Patents by Inventor Thomas Paul Lockhart

Thomas Paul Lockhart 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: 9884299
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a water-in-oil or oil-in-water nanoemulsion wherein the dispersed phase is distributed in the dispersing phase in the form of droplets having a diameter ranging from 1 to 500 nm, comprising: 1) the preparation of a homogeneous water/oil blend (I) characterized by an interface tension lower than 1 mN/m, comprising water in an amount of 30 to 70% by weight, at least two surface-active agents having a different HLB, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, said surface-active agents being present in such a quantity as to make the blend homogeneous; 2) the dilution of the blend (I) in a dispersing phase consisting of oil or water with the addition of a surface-active agent, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, the quantity of the dispersing phase and surface-active agent being such as to obtain a nanoemulsion having a HLB different from that of the blend (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., POLIMERI EUROPA S.p.A.
    Inventors: Lucilla Del Gaudio, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Alessandra Belloni, Rossella Bortolo, Roberto Tassinari
  • Patent number: 8709982
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of quaternary polyamines having formula (I) for the recovery of oil from reservoirs formula (I), wherein n>=1 R1 represents H, CH3, CH2CH3, CnH2n+1 R2 represents H2CHOHCH2, CH2, CH2CH?CH2 R3 represents CH3, CH2CH3, CnH2n+1 R4 represents CH2, CH2CH?CH2 when R2 and R4 are allyl group, they can jointly form aliphatic cyclic structures, the ratio between the carbon atoms and nitrogen atoms (C/N) ranges from 2 to 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Lucilla Del Gaudio, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Emanuele Vignati
  • Publication number: 20130209527
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a water-in-oil or oil-in-water nanoemulsion wherein the dispersed phase is distributed in the dispersing phase in the form of droplets having a diameter ranging from 1 to 500 nm, comprising: 1) the preparation of a homogeneous water/oil blend (I) characterized by an interface tension lower than 1 mN/m, comprising water in an amount of 30 to 70% by weight, at least two surface-active agents having a different HLB, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, said surface-active agents being present in such a quantity as to make the blend homogeneous; 2) the dilution of the blend (I) in a dispersing phase consisting of oil or water with the addition of a surface-active agent, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, the quantity of the dispersing phase and surface--active agent being such as to obtain a nanoemulsion having a HLB different from that of the blend (I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Lucilla DEL GAUDIO, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Alessandra Belloni, Rossella Bortolo, Roberto Tassinari
  • Patent number: 8431620
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a water-in-oil or oil-in-water nanoemulsion wherein the dispersed phase is distributed in the dispersing phase in the form of droplets having a diameter ranging from 1 to 500 nm, comprising: 1) the preparation of a homogeneous water/oil blend (I) characterized by an interface tension lower than 1 mN/m, comprising water in an amount of 30 to 70% by weight, at least two surface-active agents having a different HLB, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, said surface-active agents being present in such a quantity as to make the blend homogeneous; 2) the dilution of the blend (I) in a dispersing phase consisting of oil or water with the addition of a surface-active agent, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, the quantity of the dispersing phase and surface-active agent being such as to obtain a nanoemulsion having a HLB different from that of the blend (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Polimeri Europa S.p.A.
    Inventors: Lucilla Del Gaudio, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Alessandra Belloni, Rossella Bortolo, Roberto Tassinari
  • Patent number: 8381752
    Abstract: For reducing the restart pressure of streams selected from waxy crude oils, water-in-crude emulsions and dispersions of hydrocarbon hydrates, at least partially structured, a mechanic disturbance is applied, in flow-stop conditions, on the streams. The temperatures are lower than the WAT (Wax Appearance Temperature) for the waxy crude oils and water-in-crude emulsions. The temperatures are also lower than the forming temperatures of the hydrates and pressures higher than the forming pressure of the hydrates, for the dispersions of hydrocarbon hydrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo D'Antona, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Alberto Di Lullo
  • Publication number: 20110162722
    Abstract: For reducing the restart pressure of streams selected from waxy crude oils, water-in-crude emulsions and dispersions of hydrocarbon hydrates, at least partially structured, a mechanic disturbance is applied, in flow-stop conditions, on the streams, The temperatures are lower than the WAT (Wax Appearance Temperature) for the waxy crude oils and water-in-crude emulsions. The temperatures are laso lower than the forming temperatures of said hydrates and pressures higher than the forming pressure of said hydrates, for the dispersions of hydrocarbon hydrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: ENI S.P. A.
