Patents by Inventor Sanjay Vitthal
Sanjay Vitthal 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).
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Patent number: 7939474Abstract: Wellbore servicing fluids and methods of using the same to service a wellbore in a subterranean formation are provided. A filter cake in the wellbore is contacted with the gravel packing fluid, which comprises an oil-soluble additive capable of removing the filter cake. The additive undergoes hydrolysis to produce an acid upon contacting water provided from, for example, water in the wellbore servicing fluid, connate water in the subterranean formation, water in the filter cake, water produced by the subterranean formation, water pumped into the wellbore, or combinations thereof. The acid dissolves particulates in the filter cake in situ. In an embodiment in which the wellbore servicing fluid serves as a gravel packing fluid, the fluid also deposits gravel along the face of the subterranean formation, forming a barrier against the migration of sand from the formation and into the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.Inventors: Matthew E. Blauch, David W. Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal, R. Ashley Donaldson
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Patent number: 7299876Abstract: In one embodiment, provided is a method of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation that comprises providing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a single salt aqueous fluid having a density of greater than 9 pounds per gallon and a crosslinked viscosifying agent, and contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a viscosified treatment fluid so as to create or enhance one or more fractures therein, wherein the viscosified treatment fluid is introduced into a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation to be fractured at a surface pressure of less than about 25,000 pounds per square inch. In other embodiments, provided are methods of frac packing a subterranean formation and methods of reducing a surface pressure needed to create one or more fractures in a portion of a subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Lord, Rodney B. Waltman, David W. Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal
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Publication number: 20070235190Abstract: In one embodiment, provided is a method of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation that comprises providing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a single salt aqueous fluid having a density of greater than 9 pounds per gallon and a crosslinked viscosifying agent, and contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a viscosified treatment fluid so as to create or enhance one or more fractures therein, wherein the viscosified treatment fluid is introduced into a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation to be fractured at a surface pressure of less than about 25,000 pounds per square inch. In other embodiments, provided are methods of frac packing a subterranean formation and methods of reducing a surface pressure needed to create one or more fractures in a portion of a subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Paul Lord, Rodney Waltman, David Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal
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Publication number: 20070184988Abstract: Wellbore servicing fluids and methods of using the same to service a wellbore in a subterranean formation are provided. A filter cake in the wellbore is contacted with the gravel packing fluid, which comprises an oil-soluble additive capable of removing the filter cake. The additive undergoes hydrolysis to produce an acid upon contacting water provided from, for example, water in the wellbore servicing fluid, connate water in the subterranean formation, water in the filter cake, water produced by the subterranean formation, water pumped into the wellbore, or combinations thereof. The acid dissolves particulates in the filter cake in situ. In an embodiment in which the wellbore servicing fluid serves as a gravel packing fluid, the fluid also deposits gravel along the face of the subterranean formation, forming a barrier against the migration of sand from the formation and into the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Blauch, David Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal, R. Donaldson
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Patent number: 7222672Abstract: Wellbore servicing fluids and methods of using the same to service a wellbore in a subterranean formation are provided. A filter cake in the wellbore is contacted with the gravel packing fluid, which comprises an oil-soluble additive capable of removing the filter cake. The additive undergoes hydrolysis to produce an acid upon contacting water provided from, for example, water in the wellbore servicing fluid, connate water in the subterranean formation, water in the filter cake, water produced by the subterranean formation, water pumped into the wellbore, or combinations thereof. The acid dissolves particulates in the filter cake in situ. In an embodiment in which the wellbore servicing fluid serves as a gravel packing fluid, the fluid also deposits gravel along the face of the subterranean formation, forming a barrier against the migration of sand from the formation and into the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Matthew E. Blauch, David W. Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal, R. Ashley Donaldson
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Patent number: 7165617Abstract: In one embodiment, provided is a method of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation that comprises providing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a single salt aqueous fluid having a density of greater than 9 pounds per gallon and a crosslinked viscosifying agent, and contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a viscosified treatment fluid so as to create or enhance one or more fractures therein, wherein the viscosified treatment fluid is introduced into a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation to be fractured at a surface pressure of less than about 25,000 pounds per square inch. In other embodiments, provided are methods of frac packing a subterranean formation and methods of reducing a surface pressure needed to create one or more fractures in a portion of a subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2004Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Lord, Rodney B. Waltman, David W. Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal
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Patent number: 7108083Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Floyd Randolph Simonds, Morris Wayne Cox, Terry Michael Dailey, Tommie Austin Freeman, Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jr., Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
