Patents Assigned to Tetra Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12669044
    Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2026
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico J. Termine, Robert I. Richie
  • Patent number: 12594531
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods, systems, and apparatuses for controlled delivery of wellbore fluids such as providing a plurality of pressurized sources of an aqueous base fluid having respective flow rates, and target predetermined physical and/or chemical characteristic values; blending at least two of the pressurized sources of aqueous base fluid thereby creating a blended pressurized source of aqueous base fluid; testing to determine the blended source's physical and/or chemical characteristics; comparing to the target predetermined physical and/or chemical characteristic values to identify if they match; based on the comparison altering the flow rates of at least one of the plurality of pressurized sources of aqueous base fluids; and repeating steps until the blended pressurized source of aqueous base fluid matches the target predetermined physical and/or chemical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A Lee, Yannick Harvey
  • Patent number: 12528727
    Abstract: Integrated processes for the treatment of produced water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations using bulk solid-liquid separation, organics removal, and desalination by osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) and/or vacuum membrane distillation (VMD). Various pretreatment technologies including without limitation pH adjustment, oxidant addition, particle removal, oxidant removal, followed by OARO and/or VMD, may be combined with a subsequent polishing process of the desalinated produced water such as to remove ammonia, boron, heavy metals, and/or organics. Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be sent for beneficial reuse which includes without limitation different fit-for purpose applications including those outside oil and gas industry at a low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2025
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepak A Musale, Adam Calvin, Yannick Harvey, Arthur Mack, Stanley Gunawan
  • Patent number: 12448351
    Abstract: A method of preparing MEP including the steps of: (a) adding N-methylpyrrolidine to an excess amount of ethyl bromide located in a reactor, wherein the N-methylpyrrolidine will react with the ethyl bromide forming MEP, wherein the reaction will have a reaction temperature that can varies over time; (b) stopping addition of N-methylpyrrolidine when the excess of ethyl bromide to the N-methylpyrrolidine falls within a range of 3:1 to 1.5:1; (c) adding water to the reactor creating a two phase system to develop which includes: (i) a top layer containing aqueous MEP and (ii) a bottom layer containing ethyl bromide; (d) separating the top layer from the bottom layer yielding a first aqueous solution of MEP and a second solution of ethyl bromide; and (e) removing N-methylpyrrolidine and ethyl bromide from the first aqueous solution of MEP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur G. Mack
  • Patent number: 12330173
    Abstract: An improved modular hydrocyclone and method of operating for centrifugal cleaning fluid wherein the hydrocyclone has a plurality of inserts each of different sizes and configurations for selectively and interchangeably inserting into the modular body thereby adjusting capacity and cleaning efficiency of the hydrocyclone without changing out the body. One or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for utilizing a hydrocyclone system with interchangeable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Virgilio Garcia Soule
  • Patent number: 12252943
    Abstract: An improved debris catcher and choke system for receiving a pressurized fluid stream from wellbore operations where a controller can selectively place a plurality of debris catchers in debris catching or flushing modes, and the cleaned fluids from one of the debris catchers can be used to flush one of the other debris catchers. One or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for utilizing debris catchers and choke valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgilio Garcia Soule, James Matthew Watson, Brandon Scott Mitchell, Travis Martin Bahrt
  • Patent number: 12194421
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for mixing of two or more fluids using a multi-chamber manifold. One or more embodiments relate to optimal mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Irl Richie, Scott Allen Richie, Leroy Joseph Detiveaux, Jr., Virgilio Garcia Soule, John Anthony Novotny
  • Patent number: 12158064
    Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico J. Termine, Robert I. Richie
  • Patent number: 12066127
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the rapid deployment of a fracturing water transferring system, along with the rapid picking up and storage of such system after use. In different embodiments the method in includes the use of a tensioning system to retrieve one or more segments of lay flat hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Novotny, Scott Richie, Reza Talabi, Yannick Harvey
  • Patent number: 11920439
    Abstract: The present invention describes methods, systems, and apparatuses for controlled delivery of wellbore fluids including analysis and treatment within the methods, systems, and apparatuses themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Lee, Yannick Harvey
  • Patent number: 11827599
