Injecting A Composition To Adjust The Permeability (e.g., Selective Plugging) Patents (Class 166/270)
  • Patent number: 11931708
    Abstract: Provided is a carbon dioxide fluidity control device comprising, a sample preparation tank, a high-pressure stirring unit, a reciprocating plunger pump and a booster pump, wherein the stirring unit comprises one or more high-pressure stirring tanks, each provided with an atomizing spray probe and a piston, wherein a discharge port of the sample preparation tank is connected to the atomizing spray probe via a plunger pump, which is connected to the piston to push the piston to reciprocate; the booster pump is connected to the high-pressure stirring tanks to provide supercritical carbon dioxide to the high-pressure stirring tank; and a discharge port of the high-pressure stirring tanks is connected to an oilfield well group. Provided is a carbon dioxide fluidity control method using the device, comprising mixing surfactants and nanoparticles with heated carbon dioxide, and injecting a microemulsion of supercritical carbon dioxide and nano-silicon dioxide into an oilfield well group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Chao Zhang, Zhaomin Li, Songyan Li, Yong Wang, Guangzhong Lv, Shouya Wu, Linghui Xi, Meijia Wang
  • Patent number: 11912939
    Abstract: A dispersion of capsules in critical or supercritical carbon dioxide is provided. The capsules include an aqueous solution encapsulated by magnetic covalent organic framework particles. Also provided is a method of making a dispersion of aqueous solution capsules. The method includes providing a medium of critical or supercritical carbon dioxide, introducing the aqueous solution into the critical or supercritical carbon dioxide medium, and introducing a magnetic covalent organic framework particle into the critical or supercritical carbon dioxide medium. Associated methods of using the disclosed dispersions in hydrocarbon-bearing formations are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Yuguo Wang
  • Patent number: 11875933
    Abstract: A switchboard is provided via a terminal bushing; a switchboard terminal coupled to the terminal bushing; a metering transformer bushing which is installed or released from the front part thereof through a breaker chamber, covers the switchboard terminal, and is inserted into the terminal bushing; and a metering transformer which is fastened to the metering transformer bushing and disposed on the outer circumference of the metering transformer bushing. The metering transformer includes at least one terminal that faces forward, and the metering transformer bushing may include an opening for exposing the at least one terminal to the front thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji-Hoon Ma
  • Patent number: 11713660
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for recovering hydrocarbons from subterranean formations. One such example embodiment injects a polymer solution into an upper layer of a subterranean formation and, likewise, injects an aqueous solution into a lower layer of the subterranean formation. Hydrocarbons displaced by at least one of the injected polymer and the injected aqueous solution are collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: TOTALENERGIES SE
    Inventors: Arnaud Lager, Pierre-Edouard Schreiber
  • Patent number: 11466198
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable and labile crosslinked water swellable polymeric microparticles that can be further gelled, methods for making same, and their various uses in the hygiene and medical arts, gel electrophoresis, packaging, agriculture, the cable industry, information technology, in the food industry, papermaking, use as flocculation aids, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles having labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said microparticle mixed with a fluid and an unreacted tertiary crosslinker comprising PEI or other polyamine based tertiary crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the microparticle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and swelling of the particle, so as to form a stable gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Min Cheng, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Ramesh S. Sarathi, Faye L. Scully, Terry M. Christian, Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang
  • Patent number: 11401452
    Abstract: Materials and methods for enhanced oil recovery are provided. In particular, a composition for improved selective and non-selective plugging is provided, the composition comprising one or more biological polymers selected from polysaccharides, in addition to one or more bio surfactants Methods are also provided for enhanced oil recovery wherein the biological polymer composition, one or more biosurfactants and one or more solvents are injected into an oil-bearing formation undergoing water flooding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: LOCUS OIL IP COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Farmer, Ken Alibek, Karthik N. Karathur, Alibek Moldakozhayev
  • Patent number: 11280164
    Abstract: In an aspect, a method includes receiving data characterizing measurements recorded while drilling a wellbore. The method can also include determining, using the measurements and a reservoir map, a storage capacity of the wellbore and a flow capacity of the wellbore. The method can further include determining a well construction plan using the storage capacity and the flow capacity. The method can also include providing the well construction plan. Related systems, techniques, and non-transitory computer readable mediums are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Stefan Wessling
