Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Thomas Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6534449
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid composition effective to reduce oil-containing residue and water wet wellbore surfaces is provided. The fluid composition comprises a terpene composition and a surfactant. Methods for use of the fluid composition as a single spacer or as a multiple spacer in conjunction with a second fluid are provided. Methods for use of the composition in reduction or removal of oil-containing residue from wellbore surfaces, as a clean-up fluid, in wellbore completions, as a displacement fluid, and in wellbore treatment are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Alan Gilmour, Ralph Cheung, Alexander Bui
  • Patent number: 6242390
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a composition and method for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is provided. The composition comprises an aqueous mixture of a hydrated polysaccharide, preferably a galactomannan gum, the hydrated polysaccharide having a plurality of bonding sites; a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydrated polysaccharide at the bonding sites at the conditions of the subterranean formation with a polyvalent metal ion to form a polyvalent metal crosslink, thereby increasing the viscosity of the hydrated polysaccharide; and a controlled solubility compound for releasing a chelating agent for controllably breaking the polyvalent metal crosslink and bonding with the polyvalent metal ion released by breaking the crosslink, thereby decreasing the viscosity of the hydrated polysaccharide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas O. Mitchell, Roger J. Card, Arthur Gomtsyan
  • Patent number: 6227295
    Abstract: A fluid that is useful in stimulation operations, and in particular, in hydraulic fracturing treatments, comprises a carrier fluid; a solvatable, crosslinkable polymer; a cross-linking agent that does not cause substantial cross-linking of the polymer at temperatures less than about 105° F. and a pH of about 10 or greater; and an organic amine stabilizing agent that has a first pKa or a pH in water of at least about 9.5. One group of such amines has the formula H2N—(R1NH)n—H where R1 is C1-C4 alkyl and n is from 1-6. In one embodiment, the cross-linking agent is an organic zirconate, such as bis(hydroxyethyl)glycine zirconate. The organic zirconate is effective to cross-link the polymer when the composition is at a temperature of at least about 105° F., and a pH of about 10 or higher, preferably a pH in the range of about 10.5-12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas O. Mitchell, Michael D. Parris
  • Patent number: 6192985
    Abstract: The present Invention relates to method to stimulate the production of hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. In particular, the present Invention discloses and claims methods to enhance the removal of fracturing fluid from a fracture deliberately created in the formation, thereby increasing effective fracture length, and thereby increasing hydrocarbon production. The methods of the present Invention involve breaker schedules opposite conventional teaching—i.e., according to the Invention, the breakers are staged such that the fluid near the fracture tip breaks first creating a viscosity gradient which causes the fluid resident in the tip to move towards the wellbore where it is more easily removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jerald J. Hinkel, Kevin W. England
  • Patent number: 6194356
    Abstract: A wellbore service fluid comprising viscoelastic surfactants in combination with cross-linkable, preferably hydrophobically modified, water soluble polymers is described, particularly applicable to water control operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Gareth J. Jones, Gary J. Tustin