With Heating, Refrigerating Or Heat Insulating Means Patents (Class 166/57)
  • Patent number: 11959633
    Abstract: A steam supply system having a wet steam source and a steam separator disposed to separated wet steam into dry saturated steam and a saturated condensate. The dry saturated steam is heated in a superheater to produce superheated steam, while the saturated condensate is cooled in a subcooler to produced subcooled condensate with a target temperature selected to prevent immediate evaporation of the subcooled condensate when mixed with the superheated steam. The subcooled condensate is sprayed into a stream of superheated steam using spray nozzles and gradually evaporates downstream of the spray nozzles to produce process steam of a desired % quality. A cooling fluid passing through the subcooler is utilized to cool the saturated condensate. The flow rate of the cooling fluid through the subcooler can be utilized to achieve process steam of a desired % quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: En-Fab Inc.
    Inventors: Thanneeru D. Rao, Mayur Borad, Abdulla Khalifa Khamis Al Hinai, Dane Anderson
  • Patent number: 11953196
    Abstract: A steam supply system includes a steam generator disposed to produce wet steam for introduction into a steam separator. The steam separator includes a saturated condensate outlet. A superheater receives dry saturated steam from the steam separator and produces superheated steam. An evaporator with an evaporator vessel having a saturated condensate inlet, a soluble solids slurry outlet and a dry steam outlet is in fluid communication with the saturated condensate outlet of the steam separator. Disposed within the evaporator vessel is a superheated steam heat exchanger having a superheated steam outlet and a superheated steam inlet which superheated steam inlet is in fluid communication with the superheater to receive superheated steam. The dry steam outlet of the evaporator is in fluid communication with a steam mixing vessel where the dry steam is mixed with superheated steam from the superheated steam outlet of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: En-Fab Inc.
    Inventors: Thanneeru D. Rao, Mayur Borad, Abdulla Khalifa Khamis Al Hinai, Dane Anderson
  • Patent number: 11946331
    Abstract: A method of sealing a subsurface bore comprises: locating a volume of thermite in the bore; locating a volume of alloy in the bore with the thermite; initiating reaction of the thermite to heat the alloy; and bringing the alloy to above the melting point of the alloy whereby the alloy flows and occludes the bore. The thermite may retain its initial form during or following reaction or may partially fluidise. The thermite may react to provide a platform that at least partially occludes the bore. The alloy may flow over a surface of the thermite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ISOL8 (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Louden, William Edward Lowry
  • Patent number: 11933144
    Abstract: Offshore systems and methods may be configured for offshore power generation and carbon dioxide injection for enhanced gas recovery for gas reservoirs. For example, a method may include: providing an offshore facility including a gas turbine, and a gas separator; producing a produced gas from a gas reservoir to the offshore facility; combusting the produced gas in a gas turbine to produce power and a flue gas; at least partially removing nitrogen from the flue gas in a gas separator to produce a carbon dioxide-enriched flue gas and a nitrogen-enriched flue gas; compressing the carbon dioxide-enriched flue gas in a gas compressor to produce a compressed gas; and injecting the compressed gas from the gas compressor into the gas reservoir, wherein 80 mol % or more of hydrocarbon in the produced gas is combusted and/or injected into the gas reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Rui Wang, Mark Christian Ausborn, Zhen Li, Elliot M. Chang-Tang
  • Patent number: 11913678
    Abstract: An economical ground heat exchanger system uses water-filled membrane liners in cylindrical augured holes. A submersible pump in a drain reservoir is shared by multiple boreholes. Thermal connection with a building or industrial process occurs through a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the reservoir. The pump sends water tempered by the heat exchanger to the water-filled holes, where it exchanges heat with the ground before overflowing through gravity drain piping back to the reservoir for continued recirculation. Heat transfer with the ground occurs through thermal contact between the water, the membrane liners, and earth supporting the liners. Optional raised borehole support rims maintain an “above grade” water level and allow removed soil to be re-used as a berm or planter over manifold pipes that connect the system components, thus eliminating the cost of trenching for the manifold pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Richard Curtis Bourne
  • Patent number: 11905812