  • Patent number: 11162023
    Abstract: Methods for intensification of oil production with the aim of increasing the oil recovery factor include the sequential treatment of BHZ with an emulsion, limiting water inflows by artificially reducing the permeability of highly permeable intervals of the reservoir, an oil pack, and preventing the interaction of the emulsion with an acid composition, which is injected after. The wettability of reservoir rock in the BHZ is preliminarily determined, and in the case of hydrophilicity of the reservoir rock a direct type of the emulsion with the following composition is used, % mass.: hydrocarbon phase—20-25, emulsifier—3-5, colloidal silicon dioxide nanoparticles—0.5-3, aqueous phase—rest. In the case of hydrophobicity of the reservoir rock in use the invert type of emulsion of the following composition, % mass.: hydrocarbon phase—40-45, emulsifier—3-5, colloidal silicon dioxide nanoparticles—1-3, aqueous phase—rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY “VI-ENERGY”, NISSAN CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vitalii Vyacheslavovich Sergeev
  • Patent number: 11162323
    Abstract: A multi-slug staged method for plugging a fractured formation includes: determining an average opening of fractures around a well as D, an average particle size of bridging particles for first-stage plugging as D1 that is slightly less than D, and average particle sizes of plugging particles for second to last-stage plugging as D2-Dn, where Dn is small enough to form a tight plugging layer; and sequentially injecting a plugging slurry only containing the bridging particles having the average particle size of D1, plugging slurries containing the plugging particles having the average particle sizes of D2-Dn-1, and a plugging slurry containing the plugging particles having the average particle size of Dn into the fractures to achieve the fractured formation plugging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Gao Li, Long He, Zujun Jiang, Rui Li, Yi Feng
  • Patent number: 11156069
    Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of heavy oil reservoirs, and more particularly to a supported catalyst-assisted microwave method for exploiting a heavy oil reservoir. The method includes: (1) injecting a slug of a supported catalyst fluid into the heavy oil reservoir; (2) placing a microwave generator in the heavy oil reservoir to perform volumetric heating on an oil layer containing the supported catalyst fluid; and (3) turning off the microwave generator and injecting water into the heavy oil reservoir for subsequent displacement, where a water injection rate is 3 m/d or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Zhaomin Li, Zhengxiao Xu, Teng Lu, Yanling Zhao, Yajie Xu, Fanyu Meng, Faqiang Dang
  • Patent number: 11156074
    Abstract: An acid-generating fluid includes a thermally activated strong acid precursor. The thermally activated strong acid precursor can include a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof, in combination with a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate sulfur dioxide; or it can include sulfur dioxide in combination with a precursor of a compound adapted to react to liberate a component selected from aldehydes, ketones, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Richard Weider, Robert Lawrence Blackbourn, Ying Zhang, Lee Nicky Morgenthaler, Ryan Matthew Van Zanten
  • Patent number: 11111427
    Abstract: An aqueous-based well treatment fluid for and methods of controlling metal ions in a well, wherein the treatment fluid and methods use one or more polymer microgels, which comprise a plurality of polymer particles. Each polymer particle has a polymeric backbone bearing at least one moiety where such moiety is a chelating agent capable of boding with a metal ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay P. Deville, William W. Shumway, Lee J. Hall, Xiaobo Hu, Sergey Sheyko
  • Patent number: 11098564
    Abstract: A method for hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation includes injecting an oil-based fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation through a well. The method also includes injecting a second fracturing fluid, for example a water-based fracturing fluid, into the subterranean formation through the well after completion of the injection of the oil-based fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Patent number: 11053425
    Abstract: A method comprising: providing a composition comprising: a base liquid; and solid particles; foaming the composition with a gas to produce a foamed drilling fluid; wherein the foamed drilling fluid is characterized as a Pickering foam wherein at least a portion of the solid particles are dispersed on an interface between the base liquid and the gas to stabilize the Pickering foam; pumping the foamed drilling fluid through a drill string; and extending a wellbore through a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatyana V. Khamatnurova, Jody Marie Burks, Ali Alwattari
  • Patent number: 10961435
