Patents by Inventor Ronnie Wade Watkins

Ronnie Wade Watkins 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).

  • Grouped exposed metal heaters
    Patent number: 8233782
    Abstract: A system for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The system includes two or more groups of elongated heaters. The group includes two or more heaters placed in two or more openings in the formation. The heaters in the group are electrically coupled below the surface of the formation. The openings include at least partially uncased wellbores in a hydrocarbon layer of the formation. The groups are electrically configured such that current flow through the formation between at least two groups is inhibited. The heaters are configured to provide heat to the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, William George Coit, Peter Terry Griffin, Paul Taylor Hamilton, Chia-Fu Hsu, Stanley Leroy Mason, Allan James Samuel, Ronnie Wade Watkins
  • GROUPED EXPOSED METAL HEATERS
    Publication number: 20110170843
    Abstract: A system for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The system includes two or more groups of elongated heaters. The group includes two or more heaters placed in two or more openings in the formation. The heaters in the group are electrically coupled below the surface of the formation. The openings include at least partially uncased wellbores in a hydrocarbon layer of the formation. The groups are electrically configured such that current flow through the formation between at least two groups is inhibited. The heaters are configured to provide heat to the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, William George Coit, Peter Terry Griffin, Paul Taylor Hamilton, Chia-Fu Hsu, Stanley Leroy Mason, Allan James Samuel, Ronnie Wade Watkins
  • Grouped exposed metal heaters
    Patent number: 7831134
    Abstract: A system for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The system includes two or more groups of elongated heaters. The group includes two or more heaters placed in two or more openings in the formation. The heaters in the group are electrically coupled below the surface of the formation. The openings include at least partially uncased wellbores in a hydrocarbon layer of the formation. The groups are electrically configured such that current flow through the formation between at least two groups is inhibited. The heaters are configured to provide heat to the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, William George Coit, Peter Terry Griffin, Paul Taylor Hamilton, Chia-Fu Hsu, Stanley Leroy Mason, Allan James Samuel, Ronnie Wade Watkins
  • In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using barriers
    Patent number: 7077198
    Abstract: A method is described for inhibiting migration of fluids into and/or out of a treatment area undergoing an in situ conversion process. Barriers in the formation proximate a treatment area may be used to inhibit migration of fluids. Inhibition of migration of fluids may occur before, during, and/or after an in situ treatment process. For example, migration of fluids may be inhibited while heat is provided from heaters to at least a portion of the treatment area. Barriers may include naturally occurring portions (e.g., overburden, and/or underburden) and/or installed portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Dannie Antoine Aymond, Jr., Kevin Albert Maher, Billy John McKinzie, II, Bruce Donald Palfreyman, George Leo Stegemeier, John Michael Ward, Ronnie Wade Watkins, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing and inhibiting migration of fluids into or out of an in situ oil shale formation
    Patent number: 7032660
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Fluid migration into and/or out of a treatment area in the formation may be inhibited. In some embodiments, a barrier may be used to inhibit migration of fluids into and/or out of the treatment area. Heat may be provided to the treatment area and subsequently, hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Dannie Antoine Aymond, Jr., Kevin Albert Maher, Billy John McKinzie, II, Bruce Donald Palfreyman, George Leo Stegemeier, John Michael Ward, Ronnie Wade Watkins, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ recovery from a hydrocarbon containing formation using barriers
    Publication number: 20030192691
    Abstract: A method is described for inhibiting migration of fluids into and/or out of a treatment area undergoing an in situ conversion process. Barriers in the formation proximate a treatment area may be used to inhibit migration of fluids. Inhibition of migration of fluids may occur before, during, and/or after an in situ treatment process. For example, migration of fluids may be inhibited while heat is provided from heaters to at least a portion of the treatment area. Barriers may include naturally occurring portions (e.g., overburden, and/or underburden) and/or installed portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Dannie Antoine Aymond, Kevin Albert Maher, Billy J. McKinzie,, Bruce Donald Palfreyman, George Leo Stegemeier, John Michael Ward, Ronnie Wade Watkins, Scott Lee Wellington
  • In situ thermal processing and inhibiting migration of fluids into or out of an in situ oil shale formation
    Publication number: 20030080604
    Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Fluid migration into and/or out of a treatments area in the formation may be inhibited. In some embodiments, a barrier may be used to inhibit migration of fluids into and/or out of the treatment area. Heat may be provided to the treatment area and subsequently, hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Dannie Antoine Aymond, Kevin Albert Maher, Billy John McKinzie, Bruce Donald Palfreyman, George Leo Stegemeier, John Michael Ward, Ronnie Wade Watkins, Scott Lee Wellington