Patents by Inventor Jerald J. Hinkel

Jerald J. Hinkel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20030040441
    Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing the production of hydrocarbons from shaly formations that contain adsorbed condensed hydrocarbon gases by treating such formations with dewatering compositions comprising surfactants that cause the surfaces of the formation to be or to remain oil-wet. The methods may be used in stimulation (acidizing or acid fracturing or hydraulic fracturing), remediation or workover, and in enhancing flow from natural fractures or from unstimulated formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew J. Miller, Curtis L. Boney, Kevin W. England, Jerald J. Hinkel
  • Patent number: 6283212
    Abstract: The present Invention relates to hydrocarbon well stimulation, and more particularly to methods and compositions to remove (or more generally to transfer) fluid introduced into the subsurface. For instance, preferred methods involve creating then exploiting a capillary pressure gradient at the fracture face to induce fluid flow from the fracture into the formation thereby increasing effective fracture length, and then improving fracture conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jerald J. Hinkel, Kevin W. England
  • 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: 6069118
    Abstract: The present Invention relates to hydrocarbon well stimulation, and more particularly to methods and compositions to remove (or more generally to transfer) fluid introduced into a subsurface fracture, in which the methods involve creating then exploiting chemical potential gradients at the fracture face to induce fluid flow from the fracture into the formation; the methods and compositions involve creating, or relying upon an intrisic or previously created, a selectively permeable membrane that is permeable to water but that does not allow solutes to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jerald J. Hinkel, Kevin W. England
  • Patent number: 5229017
    Abstract: Dewatering of coal seams for facilitating the production of gas therefrom through a well is effected by treating the coal seam utilizing a well treatment fluid containing a dewatering aid which both enhances the permeability of the formation to water production and binds tenaciously to the coal surface so that the permeability enhancement benefits are realized over a long production term. The preferred dewatering surfactants used in the treatment fluid and the process of treating the well are selected from a group consisting of:(a) organic surfactant compounds having the formulaR.sub.1 --O([EO].sub.x --[PO]Y--[BO].sub.z)Hwherein R.sub.1 is an alcohol, phenol or phenol derivative or a fatty acid having 1 to 16 carbon atoms; EO is an ethylene oxide radical and x is 1 to 20; PO is a propylene oxide radical and y is 0 to 15 and BO is a butylene oxide radical and z is 1-15;(b) an organic polyethylene carbonate having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Nimerick, Jerald J. Hinkel
  • Patent number: 4560486
    Abstract: A tertiary amine/persulfate breaker system is disclosed which effects complete breaks of polysaccharide based water-gels or fluids in the ambient temperature range. Induction time may be controlled over wide permissible limits. The invention claims improved compositions and methods, particularly advantageously applied to the treatment and stimulation of shallow oil and gas wells (formation temperatures from about 50.degree. to 125.degree. F.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Jerald J. Hinkel
  • Patent number: 4536222
    Abstract: A sulfur trioxide-containing fluid, e.g., sulfur trioxide gas, is contacted with the surfaces of equipment in contact with crude oil or natural gas to retard the deposition of paraffins from the crude oil or natural gas and/or to react with the paraffins already deposited on the equipment surfaces to produce a water-dispersible material which is removed with an aqueous liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: William J. Settineri, John G. Charles, Jerald J. Hinkel, Bradley P. Malone
  • Patent number: 4455175
    Abstract: A sulfur trioxide-containing fluid, e.g., sulfur trioxide gas, is contacted with the surfaces of equipment in contact with crude oil to retard the deposition of paraffins from the crude oil and/or to react with the paraffins already deposited on the equipment surfaces to produce a water-dispersible material which is removed with an aqueous liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: William J. Settineri, John G. Charles, Jerald J. Hinkel, Bradley P. Malone
  • Patent number: 4250044
    Abstract: A tertiary amine/persulfate breaker system is disclosed which effects complete breaks of polysaccharide based water-gels or fluids in the ambient temperature range. Induction time may be controlled over wide permissible limits. The invention claims improved compositions and methods, particularly advantageously applied to the treatment and stimulation of shallow oil and gas wells (formation temperatures from about 50.degree. to 125.degree. F.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Jerald J. Hinkel