Water Based Composition With Inorganic Material (epo) Patents (Class 166/308.3)
  • Patent number: 7829510
    Abstract: A composition for treating solid materials is disclosed, where the treating compositions coats surfaces or portions of surfaces of the solid materials changing an aggregation or agglomeration propensity of the materials. Treated solid materials are also disclosed. The methods and treated materials are ideally suited for oil field applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Clear Water International LLC
    Inventors: Larry W. Gatlin, Brian J. Hallett, Ryan L. Cook
  • Publication number: 20100270022
    Abstract: It has been discovered that fracturing fluid compositions can be designed for successful deep water completion fracturing fluid operations. These fluids must be pumped relatively long distances from offshore platforms to the reservoir, and they are often subjected to a wide temperature range. Under these conditions, it is necessary to inhibit the formation of gas hydrates in the fracturing fluid compositions, as well as to delay the crosslinking of the gels that are formed to increase the viscosity of the fluids prior to fracturing the formation. Preferably, two different gas hydrate inhibitors are used to ensure placement of a gas hydrate inhibitor in most parts of the operation. In addition, as with all offshore or deep water hydrocarbon recovery operations, it is important that the components of the fracturing fluid compositions be environmentally benign and biodegradable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James B. Crews
  • Patent number: 7806185
    Abstract: Methods comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation at rate in the range of from about 30 barrels to about 250 barrels per minute so as to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to reduce friction without forming a gel, and an antiflocculation additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. McMechan, Jimmie D. Weaver, Thomas D. Welton, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Karen L. King, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Patent number: 7795188
    Abstract: A zirconium cross-linking agent produced by a process which comprises contacting a zirconium triethanolamine complex with a mixture of polyols, which mixture comprises a hydroxyalkylated diamine and a hydrocarbon polyol. There is further provided a cross-linking composition which comprises (a) an aqueous liquid, (b) a cross-linkable organic polymer, and (c) a solution of a zirconium cross-linking agent which is produced by a process which comprises contacting a zirconium triethanolamine complex having a molar ratio of 1:2 to 1:5 of zirconium to triethanolamine with a mixture of polyols, which mixture comprises a hydroxyalkylated diamine and a hydrocarbon polyol wherein the molar ratio of zirconium to hydroxyalkylated diamine is 1:0.5 to 1:1 and the molar ratio of zirconium to hydrocarbon polyol is 1:0.5 to 1:1.5. The composition can be used in oil field applications for hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones and leaks in subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Donald Edward Putzig
  • Patent number: 7789160
    Abstract: An aqueous fluid useful for the recovery of crude oil from a subterranean formation, which includes a composition including a mixture of water, a water soluble block copolymer, an inorganic salt and at least one member of the group of a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of less than 12, and methods for using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Alan Hough, Gilda Maria Lizarraga, Herve Adam, Jean-Christophe Castaing, Subramanian Kesavan
  • Patent number: 7784541
    Abstract: A system includes a wellbore in fluid communication with a formation of interest and a fracturing slurry include a carrier fluid with a low amount of a viscosifier, an amount of proppant including a first average particle size between about 200 and 2000 ?m, an amount particulates including a second average particle size between about three and ten times smaller than the first average particle size, and a third amount of particulates having a third average particle size smaller than the second average particle size. A sum of all of the particulates in the fracturing slurry exceed about 16 pounds per gallon of the carrier fluid. They system further includes a pumping device that creates a propped fracture in the formation of interest with the fracturing slurry, and a removal agent that removes the second amount of particulates and/or the third amount of particulates from the propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Hartman, Mohan K. R. Panga, Bruno Drochon, John W. Still
  • Patent number: 7779915
