Patents by Inventor Robert R. McDaniel

Robert R. McDaniel 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: 20160137904
    Abstract: Proppants for use in fractured or gravel packed/frac packed oil and gas wells are provided with a treatment agent component that provides the proppant with one or more additional chemical, functions, and/or mechanical functions that can be used, for example, in oil and gas well production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Kerry Drake, Robert R. McDaniel, Spyridon Monastiriotis, Amr M. Radwan, Ralph E. Barthel
  • Patent number: 9243491
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HEXION INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Scott M. McCarthy, Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 8392120
    Abstract: A method for determining fracture geometry of a subterranean formation from radiation emitted from a fracture in the formation, including measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the fracture; subtracting background radiation from the measured gamma-radiation to obtain a peak-energy measurement; comparing the peak-energy measurement with a gamma-ray transport/spectrometer response model; and determining formation fracture geometry of the fracture in accordance with values associated with the response model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Cody Ryan Peeples, Robin Pierce Gardner
  • Patent number: 8354939
    Abstract: A logging system and method for measuring propped fractures and down-hole subterranean formation conditions including: a radar source; an optical source; an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal from the optical source according to a signal from the radar source; a photodiode for converting the modulated optical signal output from the optical modulator to the source radar signal. A transmitter and receiver unit receives the source radar signal from the photodiode and transmits the source radar signal via at least one antenna attached to the casing and in communication with at least one photodiode into the formation and receives a reflected radar signal. A mixer mixes the reflected radar signal with the source radar signal to provide an output. This can describe fractures connected to the wellbore and differentiate between the dimensions of the two vertical wings of a propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Michael L. Sheriff, Eric E. Funk, Ethan A. Funk
  • Patent number: 8227026
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making a coated proppant particle including an inorganic material and a cold set thermosetting resin coating disposed upon the substrate. The proppants are suitable for treating a subterranean formation including injecting a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation; wherein the fracturing fluid includes the coated particle. Methods for making and using gravel pack particles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Avis Lloyd McCrary, John W. Green, Liang Xu
  • Publication number: 20120135894
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Scott M. Mccarthy, Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 8129318
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Scott M. McCarthy, Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 8096355
    Abstract: Radar ranging data are collected from a down hole tool at various depths in a fractured well bore, and analyzed to provide a profile of the length of each wing of the fracture as a function of depth. The height of the fracture is determined from the vertical positions where the fracture is just observed or no longer observed as the tool is raised or lowered. For consecutive depths along the fracture (and for selected elevations from each depth for the case of a switchable antenna beam), reflection intensity as a function of range is measured. Simulated radar data are computed from a fracture model having the height of the fracture begin measured. The fracture model is varied and the resulting simulated data are correlated with the survey data until a match of minimal error is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Michael Lynn Sheriff, Eric E. Funk, Ethan A. Funk
  • Publication number: 20110272146
    Abstract: Articles and methods utilizing radiation susceptible materials are provided herein. In one aspect, a proppant, a treatment fluid, or both, may comprise a radiation susceptible material. In another aspect, a method is provided comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a treatment fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material, irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons, measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass, and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation. The single-pass may be a continuous process or a periodic process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: John W. Green, Avis Lloyd McCrary, Robert R. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20110257948
    Abstract: A method for determining fracture geometry of a subterranean formation from radiation emitted from a fracture in the formation, including measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the fracture; subtracting background radiation from the measured gamma-radiation to obtain a peak-energy measurement; comparing the peak-energy measurement with a gamma-ray transport/spectrometer response model; and determining formation fracture geometry of the fracture in accordance with values associated with the response model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Cody Ryan Peeples, Robin Pierce Gardner
  • Patent number: 7933718
    Abstract: A method for determining fracture geometry of a subterranean formation from radiation emitted from a fracture in the formation, including measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the fracture; subtracting background radiation from the measured gamma-radiation to obtain a peak-energy measurement; comparing the peak-energy measurement with a gamma-ray transport/spectrometer response model; and determining formation fracture geometry of the fracture in accordance with values associated with the response model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Cody Ryan Peeples, Robin Pierce Gardner
  • Patent number: 7919183
