Patents Represented by Attorney David Cate
  • Patent number: 8066073
    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: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D Hutchins, Marie Noelle Dessinges, Carlos Abad, Erik B Nelson
  • Patent number: 8066068
    Abstract: A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant (16) and proppant-spacing filler material called a channelant (18) through a wellbore (10) into the fracture (20), heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands (22) spaced apart by the channelant (24), and removing the channelant filler material (24) to form open channels (26) around the pillars (28) for fluid flow from the formation (14) through the fracture (20) toward the wellbore (10). The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture. The channelant can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a filler material during placement of the proppant in the fracture, and later dissolving to leave the flow channels between the proppant pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Lesko, J. Ernest Brown, Dean Willberg, Ivan Kosarev, Anatoly Medvedev
  • Patent number: 8061424
    Abstract: The invention provides economically effective methods for hydraulic fracturing a subterranean formation that ensure improvement of the hydraulic fracturcconductivity because of forming strong proppant clusters uniformly placed in the fracture throughout its length. One of these methods comprises: a first stage that involves injection into a borehole of fracturing fluid containing thickeners to create a fracture in the formation; and a second stage that involves periodic introduction of proppant into the injected fracturing fluid to supply the proppant into a created fracture, to form proppant clusters within the fracture to prevent fracture closure and channels for flowing formation fluids between the clusters, wherein the second stage or its sub-stages involve additional introduction of either a reinforcing or consolidation material or both, thus increasing the strength of the proppant clusters formed into the fracture fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Willberg, Matthew J. Miller, Marc Jean Thiercelin, Ivan Vitalievich Kosarev
  • Patent number: 8020618
    Abstract: Solid latex powders are employed as additives to control gas migration during the cementation of subterranean wells. Preferably, the latex additives are based on vinyl-acetate or styrene-butadiene based polymers. The additives are particularly useful in low-temperature applications. Methods to prepare cement slurries comprising the latex additives, and methods pertaining to the cementation of subterranean wells are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Barlet-Gouedard Véronique, Ermel Michel, Daniel Sylvie
  • Patent number: 8002889
    Abstract: The use of silicate as a retarder enhancer at appropriate levels to enhance the retarding effect of retarders at high temperatures encountered downhole while accelerating the set of cement at lower temperatures encountered near to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno Drochon, Sylwia Komocki, Michel Michaux
  • Patent number: 8002049
    Abstract: A method of preventing or treating lost circulation during the drilling of a well comprises the addition, at concentration ranging between about 0.5 and 6 pounds per barrel, of water-dispersible fibers having a length between about 10 and 25 mm, for instance glass or polymer fibers, to a pumped aqueous base-fluid including solid particles having an equivalent diameter of less than 300 ?m. The base-fluid with the solid particles can be the drilling fluid or a small-volume pill specially pumped for curing lost circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Keese, Trevor Munk, Raafat Abbas, Erik Nelson, Benoit Vidick
  • Patent number: 7946343
    Abstract: The present invention provides a versatile additive for improving the properties of a cement slurry made with portland cement and to be utilized in well cementing, said versatile additive comprising type of silicates and/or borates that inhibit gelation occurring with the interstitial phase. The additive of the present invention improves significantly the rheology (i.e., strong dispersing effect) and can even overcome severe gelation problems. At temperature above about 88° C. (190° F.) the additive acts as retarder aid, enabling to reduce considerably the concentration of retarder required to achieve a given thickening time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Caritey, Michel Michaux, Tatiana Pyatina, Frédéric Thery
  • Patent number: 7946359
    Abstract: A method of constructing a borehole drilled with a drilling apparatus (16), the method comprises: connecting a flexible tubular liner sleeve (22) around the outside of the drilling apparatus and connecting the sleeve around an upper opening of the borehole so as to pass into the borehole; progressively extending the sleeve into the borehole as drilling progresses while maintaining connection to the drilling apparatus and borehole opening; at a predetermined point in the drilling, expanding the sleeve so as to contact the borehole wall; and setting the sleeve so as to be fixed to the borehole wall after expansion. Apparatus for use in such a method comprises: a flexible, expandable sleeve (22); a first connector for connecting the sleeve around the outside of a drilling assembly; and a second connector for connecting the sleeve around the opening of the borehole; wherein the sleeve is arranged to extend through the borehole between the connectors as drilling progresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin Jeffryes, Louise Bailey, Iain Cooper, Geoffrey Maitland, Dominique Guillot
  • Patent number: 7947127
    Abstract: A cement retarder system for use in underground wells included a borate compound, an organophosphonate salt, and a copolymer formed from AMPS and a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, acrylamide and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Michaux, Tatiana Pyatina
  • Patent number: 7931089
    Abstract: A proppant consists of a core part and shell of a material different from the material of the core part. The shell comprises a soft material attached rigidly to the core part in such a way that the total surface area of the points where the shell and the core part are joined is less than the surface area of the core part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Miller, Dean M. Willberg, Anatoly Vladimirovich Medvedev, Marina Nikolaevna Bulova
  • Patent number: 7931966