    Abstract: An intra-layer reinforcement method, and a consolidation and reconstruction simulation experiment system and an evaluation method for a gas hydrate formation are provided. In the intra-layer reinforcement method, the formation reconstruction and fracturing grouting reinforcement technologies are combined; a fracturing grouting process is adopted to create fractures in the gas hydrate formation; and a consolidation liquid enters the fractures and penetrates into the formation through a pressure difference to form a reinforcement with a ribbed slab structure and a specified strength and permeability, which supports the formation to achieve collapse prevention and sand prevention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)
    Inventors: Yuhuan Bu, Huajie Liu, Dong Lin, Shenglai Guo, Chang Lu, Xinyang Guo, Rui Ma, Qiang Wang, Changyou Xiang, Meihua Huo
  • Patent number: 11867041
    Abstract: A system for enhanced oil and gas recovery. The system can comprise a boiler. The system can further comprise at least two capillaries in fluid communication with the boiler. The at least two capillaries can be disposed in an injector pipe and each one of the capillaries can include a flow control device for controlling an injection of steam in at least one of a chamber and a well for enhanced oil and gas recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: XDI Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: James C. Juranitch
  • Patent number: 11867432
    Abstract: A geothermal heat utilization system includes a first well having a first upper opening and a first lower opening, and a second well having a second upper opening and a second lower opening. The geothermal heat utilization system further includes a first pipe, a second pipe, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The geothermal heat utilization system is capable of supplying underground water of an upper aquifer from the first upper opening to the second upper opening via the first pipe, and the geothermal heat utilization system is capable of supplying underground water of a lower aquifer from the second lower opening to the first lower opening via the second pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD., UNIVERSITY PUBLIC CORPORATION OSAKA
    Inventors: Rinnichi Sai, Masanobu Sakai, Toru Yamaguchi, Masaki Nakao, Yasuhisa Nakaso
  • Patent number: 11859469
    Abstract: A production stream is received from a well formed in a subterranean formation. The production stream includes a gaseous portion and a liquid portion. The liquid portion has a base sediment and water (BS&W) percentage. At least a portion of the gaseous portion of the production stream is combusted to produce a flaring byproduct stream. The flaring byproduct stream is flowed through a coiled tubing to the well. The BS&W percentage of the liquid portion of the production stream is measured. The flow of the flaring byproduct stream to the well is decreased in response to the BS&W percentage reaching a threshold BS&W percentage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Muath Fahad Almuayli, Adel Ali Al-Qahtani
  • Patent number: 11859871
    Abstract: The geothermal heat utilization system is capable of supplying underground water of an upper aquifer from the first upper opening to the second upper opening via the first pipe, and capable of supplying underground water of a lower aquifer from the second lower opening to the first lower opening via the second pipe. Further, the geothermal heat utilization system is configured to pump hot water and at the same time, pump cold water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS, LTD., UNIVERSITY PUBLIC CORPORATION OSAKA
    Inventors: Rinnichi Sai, Masanobu Sakai, Toru Yamaguchi, Masaki Nakao, Yasuhisa Nakaso
  • Patent number: 11851969
    Abstract: The present disclosure is for an inverted diffuser usable in wellheads and other wellsite equipment. The inverted diffuser includes at least one first section having a first vertical inner surface, a first inclined inner surface relative to the first vertical inner surface, and one or more channels supporting one or more releasable fasteners between the at least one first section and a wall of a wellhead or of a wellsite equipment. At least one second section is press-fitted or fastened adjacent to the at least one first section. A method for application of the inverted diffuser in a wellhead and in other wellsite equipment is also disclosed, along with a method of manufacture of the inverted diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fabio O. Tanaka, Jonathan Powell, Mahesha Udipi, Timothy D. Fuller, Bryan Leach
  • Patent number: 11851989
    Abstract: A method for reducing breakdown pressure at a formation includes detecting a tight reservoir formation in a well and providing hydraulic fracturing equipment assembled together as a hydraulic fracturing system at a surface of the well. The hydraulic fracturing system includes a fluid source containing a base fluid and fluidly connected to a blender and a pump and manifold system fluidly connecting an outlet of the blender to a wellhead of the well. The method further includes connecting a cooling system to the hydraulic fracturing system, using the cooling system to cool the base fluid to a cooled base temperature upstream of the pump and manifold system, pumping the cooled base fluid down the well to the tight reservoir formation, and using the cooled base fluid to lower a temperature of the tight reservoir formation and reduce a breakdown pressure of the tight reservoir formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Misfer J. Almarri, Murtadha J. AlTammar, Khalid Mohammed Alruwaili