    Abstract: Methods for treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore which improves fluid loss control during treatment. In some aspects, the treatments include preparing an aqueous fluid including one or more water inert degradable polymers and an optional viscosifier, injecting the aqueous fluid into the wellbore at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure, and thereafter injecting into the wellbore a proppant laden fluid at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure. The water inert degradable polymer may be a polymer such as an emulsion polymer or a latex polymer. Some methods of the invention use a fluid which may have a normalized leak off coefficient (Cw/sqrt(K)) equal to or less than about 0.0022, 0.0014, or 0.0010. A conventional fluid loss additive may or may not be used in conjunction with the treatment fluid and/or the proppant laden fluid. The water inert degradable polymer may or may not substantially enter formation pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Hemant K. Ladva, Don Williamson, Sylvie Daniel
  • Patent number: 7775282
    Abstract: Methods for treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore which improves fluid loss control during treatment. In some aspects, the treatments include preparing an aqueous fluid including one or more water inert polymers and an optional viscosifier, injecting the aqueous fluid into the wellbore at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure, and thereafter injecting into the wellbore a proppant laden fluid at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure. The water inert polymer may be a polymer such as an emulsion polymer or a latex polymer. Some methods of the invention use a fluid which may have a normalized leak off coefficient (Cw/sqrt(K)) equal to or less than about 0.0022, 0.0014, or 0.0010. A conventional fluid loss additive may or may not be used in conjunction with the treatment fluid and/or the proppant laden fluid. The water inert polymer may or may not substantially enter formation pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Marie Noelle Dessinges, Carlos Abad, Erik Nelson
  • Patent number: 7770647
    Abstract: Methods of hydraulically fracturing subterranean coal seams and formations resulting in improved permeability to stimulate Coalbed Methane. In one method, the coal seam is fractured using a proppant-containing fracturing fluid in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that etches the fracture faces of the coal thereby creating channels for fluid flow. In another method, the coal seam is fractured using a fracturing fluid without propping agents in alternating stages with an aqueous base solution that is pumped at a pressure sufficient to maintain the fractures in an open position thereby etching the fracture faces to create channels for fluid flow. In yet another embodiment, a base solution is injected into the formation at a pressure sufficient to create fractures therein and simultaneously etch the faces of the open fractures to thereby form channels in the faces for increased fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: ACT Operating Company
    Inventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Donald W. Raymond
  • Patent number: 7766083
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of isolating hydrajet stimulated zones from subsequent well operations. The method includes the step of drilling a wellbore into the subterranean formation of interest. Next, the wellbore may or may not be cased depending upon a number of factors including the nature and structure of the subterranean formation. Next, the casing, if one is installed, and wellbore are perforated using a high pressure fluid being ejected from a hydrajetting tool. A first zone of the subterranean formation is then fractured and stimulated. Next, the first zone is temporarily plugged or partially sealed by installing an isolation fluid into the wellbore adjacent to the one or more fractures and/or in the openings thereof, so that subsequent zones can be fractured and additional well operations can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Willett, Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Billy W. McDaniel, Leldon Mark Farabee, David M. Adams, Lloyd E. East
  • Patent number: 7748456
    Abstract: Many methods and compositions are provided. One of the methods provided comprises the steps of: providing an aqueous treatment fluid that comprises a polysaccharide and a dual functional component, the aqueous treatment fluid having a first viscosity; allowing the dual functional component to interact with the polysaccharide such that the viscosity of the aqueous treatment fluid increases to a second viscosity, the second viscosity being greater than the first viscosity; placing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the dual functional component to interact with the polysaccharide so as to reduce the second viscosity of the aqueous treatment fluid to a third viscosity, the third viscosity being less than the second viscosity. An example of a composition is a viscosified treatment fluid for treating subterranean formations comprising: an aqueous base fluid and an apparent cross linked reaction product of a polysaccharide and a dual functional component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Thomas D. Welton, David E. McMechan, Jason Bryant
  • Patent number: 7732383
