Patents by Inventor Renfeng Richard Cao

Renfeng Richard Cao 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: 20160281482
    Abstract: A method of heating a subsurface formation includes introducing a molten salt into a first passageway of a conduit-in-conduit heater at a first location. The molten salt is passed through the conduit-in-conduit heater in the formation to a second location. Heat transfers from the molten salt to a treatment area during passage of the molten salt through the conduit-in-conduit heater. The molten salt is removed from the conduit-in-conduit heater at a second location spaced away from the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Scott Vinh Nguyen, Renfeng Richard Cao
  • Publication number: 20130269935
    Abstract: A method for treating a tar sands formation includes providing heated fluid to a first section of the hydrocarbon layer while providing heat to a second section of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from a plurality of heaters located in the formation. The second section is vertically displaced from the first section. Heat is allowed to transfer from the heaters and heated water to at least a portion of the formation. Fluids are allowed to gravity drain to a third section of the hydrocarbon formation. Fluids are produced from the formation through at least one production well that is located in the third section of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Renfeng Richard CAO, Namit JAISWAL, Jeroen Cornelis VINK, Weijian MO
  • Patent number: 8281861
    Abstract: A method of heating a subsurface formation includes introducing a molten salt into a first passageway of a conduit-in-conduit heater at a first location. The molten salt is passed through the conduit-in-conduit heater in the formation to a second location. Heat transfers from the molten salt to a treatment area during passage of the molten salt through the conduit-in-conduit heater. The molten salt is removed from the conduit-in-conduit heater at a second location spaced away from the first location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Vinh Nguyen, Renfeng Richard Cao
  • Patent number: 8267185
    Abstract: A method for heating a subsurface formation includes applying heat from a plurality of heaters to at least a portion of the subsurface formation. A portion of one or more of the heaters are allowed to move relative to the heaters respective wellhead using sliding seals to accommodate thermal expansion of the heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Ernesto Rafael Fonseca Ocampos, James Joseph Venditto, Renfeng Richard Cao, Ronald Marshall Bass, Scott Vinh Nguyen, Antonio Maria Guimaraes Leite Cruz, Damodaran Raghu, Jaime Santos Son
  • Publication number: 20120085535
    Abstract: Systems and methods for heaters used in treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Some embodiments also generally relate to heaters that have novel components therein. Such heaters may be obtained by using the systems and methods described. Some embodiments also generally relate to systems, methods, and/or processes for treating fluid produced from the subsurface formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Weijian Mo, Renfeng Richard Cao
  • Publication number: 20100096137
    Abstract: A method of heating a subsurface formation includes introducing a molten salt into a first passageway of a conduit-in-conduit heater at a first location. The molten salt is passed through the conduit-in-conduit heater in the formation to a second location. Heat transfers from the molten salt to a treatment area during passage of the molten salt through the conduit-in-conduit heater. The molten salt is removed from the conduit-in-conduit heater at a second location spaced away from the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Scott Vinh Nguyen, Renfeng Richard Cao