Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Bates

Thomas R. Bates 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).

  • Method for making measurements of the chemical swelling effect of a fluid on a shale
    Patent number: 4359901
    Abstract: The drilling or treating of subterranean shale-containing earth formations is improved by adjusting the composition of the fluid used to reduce the positive shale swelling strain it causes when a shale sample is first equilibrated with fluid under conditions simulating those in the earth formation and the equilibrating fluid is replaced by the fluid being tested without otherwise significantly altering the conditions of the equilibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Bates, Richard B. Bonner, Ronald K. Clark