  • Patent number: 11846158
    Abstract: Provided is a graphene heating thermal preservation sleeve for a wellhead of an oil-gas well in an oil field, the sleeve comprises a high-temperature-resistant thermal preservation layer (1), a graphene layer (2), an electrode layer (3), a high-temperature-resistant ceramic layer (4), a waterproof anti-static thermal preservation layer (5) and a housing (6) tightly attached together in sequence. Two parts of the heating thermal preservation sleeve are buckled together to enclose an oil-gas well wellhead apparatus (5) needing to be heated. When the electrode layers (3) at the two ends of the graphene layer (2) are electrified, under the action of an electric field, heat energy generated by violent friction and impact between carbon atoms of graphene is radiated out by means of far infrared rays with a wavelength in a range of 5-14 micrometers, for heating and thermal preservation of the oil-gas well wellhead apparatus (15) in an oil field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Anping Zhao
  • Patent number: 11840910
    Abstract: A method creates a fluid communication path between a first production well and a second production well. At least one hydraulic fracture intersects the first production well and is separated from the second production well by a wall thereof. The method includes identifying, from the second production well, a location of the hydraulic fracture of the first production well, and perforating the wall of the second production well at the identified location. The perforating creates the fluid communication path between the production wells. Injection of fracking fluid and proppant at the first production well allows for additional fluids to be extracted from the second production well, thus generating a flow between the two production wells through the hydraulic fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: NEUBREX ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Kinzo Kishida, Ge Jin, Dana M. Jurick
  • Patent number: 11821276
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cutting objects within a subterranean well include a laser system having a laser drilling head located at a terminal downhole end of a laser tool body directing a head laser beam in a direction downhole. A laser scanner assembly located within the laser tool body has a scanner head directing a scanner laser beam and can move both axially along a length of the laser tool body and rotate around a central axis of the laser tool body. A laser cutter assembly located within the laser tool body has a cutter head directing a cutter laser beam and can rotate around the central axis of the laser tool body. A cable bundle formed of a plurality of fiber optic cables extends from an uphole end of the laser tool body to each of the laser drilling head, the laser scanner assembly, and the laser cutter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Sameeh Issa Batarseh
  • Patent number: 11814920
    Abstract: A technique facilitates patching of a tubing (42), e.g. casing (36), in a downhole environment (32). The technique employs a patching system comprising a plurality of expansion rings (48). The expansion rings (48) are moved downhole to a patch zone (38) along the tubing (34). Once in a desired position at the patch zone, the expansion rings (48) are expanded into engagement with an inner surface of the tubing. For example, the expansion rings may comprise seal elements (52) and/or anchor elements which are expanded into engagement with the inside surface. The patching system further comprises a patch (68) which may have a tubular shape. The patch is radially expanded in a manner which maintains a sealing engagement with the plurality of expansion rings (48) to create a sealed patch across a desired region in the patch zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Samuel Roselier, James Leighton, Benjamin Saltel, Robin McGowan, Juan Miguel La Rotta Marin, Gareth Brown
  • Patent number: 11802845
    Abstract: Determination of Ground Thermal Conductivity (TC) in the field of Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs). The invention provides a simple mathematical approach using minimal terms with apparatus not dependent on stable electric power generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventor: Richard A Clemenzi
  • Patent number: 11802662
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system, method, and apparatus comprising a large scale direct steam generator operating on an oxidant of air or enriched air configured to generate steam and combustion exhaust constituents. An exhaust constituent separation system and an energy recovery system to reclaim energy and improve the efficiency of the thermodynamic cycle. An optional CO2 separation system and Non Condensable Gas injection system may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: XDI Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: James Charles Juranitch, Raymond Clifford Skinner, Thomas Raymond Juranitch, Alan Craig Reynolds
