Four Years? Capture Your Competitive Advantage Now! - Obtaining A Patent Using USPTO's Prioritized Examination Process

Resource scarcity, high commodity prices, challenging environments, and regulations all drive R&D in the oil and gas industry. In 2012, the largest E&P companies and oilfield service companies combined to spend more than $16.1 billion on R&D, and a recent survey suggests that number may increase by more than 10% over the next two years.

Companies must protect their intellectual property developed from such R&D and the competitive advantage that it provides. Patents provide the primary means of protection, granting companies a vital period of market exclusivity. For start-ups, they help assure investors that the company will be able to profit from its innovations so that they can recoup their investments.