Patents by Inventor Ricky C. Ng

Ricky C. Ng 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).

  • Patent number: 5531272
    Abstract: A method for zone isolation or replacing a damaged or corroded casing with a solid plastic is described herein. A resin/curing agent mixture sufficient to form a hardened plastic or solid, underwater and/or at low wellbore temperatures that is also able to withstand downhole stresses, is placed into the wellbore so as to bind with the undamaged casing and close off any thief zone. Subsequently, the resin/curing agent mixture forms a hardened solid. The hardened solid is milled out if necessary so as to form a resinous casing the size of the original casing. Later, the hardened resinous casing is perforated to communicate with a targeted zone. Perforation is not required when isolating a zone. The hardened solid is of a strength sufficient to withstand stresses generated during EOR operations such as carbon dioxide or steam-flooding. Said solid is also resistant to workover acids and other chemicals used in EOR operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Ricky C. Ng, Thurman W. McPherson, II
  • Patent number: 5404950
    Abstract: A method for zone isolation or replacing a damaged or corroded casing with a solid plastic is described herein. A resin/curing agent mixture sufficient to form a hardened plastic or solid, underwater and/or at low wellbore temperatures that is also able to withstand downhole stresses, is placed into the wellbore so as to bind with the undamaged casing and close off any thief zone. Subsequently, the resin/curing agent mixture forms a hardened solid. The hardened solid is milled out if necessary so as to form a resinous casing the size of the original casing. Later, the hardened resinous casing is perforated to communicate with a targeted zone. Perforation is not required when isolating a zone. The hardened solid is of a strength sufficient to withstand stresses generated during EOR operations such as carbon dioxide or steam-flooding. Said solid is also resistant to workover acids and other chemicals used in EOR operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Ricky C. Ng, Thurman W. McPherson, II
  • Patent number: 5377757
    Abstract: A method for zone isolation, profile modification, remedial cementing, or replacing a damaged or corroded casing with a solid plastic is described. A solidifiable epoxy resin mixture, containing a critical amount of a hardener and curing agent for improved pumpability, is placed into a wellbore so as to bind with undamaged casing and close off any thief zones. Subsequently, the epoxy resin mixture forms a hardened solid underwater and/or at low wellbore temperatures that is able to withstand downhole stresses. The hardened solid is milled out if necessary so as to form a resinous casing the size of the original casing. Later, the hardened resinous casing is perforated to communicate with a targeted zone. Perforation is not required when isolating a zone. The hardened solid is of a strength sufficient to withstand stresses generated during EOR operations such as carbon dioxide or steam-flooding. Said solid is also resistant to workover acids and other chemicals used in EOR operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Ricky C. Ng
  • Patent number: 5358563
    Abstract: A method for controlling the profile of a formation where temperatures higher than 200.degree. F. are encountered. Initially, an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide or organoammonium hydroxide is injected into a zone of greater permeability in a formation. Thereafter, a spacer volume of a water-miscible organic solvent is injected into said zone. Afterwards, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the greater permeability zone. A silica cement is formed in-situ thereby substantially closing off the higher permeability zone to fluid flow. Thereafter, a steam-flooding, water-flooding, carbon dioxide stimulation or fire-flooding EOR operation is commenced in a lower permeability zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shu, Craig H. Phelps, Ricky C. Ng
  • Patent number: 5358564
    Abstract: A method and composition for controlling the profile of a formation where temperatures higher than 200.degree. F. are encountered. An aqueous solution of an organoammonium silicate, alkali metal or ammonium silicate is injected into a zone of higher permeability in a formation. Subsequently, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible organic solvent is directed into said zone. Afterwards, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the higher permeability zone. A silica cement is formed in-situ thereby substantially closing the higher permeability zone to fluid flow. Thereafter, a steam-flooding, water-flooding, carbon dioxide-flooding, or fire-flooding EOR operation is commenced in a lower permeability zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shu, Ricky C. Ng, Craig H. Phelps
  • Patent number: 5295541
    Abstract: A method for replacing a damaged or corroded casing with a solid plastic is described herein. After removing the corroded or damaged casing from the wellbore, the borehole is underreamed to a desired diameter. Thereafter, a resin/curing agent mixture sufficient to form a hardened plastic or resin able to withstand downhole stresses, is placed into the wellbore so as to bind with the undamaged casing and close off any thief zone. Subsequently, the resin/curing agent mixture forms a hardened solid. The hardened solid is milled out so as to form a resinous casing the size of the original casing. Later, the hardened resinous casing is perforated to communicate with a targeted zone. Perforation is not required when isolating a zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Ricky C. Ng, Thurman W. McPherson, II, Myung K. Hwang
  • Patent number: 5215147
    Abstract: A method for selectively closing an intermediate zone of a near wellbore area in a formation. Initially, a drillable mechanical packer is placed into the wellbore below the intermediate zone. The wellbore area adjacent to the intermediate zone is cooled to a critical temperature between about 130.degree. to about 180.degree. F. Subsequently, a novolac or resole-type phenolformaldehyde resin containing an acid catalyst is placed into the wellbore where it forms a solid platform over the packer and intermediate zone in about 2 hours. The critical temperature is maintained in the wellbore and intermediate zone while placing a second resinous material containing an alkaline catalyst into the wellbore and intermediate zone. Thereafter, the second material forms a steam resistant solid gel in the intermediate zone, thereby closing it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard V. Grego, Ricky C. Ng, Craig H. Phelps
  • Patent number: 5211231
    Abstract: A method and composition for controlling the profile of a formation where temperatures higher than 200.degree. F. are encountered. An aqueous solution of an organoammonium silicate, alkali metal or ammonium silicate is injected into a zone of higher permeability in a formation. Subsequently, a spacer volume of a water-immiscible organic solvent is directed into said zone. Afterwards, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the higher permeability zone. A silica cement is formed in-situ thereby substantially closing the higher permeability zone to fluid flow. Thereafter, a steam-flooding, water-flooding, carbon dioxide-flooding, or fire-flooding EOR operation is commenced in a lower permeability zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shu, Ricky C. Ng, Craig H. Phelps
  • Patent number: 5211232
    Abstract: A method for controlling the profile of a formation where temperatures higher than 200.degree. F. are encountered. Initially, an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide or organoammonium hydroxide is injected into a zone of greater permeability in a formation. Thereafter, a spacer volume of a water miscible organic solvent is injected into said zone. Afterwards, a water-miscible organic solvent containing an alkylpolysilicate is injected into the greater permeability zone. A silica cement is formed in-situ thereby substantially closing off the higher permeability zone to fluid flow. Thereafter, a steam-flooding, water-flooding, carbon dioxide stimulation or fire-flooding EOR operation is commenced in a lower permeability zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shu, Craig H. Phelps, Ricky C. Ng