  • Patent number: 11802645
    Abstract: A flow management system includes an expandable device configured for attachment to a wall surface of a conduit and being adjustable between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, an electric actuator in fluid communication with the expandable device, and a control module. The control module is configured to control the electric actuator to flow a current to the expandable device to expand the expandable device for compacting a flow blockage within the conduit to create a channel adjacent the flow blockage and to terminate a flow of the current to the expandable device to collapse the expandable device for opening the channel to a fluid flow within the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Maher Maqbool Shariff, Taras Yurievich Makogon
  • Patent number: 11788393
    Abstract: Thermal energy delivery and oil production arrangements and methods thereof are disclosed which heat a subterranean formation, and which comprises positioning concentric tubing strings in a wellbore; heating a heat transfer fluid using a surface thermal fluid heater; flowing a liquid or feedwater downward through an extremely hot innermost tubing string that is inside and concentric to an outermost tubing string and a casing/annulus, which extends below a thermal packer positioned in the wellbore, and continually circulating the heat transfer fluid through the outermost tubing string and the casing/annulus above the thermal packer such that the liquid or feedwater flowing through the innermost tubing string is heated thereby and injected into the wellbore below the thermal packer and out of perforations to heat the subterranean formation to temperatures that allow for hydrocarbon production from the subterranean formation. Emissions may be injected into the subterranean formation with the liquid or feedwater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Future Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Kent B. Hytken
  • Patent number: 11761680
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to solve the problem of casing and string collapse of production or injection wells, which occurs due to cooling caused by injection of completion fluids into the well, by applying heat to the fluid being injected during operations, such as acid treatments, secondary recovery, scale removal, and inhibiting squeeze. The fluid laser heating equipment was designed to perform the heating of the fluid to be injected into a production or injection well. Before being pumped into the well, the fluid passes through the heating equipment, through a metal coil-shaped tube immersed in hot water, placed inside a tank, a laser system heats the water inside the tank, the water inside the tank exchanges heat with the coil heating the same, and in turn the coil exchanges heat with the fluid passing within it. In this way, the fluid will be at an appropriate temperature for injection into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: PETROLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Mario Germino Ferreira Da Silva, Francisca Ferreira Do Rosario, Bruno Barbosa Castro
  • Patent number: 11732929
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems for drilling and operating a well which may have dual uses. The well may be drilled and operated as a geothermal well using a hybrid approach where a heat transfer fluid is injected into a hot rock formation but is not removed, and heat is extracted using a closed loop method. The geothermal well is then evaluated for use as a carbon dioxide sequestration well. In other embodiments, the well is drilled as a carbon dioxide sequestration well and then evaluated for its potential for generating geothermal energy using a hybrid approach where supercritical carbon dioxide is injected into a hot rock formation but is not removed, and heat is extracted using a closed loop method. Both horizontal and vertical wells are disclosed, in sedimentary rocks and in basement granite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: William James Hughes
  • Patent number: 11697979
    Abstract: A power system adapted for supplying power in a high temperature environment is disclosed. The power system includes a rechargeable energy storage that is operable in a temperature range of between about seventy degrees Celsius and about two hundred and fifty degrees Celsius coupled to a circuit for at least one of supplying power from the energy storage and charging the energy storage; wherein the energy storage is configured to store between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a joule and about one hundred megajoules of energy, and to provide peak power of between about one one hundredth (0.01) of a watt and about one hundred megawatts, for at least two charge-discharge cycles. Methods of use and fabrication are provided. Embodiments of additional features of the power supply are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: FASTCAP SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John J. Cooley, Riccardo Signorelli, Morris Green, Padmanaban Sasthan Kuttipillai, Christopher John Sibbald Deane, Lindsay A. Wilhelmus
  • Patent number: 11668167