    Inventors: Paolo D'ANTONA, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Alberto Di Lullo
  • Patent number: 7896020
    Abstract: A process for reducing the restart pressure of streams selected from waxy crude oils, water-in-crude emulsions and dispersions of hydrocarbon hydrates, at least partially structured. A mechanic disturbance is applied, in flow-stop conditions, on the streams, having: temperatures lower than the WAT (Wax Appearance Temperature) for the waxy crude oils and water-in-crude emulsions; temperatures lower than the forming temperatures of the hydrates and pressures higher than the forming pressure of the hydrates, for the dispersions of hydrocarbon hydrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo D'Antona, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Alberto Di Lullo
  • Publication number: 20100120638
    Abstract: The invention relates to the use of quaternary polyamines having formula (I) for the recovery of oil from reservoirs formula (I), wherein n>=1 R1 represents H, CH3, CH2CH3, CnH2n+1 R2 represents H2CHOHCH2, CH2, CH2CH?CH2 R3 represents CH3, CH2CH3, CnH2n+1 R4 represents CH2, CH2CH?CH2 when R2 and R4 are allyl group, they can jointly form aliphatic cyclic structures, the ratio between the carbon atoms and nitrogen atoms (C/N) ranges from 2 to 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Lucilla Del Gaudio, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Emanuele Vignati
  • Patent number: 7588527
    Abstract: Process for the disposal of sulfur in the liquid state which comprises: a) transforming elemental sulfur into sulfanes having the general formula H2Sn+1, wherein n is a number from 1 to 7; b) optionally mixing elemental sulfur in powder form with the liquid sulfanes, up to such a concentration as to guarantee the pumpability of the mixture; c) injecting the sulfanes liquid at room temperature into geological formations having a temperature lower than 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., ENITECNOLOGIE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto De Angelis, Paolo Pollesel, Giuseppe Bellussi, Thomas Paul Lockhart
  • Patent number: 7550132
    Abstract: Process for the production of sulfur, obtained in pure form, and possibly easily disposable even at ambient temperature, starting from hydrogen sulphide contained in natural gas, which includes: a) oxidizing a portion of hydrogen sulphide to sulfur dioxide; b) dissolving in water the sulfur dioxide obtained in step (a); c) carrying out the reaction (I): 2H2S+SO2?3S+2H2O (I) making the remaining hydrogen sulphide to react with the solution prepared in step (b); and d) using the thus obtained sulfur suspension for the production sulfur or, alternatively, to use it for the disposal of the sulfur itself in a site reserved for such purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto De Angelis, Mauro Palazzina, Paolo Pollesel, Sandra Cobianco, Thomas Paul Lockhart
  • Publication number: 20090118380
    Abstract: Process for the preparation of a water-in-oil or oil-in-water nanoemulsion wherein the dispersed phase is distributed in the dispersing phase in the form of droplets having a diameter ranging from 1 to 500 nm, comprising: 1) the preparation of a homogeneous water/oil blend (I) characterized by an interface tension lower than 1 mN/m, comprising water in an amount of 30 to 70% by weight, at least two surface-active agents having a different HLB, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, said surface-active agents being present in such a quantity as to make the blend homogeneous; 2) the dilution of the blend (I) in a dispersing phase consisting of oil or water with the addition of a surface-active agent, selected from non-ionic, anionic, polymeric surface-active agents, the quantity of the dispersing phase and surface-active agent being such as to obtain a nanoemulsion having a HLB different from that of the blend (I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicants: ENI S.P.A., POLIMERI EUROPA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Lucilla Del Gaudio, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Alessandra Belloni, Rossella Bortolo, Roberto Tassinari
  • Patent number: 7188673
    Abstract: A process is described for reducing the production of water in oil wells which comprises the injection into the formation around the well of an aqueous solution of one or more polymers selected from those having general formula (I), wherein: n ranges from 0.70 to 0.98; m ranges from 0.30 to 0.02; n+m=1; X1 and X2, the same or different, are selected from H and CH3; R1, R2, R3, the same or different, are selected from C1–C10 monofunctional hydrocarbyl groups; and x ranges from 2 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignees: Eni S.p.A., Enitechnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luisa Chiappa, Maria Andrei, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Giovanni Burrafato, Giuseppe Maddinelli
  • Patent number: 7004253
    Abstract: A process is described for reducing the production of water in oil wells, with temperatures of up to (90° C.), which comprises the injection in the formation around the well of an aqueous solution of one or more polymers selected from those having general formula (I) wherein: n ranges from (0.40) to (0.70), preferably from (0.5) to (0.65); m ranges from (0.15) to (0.65), preferably from (0.3) to (0.5); p ranges from (0.02) to (0.20), preferably from (0.05) to (0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignees: Eni S.p.A., Enitecnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luisa Chiappa, Maria Andrei, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Giovanni Burrafato, Giuseppe Maddinelli
  • Publication number: 20040144542
    Abstract: A process is described for reducing the production of water in oil wells, with temperatures of up to (90° C.), which comprises the injection in the formation around the well of an aqueous solution of one or more polymers selected from those having general formula (I) wherein: n ranges from (0.40) to (0.70), preferably from (0.5) to (0.65); m ranges from (0.15) to (0.65), preferably from (0.3) to (0.5); p ranges from (0.02) to (0.20), preferably from (0.05) to (0.10); n+m+p=1; x1 is selected from H and CH3; R1, R2 the same or different, are selected from C1-C10 monofunctional hydrocarbyl groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Luisa Chiappa, Maria Andrei, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Giovanni Burrafato, Giuseppe Maddinelli
  • Patent number: 6499539
    Abstract: Process for reducing the adsorption of hydrosoluble polymers onto rock matrix, which comprises putting the rock matrix in contact with an aqueous solution of polymers containing sacrificial agents, preferably selected from ionic and non-ionic oligomeric surface-active agents. In the preferred embodiment the surface-active agents are non-ionic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Enitechnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Sandra Cobianco, Thomas Paul Lockhart, Alessandro Lezzi, Alberto Guarneri