Patents by Inventor Scott M. Whitney

Scott M. Whitney 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: 9764252
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing separation of a denser phase liquid from a lighter phase liquid within a multiphase stream. In one example, a cyclonic coalescer has a tubular housing and a plurality of coaxial flow chambers extending in the axial direction of the housing. A swirling element is associated with each of the plurality of coaxial flow chambers. The swirling elements are constructed and arranged to impart a tangential velocity of the stream flowing through the associated flow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Edward J. Grave, Tracy A. Fowler
  • Patent number: 9359878
    Abstract: The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into an inlet line within the separation system. The multiphase fluid is configured to flow through a divide and be split into separate lines of similar diameter. A control volume is also connected at the end of the separate lines, and the control volume has a diameter greater than the separate lines of similar diameter. The control volume includes outlet lines, and is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet line. Also included in the current disclosure is a sand boot connected to the separate lines that is oriented vertically with respect to the separate lines, and is configured to collect and remove sand accumulated in the multiphase separation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Per Reidar Larnholm
  • Patent number: 9322253
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for the production of hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing a stream directly from a hydrocarbon reservoir to a cavern and performing a phase separation of the stream within the cavern to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The method also includes flowing at least a portion of the aqueous phase or the organic phase, or both, directly from the cavern to a subsurface location and offloading at least a portion of the organic phase from the cavern to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Barry, James S. Brown, Daniel P. Leta, Moses K. Minta, Scott M. Whitney, Paul L. Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9314715
    Abstract: The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into feed lines within the multiphase separation system, wherein the feed lines consist of an upper line, a middle line, and a lower line. The upper line is configured to flow a first stream substantially including oil into an oil section of a control volume. The middle line is configured to flow a second stream substantially including an oil/water emulsion into an oil/water emulsion section of the control volume. The lower line is configured to flow a third stream substantially including water into a water section of the control volume. The control volume is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet, wherein the oil section, the water section, and the oil/water emulsion section each commingle at different heights of the control volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Edward J. Grave, Adam S. Bymaster, Michael D. Olson, Per-Reidar Larnholm, Scott M. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20150306520
    Abstract: The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into feed lines within the multiphase separation system, wherein the feed lines consist of an upper line, a middle line, and a lower line. The upper line is configured to flow a first stream substantially including oil into an oil section of a control volume. The middle line is configured to flow a second stream substantially including an oil/water emulsion into an oil/water emulsion section of the control volume. The lower line is configured to flow a third stream substantially including water into a water section of the control volume. The control volume is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet, wherein the oil section, the water section, and the oil/water emulsion section each commingle at different heights of the control volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Edward J. Grave, Adam S. Bymaster, Michael D. Olson, Per-Reidar Larnholm, Scott M. Whitney
  • Publication number: 20150260026
    Abstract: The current disclosure relates to multiphase fluid separation via a multiphase separation system. The multiphase separation system is configured to feed a multiphase fluid into an inlet line within the separation system. The multiphase fluid is configured to flow through a divide and be split into separate lines of similar diameter. A control volume is also connected at the end of the separate lines, and the control volume has a diameter greater than the separate lines of similar diameter. The control volume includes outlet lines, and is configured to adjust fluid flow rate at an outlet line. Also included in the current disclosure is a sand boot connected to the separate lines that is oriented vertically with respect to the separate lines, and is configured to collect and remove sand accumulated in the multiphase separation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Per Reidar Larnholm
  • Publication number: 20150014258
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing separation of a denser phase liquid from a lighter phase liquid within a multiphase stream. In one example, a cyclonic coalescer has a tubular housing and a plurality of coaxial flow chambers extending in the axial direction of the housing. A swirling element is associated with each of the plurality of coaxial flow chambers. The swirling elements are constructed and arranged to impart a tangential velocity of the stream flowing through the associated flow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Edward J. Grave, Tracy A. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20140338921
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for the production of hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing a stream directly from a hydrocarbon reservoir to a cavern and performing a phase separation of the stream within the cavern to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The method also includes flowing at least a portion of the aqueous phase or the organic phase, or both, directly from the cavern to a subsurface location and offloading at least a portion of the organic phase from the cavern to a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Michael D. Barry, James S. Brown, Daniel P. Leta, Moses K. Minta, Scott M. Whitney, Paul L. Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20140209465
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for separating oil and water streams. The method includes separating a fluid stream into an oil continuous stream and a water continuous stream using a cyclonic separator, flowing the oil continuous stream to a first gravity separation vessel, and flowing the water continuous stream to a second gravity separation vessel. The method also includes separating the oil continuous stream in the first gravity separation vessel into an oil stream and a water stream and separating the water continuous stream in the second gravity separation vessel into an oil stream and a water stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Scott M. Whitney, Per-Reidar Larnholm