Patents by Inventor Philip C. Smalley

Philip C. Smalley 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).

  • Natural tracer for secondary recovery water injection process
    Patent number: 4743761
    Abstract: All natural water sources are "labeled" by a unique ratio of strontium isotopes (.sup.87 Sr/.sup.86 Sr). In accordance with the invention, the strontium isotope ratio for oil bearing formation water and for seawater which is to be injected into the formation is determined. The strontium isotope ratio of the produced water is then monitored at regular intervals and, when the strontium isotope ratio changes to that of the injected water, water injection breakthrough is delimited. The strontium isotope ratio thus serves as a natural tracer for seawater injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Conoco Inc.
    Inventors: Arne Raheim, Philip C. Smalley