    Abstract: A process for preparing a stable zirconium triethanolamine cross-linking agent comprises contacting a solution of a zirconium triethanolamine complex with water at a temperature of 50° C. to 90° C. at a mole ratio of triethanolamine:zirconium in the range of 3.5:5.5 and at a mole ratio of water:zirconium in the range of 20:1 to 1:1. The stable zirconium triethanolamine complex can be used in a cross-linking composition. Further disclosed are methods to use the composition in oil field applications for hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones and leaks in subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Donald Edward Putzig
  • Patent number: 7730948
    Abstract: Methods for reducing wear in pumping components during fracturing operations. A coated proppant is used that causes less wear on the pumping components as the proppant is pumped into the wellbore. The proppant coating consists of a substrate having a coating thereupon which eliminates sharp edges on the substrate and functions as a lubricant to materially reduce mechanical erosion of the pumping components. The proppant substrate may consist of any of a number of materials, including sand, ceramic, resin coated sand, or resin coated ceramic particle. The coating preferably comprises one or more layers of one or more of the following materials (or the coating having low friction coefficients is part of a mixture of the coating): antimony trioxide, bismuth, boric acid, calcium barium fluoride, copper, graphite, indium, fluoropolymers (FTFE), lead oxide, lead sulfide, molybdenum disulfide, niobium dielenide, polytetrafluoroethylene, silver, tin, or tungsten disulfideor zinc oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rudolphus Johannes Cornelis de Grood, Perry D. Baycroft
  • Patent number: 7723264
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mixing a particulate and an active material to obtain an at least partially coated particulate, wherein: (i) water forms a contact angle of less than 90 degrees with a surface of the particulate, (ii) the active material is capable of forming a coating on the particulate, (iii) the active material forms a contact angle less than 90 degrees with the particulate, and (iv) water forms a contact angle of greater than 90 degrees with a layer of the active material; (b) mixing the at least partially coated particulate and a carrier fluid to obtain a treatment fluid; and (c) introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation through the wellbore to deposit the at least partially coated particulate into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Billy W. McDaniel, Billy F. Slabaugh, Lyle V. Lehman, Jimmie D. Weaver
  • Patent number: 7721803
    Abstract: A fracturing fluid, gravel pack fluid and/or frac pack fluid containing particles such as proppants, gravel and/or sand, may contain an effective amount of a nano-sized particulate additive to fixate or reduce fines migration, where the particulate additive is an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides, transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, post-transition metal oxides, post-transition metal hydroxides piezoelectric crystals and pyroelectric crystals. The nano-sized particulate additive is bound to the particles with a coating agent such as an oil. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale, which scale may provide unique particle charges that help fixate the formation fines. The carrier fluid used in the treating fluid may be aqueous, brine, alcoholic or hydrocarbon-based.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, John R. Willingham, James R. Pace, Christopher K. Belcher
  • Patent number: 7708069
    Abstract: A method of mitigating proppant settling in a hydraulic fracture in order to better suspend the proppant as well as ensure a more uniform pack, by mixing a pre-determined volume percent of low density additive, such as glass beads or other suitable material, such as polylactic acid particles, into the fracturing slurry along with the standard high-density proppant, it is anticipated that density gradients can be induced inside the fracture. Upward movement of low density additive due to them having density lower than the carrier fluid will interfere with downward movement of high-density proppant and vice versa. This mutual interference between the two proppants confined in the narrow fracture will significantly hinder the settling/segregation of the high-density proppant. The low density material has a specific gravity of about 0.3, particle size distribution similar to that of standard proppant, and sufficient mechanical strength to survive fracture closure stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Superior Energy Services, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Watters, Mahadev Ammachathram, Larry Thomas Watters
  • Patent number: 7703531
