Todd A Thomas

US Patent:

57663092, Jun 16, 1998

Filed:

Jul 16, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/895546

Inventors:

Todd R. Thomas - Wexford PA

Assignee:

Clearwater, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B01D 5328

US Classification:

95 91

Abstract:

Solid gas-drying forms are made by heating drying salts with a polar solvent to form a saturated solution, then cooling, freezing and forming. Preferred salts are combinations of calcium and lithium bromides and chlorides in particularly effective molar ratios.

US Patent:

55917011, Jan 7, 1997

Filed:

Sep 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/311393

Inventors:

Todd R. Thomas - Coraopolis PA

Assignee:

Clearwater, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

C09K 702

US Classification:

507240

Abstract:

In the removal of particulates from a wellbore, such as in air drilling for hydrocarbon recovery, a mixture of an amphoteric foaming agent and, typically, an anionic surfactant is employed. An aqueous solution thereof having a pH of at least 9. 5 is used to generate a foam for removing the particulates; then the foam is collapsed by the introduction of acid to reduce the pH below about 4, the particles are removed mechanically, the pH is restored to greater than 9. 5, and the foaming solution is returned to the wellbore. The solution may be used several times; partial losses of foaming agent in the process may be easily replenished with each cycle. Cationic surfactants may be used instead of anionic, with foaming and foam collapse being controlled at opposite pH's. Savings are realized in water, drilling chemicals, and settling pits and the like for removing particulates from the foam.

US Patent:

58469150, Dec 8, 1998

Filed:

Oct 26, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/548646

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - McMurray PA
Todd R. Thomas - Coraopolis PA

Assignee:

Clearwater, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

C09K 300
E21B 4317
B01D 1700

US Classification:

507269

Abstract:

Hydrocarbon fracturing fluids are made by combining organic phosphate esters with polyvalent metal salts in hydrocarbon carriers to form gels; breaking of the gel is retarded or otherwise controlled over a wide range of water concentrations through the use of slowly soluble alkaline earth metal compounds, preferably hard burned magnesium oxide, which may be added along with the gel component.

US Patent:

56079028, Mar 4, 1997

Filed:

Mar 4, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/610739

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - McMurray PA
Todd R. Thomas - Coraopolis PA

Assignee:

ClearWater, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

C09K 702

US Classification:

507120

Abstract:

Swelling and migration of subterranean clay is inhibited during drilling for and stimulation of the production of hydrocarbon fluids, and preparation therefor, by treating said formations with a copolymer of about 5% to about 50% of an anionic monomer such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid and the balance a cationic monomer selected from dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride, or acryloxy or methacryloxy ethyl, propyl or 3-methyl butyl trimethyl ammonium chlorides or methosulfates. Permeability damage to the formation is reduced in the presence of the copolymer; it is particularly effective in spite of the presence of a foaming agent.

US Patent:

57338418, Mar 31, 1998

Filed:

Dec 18, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/768793

Inventors:

Todd R. Thomas - Wexford PA

Assignee:

Clearwater, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

B01J 2000
C09K 300
F26B 300

US Classification:

502400

Abstract:

Solid gas-drying forms are made by heating drying salts with a polar solvent to form a saturated solution, then cooling, freezing and forming. Preferred salts are combinations of calcium and lithium bromides and chlorides in particularly effective molar ratios.

US Patent:

58078126, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

Apr 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/833727

Inventors:

Kevin W. Smith - McMurray PA
Todd R. Thomas - Wexford PA

Assignee:

Clearwater, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

E21B 4316
E21B 4326

US Classification:

507238

Abstract:

Hydrocarbon fracturing fluids are made by combining organic phosphate esters with polyvalent metal salts in hydrocarbon carriers to form gels; breaking of the gel is retarded or otherwise controlled over a wide range of water concentrations, through the use of slowly soluble alkaline earth metal compounds, preferably hard burned magnesium oxide, which may be added along with the gel component. The slowly soluble alkaline earth metal compound is employed together with an oily acid breaker retarding agent such as tall oil.

US Patent:

53852060, Jan 31, 1995

Filed:

Jan 21, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/006791

Inventors:

Todd R. Thomas - Coraopolis PA

Assignee:

Clearwater, Inc. - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

E21B 2114
E21B 3700
E21B 4340

US Classification:

166269

Abstract:

In the removal of particulates from a wellbore, such as in air drilling for hydrocarbon recovery, a mixture of an amphoteric foaming agent and, typically, an anionic surfactant is employed. An aqueous solution thereof having a pH of at least 9. 5 is used to generate a foam for removing the particulates; then the foam is collapsed by the introduction of acid to reduce the pH below about 4, the particles are removed mechanically, the pH is restored to greater than 9. 5, and the foaming solution is returned to the wellbore. The solution may be used several times; partial losses of foaming agent in the process may be easily replenished with each cycle. Cationic surfactants may be used instead of anionic, with foaming and foam collapse being controlled at opposite pH's. Savings are realized in water, drilling chemicals, and settling pits and the like for removing particulates from the foam.