Patents by Inventor Robert Easterly

Robert Easterly 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: 10697282
    Abstract: Formulations and methods for remediating subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in wells in subterranean formations are described. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a metal-polymer complex remediation mixture containing a metal complexing agent into a subterranean formation adjacent to a well at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the formation. A sufficient contact time is allowed and then the metal-polymer complex remediation mixture is pumped from the subsurface. This has been shown to remediate polymer-containing, subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in shale formations. Without being held to a particular theory, it appears that the metal complexing agent is forming metal complexes with the metals in the complexes, and particularly divalent metal ions. This removal of naturally occurring metals may be un-crosslinking and causing the metal-polymer complexes to go into solution, thereby removing the blockages caused by the metal-polymer complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Flex-Chem Holding Company, LLC, Cimarex Energy Co
    Inventors: Andrew Bryce Conway, Robert Easterly
  • Publication number: 20190120037
    Abstract: This disclosure describes formulations and methods for remediating subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in wells in subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a metal-polymer complex remediation mixture containing a metal complexing agent into a subterranean formation adjacent to a well at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the formation. A sufficient contact time is allowed and then the metal-polymer complex remediation mixture is pumped from the subsurface. This has been shown to remediate polymer-containing, subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in shale formations. Without being held to a particular theory it appears that the metal complexing agent is forming metal complexes with the metals in the complexes, and particularly divalent metal ions. This removal of naturally occurring metals may be un-crosslinking and causing the metal-polymer complexes to go into solution, thereby removing the blockages caused by the metal-polymer complexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicants: Flex-Chem Holding Company, LLC, Cimarex Energy Co.
    Inventors: Andrew Bryce Conway, Robert Easterly
  • Patent number: 10202834
    Abstract: This disclosure describes formulations and methods for remediating subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in wells in subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a metal-polymer complex remediation mixture containing a metal complexing agent into a subterranean formation adjacent to a well at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the formation. A sufficient contact time is allowed and then the metal-polymer complex remediation mixture is pumped from the subsurface. This has been shown to remediate polymer-containing, subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in shale formations. Without being held to a particular theory it appears that the metal complexing agent is forming metal complexes with the metals in the complexes, and particularly divalent metal ions. This removal of naturally occurring metals may be un-crosslinking and causing the metal-polymer complexes to go into solution, thereby removing the blockages caused by the metal-polymer complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignees: Flex-Chem Holding Company, LLC, Cimarex Energy Company
    Inventors: Andrew Bryce Conway, Robert Easterly
  • Publication number: 20150114653
    Abstract: This disclosure describes formulations and methods for remediating subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in wells in subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a metal-polymer complex remediation mixture containing a metal complexing agent into a subterranean formation adjacent to a well at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the formation. A sufficient contact time is allowed and then the metal-polymer complex remediation mixture is pumped from the subsurface. This has been shown to remediate polymer-containing, subterranean-formed metal-polymer complexes in shale formations. Without being held to a particular theory it appears that the metal complexing agent is forming metal complexes with the metals in the complexes, and particularly divalent metal ions. This removal of naturally occurring metals may be un-crosslinking and causing the metal-polymer complexes to go into solution, thereby removing the blockages caused by the metal-polymer complexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Bryce Conway, Robert Easterly