    Abstract: An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is stabilized with an effective amount of an alkaline earth metal oxide alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, post-transition metal oxides, and post-transition metal hydroxides. These fluids are more stable and have a reduced or no tendency to precipitate, particularly at elevated temperatures, and may also help control fluid loss. When the particle size of the magnesium oxide or other particulate agent is a nanometer scale, for instance having a mean particle size of 100 nm or less, that scale may provide particle charges that use chemisorption, “crosslinking” and/or other chemistries to associate and stabilize the VES fluids, and also help trap or fixate formation fines when deposited into a proppant pack in a fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, John Robert Willingham
  • Patent number: 7704927
    Abstract: Methods and compositions useful in acidizing a subterranean formation with an oil-in-water emulsion that includes a sulfonate ester, a fluoride salt, a proppant, and water. The reaction of the ester and fluoride salt is delayed so that hydrofluoric acid is produced in-situ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Xiaolan Wang
  • Patent number: 7695629
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating and/or analyzing fluids of interest. According to principles of the present invention, fluid analysis is accomplished with microfluidic devices and may be reported in real-time or near real-time in a subterranean environment. In addition or alternative to oilfield applications, the principles of the present invention contemplate separation in a laboratory or other environment for biological sample separation and analytical chemistry applications. The present invention is capable of separating liquid-liquid mixtures or emulsions in a microfluidic device without fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Salamitou, Joyce Wong, Bhavani Raghuraman, Jagdish Shah, Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Robert J. Schroeder, Patrick Jean René Tabeling
  • Patent number: 7686081
    Abstract: A process for fracturing a subterraneous formation in the production of an oil well is described. The process steps include injecting an initial charge of a mixture, the mixture being formed from at least diatomaceous earth and at least one well treatment agent, into a well bore formed in the subterraneous formation so as to form a down-hole matrix within the formation; injecting a solution comprised of an additional amount of the well treatment agent into the formation after the initial charge of the at least one well treatment agent has been substantially depleted; and then pressurizing the well bore for a time and under conditions sufficient to reactivate the down-hole matrix in the formation, so that the treatment agent activity of the matrix is increased relative to the treatment agent activity of the matrix just prior to injecting the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventor: Harold L. Becker
  • Patent number: 7681644
    Abstract: A method of managing lost returns in a wellbore includes contacting a filter cake with a treating fluid to remove metallic weighting agents from the filter cake, wherein the filter cake is disposed on a face of a formation fracture in the wellbore. The method also includes contacting the filter cake with a proppant slurry, wherein the proppant slurry contacts the filter cake concurrently with the treating fluid or after the treating fluid contacts the filter cake. This method may include increasing the filter cake permeability and may utilize a barite removal agent, such as a chelation agent. At least one related wellbore management method creates a fracture in the wellbore and props open the fracture to increase wellbore integrity to utilize higher weight drilling fluids and prevent fractures from forming further down the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: John K. Montgomery, Stuart R. Keller, Nancy M. Krahel, Martin V. Smith, Robert S. Williamson
  • Patent number: 7665522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous oilfield treatment fluids containing a gas component and fibers, wherein the fluids may further include a viscosifying agent and/or proppant. The fluids have good proppant suspension and transport properties as well as excellent gas phase stability. Use of fluids comprising an aqueous medium, a gas component, viscosifying agent, and fibers for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation, cleanup operations, and gravel packing a wellbore, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philip F. Sullivan, Christopher N. Fredd
  • Patent number: 7645724
    Abstract: Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of a composition that contains at least one unsaturated fatty acid, such as a monoenoic acid and/or polyenoic acid. The unsaturated fatty acid may be contained in an oil-soluble internal phase of the fluid. The breaking composition is believed to act possibly by rearranging, disaggregating or otherwise attacking the micellar structure of the VES-gelled fluid. In a specific, non-limiting instance, a brine fluid gelled with an amine oxide surfactant can have its viscosity broken with an oil such as flax (linseed) oil, soybean oil and/or fish oils containing relatively high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. The unsaturated fatty acids are thought to auto-oxidize into products such as aldehydes, ketones and saturated fatty acids that break the VES gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James B. Crews
