Patents by Inventor Tom S. Carter

Tom S. Carter 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: 6886635
    Abstract: A method for removing filter cake from a subterranean borehole comprising drilling the borehole with a drilling fluid that includes additives to form a filter cake having an oxidation-degradable component, preferably a polysaccharide. The filter cake is contacted with a clear brine containing a mixture of a persulfate salt in a variable density brine to degrade the polymers within the filter cake. The persulfate mixture breaks down the filter cake in well bores having temperatures ranging from about 65° F. to 165° F. Concentration of the persulfate sets the pace of the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Hossaini, Joe Murphey, Tom S. Carter, Jeffrey S. McKennis
  • Publication number: 20040040706
    Abstract: A method for removing filter cake from a subterranean borehole comprising drilling the borehole with a drilling fluid that includes additives to form a filter cake having an oxidation-degradable component, preferably a polysaccharide. The filter cake is contacted with a clear brine containing a mixture of a persulfate salt in a variable density brine to degrade the polymers within the filter cake. The persulfate mixture breaks down the filter cake in well bores having temperatures ranging from about 65° F. to 165° F. Concentration of the persulfate sets the pace of the reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Hossaini, Joe Murphey, Tom S. Carter, Jeffrey S. McKennis
  • Publication number: 20040011990
    Abstract: A thermally insulating fluid composition comprising a glycol solvent for a viscosifier, a viscosifier, and optionally, an aqueous brine. The glycol may be selected from a propylene glycol, or under excessive heat temperatures, a butylene glycol, which can be used with or without a viscosifier. Viscosifiers can be selected from hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, xanthan and hydroxy propyl guar and combinations thereof. In one method of producing the thermally insulating composition, a viscosifier is added to an aqueous brine, water is then added to that solution followed by the addition of dry salt of the brine to increase density if necessary. A propylene glycol solvent is added to the resulting solution. The thermally insulating fluid composition insulates substances stored or transported in multi-walled vessels, tanks, piping and thermal units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Weyman H. Dunaway, Tom S. Carter, Joseph R. Murphey, Surendra K. Mishra