    Abstract: Systems and a method are provided for protecting a gas lift valve (GLV) from erosion. An example system includes a gas lift valve that includes an unloading protection orifice, and wherein the unloading protection orifice unloading protection orifice includes a different open area than a valve seat in the gas lift valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Rosmer Maria Brito Jurado, Tony W. Hord
  • Patent number: 11655412
    Abstract: A spherical organic nano boron crosslinker with a PAMAM core and a preparation method thereof, and a gel fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Southwest Petroleum University, Sichuan Green & Top Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jincheng Mao, Jinhua Mao, Xiaojiang Yang, Chong Lin, Yang Zhang, An Chen, Sikai Dai
  • Patent number: 11643897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole line separation tool for submerging into a casing in a wellbore, the downhole line separation tool having a first tool end, a second tool end and a tool axis, comprising a tool housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, an electrical motor arranged within the first housing part and powered through a wireline connected to the first tool end, an annular separation element having an element end facing away from the first tool end and being rotatably connected within the second housing part, and a rotatable shaft arranged within the second housing part and rotated by the electrical motor for rotating the annular separation element, wherein the second housing part comprises a sleeve part having a sleeve end, at least part of the annular separation element projecting from the sleeve end further away from the first tool end than the sleeve, the second housing part comprising at least one projecting part extending further away from the first tool end tha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Welltec A/S
    Inventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
  • Patent number: 11629576
    Abstract: Methods of drilling two wells, wherein the two wells are drilled such that the toe of the lateral portion of one well is in proximity to the heel of the lateral portion of the other well. Production from the wells can be improved by a process wherein the formation about the wells is first fractured at the toe of each lateral portion, then fractured along the middle section of each lateral portion, and, lastly, at the heel section of each lateral portion of the wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Samiha Said Elsayed Morsy, Folly Israel Yeke Kouevi
  • Patent number: 11591908
    Abstract: Long tunnels of many kilometres are likely to pass through a range of geologies which may cause problems. The present invention seeks to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by: drilling a first bore 10 along a first predetermined path, the first bore having a length of at least 25 m; drilling a plurality of second bores 20 along respective second predetermined paths, each substantially parallel to the first predetermined path in order to define a substantially prism-shape region therebetween; and excavating material within the substantially prism-shape region to form a tunnel. In this way, data from drilling the first bore 10 and the plurality of second bores 20 can be recorded and used to inform operators as to the types of material through which they will be excavating. Thus, a more complete view of the underlying geology can be achieved before beginning excavations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: hyperTunnel IP Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Jordan
  • Patent number: 11585527
    Abstract: The technical outcome of the proposed geothermal energy device is to increase its efficiency (CE), to simplify and cheapen the construction. The geothermal energy device contains downstream and upstream pipes, which are filled with fluid thermal agent and placed in the borehole, which is unilaterally closed from the ground surface; the pipes are connected to each other with a heat exchanger in the depth of the borehole. The downstream pipe is equipped with several mechanical non-return valves; on the same pipe there is also installed a down pushing pump of the thermal agent (e.g. isobutane). The end of the upstream pipe on the ground surface is directed towards the condensation type steam turbine, equipped with the controlled (e.g. electromagnetic) valve, and turned towards the mentioned turbine by the Laval nozzle. The energy device additionally contains the device of the frequency/duration control to lock and unlock the mentioned controlled valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventors: Solomon Ioramashvili, Shalva Kochladze, Enriko Beridze
  • Patent number: 11480030
    Abstract: A thermal expansion system for actuating a remote operated sleeve assembly to open and close ports in a housing for fluidly communicating between a bore of a tubular string in a wellbore to the formation utilizes actuation of a propellant charge to create expanding gas and heat in a combustion chamber to directly act on one side of a piston connected to an axially moveable sleeve supported in the housing to shift the sleeve in one direction. Ignition of another propellant charge in a combustion chamber on an opposing side of the piston is used to directly shift the sleeve in an opposing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventors: Per Angman, Mark Andreychuk, Allan Petrella, Matthew Brown
