Last updated: August 30, 2026

Application No. 18/577,527

METHODS FOR OPERATING HYDROCARBON REMOVAL SYSTEMS FROM NATURAL GAS STREAMS

Final Rejection

Filed

Jan 08, 2024

Priority

Jul 16, 2021 — provisional 63/203,289 +1 more

Examiner

MENGESHA, WEBESHET

Art Unit

3763

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Chevron Corporation

OA Round

2 (Final)

Interview Optional

— +12.7% interview lift. Interview lift (+12.7%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 432 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

MENGESHA, WEBESHET View full profile →

Grants 48% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

206 granted / 432 resolved

-22.3% vs TC avg

Moderate +13% lift

Without

With

+12.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

4y 1m

Avg Prosecution

45 currently pending

Career history

486

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

56.4%

+16.4% vs TC avg

§102

9.9%

-30.1% vs TC avg

§112

32.8%

-7.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 432 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 08, 2024

Application Filed

Feb 12, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Apr 28, 2026

Response Filed

Aug 17, 2026

Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/619,555

Patent 12710203

LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR A COMPRESSOR

4y 8m to grant Granted Aug 18, 2026

18/040,376

Patent 12710225

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING A LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS PRODUCT

3y 6m to grant Granted Aug 18, 2026

17/828,692

Patent 12650260

CRYOGENIC REMOVAL OF CARBON DIOXIDE FROM THE ATMOSPHERE

4y 0m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/076,216

Patent 12650204

HYDROGEN TANK AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A HYDROGEN TANK

3y 6m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/926,014

Patent 12644643

APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR LIQUEFACTION OF NATURAL GAS

1y 7m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

48%

Grant Probability

60%

With Interview (+12.7%)

4y 1m (~1y 6m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Moderate

PTA Risk

Based on 432 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.