Patents by Inventor Stanley Nemec Milam

Stanley Nemec Milam 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: 9404344
    Abstract: A method of treating a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprising: providing an asphaltene solvent, wherein the asphaltene solvent comprises at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide and introducing the asphaltene solvent into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Erik Willem Tegelaar, John Justin Freeman, Richard B. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9399904
    Abstract: A system and process for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation. An oil recovery formulation that is first contact miscible with a liquid petroleum composition that is comprised of at least 15 mol % dimethyl sulfide is introduced together with steam or hot water into a subterranean oil-bearing formation comprising heavy oil, extra heavy oil, or bitumen, and oil is produced from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Erik Willem Tegelaar, John Justin Freeman
  • Publication number: 20160186042
    Abstract: A process is provided for recovering oil from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprised of hydrocarbons and formation water. The process presented herein includes an oil recovery formulation comprising at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide and between 1 mol % and 18 mol % of dimethyl ether, wherein the amount of dimethyl ether in the oil recovery formulation is selected relative to the solubility of dimethyl ether in the formation water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Richard Bruce TAYLOR, Stanley Nemec MILAM, Erik Willem TEGELAAR, John Justin FREEMAN
  • Publication number: 20150175873
    Abstract: A system, composition, and process are provided for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation. An oil recovery formulation comprising a polymer dispersed in a fluid that is at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide is introduced into an oil-bearing formation, and oil is produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec MILAM, Erik Willem TEGELAAR, John Justin FREEMAN, Richard B. TAYLOR
  • Patent number: 9011674
    Abstract: A process is provided in which a first hydrocarbon-containing composition is provided where the first hydrocarbon-containing composition comprises hydrocarbons having a boiling range from 25° C. to 538° C. and from 0.1 wt. % to 5 wt. % sulfur, where at least 40 wt. % of the sulfur is contained in hydrocarbons having a boiling point of less than 343° C. where at least 40 wt. % of the sulfur contained in hydrocarbons having a boiling point less than 343° C. is contained in benzothiophenic compounds, and the first hydrocarbon-containing compound is hydrotreated to produce a second hydrocarbon-containing compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Michael Anthony Reynolds, Scott Lee Wellington, Frederik Arnold Buhrman
  • Publication number: 20150005207
    Abstract: Petroleum coke or coal coke is gasified to produce a gas stream containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and optionally ammonia, carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen. Carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulfide, and optionally ammonia, carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen are separated from the gas stream. The separated carbon monoxide and hydrogen are reacted to produce methanol, and the methanol is reacted with the separated hydrogen sulfide to produce dimethyl sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec MILAM, Erik Willem TEGELAAR, John Justin FREEMAN, Richard B. TAYLOR
  • Publication number: 20150000907
    Abstract: Dimethyl sulfide is produced from sour gas. The dimethyl sulfide is utilized in an oil recovery formulation introduced into a petroleum-bearing formation to enhance recovery of petroleum from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec MILAM, Erik Willem TEGELAAR, John Justin FREEMAN, Richard B. TAYLOR
  • Publication number: 20150000915
    Abstract: A method of treating a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation comprising: providing an asphaltene solvent, wherein the asphaltene solvent comprises at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide and introducing the asphaltene solvent into the wellbore
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec MILAM, Erik Willem TEGELAAR, John Justin FREEMAN, Richard B. TAYLOR
  • Publication number: 20140367097
    Abstract: A system and process are provided for recovering oil from an oil-bearing formation. An oil recovery formulation that is first contact miscible with a liquid petroleum composition that is comprised of at least 15 mol % dimethyl sulfide is introduced together with steam or hot water into a subterranean oil-bearing formation comprising heavy oil, extra heavy oil, or bitumen, and oil is produced from the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec MILAM, Erik Willem TEGELAAR, John Justin FREEMAN
  • Publication number: 20140360727
    Abstract: A system and method for remediation of asphaltene-induced fouling of an oil-bearing formation is provided wherein an asphaltene solvent comprising at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide is introduced into an oil-bearing formation containing asphaltene deposits and the dimethyl sulfide is contacted with the asphaltene deposits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec MILAM, Erik Willem TEGELAAR, John Justin FREEMAN
  • Patent number: 8858784
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a vapor comprising a first hydrocarbon-containing product. The vapor comprising the first hydrocarbon-containing product is separated from the mixture, and, apart from the mixture, the first hydrocarbon-containing product is contacted with hydrogen and a catalyst containing a Column 6 metal to produce a second hydrocarbon-containing product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Michael Anthony Reynolds, Scott Lee Wellington, Frederik Arnold Buhrman
  • Patent number: 8858680
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a system for separating oxygen from air. A compressible air stream that contains oxygen is mixed in a substantially co-current flow with an incompressible fluid stream comprising an incompressible fluid in which oxygen is capable of being preferentially absorbed. Rotational velocity is imparted to the mixed streams, separating an incompressible fluid in which at least a portion of the oxygen is absorbed from other compressible components of the air stream. The compressible air stream may be provided at a stream velocity having a Mach number of at least 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Frederik Arnold Buhrman, Jingyu Cui, Mahendra Ladharam Joshi, Stanley Nemec Milam, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8858679
