The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 09, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 30, 2002
Martin Slater, Tananger, NO;
Daniel Perez, Milan, IT;
Nicholas Hilbig, Stavanger, NO;
Gary Dietzen, Lafayette, LA (US);
Brian Campbell, Inverbervie, GB;
Martin Slater, Tananger, NO;
Daniel Perez, Milan, IT;
Nicholas Hilbig, Stavanger, NO;
Gary Dietzen, Lafayette, LA (US);
Brian Campbell, Inverbervie, GB;
M-I L.L.C., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An improved method for removing proppant from fluid used in an oil and gas well for reuse in future operations. The proppant is separated from the well fluid and transported to a materials collection tank. A crane then transports the materials collection tank onto a processing boat. On the processing boat, the proppant is vacuumed from the materials collection tank to a hopper. The proppant is then discharged from the hopper into a holding tank for treatment and reuse. In a first alternative embodiment, two hoppers are positioned above each other so that the proppant can be added to the upper hopper and then fed by gravity to the lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times to provide a continuous vacuum operation. A conduit discharges from the lower hopper into the holding tank.