Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Muecke
Thomas W. Muecke 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).
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Patent number: 4359391Abstract: In a method of treating a subterranean formation, a well treatment composition comprising a dispersion of a water-in-oil emulsion in an aqueous medium is injected into the formation. The water-in-oil emulsion has an internal aqueous phase and an external phase containing a liquid hydrocarbon and a surfactant soluble in the hydrocarbon. The compositions can be designed to perform various well treatment applications including hydraulic fracturing and acidizing and can also be used to encapsulate or to transport well treatment materials and chemicals into the wellbore or formation. Treatment methods may also employ dispersions of a reactive simple or multiple emulsion. The distinct phases of the compositions may be selected to form treatment solutions upon mixing. Thus, improved acidizing may be achieved through an in situ reaction format.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1979Date of Patent: November 16, 1982Assignees: Exxon Production Research Co., Exxon Research and Engineering Co.Inventors: William M. Salathiel, Thomas W. Muecke, Claude E. Cooke, Jr., Norman N. Li
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Patent number: 4233165Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation wherein a well treatment composition comprising a dispersion of a water-in-oil emulsion in an aqueous medium is injected into the formation. The water-in-oil emulsion has an internal aqueous phase and an external phase containing a liquid hydrocarbon and a surfactant soluble in the hydrocarbon. The compositions can be designed to perform various well treatment applications including hydraulic fracturing and acidizing and can also be used to encapsulate or transport well treatment materials and chemicals into the wellbore or formation.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1978Date of Patent: November 11, 1980Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventors: William M. Salathiel, Thomas W. Muecke, Claude E. Cooke, Jr., Norman N. Li
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Patent number: 4167117Abstract: A method and apparatus for sampling the composition of fluid flowing through a conduit which includes a sampling conduit having an inlet disposed within said conduit and transverse to the axis of fluid flow in said conduit and an outlet connected to said conduit downstream of said inlet, and means for measuring the composition of fluid flowing through the sampling conduit. The sampling conduit is sized in relation to the conduit to cause isokinetic withdrawal of fluid from said conduit into said sampling conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1978Date of Patent: September 11, 1979Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventors: Charles O. Stokley, Thomas W. Muecke, Clay Gruesbeck, Jr., William M. Salathiel
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Patent number: 4160482Abstract: A method for sequential treatment of formation strats when treating fluid is pumped into a well at a matrix rate by temporarily closing perforations in the well casing. The perforations are closed by ball sealers injected into the wall during the treatment. The ball sealers are sized to plug the perforations and have a density less than the density of the treating fluid. The treating fluid is injected at a rate which transports the ball sealers to the perforations but which is sufficiently low to prevent formation fracture.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1978Date of Patent: July 10, 1979Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventors: Steven R. Erbstoesser, Thomas W. Muecke, Claude E. Cooke, Jr.
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Patent number: 4139060Abstract: A method is described for using ball sealers as a diverting agent when treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well provided with casing having perforations at a plurality of levels. Ball sealers sized to plug a perforation, a first fluid having a density greater than the ball sealers and a second fluid less dense than the ball sealers are introduced into the casing concurrently or in any order. The amount of the first fluid introduced should be sufficient to fill the lower portion of the casing to a level between the lower perforations to be plugged and the upper perforations to be left open to fluid flow. Once the ball sealers are disposed below the upper perforations, treating fluid is injected into the casing to cause a flow of the second fluid through the lower perforations to carry the ball sealers down the casing to plug the lower perforations and to cause fluid flow through the upper perforation which the ball sealers did not plug.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1977Date of Patent: February 13, 1979Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventors: Thomas W. Muecke, Claude E. Cooke, Jr., Clay Gruesbeck, Jr.
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Patent number: 4046197Abstract: A well completion and workover method wherein a subterranean formation is contacted with a high density, nondamaging treating fluid which comprises a saturated, aqueous solution having finely divided particles of a water soluble salt suspended therein. The saturated aqueous saline solution should have a density of at least about 1.2 g/cc and the suspended salt particles should be present in sufficient quantities to substantially increase the overall density of the treating solution. The preferred fluid comprises a suspension of pulverized sodium chloride in a saturated calcium chloride solution. Dispersants and viscosifiers can be added in minor amounts to help maintain the salt particles in suspension.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1976Date of Patent: September 6, 1977Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventors: Clay Gruesbeck, Jr., Walter L. Penberthy, Jr., Thomas W. Muecke
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Patent number: 4046198Abstract: The annular passage defined by the interior of a perforated liner and the exterior of a stinger pipe extending through the liner is substantially restricted so that the resistance to flow in the annular passage is increased sufficiently to maintain high fluid flow velocity outside the liner during gravel packing. The increased flow velocity prevents the premature settling of gravel and stabilizes the formation of gravel dunes in the wellbore annulus, thereby significantly increasing gravel packing efficiency in inclined wells. The proper flow restriction can be obtained using a wide diameter stinger pipe.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1976Date of Patent: September 6, 1977Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventors: Clay Gruesbeck, William M. Salathiel, Thomas W. Muecke, Claude E. Cooke, Jr.
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Patent number: 4018282Abstract: A perforated liner is sealed at longitudinally spaced intervals with a removable sealant. The partially sealed liner maintains sufficiently high fluid flow velocity outside the liner during gravel packing so as to prevent the formation of gravel dunes. After packing is completed, the sealant is removed permitting the passage of fluids through the liner.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1976Date of Patent: April 19, 1977Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventors: John W. Graham, William M. Salathiel, Clay Gruesbeck, Thomas W. Muecke
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Patent number: 3998271Abstract: A method of fracturing subterranean formations wherein a formation is fractured and propped two or more times to increase the width of the propped fracture.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1975Date of Patent: December 21, 1976Assignee: Exxon Production Research CompanyInventors: Claude E. Cooke, Jr., John W. Graham, Thomas W. Muecke