    Abstract: In one aspect, a secondary or tertiary hydrocarbon recovery method includes flowing a complex emulsion into a subterranean zone. The complex emulsion includes an internal fluid-in-gas emulsion configured to increase a density and a viscosity of a gas in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion emulsifying a fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. The complex emulsion includes an external fluid emulsifying the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion, and the external fluid is configured to carry corrosion inhibitors into the subterranean zone. The complex emulsion includes hydrophobic particles encapsulating an outer surface of droplets of the fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. A concentration of the hydrophobic particles is between about 0.1% and 0.5% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz M. Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 10961436
    Abstract: In one aspect, a complex emulsion includes an internal fluid-in-gas emulsion configured to increase a density and a viscosity of a gas in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion emulsifying a fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. The complex emulsion includes an external fluid emulsifying the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion, and the external fluid is configured to carry corrosion inhibitors into a subterranean zone. The complex emulsion includes hydrophobic particles encapsulating an outer surface of droplets of the fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. A concentration of the hydrophobic particles is between about 0.1% and 0.5% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz M. Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 10883037
    Abstract: Compositions of crosslinked polymers and methods of using such compositions as viscosifiers and fluid-loss control additives in drilling and treatment fluids for subterranean applications are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: (A) forming a treatment fluid comprising a divalent brine and a crosslinked polymer composition, wherein the crosslinked polymer composition includes: (i) at least one polymer that includes at least a first monomeric unit of one or more N-vinyl lactams; and (ii) a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of: divinyl ether, diallyl ether, vinyl or allyl ethers of polyglycols or polyols, divinylbenzene, 1,3-divinylimidazolidin-2-one, divinyltetrahydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one, dienes, allyl amines, N-vinyl-3(E)-ethylidene pyrrolidone, ethylidene bis(N-vinylpyrrolidone), and any combination of any of the foregoing; and (B) introducing the fluid into a portion of a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Zhou, Jay Paul Deville, Chesnee Lae Davis
  • Patent number: 10870795
    Abstract: The composition provided herein includes an aqueous base fluid, a water-based polymer and glass microspheres comprising a metal cross-linking agent and where the water-based polymer cross-links in the presence of the glass microspheres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Janette Cortez, Dipti Singh, Ubong Inyang
  • Patent number: 10851286
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to methods and compositions delaying the gelation of polymers in water flooding by sequentially or co-injecting a carboxylate-containing polymer solution, a gel-delaying polymer, and gelation agent into a hydrocarbon reservoir. Delays of weeks are observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng
  • Patent number: 10828827
    Abstract: Provided is a three-dimensional object formation method for forming a three-dimensional object by at least repeating: forming a powder material layer using a powder material for three-dimensional object formation containing a base material coated with an organic material; and hardening a predetermined region of the powder material layer by delivering a hardening liquid to the powder material layer formed in the formation of a powder material layer, where the hardening liquid contains a cross-linking agent cross-linkable with the organic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Teruki Kusahara, Masaki Watanabe, Keiko Osaka, Mitsuru Naruse, Mariko Kojima, Yasuyuki Yamashita, Yoshihiro Norikane
  • Patent number: 10787600
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a method of encapsulating a solid cement additive. The method includes the step of applying a base film-forming monomer to the solid cement additive. The method includes the step of forming a coating layer surrounding the solid cement additive. The coating layer includes the base film-forming monomer. The method includes the step of applying an overlay film-forming monomer to the coating layer surrounding the solid cement additive. The method includes the step of reacting the base film-forming monomer and the overlay film-forming monomer to produce a polymer shell. The solid cement additive includes solid particles useful in cementing applications. The polymer shell includes a crosslinked polymer. The polymer shell surrounds the solid cement additive. The polymer shell has a permeability to water allowing controlled release of the solid cement additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Elizabeth Q. Contreras, B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 10738231
    Abstract: Methods and compositions that may be used to prevent the water from coming to the surface or otherwise interfering with the production of hydrocarbons are provided. An embodiment of the present disclosure is a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a polymer, a metal-based crosslinker, and an amino alkylene phosphonate; and introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore that penetrates at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Larry Steven Eoff, Natalie Lynn Pascarella
  • Patent number: 10718877
