Patents by Inventor Ruben Alba

Ruben Alba 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).

  • Patent number: 7681635
    Abstract: An example of a method includes providing a hydrajetting tool in a well bore in a formation; injecting a fluid through the tool into a first region of the formation at a velocity sufficient to form one or more perforation tunnels; maintaining the flow of fluid into the perforation tunnels at a pressure greater than the fracture closure pressure, so as to create one or more fractures in the first region; plugging at least partially the fractures with an isolation fluid; injecting a fluid through the hydrajetting tool into a second region of the formation at a velocity sufficient to form one or more perforation tunnels in the second region; and maintaining the flow of fluid into the perforation tunnels in the second region at a pressure greater than the fracture closure pressure, so as to create one or more fractures in the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Leldon Mark Farabee, Ruben A. Alba
  • Patent number: 7278486
    Abstract: A bottom-up method of fracturing a multi-zone subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore that enables one zone to be fractured while at the same time flowing previously placed fracture fluid from one or more other zones back to the surface is provided. The method employs a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) that is attached to the bottom end of a tubing string. The BHA includes a hydra jetting sub, a centralizer, a packer and valve sub. The hydra jetting sub is used to perforate and initiate the fracture in the zones of interest. The zones are fractured by pumping fracturing fluid down the annulus formed between the tubing string and the wellbore. The previously placed fracture fluid flows back to the surface through the tubing string. It enters through the valve sub in the BHA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruben A. Alba, Raymund Meijs, Gary Walters, L. Mark Farabee
  • Publication number: 20060196667
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bottom-up method of fracturing a multi-zone subterranean formation intersected by a wellbore that enables one zone to be fractured while at the same time flowing previously placed fracture fluid from one or more other zones back to the surface. The method employs a bottom-hole assembly (“BHA”) that is attached to the bottom end of a tubing string. The BHA includes a hydra jetting sub, a centralizer, a packer and valve sub. The hydra jetting sub is used to perforate and initiate the fracture in the zones of interest. The zones are fractured by pumping fracturing fluid down the annulus formed between the tubing string and the wellbore. The previously placed fracture fluid flows back to the surface through the tubing string. It enters through the valve sub in the BHA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Ruben Alba, Raymund Meijs, Gary Walters, L. Farabee
  • Patent number: 7059405
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods useful in subterranean treatment operations. Examples of methods of the present invention include methods for fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore; methods of enhancing production from multiple subterranean formations penetrated by a well bore during a single trip through the well bore; and methods of enhancing production, in real time, from multiple subterranean formations penetrated by a well bore during a single trip through the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Farabee, Ruben Alba
  • Publication number: 20060000610
    Abstract: An example of a method includes providing a hydrajetting tool in a well bore in a formation; injecting a fluid through the tool into a first region of the formation at a velocity sufficient to form one or more perforation tunnels; maintaining the flow of fluid into the perforation tunnels at a pressure greater than the fracture closure pressure, so as to create one or more fractures in the first region; plugging at least partially the fractures with an isolation fluid; injecting a fluid through the hydrajetting tool into a second region of the formation at a velocity sufficient to form one or more perforation tunnels in the second region; and maintaining the flow of fluid into the perforation tunnels in the second region at a pressure greater than the fracture closure pressure, so as to create one or more fractures in the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Leldon Farabee, Ruben Alba
  • Publication number: 20050269100
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods useful in subterranean treatment operations. Examples of methods of the present invention include methods for fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore; methods of enhancing production from multiple subterranean formations penetrated by a well bore during a single trip through the well bore; and methods of enhancing production, in real time, from multiple subterranean formations penetrated by a well bore during a single trip through the well bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Farabee, Ruben Alba