Patents by Inventor Randall Sant

Randall Sant 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).

  • Methods of increasing fracture resistance in low permeability formations
    Patent number: 9103206
    Abstract: A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation that includes emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising: a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignees: M-I LLC, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Aston, Jim Friedheim, Mark Sanders, Randall Sant
  • Prediction and diagnosis of lost circulation in wells
    Patent number: 9091149
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, techniques for predicting, classifying, preventing, and remedying drilling fluid circulation loss events are disclosed. Tools for gathering relevant data are disclosed, and techniques for interpreting the resultant data as giving rise to an actual or potential drilling fluid lost circulation event are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Aston, Juan Carlos Rojas, Randall Sant, Jianguo Zhang
  • PREDICTION AND DIAGNOSIS OF LOST CIRCULATION IN WELLS
    Publication number: 20130299241
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, techniques for predicting, classifying, preventing, and remedying drilling fluid circulation loss events are disclosed. Tools for gathering relevant data are disclosed, and techniques for interpreting the resultant data as giving rise to an actual or potential drilling fluid lost circulation event are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: BP EXPLORATION OPERATING COMPANY LIMITED, BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Aston, Juan Carlos Rojas, Randall Sant, Jianguo Zhang
  • METHODS OF INCREASING FRACTURE RESISTANCE IN LOW PERMEABILITY FORMATIONS
    Publication number: 20100282470
    Abstract: A method of increasing the fracture resistance of a low permeability formation that includes emplacing a wellbore fluid in a wellbore through the low permeability formation, the wellbore fluid comprising: a settable carrier fluid; and a solid particulate bridging material; increasing the pressure in the wellbore such that fractures are formed in the formation; allowing the settable carrier fluid to enter the fractures; bridging and sealing the mouths of the fractures to form a substantially impermeable bridge proximate the mouth of the fractures thereby strengthening the formation; and holding the increased pressure for an amount of time sufficient for setting of the carrier fluid in the fractures is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicants: M-I LLC, BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Mark William Alberty, Mark Aston, Jim Friedheim, Mark Sanders, Randall Sant