    Abstract: A method of analyzing measured microseismic events obtained from monitoring induced hydraulic fracturing of underground geological formations, the method involving (a) postulate a geomechanical model for the region bounding the microseismic events, the model including the parameters vertical stress, reservoir pore pressure, minimum horizontal stress and the orthogonal horizontal stress, (b) select a microseismic event and (c) for the selected microseismic event assume an associated slippage plane with a postulated orientation, (d) apply the geomechanical model to the postulated orientation to determine the resulting shear stress and normal stress applied to the postulated orientation, (e) repeat steps (c) and (d) to produce a number of postulated slippage planes each with their own shear stress and normal stress attributable to them, (f) select the fracture plane having the highest ratio of shear stress to normal stress as being the fracture plane most likely to be representative of a real slippage plane cons
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael John Williams
  • Patent number: 10590334
    Abstract: A well treatment fluid contains a surface modifying treatment agent having an anchor and a hydrophobic tail. The surface modifying treatment agent is an organophosphorus acid derivative. After the well treatment fluid is pumped into a well penetrating the subterranean formation, the anchor binds to the surface of the formation. The subterranean formation is a siliceous formation or a metal oxide-containing subterranean formation. The anchor bonds to a Si atom when the formation is a siliceous formation and to the metal of the metal oxide when the formation is a metal oxide-containing formation. After being bound to the surface of the formation, frictional drag within the well is reduced. This allows for faster recovery of formation fluids. The bonding of the surface modifying treatment agent onto the formation may further be enhanced by first pre-treating the formation with an aqueous fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Terry D. Monroe, Sumit Bhaduri, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 10550318
    Abstract: Provided a skid-mounted dispersed particle gel production device, dispersed particle gel and a preparation method and use thereof. The device sequentially comprises, in a delivery direction of a material flow, a jet blending system, a bulk gel chemical crosslinking reaction system, a shearing and grinding system, a storage system. and an intelligent regulation system Rapid crosslinking reaction of bulk gel in a medium/high-temperature oil reservoir and large-scale preparation of multiscale dispersed particle gel can be realised, and the device is applied to continuous production in a complex environment such as a tidal flat, a hill and an offshore work platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA), OIL AND GAS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, PETROCHINA CHANGQING OILFIELD COMPANY, CHINA UNIVERSITY OF GEOSCIENCES (BEIJING), NORTHWEST OILFIELD BRANCH ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE, SINOPEC GROUP
    Inventors: Caili Dai, Guang Zhao, Haien Yang, Ping Yi, Sen Wang, Qing You, Long He, Mingwei Zhao, Yining Wu
  • Patent number: 10550314
    Abstract: Embodiments for a high temperature fracturing fluid comprise an aqueous fluid, carboxyl-containing synthetic polymer, metal oxide nanoparticles having a particle size of 0.1 to 500 nanometers, and a metal crosslinker which crosslinks the carboxyl-containing synthetic polymers to form a crosslinked gel, wherein the metal oxide nanoparticles are dispersed within the crosslinked gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Ghaithan Al-Muntasheri, Leiming Li
  • Patent number: 10544353
    Abstract: A surfactant that changes the wettability of tight sandstone and its preparation method and application. By adding the aqueous phase solution into the oil phase solution, and under the action of the emulsifier, a uniformly dispersed phase is achieved. Then adding initiator, stirring and raising the temperature, reacting the reaction at the temperature to obtain a colorless and transparent liquid, i.e., high polymer. At room temperature, adding fluorocarbon surfactant and biosurfactant and stirring was continued for 4 hours to obtain a surfactant that changes the surface wettability of tight sandstone. The surfactant of the present invention can reduce the oil-water interfacial tension, transform the oil-wet surface into water-wet surface, which reduces the adhesion of oil droplets to rock surface and improves the flowability of crude oil in the original stratum, and improves the recovery of low-permeability reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: PetroChina Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Guo, Zhongxing Li, Lijun Mu, Zhenfeng Zhao, Kuangsheng Zhang, Xiaojia Xue, Jiang Wu, Kai Li, Huabo Fan, Jin Liu, Xiaoqun Zhou, Cheng Xian
  • Patent number: 10538990
    Abstract: A system for blocking fast flow paths in geological formations includes preparing a solution of colloidal silica having a nonviscous phase and a solid gel phase. The solution of colloidal silica is injected into the geological formations while the solution of colloidal silica is in the nonviscous phase. The solution of colloidal silica is directed into the fast flow paths and reaches the solid gel phase in the fast flow paths thereby blocking flow of fluid in the fast paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Bourcier, Sarah K. Roberts, Jeffery J. Roberts, Souheil M. Ezzedine, Jonathan D. Hunt
  • Patent number: 10513649