  • Patent number: 11482343
    Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate forming and maintaining FRCs with superior stability as well as particle, energy and flux confinement and, more particularly, systems and methods that facilitate forming and maintaining FRCs with elevated system energies and improved sustainment utilizing multi-scaled capture type vacuum pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: TAE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Alan Van Drie
  • Patent number: 11428067
    Abstract: A chemical reaction heat source for use in heaters used in down-hole application. The heat source has a fuel composition that comprises thermite and a damping agent. The use of the thermite mix enables the heaters of the present invention to generate hotter temperature down wells. This in turn allows the use of Bismuth/Germanium alloys, which have higher melting points, to enable the production of plugs for the abandonment of deeper wells where subterranean temperatures are higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: BiSN Tec Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Carragher
  • Patent number: 11420891
    Abstract: A waste processing system includes a reactor including an inlet end and an outlet end configured to discharge reactor effluent. The inlet end includes a mixing unit having an oxidizing material input and a waste stream input. The reactor oxidizing material input is configured to receive reactor oxidizing material at a temperature greater than 200° C. and at a pressure greater than 60 atm. A second waste stream input is positioned between the reactor inlet end and the reactor outlet end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Yaacov Nagar, Kathleen Jooss, Marc Deshusses, Kurabachew Duba
  • Patent number: 11371338
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling an electronics compartment of a downhole tool include a tool assembly. The tool assembly is an elongated member formed of axially aligned tool units. The tool units include a turbine and the electronics compartment. The electronics compartment has an interior cavity containing electronics components. The tool units further include a compressor powered by the turbine. The compressor is operable to compress a coolant fluid. The compressor has a central heat exchanger operable to cool a non-electrically conductive fluid with the coolant fluid. An impeller is rotated by the turbine. The impeller is operable to circulate the non-electrically conductive fluid past the electronics components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Alexey Alexeyenko
  • Patent number: 10968736
    Abstract: An example laser tool is configured to operate within a wellbore of a hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation. The tool includes one or more optical transmission media. The one or more optical transmission media are part of an optical path originating at a laser generator configured to generate a laser beam. The one or more optical transmission media are for passing the laser beam. The tool includes a mono-optic element that is part of the optical path. The mono-optic element is for receiving the laser beam from the one or more optical transmission media and for altering at least one of a geometry or a direction of the laser beam for output to the hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation. The tool also includes one or more sensors to monitor one or more conditions in the wellbore and to output signals based on the one or more conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Sameeh Issa Batarseh
  • Patent number: 10962148
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of testing an unbonded flexible pipe. The unbonded flexible pipe has a length and a longitudinal axis and comprises, from the inside and out, an internal armour layer, an internal pressure sheath, at least one external amour layer and an outer sheath. At least one of the layers comprises an optical sensor connected to an optical monitoring system and at least one of the armour layers is a metallic and electrically conductive amour layer. The method makes it possible to test an electrical heating system and an optical sensor substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO DENMARK I/S
    Inventors: Kristian Glejbol, Michael Eilersen, Anders Straarup, Christian Ditlev Cappeln
  • Patent number: 10494080
    Abstract: A thermal insulation system for an aircraft is provided. The thermal insulation system includes a carrier and a container. The carrier has an interior surface including a first plurality of magnets that generate a first magnetic field, and an exterior surface that is thermally coupled to at least one high temperature component. The container is surrounded by the interior surface of the carrier, has an exterior surface including a second plurality of magnets that generate a second magnetic field oriented opposite the first magnetic field, and has an interior surface that is thermally coupled to at least one temperature sensitive component. The first magnetic field and the second magnetic field generate a gap between the carrier and the container to reduce a heat transfer from the at least one high temperature component to the at least one temperature sensitive component during operation of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Clemen, Jr., Jerry Lee Wert
