Patents by Inventor Todd Roper

Todd Roper 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: 12630756
    Abstract: A method for producing cross-linked chemical treatment agent particles includes introducing a core pellet into a fluidizer. The method also includes mixing a chemical treatment agent with a cross-linker to provide a mixture and introducing the mixture to the fluidizer. The method also includes applying the mixture to the core pellet in the fluidizer to provide a cross-linked chemical treatment agent particle having a size from about 4 mesh to about 120 mesh. The mixture may be heated prior to or during contact with the core pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2026
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Keith Hogan, Joshua Leasure, Todd Roper
  • Publication number: 20260117116
    Abstract: A composition and method for hydraulically fracturing an oil or gas well to improve the production rates and ultimate recovery using a porous ceramic proppant infused with a chemical treatment agent is provided. The chemical treatment agent may be a tracer material that provides diagnostic information about the production performance of a hydraulic fracture stimulation by the use of distinguishable both water soluble and hydrocarbon soluble tracers. The tracer can be a biological marker, such as DNA. The porous ceramic proppant can be coated with a polymer which provides for controlled release of the chemical treatment agent into a fracture or well bore area over a period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: Robert DUENCKEL, Mark CONNER, Chad CANNAN, Daniel CADY, Joshua LEASURE, Thu LIENG, Todd ROPER, Peter A. READ
  • Publication number: 20260115677
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2025
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Applicant: CARBO CERAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Minjung CHO, Todd Roper, Thu Lieng
  • Patent number: 12612546
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to material for use in oil and gas well completion activities. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to diversion particles, along with methods for making and using the diversion particles. In an embodiment, a composite diversion material includes a non-degradable component comprising two or more non-degradable particulates, wherein the non-degradable particulates have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 20 D. The composite diversion material includes a degradable component surrounding at least a portion of the non-degradable component. In another embodiment, a method of making a composite diversion material includes mixing non-degradable proppant particles with an aqueous solution containing a first degradable material to provide a mixture having a proppant concentration of at least about 20 volume percent. The method includes drying the mixture at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 200° C. to provide the composite diversion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2026
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Thu Lieng, Todd Roper, Olatunji Orekha
  • Publication number: 20260085229
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to material for use in oil and gas well completion activities. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to diversion particles, along with methods for making and using the diversion particles. In an embodiment, a composite diversion material includes a non-degradable component comprising two or more non-degradable particulates, wherein the non-degradable particulates have a long-term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 20 D. The composite diversion material includes a degradable component surrounding at least a portion of the non-degradable component. In another embodiment, a method of making a composite diversion material includes mixing non-degradable proppant particles with an aqueous solution containing a first degradable material to provide a mixture having a proppant concentration of at least about 20 volume percent. The method includes drying the mixture at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 200° C. to provide the composite diversion material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2025
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Applicant: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Thu LIENG, Todd ROPER, Olatunji OREKHA
  • Publication number: 20260062604
    Abstract: Proppant compositions and methods for using same are disclosed herein. In particular, a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed herein. The proppant composition can contain a plurality of particulates and at least one particulate of the plurality of particulates containing a chemical treatment agent. The at least one particulate having a long term permeability measured in accordance with ISO 13503-5 at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D. The at least one chemical treatment agent can separate from the at least one particulate when located inside a fracture of a subterranean formation after a period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2025
    Publication date: March 5, 2026
    Applicant: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Mark Conner, Chad Cannan, Todd ROPER, Joshua Leasure, Thu Lieng, Daniel Cady, Peter A. Read
  • Patent number: 12502649
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2025
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Minjung Cho, Todd Roper, Thu Lieng
  • Publication number: 20250277431
    Abstract: A gravel pack containing a substrate particle coated with an inducibly degradable and a porous particle having an internal interconnected porosity that is at least partially infused with an inducer material for dissolving of a layer of filter cake disposed between the gravel pack and a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2024
    Publication date: September 4, 2025
    Applicant: CARBO Ceramics Inc.