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Patent number: 7090017Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low cost method and apparatus for fracturing a subterranean formation. The invention involves using a centrifugal pump to combine a fracture fluid, a sand suspension and liquid additive and discharge a mixture of these components into a high pressure pump that injects the mixture into the subterranean formation. The apparatus employs a control pinch valve to precisely control the amount of sand suspension being added to the mixture. The apparatus eliminates the need for expensive blenders, other equipment and associated personnel and provides a low cost means of fracturing the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Donald M. Justus, David Wesley Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal
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Publication number: 20060032636Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation that comprises providing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a single salt aqueous fluid having a density of greater than 9 pounds per gallon and a crosslinked viscosifying agent, and contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a viscosified treatment fluid so as to create or enhance one or more fractures therein, wherein the viscosified treatment fluid is introduced into a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation to be fractured at a surface pressure of less than about 25,000 pounds per square inch. In other embodiments, the present invention provides methods of frac packing a subterranean formation and methods of reducing a surface pressure needed to create one or more fractures in a portion of a subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2004Publication date: February 16, 2006Inventors: Paul Lord, Rodney Waltman, David Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal
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Publication number: 20050155761Abstract: Wellbore servicing fluids and methods of using the same to service a wellbore in a subterranean formation are provided. A filter cake in the wellbore is contacted with the gravel packing fluid, which comprises an oil-soluble additive capable of removing the filter cake. The additive undergoes hydrolysis to produce an acid upon contacting water provided from, for example, water in the wellbore servicing fluid, connate water in the subterranean formation, water in the filter cake, water produced by the subterranean formation, water pumped into the wellbore, or combinations thereof. The acid dissolves particulates in the filter cake in situ. In an embodiment in which the wellbore servicing fluid serves as a gravel packing fluid, the fluid also deposits gravel along the face of the subterranean formation, forming a barrier against the migration of sand from the formation and into the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2004Publication date: July 21, 2005Inventors: Matthew Blauch, David Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal, R. Donaldson
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Publication number: 20050006089Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low cost method and apparatus for fracturing a subterranean formation. The invention involves using a centrifugal pump to combine a fracture fluid, a sand suspension and liquid additive and discharge a mixture of these components into a high pressure pump that injects the mixture into the subterranean formation. The apparatus employs a control pinch valve to precisely control the amount of sand suspension being added to the mixture. The apparatus eliminates the need for expensive blenders, other equipment and associated personnel and provides a low cost means of fracturing the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: January 13, 2005Inventors: Donald Justus, David Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal
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Publication number: 20040168799Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Floyd Randolph Simonds, Morris Wayne Cox, Terry Michael Dailey, Tommie Austin Freeman, Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
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Patent number: 6766862Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand-control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jr., Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
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Publication number: 20030131997Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand-control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2003Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
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Patent number: 6564870Abstract: Expanding packers for use in oil or gas wellbores, with and without casing, for isolating a casing annulus or geologic formation from the remainder of the wellbore and for increasing production flow rates. These expanding packers are useful in completing sidetracked wells.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Tommy F. Grigsby, Sanjay Vitthal
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Patent number: 6543545Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production. The filter media is typically a particulate material and can be deposited as a slurry comprising liquid material and particulate material, or as a cement slurry.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jr., Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
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Patent number: 6070664Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the amount of water produced from a subterranean formation as a result of stimulation of the subterranean formation. The method comprises the introduction of a first and second reactive polymer which leak-off into the formation and which are capable of subsequently reacting together to form a reaction product which selectively reduces the permeability of the formation to water flow through the formation. The reactive polymers react in situ to form a reaction product that binds to the formation in such a manner that the flow of water is selectively retarded through the matrix while the flow of oil is substantially unaffected.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1998Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy ServicesInventors: Eldon D. Dalrymple, Sanjay Vitthal, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Albert L. Wagner
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Patent number: 5960880Abstract: The present invention provides methods of stimulating fluid production while preventing the migration of sand with produced fluids from an unconsolidated subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore. The methods basically comprise the steps of creating one or more fractures in the formation, injecting a hardenable resin composition into a portion of the formation through which the fractures extend whereby the portion of the formation is consolidated into a hard permeable mass and depositing proppant in the fractures to maintain the fractures open.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1996Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Hazim H. Abass, Steven F. Wilson, Sanjay Vitthal, R. Clay Cole, Bobby K. Bowles