  • Patent number: 7635028
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Acidic internal breakers such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Lijun Lin, Carlos Abad, Toan Bui
  • Publication number: 20090308599
    Abstract: Provided are methods that include a method comprising: placing a treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation, wherein the subterranean formation comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: a shale, a clay, a coal bed, and a combination thereof; and applying a pressure pulse to the treatment fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Jimmie D. Weaver, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7624802
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are free flowing coated particles and low temperature methods of making same. Each particle has a curable coating disposed upon a substrate. The substrate is a particulate substrate including an inorganic material, a particulate substrate including an organic material, a composite substantially homogeneous formed particle including a first portion of an at least partly cured binder and filler particles, or a hybrid particle having an inorganic particle as a core and a composite coating including at least partially cured resin and filler. The curable coating includes a continuous phase including resole resin and reactive powder particles embedded or adhered to the continuous phase. The reactive powder particles typically include resole resin, novolak resin, polyester, acrylic and/or urethane. A method including applying a coating including the continuous phase including resole resin and reactive or non-reactive powder particles embedded or adhered to the continuous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Avis Lloyd McCrary, Michael Anthony Barajas, Robert Ray McDaniel
  • Patent number: 7621335
    Abstract: A well treating fluid useful in slickwater fracturing processes contains polyacrylamide friction reducer and a viscosity breaker capable of reducing the viscosity of the well treating fluid to about the viscosity of water at ambient temperatures of typical underground formations. The viscosity breaker is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, and zinc peroxide and is present in an amount above about 0.002% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Chemplex, Ltd.
    Inventors: Oscar L. Valeriano, Richard J. Dyer
  • Publication number: 20090260828
    Abstract: A method of treating a shale-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is accomplished by forming a carbon dioxide treatment fluid having a viscosity of less than about 10 mPa-s at a shear rate of about 100 s?1. The carbon dioxide treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore at a pressure above the fracture pressure of the formation. In certain embodiments, the treatment fluid may be comprised of from about 90% to 100% by weight carbon dioxide and may contain a proppant. A method of treating hydrocarbon-bearing, shale-containing subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore may also be carried out by forming a carbon dioxide treatment fluid and introducing the carbon dioxide treatment fluid into the formation through the wellbore at a pressure above the fracture pressure of the formation. The formation being treated may have a permeability of less than 1 mD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Gregory Kubala, Bruce A. MacKay
  • Patent number: 7591313
    Abstract: Provided are methods of modifying the surface stress-activated reactivity of proppant particulates used in subterranean operations. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a plurality of particulates, at least one of which comprises a mineral surface; providing a surface-treating reagent capable of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of a mineral surface of a particulate; and allowing the surface-treating reagent modify the stress-activated reactivity of at least a portion of the mineral surface of at least one particulate. In other embodiments, the methods comprise the use of particulates comprising a modified mineral surface in fluids introduced into subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Diederik van Batenburg, Mark A. Parker, Matthew E. Blauch, Neil A. Stegent, Philip D. Nguyen, Thomas D. Welton
  • Patent number: 7579302
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to improving the performance of anionic friction reducing polymers in water containing multivalent ions. Exemplary embodiments relate to methods of improving the performance of anionic friction reducing polymers in a subterranean treatment, wherein the method comprises adding a complexing agent to water comprising multivalent ions. The method comprises adding the anionic friction reducing polymer to the water comprising the multivalent ions, wherein the anionic friction reducing polymer is added in an amount less than or equal to about 0.15% by weight of the water. The method comprises introducing the water comprising the multivalent ions, the complexing agent and the anionic friction reducing polymer into at least a portion of the subterranean formation such that the friction reducing polymer reduces energy loss due to turbulence in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. McMechan, Rob E. Hanes, Jr., Ian D. Robb, Thomas D. Welton, Karen L. King, Bobby J. King, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7575681
