect associated with detonation of a perforating system is enhanced without compromising shot density. Fewer shaped charges can be loaded to achieve the same or better effective shot density as a gun fully loaded with conventional shaped charges, thereby increasing the free volume within the gun while creating debris-free tunnels with fractured tips and substantially eliminating the crushed zone surrounding each perforated tunnel. Further, the strength and grade of gun steel required to construct the gun can be reduced without compromising the amount the gun swells following detonation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew Robert George Bell, David S. Wesson, Nathan Garret Clark, John Thomas Hardesty