    Abstract: A reverse emulsion-based slick water concentration system, wherein the reverse emulsion is obtained by dispersing an aqueous phase A to an oil phase B under mechanical agitation; wherein the aqueous phase A is composed of a water-soluble monomer A1, a water-soluble fluorocarbon surfactant A2, a water-soluble quaternary ammonium clay stabilizer A3 and water A4; wherein the oil phase B comprises an oil-soluble dispersant/surfactant B1, an oil-soluble radical initiator B2 and a hydrophobic solvent B3 as a dispersing medium; wherein, the percentages of each component described above, relative to the total weight of the reaction system is as the following: water-soluble monomer A1: 5.0-30.0%; water-soluble fluorocarbon surfactant A2: 0.1-5.0%; water-soluble quaternary ammonium clay stabilizer A3: 0.1-15.0%; water A4: 5.0-35.0%; oil-soluble dispersant/surfactant B1: 0.1-5.0%; oil-soluble radical initiator B2: 0.000001-0.100%; hydrophobic solvent B3: remainder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: YANGTZE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jun Wu, Wei-Chu Yu
  • Patent number: 10515162
    Abstract: The invention relates to a design method for an underground reservoir injection-pumping system. According to one embodiment, provided is a design method for an underground reservoir injection-pumping system, comprising a first optimization step of optimizing a first determination variable related to injection wells and pumping wells on the basis of hydrogeological data of an underground reservoir, and a second optimization step of optimizing a second determination variable related to a pump and water pipe network to be installed in the underground reservoir, on the basis of variable values of the first determination variable derived in the first optimization step, wherein the first determination variable includes the numbers and the position data of injection wells and pumping wells to be installed in the underground reservoir, and the second determination variable includes data related to a pipe diameter distribution of water pipes and a pump specification for each well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: DONG-A UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR INDUSTRY-ACADEMY COOPERATION
    Inventor: Namsik Park
  • Patent number: 10487260
    Abstract: In one aspect, a complex emulsion includes an internal fluid-in-gas emulsion configured to increase a density and a viscosity of a gas in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion emulsifying a fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. The complex emulsion includes an external fluid emulsifying the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion, and the external fluid is configured to carry corrosion inhibitors into a subterranean zone. The complex emulsion includes hydrophobic particles encapsulating an outer surface of droplets of the fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. A concentration of the hydrophobic particles is between about 0.1% and 0.5% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz M. Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 10472555
    Abstract: A method for reducing a permeability of at least one zone in a subterranean formation that includes introducing a treatment fluid to at least one permeable zone in a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid contains a solvent, a crosslinking agent, and a water-soluble polymer that is a copolymer of an acrylamide monomer and an n-vinyl amide monomer, or a terpolymer of an acrylamide monomer, an n-vinyl amide monomer, and an acrylic-acid based monomer. The treatment fluid is then allowed to crosslink and form a gel in the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Donald Hutchins, Syed Afaq Ali
  • Patent number: 10472553
    Abstract: A method for placing a gel deep inside a subterranean formation includes combining a crosslinkable polymer, a chromium (III) crosslinking agent, and a brine to form a gelation solution. The gelation solution is pumped within a subterranean wellbore. The gelation time of the gelation solution is elongated by reducing the total dissolved solids of the brine so that the gelation solution penetrates deep into the subterranean formation away from the wellbore before a gel is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Amar J. Alshehri, Jinxun Wang
  • Patent number: 10465109
    Abstract: An emulsion for hydraulic fracturing to provide a one-step delivery of a fracturing fluid and a breaker for hydraulic fracturing of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is provided. The emulsion for hydraulic fracturing is a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion having an internal aqueous phase that includes a breaker, an external aqueous phase that includes a fracturing fluid and a proppant, and an intermediate hydrocarbon phase separating the internal aqueous phase and external aqueous phase. The emulsion may include nanometer-sized or micrometer-sized particles to form a Pickering emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar
  • Patent number: 10457856
    Abstract: An emulsion for hydraulic fracturing to provide a one-step delivery of a fracturing fluid and a breaker for hydraulic fracturing of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is provided. The emulsion for hydraulic fracturing is a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion having an internal aqueous phase that includes a breaker, an external aqueous phase that includes a fracturing fluid and a proppant, and an intermediate hydrocarbon phase separating the internal aqueous phase and external aqueous phase. The emulsion may include nanometer-sized or micrometer-sized particles to form a Pickering emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar
