Patents by Inventor Sarah SHEPERD

Sarah SHEPERD 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).

  • Encapsulation and controlled delivery of strong mineral acids
    Patent number: 10501687
    Abstract: A polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution and a method for forming the polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution. Introducing a strong mineral acid solution to a monomer solution occurs such that a primary emulsion that is a water-in-oil type emulsion forms. Introducing the primary emulsion to a second aqueous solution forms a secondary emulsion that is a water-in-oil-in-water type double emulsion. The monomer in the secondary emulsion is cured such a polymerized shell forms that encapsulates the strong mineral acid solution and forms the capsule. The strong mineral acid solution has up to 30 wt. % strong mineral acid. A method of stimulating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation using the polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution includes introducing a capsule suspension into a fissure in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation to be stimulated through a face in a well bore. The capsule is maintained within the fissure until the polymer shell degrades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignees: Aramco Services Company, RTI International
    Inventors: Leah M. Johnson, Ghaithan Al-Muntasheri, Ginger Denison Rothrock, Sarah Sheperd
  • ENCAPSULATION AND CONTROLLED DELIVERY OF STRONG MINERAL ACIDS
    Publication number: 20170183564
    Abstract: A polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution and a method for forming the polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution. Introducing a strong mineral acid solution to a monomer solution occurs such that a primary emulsion that is a water-in-oil type emulsion forms. Introducing the primary emulsion to a second aqueous solution forms a secondary emulsion that is a water-in-oil-in-water type double emulsion. The monomer in the secondary emulsion is cured such a polymerized shell forms that encapsulates the strong mineral acid solution and forms the capsule. The strong mineral acid solution has up to 30 wt. % strong mineral acid. A method of stimulating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation using the polymer-encapsulated mineral acid solution includes introducing a capsule suspension into a fissure in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation to be stimulated through a face in a well bore. The capsule is maintained within the fissure until the polymer shell degrades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Leah M. JOHNSON, Ghaithan AL-MUNTASHERI, Ginger Denison ROTHROCK, Sarah SHEPERD