Patents by Inventor Ramesh Raju Mudunuri

Ramesh Raju Mudunuri 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).

  • Moving hydrocarbons through portions of tar sands formations with a fluid
    Patent number: 7717171
    Abstract: A method for treating a tar sands formation is disclosed. The method includes heating a first portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the first portion. The heat is controlled to increase a fluid injectivity of the first portion. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid is injected and/or created in the first portion to cause at least some hydrocarbons to move from a second portion of the hydrocarbon layer to a third portion of the hydrocarbon layer. The second portion is between the first portion and the third portion. The first, second, and third portions are horizontally displaced from each other. The third portion is heated from one or more heaters located in the third portion. Hydrocarbons are produced from the third portion of the formation. The hydrocarbons include at least some hydrocarbons from the second portion of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: George Leo Stegemeier, Ramesh Raju Mudunuri, Harold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas, Namit Jaiswal, Weijian Mo
  • Method of producing drive fluid in situ in tar sands formations
    Patent number: 7681647
    Abstract: Methods of treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heaters to at least a portion of the formation such that a drive fluid is produced in situ in the formation. The drive fluid may move at least some mobilized, visbroken, and/or pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from a first portion of the formation to a second portion of the formation. At least some of the mobilized, visbroken, and/or pyrolyzed hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Raju Mudunuri, Namit Jaiswal, Harold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas
  • Moving hydrocarbons through portions of tar sands formations with a fluid
    Publication number: 20090014180
    Abstract: A method for treating a tar sands formation is disclosed. The method includes heating a first portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the first portion. The heat is controlled to increase a fluid injectivity of the first portion. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid is injected and/or created in the first portion to cause at least some hydrocarbons to move from a second portion of the hydrocarbon layer to a third portion of the hydrocarbon layer. The second portion is between the first portion and the third portion. The first, second, and third portions are horizontally displaced from each other. The third portion is heated from one or more heaters located in the third portion. Hydrocarbons are produced from the third portion of the formation. The hydrocarbons include at least some hydrocarbons from the second portion of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: George Leo Stegemeier, Ramesh Raju Mudunuri, Harold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas, Namit Jaiswal, Weijan Mo
  • Producing drive fluid in situ in tar sands formations
    Publication number: 20080128134
    Abstract: Methods of treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include providing heat to at least part of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heaters to at least a portion of the formation such that a drive fluid is produced in situ in the formation. The drive fluid may move at least some mobilized, visbroken, and/or pyrolyzed hydrocarbons from a first portion of the formation to a second portion of the formation. At least some of the mobilized, visbroken, and/or pyrolyzed hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Ramesh Raju Mudunuri, Namit Jaiswal, Harold J. Vinegar, John Michael Karanikas