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coated particle comprising a substrate comprising an inorganic material, wherein the inorganic material comprises silica and alumina in a silica to alumina weight ratio of about 2.2 to about 5; and wherein the inorganic material has a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3; and a coating disposed upon the substrate. Disclosed herein too is a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising injecting a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation; wherein the fracturing fluid comprises an inorganic particle that comprises silica and alumina in a silica to alumina weight ratio of about 2.2 to about 5; and wherein the inorganic particle has a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Avis Lloyd McCrary
  • Publication number: 20100234249
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Scott M. McCarthy, Michael Smith
  • Patent number: 7726397
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Scott M. McCarthy, Michael Smith
  • Publication number: 20100066560
    Abstract: A logging system and method for measuring propped fractures and down-hole subterranean formation conditions including: a radar source; an optical source; an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal from the optical source according to a signal from the radar source; a photodiode for converting the modulated optical signal output from the optical modulator to the source radar signal. A transmitter and receiver unit receives the source radar signal from the photodiode and transmits the source radar signal via at least one antenna attached to the casing and in communication with at least one photodiode into the formation and receives a reflected radar signal. A mixer mixes the reflected radar signal with the source radar signal to provide an output. This can describe fractures connected to the wellbore and differentiate between the dimensions of the two vertical wings of a propped fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: HEXION SPECIALTY CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Michael L. Sheriff, Eric E. Funk, Ethan A. Funk
  • Publication number: 20090277630
    Abstract: Radar ranging data are collected from a down hole tool at various depths in a fractured well bore, and analyzed to provide a profile of the length of each wing of the fracture as a function of depth. The height of the fracture is determined from the vertical positions where the fracture is just observed or no longer observed as the tool is raised or lowered. For consecutive depths along the fracture (and for selected elevations from each depth for the case of a switchable antenna beam), reflection intensity as a function of range is measured. Simulated radar data are computed from a fracture model having the height of the fracture begin measured. The fracture model is varied and the resulting simulated data are correlated with the survey data until a match of minimal error is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Michael L. Sheriff, Eric E. Funk, Ethan A. Funk
  • Patent number: 7598898
    Abstract: A logging radar system and method for measuring propped fractures and down-hole formation conditions in a subterranean formation including: a radar source; an optical source; an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal from the optical source according to a signal from the radar source; a photodiode for converting the modulated optical signal output from the optical modulator to the source radar signal; a transmitter and receiver unit; and a mixer. The transmitter and receiver unit receives the source radar signal from the photodiode, transmits the source radar signal into the formation and receives a reflected radar signal. The mixer mixes the reflected radar signal with the source radar signal to provide an output. This technology can be used to describe all fractures connected to the wellbore and differentiate between the dimensions of the two vertical wings of a propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Funk, Ethan A. Funk, Michael L. Sheriff, Scott M. McCarthy, Robert R. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20090238988
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for making a coated proppant particle including an inorganic material and a cold set thermosetting resin coating disposed upon the substrate. The proppants are suitable for treating a subterranean formation including injecting a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation; wherein the fracturing fluid includes the coated particle. Methods for making and using gravel pack particles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Avis Lloyd McCrary, John W. Green, Liang Xu
  • Publication number: 20090090505
    Abstract: A method for determining fracture geometry of a subterranean formation from radiation emitted from a fracture in the formation, including measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the fracture; subtracting background radiation from the measured gamma-radiation to obtain a peak-energy measurement; comparing the peak-energy measurement with a gamma-ray transport/spectrometer response model; and determining formation fracture geometry of the fracture in accordance with values associated with the response model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Cody Ryan Peeples, Robin Pierce Gardner
  • Patent number: 7450053
    Abstract: A logging radar system and method for measuring propped fractures and down-hole formation conditions in a subterranean formation including: a radar source; an optical source; an optical modulator for modulating an optical signal from the optical source according to a signal from the radar source; a photodiode for converting the modulated optical signal output from the optical modulator to the source radar signal; a transmitter and receiver unit; and a mixer. The transmitter and receiver unit receives the source radar signal from the photodiode, transmits the source radar signal into the formation and receives a reflected radar signal. The mixer mixes the reflected radar signal with the source radar signal to provide an output. This technology can be used to describe all fractures connected to the wellbore and differentiate between the dimensions of the two vertical wings of a propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Funk, Ethan A. Funk, Michael L. Sheriff, Scott M. McCarthy, Robert R. McDaniel