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Energy | Oil and Gas

Innovative Patenting Strategies for the Oil and Gas Sector

The oil and gas industry has an international presence. Technologically, the industry continues to improve its otherwise conventional systems focusing on drill rig efficiency and safety, more sophisticated and versatile downhole tools, in addition to oil well integrity and maintenance, and oil refining. However, many oil procurement systems are changing to focus on electricity as a source of power such as electrically powered fracking systems and electrically powered subsea systems. In addition, many within the oil and gas industry anticipate more drastic changes to the industry and are focused on leveraging oil and gas technologies for alternative sustainable energy. For example, some are focused on offshore technologies for offshore wind power and/or offshore geothermal power. Other considerations include wave and current power. Decarbonization is now a word at oil and gas conferences.

Practicing in this space requires traversing a steep learning curve because the processes and systems involved are unlike any other. Understanding the context of the inventions in this space and, as such, having an ability to tell the inventive story requires knowledge of the surrounding systems and processes that are all unique to the oil and gas industry. Moreover, procuring enforceable patent claims requires knowledge of the several systems and the several roles being played so that patent claims can be properly crafted to avoid prevalent pitfalls. With several large players in the industry and a long history of competitive activity, the prior art available in this space can be prolific and simply telling the inventive story is often not enough. Rather, sophisticated prosecution techniques and approaches are often necessary to achieve valuable protection both in the US and internationally.

Invention development ebbs and flows and the changing technologies within this industry driven by ecological pressure require breadth and versatility. Our deep bench and broad range of technological backgrounds positions us perfectly to support the oil and gas industry, particularly over the coming years and decades as the industry manages changes relating to decarbonization.

SLW has depth of experience across many areas, including robotics technologies in and/or around the drill floor of oil drill rigs; drill pipe technologies; electrification projects and, in particular, electrification of fracking systems; downhole tools including drill bits, drill head assembly components, and other along string tools relating to along string measurement, vibration control, etc.; managed pressure drilling; offshore mooring systems and equipment; offshore riser assemblies and systems; offshore and land wind systems; Coiled Tubing Injectors and Coiled Tubing Materials; Progressive Cavity Pumps Systems; Gas Dispersion Systems; Composite, Fiberglass, and Flexible pipe systems and products.