  • Patent number: 10429528
    Abstract: Uncertainty of microseismic monitoring results can be reduced to improve hydraulic fracture modeling. A computing device can use a fracture model to determine a predicted geometry of a hydraulic fracture in a subterranean formation based on properties of a fracturing fluid that is introduced into the subterranean formation. An uncertainty index of the predicted geometry of the hydraulic fracture can be determined based on an uncertainty value of the predicted geometry and a trend of uncertainty values. When the injection flow rate of the fracturing fluid is less than a maximum flow rate, it can be increased from an initial injection flow rate to an increased injection flow rate in response to determining the uncertainty index exceeds a pre-set maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Dykstra, Zhijie Sun
  • Patent number: 10370585
    Abstract: Method are provided for treating a wellbore or subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation to increase hydrocarbon recovery from the formation by in-depth mobility control and/or fluid diversion conformance by introducing a water soluble acrylamide polymer and a non-metallic organic crosslinking agent, or a crosslinkable acrylamide polymer, into an injection fluid entering the wellbore or the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Szalai, Mei Liu, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Patent number: 10344203
    Abstract: A method of recovering a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation comprises forming a working fluid comprising substantially solid particles and an at least partially gaseous base material, the substantially solid particles exhibiting a greater heat capacity than the at least partially gaseous base material. The working fluid is introduced into a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon material to heat and remove the hydrocarbon material from the subterranean formation. An additional method of recovering a hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation, and a working fluid are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Soma Chakraborty, Michael H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10337282
    Abstract: Systems, compositions, and methods for reducing the production of water in subterranean formations having fractures or voids therein are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: introducing a particulate material into a portion of a subterranean formation comprising one or more fractures or voids; and introducing a treatment fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier into the portion of the subterranean formation such that the permeability of the particulate material in the portion of the subterranean formation to water is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose R. Sierra, Julio E. Vasquez, Victor Daniel Escobar, Victor Manuel Cancino, Larry Steven Eoff, Cristian R. Ramirez
  • Patent number: 10253609
    Abstract: Methods for acid diversion in a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation are disclosed. The methods include injecting an acid diversion agent comprising a water-soluble or dispersible branched polyhydroxyetheramine and injecting an acidic solution into a well which is in contact with the hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation. Preferably, the acid solution is diverted toward a zone of the formation that has a lower permeability to fluid than an adjacent zone. This process improves the permeability of the hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation to hydrocarbons, while decreasing the permeability of the formation to water or brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kin-Tai Chang, Eldon Dwyann Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 10227746
    Abstract: A method of limiting or reducing permeability of a matrix to liquid or gas flow is described. The method includes limiting inflow of water and/or gas into passages such as cavities, fissures, voids and the like, encountered in formations such as geological formations. The method includes steps of measuring one or more parameters relating to the matrix and selecting one or more components of a multi-component sealing composition with reference to the measured parameters. The selected components are introduced into the passage where it is set or coagulated to form a seal. Method is also described whereby the passage is sealed with a sealing composition comprising a grout component and a grout curing agent. A portion of the grout component is mixed with a portion of grout curing agent, the ratio of each being selected with reference to the measured parameters. The combined grout/curing agent are introduced into the passage where rate of curing or setting is controlled by modifying the ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: Relborgn Pty Ltd, Triomviri Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Deon Van Dyk, Nico Johan Grobler
  • Patent number: 10214679
    Abstract: A composition including crosslinked expandable polymeric microparticles capable of hydrolysis at or below neutral pH and a method of modifying the permeability to water of a subterranean formation by introducing such compositions into the subterranean formation. This disclosure further relates to compositions and methods for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir or formation subjected to CO2 or CO2 Water Alternating Gas flooding at low pH and increases the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Pious V. Kurian, Mingli Wei, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Patent number: 10215007