  • Patent number: 10053959
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing or removing condensate blockage in a natural gas wellbore and a near-wellbore formation. Microwaves are used to heat a ceramic-containing material within a near-wellbore formation. Heat is transferred from the ceramic-containing material to the near-wellbore formation. Any gas condensate reservoirs in the near well-bore formation are heated, and condensed liquids accumulated around the wellbore are re-evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Muhammad Ayub, Sameeh I. Batarseh, Nabeel S. Habib
  • Patent number: 9810028
    Abstract: An improved gap sub assembly that can withstand the rigors of directional drilling, while still being cost effective and easy to deploy at the drill site. Embodiments can be assembled by sliding a mandrel into a housing without any threading or clocking, filling the gap between the housing and mandrel with an electrically isolating material, and curing the electrically isolating material to mechanically couple the housing and mandrel. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of the mandrel comprise a plurality of complimentary axial sections having staggered diameters so that a constant dielectric gap is maintained. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the housing and the outer surface of the mandrel comprise non-overlapping right- and/or left-handed helical grooves that, when filled with a cured electrically insulating material, forms a complex 3D shear resistance mechanism optimized to resist torsion or twisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Vadim Minosyan, Peter Harvey
  • Patent number: 9482080
    Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a guide member extending longitudinally outwardly from the distal end of the RF transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary L. Linkewich, Alan Watt
  • Patent number: 9431813
    Abstract: A system and method for providing redundant wired pipe-in-pipe telemetry is described. The redundant wired pip-in-pipe telemetry system includes an outer pipe and an inner pipe disposed within the outer pipe. Within the outer pipe, two or more conductive elements may be provided as well as a wired path controller that may selectably switch between available conductive paths. The wired path controller may identify conductive paths with good electrical characteristics and select those paths for transmission. If a conductive path develops a fault, the wired path controller may select one of the alternative redundant conductive paths for transmission to avoid the fault. The wireless controller may further transmit information about the location of faults to a drill operator at the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Clive D. Menezes, Richard T. Hay
  • Patent number: 9394769
    Abstract: An inflow control valve has a valve body having a threaded portion for connecting the valve body to a production tubing, a through bore for connecting the valve body to an inside bore of the production tubing and an outside surface; at least one inlet passageway extending through the valve body between the outside surface and the through bore and an inlet opening on the at least one inlet passageway formed on the outside surface of the valve body; a closure member for opening and closing the inlet opening, the closure member being located between the inlet opening and the annulus; and a member to bias the closure member to an open position when the inlet opening is submerged in a liquid to be recovered from the reservoir and to bias the closure member to a closed position in the absence of the liquid at the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Inventor: John Nenniger
  • Patent number: 9327261
    Abstract: An apparatus for decreasing steam methane reformer (SMR) tube temperature is provided. The apparatus can include an SMR furnace, a monitoring system in communication with the SMR furnace and a water source in fluid communication with the SMR furnace. The SMR furnace includes a plurality of SMR tubes disposed within the SMR furnace. The monitoring system is configured to monitor the temperature of at least a plurality of SMR tubes and compare the temperature against a first predetermined value, and the water source is configured to introduce water to an SMR tube that has a temperature above the first predetermined value, such that the temperature of the SMR tube is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Étude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Taekyu Kang, Rong Fan, Pavol Pranda, Hwanho Kim, Robert A. Gagliano
  • Patent number: 9309741
