Patents Represented by Attorney Robert A. Kent

Find this attorney in the Justia Lawyer Directory

  • Encapsulated enzyme breaker and method for use in treating subterranean formations
    Patent number: 5604186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an encapsulated enzyme breaker and method of use in treating a subterranean formation. An encapsulated breaker is prepared by coating an enzyme on a cellulose substrate. A micron-sized particulate is admixed with the enzyme solution to prevent undesired agglomeration of the substrate. The enzyme solution coated substrate is covered with a membrane comprising a partially hydrolyzed acrylic crosslinked with either an aziridine prepolymer or a carbodiimide. The membrane contains imperfections through which an aqueous fluid may pass into the breaker to contact the enzyme and diffuse the enzyme outward from the breaker particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Charles V. Hunt, Ronald J. Powell, Michael L. Carter, Samuel D. Pelley, Lewis R. Norman
  • Corrosion inhibiting compositions and methods
    Patent number: 5591381
    Abstract: The present invention provides corrosion inhibiting compositions and methods whereby protective coatings are formed on metal surfaces. The compositions are basically comprised of a corrosion inhibiting condensation reaction product enhanced by the presence of antimony or bismuth compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Michael L. Walker
  • Fracturing fluid with encapsulated breaker
    Patent number: 5591700
    Abstract: An aqueous fracturing fluid composition and method for fracturing subterranean formations penetrated by a well bore wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a viscosity breaker that comprises a surfactant and a breaker which is solid at ambient surface conditions and dissolves at temperatures in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Phillip C. Harris, Ronald J. Powell, Stanley J. Heath
  • Control of particulate flowback in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 5582249
    Abstract: The addition of an adhesive coated material in intimate mixture with particulates for fracturing, gravel packing or other formation treatments decreases or substantially eliminates the flowback of particulates whether proppants or formation fines while stabilizing the particulate within the formation. Preferred adhesive coated materials include glass or ceramic fibers, polyolefins, polyamides, polyvinyls and cellulose derivatives in the form of particles, ribbons, fibers or flakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: William J. Caveny, Jim D. Weaver, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Method for stimulation of subterranean formations
    Patent number: 5575335
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method of effecting fracturing in a subterranean formation utilizing substantially constant density fluids whereby proppant segregation is minimized or eliminated within the formation. Fluid density is adjusted by varying the salt content or addition of a gas or gasifiable liquid or both as proppant is added to the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Dwain G. King
  • Method of using a foamed fracturing fluid
    Patent number: 5566760
    Abstract: An aqueous foamed fracturing fluid composition and method for using the foamed fracturing fluid for fracturing subterranean formations that have been penetrated by a wellbore wherein the foamed fracturing fluid comprises: (a) a viscosifier which is preferably either hydrophobically modified guar or hydrophobically modified hydroxymethylcellulose; (b) a surfactant which is preferably alpha olefin sulfonate; and (c) the gas phase includes either nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Phillip C. Harris
  • Epoxy resin composition and well treatment method
    Patent number: 5559086
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an epoxy resin composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin and a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent. In another embodiment, a well treating composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin; a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent; a solid particulate material; and a carrier fluid. In yet another embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation is provided. The inventive method comprises the step of placing the inventive well treating composition into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Brahmadeo Dewprashad, Jimmie D. Weaver
  • Method for controlling fluid-loss and fracturing high permeability subterranean formations
    Patent number: 5558161
    Abstract: A method of fracturing high permeability formations is provided utilizing a first crosslinked gel fluid to initiate the fracture followed by a second gel which results in improved proppant transport and packing of the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Sanjay M. Vitthal, Mary A. Hardy, David E. McMechan, William E. Martch, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Method of gelling hydrocarbons and fracturing subterranean formations
    Patent number: 5514645
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation by rapidly viscosifying a normally liquid hydrocarbon. The method is accomplished by admixing (i) an alkyl orthophosphate acid ester and (ii) an alkali metal hydroxide present in an amount sufficient to at least partially neutralize said ester and (iii) a reaction product resulting from the reaction of a source of aluminum or ferric ions with a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 surface active amine solubilized in the presence of an organic solvent such as a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 monohydric alcohol with the normally liquid hydrocarbon. The mixture rapidly viscosifies to a level sufficient to transport proppant and then can be introduced into a subterranean formation to treat the formation in a desired manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Michael A. McCabe, Lewis R. Norman, James R. Stanford
  • Methods of combating production problems in wells containing defective gravel packs
    Patent number: 5507344
    Abstract: Methods of combating production problems in wells containing defective gravel packs are provided. The methods basically comprise forming at least one perforation in the well bore extending from the well bore through the defective gravel pack and into the producing formation, forming at least one fracture containing proppant material in the formation communicating with the perforation and consolidating the proppant material in the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Young, Ronald R. Faul, Kent A. Gray
  • Methods of terminating undesirable gas migration in wells