    Inventors: Terrence Palisch, Joshua Leasure, Todd Roper, Nicolas Lopez
  • Patent number: 12252648
    Abstract: Proppant compositions and methods for using same are disclosed herein. In particular, a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed herein. The proppant composition can contain a plurality of particulates and at least one particulate of the plurality of particulates containing a chemical treatment agent. The at least one particulate having a long term permeability measured in accordance with ISO 13503-5 at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D. The at least one chemical treatment agent can separate from the at least one particulate when located inside a fracture of a subterranean formation after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Mark Conner, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper, Joshua Leasure, Thu Lieng, Daniel Cady, Peter A. Read
  • Patent number: 12091944
    Abstract: A gravel pack containing a substrate particle coated with an inducibly degradable and a porous particle having an internal interconnected porosity that is at least partially infused with an inducer material for dissolving of a layer of filter cake disposed between the gravel pack and a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Terrence Palisch, Joshua Leasure, Todd Roper, Nicolas Lopez
  • Patent number: 12037545
    Abstract: A composition and method for hydraulically fracturing an oil or gas well to improve the production rates and ultimate recovery using a porous ceramic proppant infused with a chemical treatment agent is provided. The chemical treatment agent may be a tracer material that provides diagnostic information about the production performance of a hydraulic fracture stimulation by the use of distinguishable both water soluble and hydrocarbon soluble tracers. The tracer can be a biological marker, such as DNA. The porous ceramic proppant can be coated with a polymer which provides for controlled release of the chemical treatment agent into a fracture or well bore area over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Mark Conner, Chad Cannan, Daniel Cady, Joshua Leasure, Thu Lieng, Todd Roper, Peter A. Read
  • Patent number: 12031089
    Abstract: Ceramic foundry media is provided. The ceramic foundry media have a size of about 80 mesh to about 10 mesh, an average largest pore size of less than about 20 microns, and a surface roughness of less than about 4 microns. The ceramic foundry media are formed by drip casting. A slurry of finely divided particles is flowed through nozzles and formed into droplets under the influence of vibration. Uniform sized, smooth surface, spherical green particles are formed. The green particles are dried and sintered to form the foundry media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Howe, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper
  • Publication number: 20240110090
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to material for use in oil and gas well completion activities. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to diversion particles, along with methods for making and using the diversion particles. In an embodiment, a composite diversion material includes a non-degradable component comprising two or more non-degradable particulates, wherein the non-degradable particulates have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 20 D. The composite diversion material includes a degradable component surrounding at least a portion of the non-degradable component. In another embodiment, a method of making a composite diversion material includes mixing non-degradable proppant particles with an aqueous solution containing a first degradable material to provide a mixture having a proppant concentration of at least about 20 volume percent. The method includes drying the mixture at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 200° C. to provide the composite diversion material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Thu LIENG, Todd ROPER, Olatunji OREKHA
  • Publication number: 20230399562
    Abstract: Proppant compositions and methods for using same are disclosed herein. In particular, a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed herein. The proppant composition can contain a plurality of particulates and at least one particulate of the plurality of particulates containing a chemical treatment agent. The at least one particulate having a long term permeability measured in accordance with ISO 13503-5 at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D. The at least one chemical treatment agent can separate from the at least one particulate when located inside a fracture of a subterranean formation after a period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Robert DUENCKEL, Mark CONNER, Chad CANNAN, Todd ROPER, Joshua LEASURE, Thu LIENG, Daniel CADY, Peter A. READ
  • Patent number: 11787994
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to material for use in oil and gas well completion activities. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to diversion particles, along with methods for making and using the diversion particles. In an embodiment, a composite diversion material includes a non-degradable component comprising two or more non-degradable particulates, wherein the non-degradable particulates have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 20 D. The composite diversion material includes a degradable component surrounding at least a portion of the non-degradable component. In another embodiment, a method of making a composite diversion material includes mixing non-degradable proppant particles with an aqueous solution containing a first degradable material to provide a mixture having a proppant concentration of at least about 20 volume percent. The method includes drying the mixture at a temperature of from about 25° C. to about 200° C. to provide the composite diversion material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Thu Lieng, Todd Roper, Olatunji Orekha
  • Patent number: 11739260
    Abstract: Proppant compositions and methods for using same are disclosed herein. In particular, a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed herein. The proppant composition can contain a plurality of particulates and at least one particulate of the plurality of particulates containing a chemical treatment agent. The at least one particulate having a long term permeability measured in accordance with ISO 13503-5 at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D. The at least one chemical treatment agent can separate from the at least one particulate when located inside a fracture of a subterranean formation after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Duenckel, Mark Conner, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper, Joshua Leasure, Thu Lieng, Daniel Cady, Peter A. Read
  • Publication number: 20230182098
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Minjung CHO, Todd ROPER, Thu LIENG
  • Publication number: 20230167721
    Abstract: A gravel pack containing a substrate particle coated with an inducibly degradable and a porous particle having an internal interconnected porosity that is at least partially infused with an inducer material for dissolving of a layer of filter cake disposed between the gravel pack and a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Terrence PALISCH, Joshua LEASURE, Todd ROPER, Nicolas LOPEZ
  • Patent number: 11624023
    Abstract: Catalyst particles and methods for making same are disclosed herein. The catalyst particles can include a ceramic support containing silica and alumina. The ceramic support can have a macropore concentration of about 15% to about 45%, a mesopore concentration of about 20% to 50%, and a micropore concentration of about 8% to about 30% based on the total pore volume of the ceramic support. The ceramic support can also have a surface area of about 0.5 m2/g to about 50 m2/g. The catalyst particles can have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D in accordance with ISO 13503-5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Steve Savoy, Daniel R. Mitchell, Byron Zollars, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper
  • Patent number: 11590469
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrically-conductive pellet includes reducing a size of a first material. The method also includes wetting the first material to produce a first slurry. The method also includes introducing the first slurry into a fluidizer to produce a first pellet. The method also includes reducing a size of a second material. The second material is an electrically-conductive material. The method also includes wetting the second material to produce a second slurry. The method also includes applying the second slurry to the first pellet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Minjung Cho, Todd Roper, Thu Lieng