    Abstract: A proppant material is provided that is in the form of generally rigid, elastic plate-like particles having a maximum to minimum dimension ratio of more than about 5. The proppant may be formed from a corrosion resistant material or having a corrosion resistant material formed thereon. The plate-like particles may be substantially non-deformable and may be formed from stainless steel or carbon steel provided with a corrosion resistant coating. The particles may have a thickness of from about 100 to about 300 ?m and may be in the form of a grating. A method of hydraulic fracturing in a formation penetrated by a wellbore is also provided wherein proppant material in the form of generally rigid, elastic plate-like particles having a maximum to minimum dimension ratio of more than about 5 are introduced into the wellbore. The particles may be formed from a corrosion resistant material or having a corrosion resistant material formed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Burukhin, Anatoly Matveev
  • Patent number: 7923413
    Abstract: A composition for reducing lost circulation in a well, while drilling the well with a drilling mud, which is composed of a base fluid, a mixture of particles, and a blend of fibers. The composition is used by stopping drilling with the mud, injecting a spacer, injecting the water-based composition, injecting a spacer, and resuming drilling with the oil-based mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jaleh Ghassemzadeh
  • Patent number: 7908230
    Abstract: A method for optimizing fracture treatments includes interpreting a nominal pump schedule corresponding to a nominal value for each fracture control parameter. The method further includes interpreting environmental variables, and interpreting probability distributions for each of the environmental variables that is uncertain. The method further includes defining an objective function such as a net present value of each fracture treatment over a 365 day period following the fracture treatment. The method includes determining an optimal value for each fracture control parameter according to the objective function by determining the fracture control parameter values that yield the best mean net present value given the variability in the environmental variables as described by their probability distributions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William John Bailey, Joseph Ayoub, Benoit Couet, Vincent Dury, Wenyu Kong, David J Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 7905291
    Abstract: An apparatus for borehole cleaning comprises a tubular conveyance extending from the surface into a borehole to a region to be cleaned, a motor mounted at the end of the tubular conveyance that in use is introduced into the borehole, a pump connected to the motor and having a nozzle, and a power cable extending trough the tubular conveyance from the surface to provide power to the motor, The pump is arranged such that, when positioned in the borehole and operated by the motor, the pump withdraws material from the borehole through the nozzle and pumps it into the tubular conveyance to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Spyro Kotsonis, Warren Zemlak, Eric Lavrut
  • Patent number: 7901314
    Abstract: A transmission system for use in a pump system comprising a prime mover driving a pump, the transmission system comprising: an epicylic gear system comprising a sun gear and a ring gear, and a planet gear engaged between the sun gear and ring gear; a main input drive arranged to be driven by the prime mover; an auxiliary input drive arranged to be driven by the prime mover; and an output drive arranged to drive the pump; wherein the main input drive is connected to the sun gear and either (i) the auxiliary input drive is connected to the ring gear and the output drive is lead from the planet gear; or (ii) the auxiliary input drive is connected to the planet gear and the output drive is lead from the ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: André Salvaire, James Metson
  • Patent number: 7896068
    Abstract: A product suitable for use in an oilfield environment is described, the product comprising: a first component; a first layer surrounding the first component, wherein the first layer is made of a protective material able to protect the first component from surrounding oilfield environment; a first susceptor, wherein the first susceptor is able to interacts with a magnetic field to generate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jesse Lee
  • Patent number: 7896964
    Abstract: The invention provides a cementitious composition for oilfield application comprising an organic retarder having at least one carboxylate group and copper ions such that a complex is made between copper ion and carboxylate group. Also a method to retard cementitious composition for oilfield application is disclosed, the method comprising the unique double step of adding an organic retarder having at least one carboxylate group and adding copper ions such that a complex is made between copper ion and carboxylate group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Stephane Boulard, Jesse Lee
  • Patent number: 7896067
    Abstract: A tool and its operating procedure are provided to protect any device while lowering into a well, and especially hydraulic devices such as sensors with expandable arms or inflatable elements such as packers. The protection is mainly important in the open hole of highly deviated or horizontal wells, for any device equipped with external seal element, delicate sensor or articulated parts. This tool features an automatic sequence controlled by a single dart or a single ball launched into the running string from the surface: when the dart or the ball lands on its seat, the pressure build-up is initially applied to a piston to extract the device from the protector without exposing it to any differential pressure, then it is automatically applied to the device itself for actuation as soon as the device is entirely pulled out of the protector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christophe Rayssiguier, Jean-Philippe Bedel
  • Patent number: 7896076
    Abstract: Low-density cement slurries for cementing subterranean wells are described that comprise alkali swellable polymers as thickening agents that provide slurry stability. The polymers are preferably added as liquid latex dispersions, and may also comprise a surfactant that is present at a concentration below its critical micelle concentration. Particular utility is observed when the solid-volume fraction (SVF) of the slurry is less than about 40 percent. Also described are a method for increasing the viscosity of a cement slurry and methods for cementing a subterranean well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Bruno Drochon
  • Patent number: 7857053
    Abstract: A cement slurry composition for cementing a well comprising: a hydraulic cement, water and a combination made of a hydroxyethyl cellulose and an acrylamido-methyl-propane sulfonate-acrylamide copolymer. Provided is also a method for cementing a well involving such cement slurry composition. The composition provides a solution to decouple the fluid-loss control and the slurry rheologyfor cement for slurry and particularly for extended cement slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Michaux, Jean-Philippe Caritey, Michel Ermel, Sylwia Komocki