Patents by Inventor Varadarajan Dwarakanath

Varadarajan Dwarakanath 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: 10168265
    Abstract: Provided herein are portable apparatus as well as methods of analyzing an injection fluid using these portable apparatus. In some embodiments, the injection fluid can contain a polymer, but a polymer is not necessary. For example, the portable apparatus and methods may be used to determine viscosity, long term injectivity, filter ratio, or any combination thereof of the injection fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Dustin L. Walker, David R. Espinosa, Dennis A. Alexis, Harold C. Linnemeyer, Marlon Solano
  • Publication number: 20180275036
    Abstract: Provided herein are portable apparatus as well as methods of analyzing an injection fluid using these portable apparatus. In some embodiments, the injection fluid can contain a polymer, but a polymer is not necessary. For example, the portable apparatus and methods may be used to determine viscosity, long term injectivity, filter ratio, or any combination thereof of the injection fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Dustin L. Walker, David R. Espinosa, Dennis A. Alexis, Harold C. Linnemeyer, Marlon Solano
  • Publication number: 20180230788
    Abstract: Additional oil recovery is obtained from a reservoir with a composition comprising at least a coupling solvent typically employed in waterborne coating compositions. Provided herein are embodiments of methods of recovering hydrocarbons using at least one coupling solvent, such as an oxygenated coupling solvent. The coupling solvent increases the mutual solubility with water at the injection temperature to facilitate the mixing and injection, particularly with an optional co-solvent. The coupling solvent helps mitigate formation plugging and improve performance when injected into a formation, as the solvent mixture moves from being miscible in the injection field water to being miscible in the reservoir oil, mobilizing the reservoir oil to increase oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert G. Shong, Gregory Winslow, Taimur Malik, Marlon Solano
  • Patent number: 10011757
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to compositions and methods that are used for the remediation of near-wellbore damage in regions of formations near injection wells in communication with subterranean reservoirs. The damage is caused by previous injection of a polymer emulsion into the injection well. A specific aspect is a method of injecting into the subterranean reservoir a composition containing an olefin sulfonate, a sulfosuccinate, and a chemical selected from an alcohol alkoxylated sulfate, an alcohol alkoxylated carboxylate, or a combination thereof. The polymer emulsion is thereby dissolved, cleaned and/or flushed away from the region near the injection well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert Matthew Dean, Will S. Slaughter, Dustin Luke Walker, Sophany Thach
  • Publication number: 20180155505
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing aqueous polymer solutions by combining these LP compositions with an aqueous fluid. The resulting aqueous polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these aqueous polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis A. Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David R. Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Peter G. New, Adam C. Jackson, Christopher Michael Niemi
  • Patent number: 9976072
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate a method of making the multicarboxylate, and methods to use the multicarboxylate. A specific embodiment of the disclosure is a compound comprising the chemical formula: R1-R2-R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. The composition has a variety of uses but in some embodiments may be used in enhanced oil recovery processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Robert George Shong, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Gregory A. Winslow, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 9909053
    Abstract: Embodiments of a polymer composition are disclosed for use in enhancing the production of oil from a formation. In one embodiment, the composition includes a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from the group of surfactants, glycol ethers, alcohols, co-solvents, and mixtures thereof, at a weight ratio of powder polymer to water soluble solvent ranging from 20:80 to 80:20. The polymer composition is substantially anhydrous. The polymer composition is hydrated in an aqueous fluid for an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and having a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert M. Dean, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Sophany Thach, Taimur Malik, Anette Poulsen, Sumitra Subrahmanyan
  • Patent number: 9902894
    Abstract: A method for making a polymer suspension for use in enhancing the production of oil from a formation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises mixing a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons into a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 for less than or equal to 24 hours. The water soluble solvent is selected from a group, at a weight ratio from 20:80 to 80:20. The polymer suspension is stable, pumpable, and substantially anhydrous; and it is hydrated for an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours, containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and having a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter, by mixing a sufficient amount of the polymer suspension in an aqueous fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert M. Dean, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Sophany Thach, Taimur Malik, Anette Poulsen, Sumitra Subrahmanyan
  • Patent number: 9902895
    Abstract: An injection solution for injecting into a subterranean reservoir to enhance production and recovery of oil from the reservoir is disclosed. In one embodiment, the injection solution is prepared by mixing a sufficient amount of a pumpable, stable and substantially anhydrous polymer suspension in an aqueous fluid for the polymer to be hydrated in less than or equal to 4 hours, resulting in the injection solution containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm. The injection solution has a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. The polymer suspension comprises a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from a group, at a weight ratio from 20:80 to 80:20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert M. Dean, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Sophany Thach, Taimur Malik, Anette Poulsen, Sumitra Subrahmanyan