    Abstract: A method of preparing MEP including the steps of: (a) adding N-methylpyrrolidine to an excess amount of ethyl bromide located in a reactor, wherein the N-methylpyrrolidine will react with the ethyl bromide forming MEP, wherein the reaction will have a reaction temperature that can varies over time; (b) stopping addition of N-methylpyrrolidine when the excess of ethyl bromide to the N-methylpyrrolidine falls within a range of 3:1 to 1.5:1; (c) adding water to the reactor creating a two phase system to develop which includes: (i) a top layer containing aqueous MEP and (ii) a bottom layer containing ethyl bromide; (d) separating the top layer from the bottom layer yielding a first aqueous solution of MEP and a second solution of ethyl bromide; and (e) removing N-methylpyrrolidine and ethyl bromide from the first aqueous solution of MEP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur G. Mack
  • Patent number: 11779937
    Abstract: An improved modular hydrocyclone and method of operating for centrifugal cleaning fluid wherein the hydrocyclone has a plurality of inserts each of different sizes and configurations for selectively and interchangeably inserting into the modular body thereby adjusting capacity and cleaning efficiency of the hydrocyclone without changing out the body. One or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for utilizing a hydrocyclone system with interchangeable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Virgilio Garcia Soule
  • Patent number: 11781408
    Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico J. Termine, Robert I. Richie
  • Patent number: 11691112
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for mixing of two or more fluids using a multi-chamber manifold. One or more embodiments relate to optimal mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Irl Richie, Scott Allen Richie, Leroy Joseph Detiveaux, Jr., Virgilio Garcia Soule, John Anthony Novotny
  • Patent number: 11613687
    Abstract: A method of using a suppression factor fluid during a well activity is provided. The method comprising the steps of introducing a suppression factor fluid into a wellbore, the suppression factor fluid comprising an untreated divalent brine, and a suppression sugar alcohol, the suppression sugar alcohol in an amount operable to achieve a suppression factor of at least 0.1, wherein a density upper limitation of the suppression factor fluid is greater than the density upper limitation of the divalent brine; wherein the suppression factor fluid is in the absence of zinc; and completing the well activity in the wellbore, such that the suppression sugar alcohol inhibits crystallization during the well activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Arthur G. Mack
  • Patent number: 11453817
    Abstract: A composition for use in a wellbore activity, the composition comprising an iodide brine, the iodide brine operable to be used in the wellbore activity, the iodide brine comprising an iodide salt, an aqueous fluid, and an iodide protectant, the iodide protectant operable to prevent the presence of free iodine in the iodide brine, where the iodide protectant is present in the range between 0.001 v/v % and 5 v/v % of the iodide brine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Arthur G. Mack, Drew A. Fowler, Phillip A. Vincent
  • Patent number: 11391134
    Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico J. Termine, Robert I. Richie
  • Patent number: 11344897
    Abstract: An improved modular hydrocyclone and method of operating for centrifugal cleaning fluid wherein the hydrocyclone has a plurality of inserts each of different sizes and configurations for selectively and interchangeably inserting into the modular body thereby adjusting capacity and cleaning efficiency of the hydrocyclone without changing out the body. One or more embodiments relate to systems and methods for utilizing a hydrocyclone system with interchangeble components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Virgilio Garcia Soule
  • Patent number: 11292956
    Abstract: A composition for use in a wellbore activity, the composition comprising a stabilized divalent iodide brine, the stabilized divalent iodide brine comprises a divalent salt system, where the divalent salt system comprises a divalent iodide, an primary iodide stabilizer, the primary iodide stabilizer operable to remove free iodine, prevent the formation of free iodine, and suppress TCT, and an aqueous fluid, where the stabilized divalent iodide brine has a density greater than 11 lb/gal, where the stabilized divalent iodide brines has a TCT of less than or equal to 70 deg F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Arthur G. Mack, Drew A. Fowler
  • Publication number: 20220073806
    Abstract: A method of using a suppression factor fluid during a well activity is provided. The method comprising the steps of introducing a suppression factor fluid into a wellbore, the suppression factor fluid comprising an untreated divalent brine, and a suppression sugar alcohol, the suppression sugar alcohol in an amount operable to achieve a suppression factor of at least 0.1, wherein a density upper limitation of the suppression factor fluid is greater than the density upper limitation of the divalent brine; wherein the suppression factor fluid is in the absence of zinc; and completing the well activity in the wellbore, such that the suppression sugar alcohol inhibits crystallization during the well activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: TETRA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Arthur G. Mack