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating and/or analyzing fluids of interest. According to principles of the present invention, fluid analysis is accomplished with microfluidic devices and may be reported in real-time or near real-time in a subterranean environment. In addition or alternative to oilfield applications, the principles of the present invention contemplate separation in a laboratory or other environment for biological sample separation and analytical chemistry applications. The present invention is capable of separating liquid-liquid mixtures or emulsions in a microfluidic device without fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Eugen Angelescu, Philippe Salamitou, Joyce Wong, Bhavani Raghuraman, Brian Oliver Clark
  • Patent number: 7575054
    Abstract: A method is described for treating a subterranean formation with a low viscosity fluid system that contains a viscoelastic surfactant at a concentration too low to viscosify the fluid, but that is concentrated in the formation so that the fluid system gels. The fluid also contains a formation-dissolving agent. The fluid is used in acidizing, acid fracturing, and diversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Fuller, Diankui Fu, Marieliz Garcia-Lopez De Victoria, Slaheddine Kefi, Mohan K. R. Panga
  • Patent number: 7571767
    Abstract: Methods of creating high porosity propped fractures in portions of subterranean formations, including methods of forming a high porosity propped fracture in a subterranean formation comprising providing a slurry comprising a fracturing fluid and proppant particulates substantially coated with an adhesive substance; introducing the slurry into a portion of a fracture within the subterranean formation; and, depositing the proppant particulates into the portion of the fracture within the subterranean formation so as to form a high porosity propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Parker, Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh, Michael Segura, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090194288
    Abstract: Subterranean treatment fluids that exhibit enhanced particulate transport or suspension capabilities, and associated methods of use in certain subterranean treatments are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a linear gelled fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a plurality of particulates, and a linear particulate transport enhancing additive, the linear gelled fluid having a certain yield stress, crossover frequency, and/or particulate settling time; introducing the linear gelled fluid into the subterranean formation; and using the linear gelled fluid to create or enhance at least one fracture in at least a portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Harold G. Walters, Jason E. Bryant, Phillip C. Harris
  • Patent number: 7568524
    Abstract: A system and method for delivering a slurry having a fracturing fluid and one or more proppants to a fracture in a subterranean formation. At least one proppant has PPS and produces less than 5 weight percent fines at a closure pressure of the fractured subterranean formation as determined by API RP 60. The one or more proppants are deposited into the fracture to prop the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Jay Glenn Blackburn, Waverly A. Duggar
  • Patent number: 7565929
    Abstract: Degradable material assisted diversion (DMAD) methods for well treatment, DMAD treatment fluids, and removable plugs for DMAD in downhole operations. A slurry of solid degradable material is injected into the well, a plug of the degradable material is formed, a downhole operation is performed around the plug diverter, and the plug is then degraded for removal. Degradation triggers can be temperature or chemical reactants, with optional accelerators or retarders to provide the desired timing for plug removal. In multilayer formation DMAD fracturing, the plug isolates a completed fracture while additional layers are sequentially fractured and plugged, and then the plugs are removed for flowback from the fractured layers. In DMAD fluids, an aqueous slurry can have a solids phase including a degradable material and a fluid phase including a viscoelastic surfactant. The solids phase can be a mixture of fibers and a particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar Bustos, Christopher N. Fredd, Yiyan Chen, Carlos Abad, Goke Adeogun
  • Patent number: 7559369