  • Patent number: 9896617
    Abstract: A method of enhancing oil recovery in a subterranean reservoir is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a wellbore and a polymer suspension. The polymer suspension comprises a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from a group, at a weight ratio of 20:80 to 80:20. The method comprises providing an aqueous fluid, mixing a sufficient amount of the polymer suspension in the aqueous fluid for the polymer to be hydrated resulting an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours, and injecting the injection solution into the wellbore. The injection solution contains a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and has a filter ratio of less than 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert M. Dean, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Sophany Thach, Taimur Malik, Anette Poulsen, Sumitra Subrahmanyan
  • Publication number: 20180037794
    Abstract: Provided herein are novel surfactant compositions and methods having application in a variety of fields including enhanced oil recovery, the cleaning industry as well as groundwater remediation. The surfactant compositions are based on lignin bio-oil with a phenol hydroxyl group as the main functional group. The compositions include carboxylic surfactant s and mixed hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfactant structures, which can be used for the recovery of crude oil compositions from challenging reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas G. Naae, Gregory A. Winslow, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Taimur Malik, Gayani Pinnawala Arachchilage
  • Publication number: 20180031462
    Abstract: Provided herein are portable apparatus as well as methods of analyzing an injection fluid using these portable apparatus. In some embodiments, the injection fluid can contain a polymer, but a polymer is not necessary. For example, the portable apparatus and methods may be used to determine viscosity, long term injectivity, filter ratio, or any combination thereof of the injection fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Dustin L. Walker, David R. Espinosa, Dennis A. Alexis, Harold C. Linnemeyer, Marlon Solano
  • Publication number: 20170355896
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to compositions and methods that are used for the remediation of near-wellbore damage in regions of formations near injection wells in communication with subterranean reservoirs. The damage is caused by previous injection of a polymer emulsion into the injection well. A specific aspect is a method of injecting into the subterranean reservoir a composition containing an olefin sulfonate, a sulfosuccinate, and a chemical selected from an alcohol alkoxylated sulfate, an alcohol alkoxylated carboxylate, or a combination thereof. The polymer emulsion is thereby dissolved, cleaned and/or flushed away from the region near the injection well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert Matthew Dean, Will S. Slaughter, Dustin Luke Walker, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 9810049
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for inline injection of water and chemicals for a dump flood. The techniques include collecting water from a source reservoir into a water collection zone of an adjacent water injection well, and injecting a chemical solution into the water injection well. The water and the chemical solution are then mixed downhole in a mixer, such as a static mixer. The mixed injection fluid is then directly injected into an adjacent target reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Robert Matthew Dean, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Taimur Malik, Will Sherman Slaughter, Dustin L. Walker
  • Patent number: 9752071
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to compositions and methods that are used for remediation of near-wellbore damage. A specific aspect is a composition comprising an olefin sulfonate, a sulfosuccinate, and a chemical selected from the group consisting of an alcohol alkoxylated sulfate, an alcohol alkoxylated carboxylate, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert Matthew Dean, Will S. Slaughter, Dustin Luke Walker, Sophany Thach
  • Publication number: 20170198202
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. A specific embodiment relates to the use of an aqueous stream including a compound having the chemical formula: R1—R2—R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Robert George Shong, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Gregory A. Winslow, Sophany Thach
  • Publication number: 20170158948
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Publication number: 20170158947
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Patent number: 9617464
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight additives from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols having greater than two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols in a single reactor to produce a mixture of at least five Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols can then be used to produce an additive or surfactant composition comprising additives or surfactants of different molecular weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert G. Shong, Gregory A. Winslow, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 9605198
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight additives from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols comprising at least two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols to produce a mixture of Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols is then used to produce an additive composition comprising additives of different molecular weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Robert Shong, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Sophany Thach, Gregory Winslow