    Abstract: A method for consolidating a proppant in a formation comprises injecting in the formation a composition comprising an enzyme and a substrate. The enzyme and the substrate may react, optionally in the presence of a precipitating compound, to form a solid precipitate on the surface of proppant particles to consolidate the proppant in situ, e.g., in one or more fractures of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Maersk Olie OG Gas A/S
    Inventor: Bhagwan Dass Bansal
  • Patent number: 10150907
    Abstract: Methods involving the sequential application of surfactants to improve fluid recovery and control fluid loss in conjunction with subterranean fracturing treatments are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: introducing a first surfactant into a portion of a subterranean formation; allowing the first surfactant to increase the oil-wettability of at least a portion of a fracture face in the portion of the subterranean formation; ceasing the introduction of the first surfactant into the portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a second surfactant into the portion of the subterranean formation; and allowing the second surfactant to increase the water-wettability of the portion of the fracture face in the portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Weaver, Michael McCabe
  • Patent number: 10077397
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid in the wellbore and/or subterranean formation, wherein the wellbore servicing fluid comprises a hydrophobically modified relative permeability modifier, an oxygenated alkylating agent, and an aqueous base fluid, and allowing the wellbore servicing fluid to modify the permeability of at least a portion of the wellbore and/or subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Larry S. Eoff, Christopher A. Lewis, Natalie L. Pascarella
  • Patent number: 10047588
    Abstract: A method for reducing permeability in a first region of a formation, including injecting a first composition in the first region from a first location near and/or adjacent the first region; and injecting a second composition in the first region from a second location near and/or adjacent the first region, wherein the first composition and the second composition are configured to react so as to form a reaction product capable of reducing the permeability in at least a portion of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Maersk Olie OG Gas A/S
    Inventors: Martin Bennetzen, Kristian Mogensen
  • Patent number: 10035948
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed related to compositions and methods of using the same for treating subterranean formations. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method includes placing in a subterranean formation a composition that includes a viscosifier and that also includes a hydrophobically-modified polymer including at least one nitrogen-containing repeating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Sparks, Loan K. Vo, Jimmie Dean Weaver, Jr., Christopher Parton, Jessica L. Heeter
  • Patent number: 9957779
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention of the formation, breakdown, and/or removal of gelled layers in an oil and/or gas well are provided. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise a concentrate, as described in more detail herein, where the concentrate comprises two or more surfactants. In certain embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise an emulsion or a microemulsion. The emulsion or microemulsion may include a surfactant, optionally a solvent, and optionally a freezing point depression agent or other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Flotek Chemistry, LLC
    Inventors: Angus Fursdon-Welsh, James Silas, Monica Gonzalez-Roldan
  • Patent number: 9945219
    Abstract: A process for producing mineral oil from mineral oil deposits, in which the mineral oil yield is increased by blocking highly permeable regions of the mineral oil formation by separate injection of at least one acidic formulation which comprises water-soluble Al(III) salts, and one urea- or urea derivative-comprising formulation into the deposit, said formulations not mixing with one another until within the deposit, and the mixture forming highly viscous gels under the influence of the deposit temperature. The process can be used especially in the final stage of deposit development, when watering out in production increases, and particularly after the steam flooding of the deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: WINTERSHALL HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Vladimir Stehle, Konrad Siemer, Liubov Altunina, Vladimir A. Kuvshinov, Ivan Kuvshinov
  • Patent number: 9938461
    Abstract: Process for soil conditioning includes applying to the soil a composition comprising at least a water soluble or swellable polymer. The composition has a particulate form and is applied by an aerial application. The process is suitable for soil conditioning and for reduction in soil erosion in agriculture, forestry, construction and civil engineering, mining, water storage and transportation, protection of rivers and delta against pollution, environmental conservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: Paul Whitwell, Willard Griffin, Peter Nichols