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a system for separating hydrogen or helium from gas having a mixture of gaseous components. A compressible feed stream that contains at least one target compressible component and hydrogen or helium is mixed in a substantially co-current flow with an incompressible fluid stream comprising an incompressible fluid in which the target component(s) is/are capable of being preferentially absorbed. Rotational velocity is imparted to the mixed streams, separating an incompressible fluid in which at least a portion of the target component is absorbed from a compressible product stream containing the hydrogen or helium. The compressible feed stream may be provided at a stream velocity having a Mach number of at least 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Frederik Arnold Buhrman, Jingyu Cui, Mahendra Ladharam Joshi, Stanley Nemec Milam, Scott Lee Wellington
  • Patent number: 8840777
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a non-acidic metal-containing catalyst at a temperature of 375° C. to 500° C. to produce a vapor comprising a first hydrocarbon-containing product. The vapor comprising the first hydrocarbon-containing product is separated from the mixture, and, apart from the mixture, the first hydrocarbon-containing product is contacted with hydrogen and a catalyst containing a Column 6 metal at a temperature of 260° C.-425° C. to produce a second hydrocarbon-containing product. The second hydrocarbon-containing product is separated into fractions, one of the fractions being a heavy hydrocarbon fraction comprised of hydrocarbons having a boiling point of at least 343° C. The heavy hydrocarbon fraction is then contacted with a fluidizable cracking catalyst at a temperature of at least 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Michael Anthony Reynolds, Scott Lee Wellington, Easwar Santhosh Ranganathan, Win Sim Chan
  • Patent number: 8834707
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and a metal-containing catalyst at a temperature of 375° C. to 500° C. and a pressure of from 6.9 MPa to 27.5 MPa to produce a vapor comprising a first hydrocarbon-containing product, where the hydrogen sulfide is mixed with the feedstock, metal-containing catalyst, and hydrogen at a mole ratio of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen of at least 1:10. The vapor comprising the first hydrocarbon-containing product is separated from the mixture, and, apart from the mixture, the first hydrocarbon-containing product is contacted with hydrogen and a catalyst containing a Column 6 metal at a temperature of 260° C.-425° C. and a pressure of from 3.4 MPa to 27.5 MPa to produce a second hydrocarbon-containing product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Michael Anthony Reynolds, Scott Lee Wellington, Frederik Arnold Buhrman
  • Patent number: 8834708
    Abstract: A process for treating a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock is provided in which a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock comprising at least 20 wt. % of heavy hydrocarbons is mixed with hydrogen and a metal-containing non-acidic catalyst at a temperature of 375° C. to 500° C. to produce a vapor comprising a first hydrocarbon-containing product. The vapor comprising the first hydrocarbon-containing product is separated from the mixture, and, apart from the mixture, the first hydrocarbon-containing product is contacted with hydrogen and a catalyst containing a Column 6 metal at a temperature of 260° C.-425° C. to produce a second hydrocarbon-containing product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Michael Anthony Reynolds, Scott Lee Wellington, Frederik Arnold Buhrman
  • Patent number: 8783035
    Abstract: A system and process for generation of electrical power is provided. Electrical power is generated by a system including two integrated power cycles, a first power cycle utilizing water/steam as a working fluid and the second power cycle utilizing a fluid selected from the group consisting of molecular nitrogen, argon, a chemical compound having a boiling point of at most 65° C. at 0.101 MPa and a latent heat of vaporization of at least 350 kJ/kg, and a chemical compound having a boiling point of at most 65° C. at 0.101 MPa and a specific heat capacity as a liquid of at least 1.9 kJ/kg-° K as a working fluid. The working fluid of the second power cycle is expanded through a two-phase expander to produce power in the second power cycle, where the expanded working fluid of the second cycle has a temperature of at most 10° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec Milam, Richard Bruce Taylor
  • Publication number: 20140166543
    Abstract: A system and a process for recovering bitumen from oil sands are provided. The system includes a bitumen solvent comprised of at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide that is first contact miscible with bitumen, an oil sands material comprised of bitumen, and a contacting apparatus configured to receive the bitumen solvent and the oil sands material and to contact and mix the bitumen solvent and oil sands material to form a bitumen-containing extract and a bitumen-depleted oil sands material. The process includes the steps of providing the oil sands material; contacting the oil sands material with the solvent comprised of at least 75 mol % dimethyl sulfide to form the bitumen-containing extract and the bitumen-depleted oil sands material; and separating the bitumen-containing extract from the bitumen-depleted oil sands material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Stanley Nemec MILAM, Erik Willem TEGELAAR, John Justin FREEMAN
  • Patent number: 8663453
    Abstract: A crude product composition is provided comprising hydrocarbons that have a boiling range distribution between about 30° C. and 538° C. (1,000° F.) at 0.101 MPa, the hydrocarbons comprising iso-paraffins and n-paraffins with a weight ratio of the iso-paraffins to n-paraffins of at most 1.4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Scott Lee Wellington, Stanley Nemec Milam
  • Patent number: 8663369
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a system for separating gas components of a combustion gas. A compressible feed stream derived from a combustion gas that contains at least one target compressible component and at least one non-target compressible component is mixed in a substantially co-current flow with an incompressible fluid stream comprising an incompressible fluid in which the target component(s) is/are capable of being preferentially absorbed. Rotational velocity is imparted to the mixed streams, separating an incompressible fluid in which at least a portion of the target component is absorbed from a compressible product stream containing the non-target compressible component(s). The compressible feed stream may be provided at a stream velocity having a Mach number of at least 0.1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Frederik Arnold Buhrman, Jingyu Cui, Mahendra Ladharam Joshi, Stanley Nemec Milam, Scott Lee Wellington