Patents by Inventor Theodore W. Pirog

Theodore W. Pirog 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: 8833467
    Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems, and methods for operating a gas well. Some embodiments include a plunger apparatus configured to fall through a continuous water phase (including water slugs) in a gas producing well by overcoming pressure and drag forces from the water by having a sufficient mass, hydrodynamic profile, and sufficiently large area for passage of the continuous water. In one embodiment, a plunger body and plug mechanism are provided, wherein the plug mechanism has open and closed positions, which may be automatically changed or controlled by a surface or other control system, and wherein the plunger body and plug may be a physically integrated one-piece system, or an interoperable two piece system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Ming Gong, Larry E. Harrison, Theodore W. Pirog, Robert D. Kaminsky, Pietro Valsecchi, Jeffrey R. Bailey, Swarupa S. Bangaru
  • Publication number: 20120132437
    Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems, and methods for operating a gas well. Some embodiments include a plunger apparatus configured to fall through a continuous water phase (including water slugs) in a gas producing well by overcoming pressure and drag 5 forces from the water by having a sufficient mass, hydrodynamic profile, and sufficiently large area for passage of the continuous water. In one embodiment, a plunger body and plug mechanism are provided, wherein the plug mechanism has open and closed positions, which may be automatically changed or controlled by a surface or other control system, and wherein the plunger body and plug may be a physically integrated one-piece system, or an interoperable two piece system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Ming Gong, Larry E. Harrison, Theodore W. Pirog, Robert D. Kaminsky, Pietro Valsecchi, Jeffrey R. Bailey, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Swarupa S. Bangaru