Patents by Inventor Robert Dale SMITH

Robert Dale SMITH 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).

  • Method to underdisplace hydraulic fractures in horizontal or deviated well
    Patent number: 9581005
    Abstract: A method for underdisplacing fracture proppant in a well bore. The method can include providing a set retainer having a passage configured to receive a wiper plug. The method may also include installing the set retainer in the well bore and injecting a proppant-laden fluid into the well bore, through the passage of the set retainer and through a perforation to create the fracture. The method may include providing a wiper plug configured to be received in the passage of the set retainer. The method may also include inserting the wiper plug into the well bore and allowing the wiper plug to wipe a portion of the proppant-laden fluid past the set retainer and into the fracture. Additionally, the method may include allowing the set retainer to receive the wiper plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey Maloy Noe, David Paul Brisco, Benjamin Mowad, Robert Dale Smith, Ernesto Rafael Fonseca Ocampos, Joddie Joseph Carlile
  • METHOD TO UNDERDISPLACE HYDRAULIC FRACTURES IN HORIZONTAL OR DEVIATED WELL
    Publication number: 20150129212
    Abstract: A method for underdisplacing fracture proppant in a well bore. The method can include providing a set retainer having a passage configured to receive a wiper plug. The method may also include installing the set retainer in the well bore and injecting a proppant-laden fluid into the well bore, through the passage of the set retainer and through a perforation to create the fracture. The method may include providing a wiper plug configured to be received in the passage of the set retainer. The method may also include inserting the wiper plug into the well bore and allowing the wiper plug to wipe a portion of the proppant-laden fluid past the set retainer and into the fracture. Additionally, the method may include allowing the set retainer to receive the wiper plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey Maloy NOE, David Paul BRISCO, Benjamin MOWAD, Robert Dale SMITH, Erneston Rafael FONSECA OCAMPOS, Joddie Joseph CARLILE