ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 12 -- United States Patent no. 12,247,164, issued on March 11, was assigned to LignoSol IP Ltd. (San Gwann, Malta).
"Lignin-based fracturing fluids and related methods" was invented by Desmond Alexander Somerville (San Gwann, Malta) and Patrick Dieter Waibel (San Gwann, Malta).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "Fracturing or fracking fluids for fracturing a subterranean reservoir for hydrocarbon recovery and related methods are described. The fluid comprises lignin, in particular technical lignin, and at least one strain of bacteria capable of biosurfactant production and/or a biosurfactant produced by at least one such isolated strain of bacteria. Also described is a fractu...