    Patent number: 5503227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of terminating undesirable gas migration in a well through one or more passages such as channels and microannuli in the cement sheath holding the casing in the well bore. The methods basically comprise forming one or more lateral openings through the casing and the cement sheath into a substantially gas impermeable formation penetrated by the well bore. One or more horizontal fractures are created in the formation extending from the lateral openings, and a fluid which sets into a substantially gas impermeable solid is deposited in the openings and fractures. The fluid is permitted to set into a substantially gas impermeable solid in the openings and fractures whereby passages in the cement sheath are plugged and gas migration is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignees: Halliburton Company, Husky Oil Drilling and Completions
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Saponja, Orville R. Cole
  • Explosive detonation apparatus
    Patent number: 5503077
    Abstract: A detonator comprising a case into which is inserted a quantity of an explosive composition, a semiconductor bridge positioned adjacent one end of the explosive composition which is electrically connected to a spark gap and in some embodiments a capacitor and a bleeder resistor. A pair of electrically conductive wires are connected to the spark gap and semiconductor bridge to provide a means for passing an electrical charge to the semiconductor bridge. The detonator also may include an r.function. attenuator, such as a ferrite bead, through which the electrically conductive wires pass. The ends of the detonator case are sealed by any appropriate means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Jerry Motley
  • Control of particulate flowback in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 5501274
    Abstract: The addition of a thermoplastic material in intimate mixture with particulates for fracturing, gravel packing or other formation treatments decreases or substantially eliminates the flowback of particulates whether proppants or formation fines while stabilizing the particulate within the formation. Preferred thermoplastic materials include polyolefins, polyamides, polyvinyls and cellulose derivatives in the form of particles, ribbons or flakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jim D. Weaver, David L. Brown
  • Drilling fluid and filter cake removal methods and compositions
    Patent number: 5501276
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing gelled and dehydrated drilling fluid and filter cake from the walls of wellbores are provided. The methods basically include contacting the drilling fluid and filter cake with a removal composition comprised of an aqueous sugar solution for a period of time sufficient to cause the disintegration of the drilling fluid and filter cake. The composition, having the disintegrated drilling fluid and filter cake dispersed therein, is then displaced from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Jim Weaver, Krishna M. Ravi, Larry S. Eoff, Rick Gdanski, J. Michael Wilson
  • Well treating methods and devices using particulate blends
    Patent number: 5492178
    Abstract: Fracturing, frac-pack, and gravel packing procedures are provided which utilize a treating composition comprising a carrier fluid and a particulate blend. The particulate blend consists essentially of a large particulate material and a small particulate material. The large particulate material consists essentially of particles smaller than about 4 mesh but not smaller than about 40 mesh. The small particulate material consists essentially of particles smaller than about 16 mesh but not smaller than about 100 mesh. The small particulate material is present in the particulate blend in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 60% by weight based on the amount of the large particulate material present in the particulate blend. A prepacked screening device including a large particulate/small particulate blend of the type just described is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Joe R. Murphey, David L. Brown
  • Solvent compositions and methods
    Patent number: 5489394
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved environmentally friendly solvent compositions for materials such as pipe dope, thread lubricants and the like and methods of utilizing such compositions. The nonaqueous solvent compositions are basically comprised of an emulsion of a surface active agent for breaking up and dispersing the materials, and D-limonene and a mixture of other terpenes including dipentene for dissolving the materials and glacial acetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: William G. F. Ford, Tommy R. Gardner
  • High temperature set retarded cement compositions and methods
    Patent number: 5484478
    Abstract: Set retarded cement compositions and methods of using the compositions for cementing zones in wells at temperatures in the range of from about 200.degree. F. to about 450.degree. F. are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Lance E. Brothers
  • Method of displacing liquids through pipes
    Patent number: 5483986
    Abstract: Improved methods of displacing a first liquid through a pipe with a second liquid while preventing the first and second liquids from mixing are provided. In accordance with the methods, a plug is formed in-situ in the pipe between the first and second liquids by injecting a self-thickening liquid therein and permitting the liquid to thicken. The formed plug and the first liquid are then displaced through the pipe with the second liquid. The methods are particularly suitable for carrying out subterranean well bore cementing operations wherein cement slurries are displaced through pipes disposed in well bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: David D. Onan, Vincent J. Bila, James L. Haney, Gary E. Folmnsbee, Ronney R. Koch, Randall D. Stilley, Larry T. Watters
  • Method for cementing in a formation subject to water influx
    Patent number: 5484019
    Abstract: A method is presented for cementing conductor pipes in well bores in water depths greater than 1000 feet. The method is accomplished by formulating the cement slurry from Portland cement, a foaming surfactant, a quantity of fine particle size cementitious material and nitrogen or other gas to foam the slurry to yield a density of from about 9.0 to about 14 lbs/gal. The slurry is introduced down the conductor pipe and permitted to return up the annulus of the well bore to the seafloor. The slurry develops a static gel strength in excess of about 500 lbf/100 ft.sup.2 within less than about 30 minutes after placement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: James E. Griffith
  • Low temperature set retarded well cement compositions and methods
    Patent number: 5472051
    Abstract: Improved set retarded cement compositions for cementing subterranean zones in wells at low temperatures having excellent short term compressive strength development and methods of using such compositions are provided. The compositions are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, water and a copolymer containing 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid in an amount in the range of from about 65 to about 85 mole percent and acrylic acid in an amount in the range of from about 15 to about 35 mole percent having an average molecular weight below about 5000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Lance E. Brothers