    Abstract: A production zone isolation system includes a sealing mechanism is positioned adjacent to or within the production zone of a well bore such that the expanders are positioned parallel to areas aft and fore of the area which is to be isolated. A refrigerant or cooling agent is pumped into a first inner tubular and exits out of the expanders and into regions of second outer tubular. At pressurized water filled regions of the well bore that are adjacent to the regions of the second outer tubular, freezing is induced, thereby forming ice plugs and a sealed region therebetween. The refrigerant is not in direct contact with the surrounding water but is instead in juxtaposition to it and separated therefrom by second outer tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Triple D Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Darrell S. Kosakewich
  • Patent number: 9304217
    Abstract: Method and retrievable vertical hydrophone cable for collecting seismic data underground. The retrievable vertical hydrophone cable includes an envelope having a first end at which a connector mechanism is provided to close the envelope; plural hydrophones distributed inside the envelope at predetermined positions; and a fluid provided inside the envelope and around the plural hydrophones. The envelope increases its volume when the fluid is pressurized through the connector mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SA
    Inventor: Julien Meunier
  • Patent number: 9194227
    Abstract: A dedicated hydraulic line for transmission of a signal device capable of generating one or more unique signals to one or more tools within a subterranean well. Each tool can be equipped with a reader device for receiving signals from and transmitting signals to the signal device. Each reader device can control operation of the tool associated therewith if the reader device is programmed to respond to signals received from the control device. Hydraulic fluid used to operate the tool can be conveyed via the dedicated hydraulic line or a separate hydraulic line. A separate hydraulic line can be used to reset the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Philip M. Snider, Daniel G. Purkis
  • Patent number: 9163496
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of making a fracturing fluid and system of fracturing a formation penetrated by a well-bore. The method includes providing a fracturing fluid that is liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) and a co-solvent in a quantity of 1-19 wt %, and at least one friction-reducing polymer in a quantity of 0.001-1.0 wt % of the fracturing fluid composition, wherein the friction-reducing polymer is initially disposed in an emulsion, and is at least partially soluble in the co-solvent and LCO2 mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventors: Richard M. Kelly, Walter L. Renz
  • Patent number: 9074794
    Abstract: Systems include a well having a production casing and a production tubing positioned therein, forming an annulus there between. A packer is positioned in the annulus at a position sufficient to separate the annulus into a first portion and a second portion. The well further includes a tie-back conduit positioned in the first portion of the annulus and configured to allow heat transfer between a working fluid flowing through the first portion of the annulus and a production fluid flowing through the production tubing, thus separating the circulating working fluid from fluids in the second portion of the annulus. A working fluid loop is fluidly connected to the first portion of the annulus. Co-production methods, methods of modeling, and computer-readable media including the methods of modeling are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: BLADE ENERGY PARTNERS LTD.
    Inventors: Poodi Peddi Suryanarayana, Parveen Sachdeva, Ismail Ceyhan, Gary Allen Ring
  • Publication number: 20150144338
    Abstract: Heated production well for enhancing production of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon reservoir are described. By heating the production well, heat is imparted to the reservoir and helps to mobilize the hydrocarbons and improve hydrocarbon production. A method of producing hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon reservoir, includes using a heated production well positioned in the hydrocarbon reservoir, the heated production well having a higher temperature than the ambient temperature of the hydrocarbon reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Chong Sin CHAN, Kirk Anthony Duval
  • Publication number: 20150136401
    Abstract: Method to enhance the recovery of oil from an oil field, comprising: applying heat to a colloidal hydrocarbonic medium that comprises hydrocarbon chains; and applying pressure waves having a predetermined frequency and intensity to hydrocarbon chains, in order to crack hydrocarbon chains into relatively shorter hydrocarbon chains. Optionally: applying heat may comprise applying steam; the pressure waves may be applied directly or indirectly to hydrocarbon chains to be cracked; applying pressure waves may be performed within the oil field, by use of an Activator within or outside of the oil field; applying pressure waves may be performed within the oil field; applying pressure waves may be performed by use of a rotor situated in a housing pervaded by the colloidal hydrocarbonic medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Ruediger Uwe Nuerk, Joseph M. Laura