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to well treatment fluids and methods that utilize nano-particles. Exemplary nano-particles are selected from the group consisting of particulate nano-silica, nano-alumina, nano-zinc oxide, nano-boron, nano-iron oxide, and combinations thereof. Embodiments also relate to methods of cementing that include the use of nano-particles. An exemplary method of cementing comprises introducing a cement composition into a subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, water and a particulate nano-silica. Embodiments also relate to use of nano-particles in drilling fluids, completion fluids, stimulation fluids, and well clean-up fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Halliubrton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Roddy, Jiten Chatterji, Roger Cromwell
  • Patent number: 7527097
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation, the method including injecting a fracturing fluid into the well, wherein said fracturing fluid includes: an oleaginous fluid; and an amine surfactant having the structure wherein R is a C12-C22 aliphatic hydrocarbon; R? is an independently selectable from hydrogen or C1 to C3 alkyl; A is NH or O, and 1?x+y?3; and oil-wet proppant material. Additionally, the method includes pressurizing the fluid so as to cause the subterranean formation to fracture and allow the proppant materials to enter the crack, adding acid to the fluid so as to change the oil-wet proppant materials into water-wet proppant materials, and washing the well with an aqueous based wash solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Arvind D. Patel
  • Publication number: 20090107681
    Abstract: An aqueous fluid useful for the recovery of crude oil from a subterranean formation, which includes a composition including a mixture of water, a water soluble block copolymer, an inorganic salt and at least one member of the group of a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of less than 12, and methods for using same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: Rhodia Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Alan HOUGH, Gilda Maria Lizarraga, Herve Adam, Jean-Christophe Castaing, Subramanian Kesavan
  • Publication number: 20090088347
    Abstract: A treatment fluid composition for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is formed from an aqueous fluid, a hydratable polymer and a water-soluble, non-symmetrical, inorganic peroxide breaking agent, which is capable of undergoing heterolytical cleavage. A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore may also be performed by forming a treatment fluid from an aqueous hydrated polymer solution. This is combined with a water-soluble, non-symmetrical, heterolytically cleavable inorganic peroxide breaking agent. The treating fluid is introduced into the formation. An optional crosslinking agent capable of crosslinking the polymer may also be included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Sumitra Mukhopadhyay, Richard D. Hutchins, Marie Noelle Dessinges
  • Patent number: 7510009
    Abstract: A method of acidizing a subterranean formation with a diverting agent composed of a gelled or thickened viscoelastic foam or fluid generated from (i.) an amidoamine oxide gelling agent and (ii.) an acid or foam, water and/or brine. The gelled or thickened foam or fluid may be generated in-situ or introduced directly into the formation by mixing of the amidoamine oxide gelling agent and acid or foam, water and/or brine. As the acid spends, the acidizing fluid thickens. When the acid is further spent, the fluid viscosity declines eventually returning to a low viscosity state, allowing for easy cleanup. The process allows for selective acidizing of less permeable zones of the formation and more uniform stimulation of the hydrocarbon bearing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Kay E. Cawiezel, Jeffrey C. Dawson
  • Patent number: 7493955
    Abstract: A composite of a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent is useful in the treatment of oil and gas wells and may be introduced, as a well treatment fluid, with a carrier fluid. The water-insoluble adsorbent may be activated carbon, silica particulate, precipitated silica, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, ground walnut shells, fuller's earth and organic synthetic high molecular weight water-insoluble adsorbents. Suitable as the well treatment agent are scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, paraffin inhibitors, salt inhibitors, gas hydrate inhibitors, asphaltene inhibitors, oxygen scavengers, biocides, foaming agent, emulsion breakers and surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Joseph Walter Kirk
  • Patent number: 7490667
    Abstract: A new proppant comprises a proppant particle substrate, a water-soluble external coating on the proppant particle substrate and a microparticulate reinforcing and spacing agent at least partially embedded in the water-soluble external coating in a manner such that the microparticulate reinforcing agent is substantially released from the proppant particle substrate when the water-soluble coating dissolves or degrades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Fairmount Minerals, Inc.
