Patents by Inventor Rick W. Luhning

Rick W. Luhning 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).

  • Process for sequentially applying SAGD to adjacent sections of a petroleum reservoir
    Patent number: 7090014
    Abstract: Steam assisted gravity drainage (“SAGD”) is practised in a first section of a reservoir containing heavy oil. When steam/oil ratio rises sufficiently, steam injection into the first section is curtailed or terminated. Non-condensible gas is then injected into the section to pressurize it and production of residual oil and steam condensate is continued. Concurrently with pressurization, SAGD is practised in an adjacent reservoir section. As a result, some of the residual oil in the first section is recovered and steam loss from the second section to the first section is ameliorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Alberta Science and Research Authority
    Inventors: William Keith Good, Rick W. Luhning, Kenneth E. Kisman