    Inventors: A. Richard Sinclair, Patrick R. Okell, Syed Akbar
  • Patent number: 7481276
    Abstract: Corrosive effects arising during oilfield treatment applications are inhibited and/or prevented by introducing into an oil or gas well at least one compound of formula I: wherein: R1 is independently H, —[—CnH2nO—]a—H, or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms; R2 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]b—H, R3 is independently —[—CH2]c—, or —Cd2d—[—OCnH2n—]e—, R4 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]f—H, R5 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]g—H, a is from about 1 to about 8; b+f+g is between 0 to about 30; c is from about 1 to 6; d is from about 1 to 6; e is from about 1 to about 8; and n is 2 or 3. Such corrosive effects are especially inhibited in the treatment of sour wells where H2S corrosion is a potential problem as well as conduits used during the treatment of subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Hoppe, Richard L. Martin, Marek K. Pakulski, Thame D. Schaffer
  • Publication number: 20080289828
    Abstract: Methods for treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore which improves fluid loss control during treatment. In some aspects, the treatments include preparing an aqueous fluid including one or more water inert degradable polymers and an optional viscosifier, injecting the aqueous fluid into the wellbore at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure, and thereafter injecting into the wellbore a proppant laden fluid at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure. The water inert degradable polymer may be a polymer such as an emulsion polymer or a latex polymer. Some methods of the invention use a fluid which may have a normalized leak off coefficient (Cw/sqrt(K)) equal to or less than about 0.0022, 0.0014, or 0.0010. A conventional fluid loss additive may or may not be used in conjunction with the treatment fluid and/or the proppant laden fluid. The water inert degradable polymer may or may not substantially enter formation pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Hemant K. Ladva, Don Williamson, Sylvie Daniel
  • Patent number: 7398829
    Abstract: Methods for treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore which improves fluid loss control during treatment. In some aspects, the treatments include preparing an aqueous fluid including one or more water inert polymers and an optional viscosifier, injecting the aqueous fluid into the wellbore at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure, and thereafter injecting into the wellbore a proppant laden fluid at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure. The water inert polymer may be a polymer such as an emulsion polymer or a latex polymer. Some methods of the invention use a fluid which may have a normalized leak off coefficient (Cw/sqrt(K)) equal to or less than about 0.0022, 0.0014, or 0.0010. A conventional fluid loss additive may or may not be used in conjunction with the treatment fluid and/or the proppant laden fluid. The water inert polymer may or may not substantially enter formation pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Marie Noelle Dessinges, Carlos Abad, Erik Nelson
  • Patent number: 7392844
    Abstract: A method of treating a well consists of introducing into the wellbore a biodegradable fluid system containing a fatty acid ester, such as methyl soyate. The fluid system may further contain a lactic acid ester, such as ethyl lactate, and/or a nonionic surfactant. The fluid system may be used in displacement, well remediation and stimulation as well as additional, alternative applications such as the cleaning of surface and/or downhole equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Sandra L. Berry, Kay E. Cawiezel
  • Patent number: 7380601
    Abstract: A method for minimizing the amount of metal crosslinked viscosifier necessary for treating a wellbore with proppant or gravel is given. The method includes using fibers to aid in transporting, suspending and placing proppant or gravel in viscous carrier fluids otherwise having insufficient viscosity to prevent particulate settling. Fibers are given that have properties optimized for proppant transport but degrade after the treatment into degradation products that do not precipitate in the presence of ions in the water such as calcium and magnesium. Crosslinked polymer carrier fluids are identified that are not damaged by contaminants present in the fibers or by degradation products released by premature degradation of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Willberg, Christopher N. Fredd, Marina Bulova
  • Publication number: 20080110622
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of isolating hydrajet stimulated zones from subsequent well operations. The method includes the step of drilling a wellbore into the subterranean formation of interest. Next, the wellbore may or may not be cased depending upon a number of factors including the nature and structure of the subterranean formation. Next, the casing, if one is installed, and wellbore are perforated using a high pressure fluid being ejected from a hydrajetting tool. A first zone of the subterranean formation is then fractured and stimulated. Next, the first zone is temporarily plugged or partially sealed by installing an isolation fluid into the wellbore adjacent to the one or more fractures and/or in the openings thereof, so that subsequent zones can be fractured and additional well operations can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald M. Willett, Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Billy W. McDaniel
  • Publication number: 20080099207
    Abstract: A fluid breaking composition including an effective amount of an alkali chlorite and/or hyperchlorite is disclosed, where the composition reduces a viscosity of a polymer viscosified fluid to a desired low value at down hole conditions within a time period coincident with a formation stimulation time, generally between about 30 minutes and 195 minutes. Methods for making and using the breaking composition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: CLEARWATER INTERNATIONAL, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Venditto, Sarkis Kakadjian Ranka, Joseph E. Thompson