Patents Examined by Andrew Sue-Ako
  • Multi-functional diverter particulates
    Patent number: 11466200
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a well. A method comprising: introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation wherein the treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid; and multi-functional diverter particulates, wherein the multi-functional diverter particulates comprise a polyvinyl alcohol and a well service additive; and diverting at least a portion of the treatment fluid and/or a subsequently introduced fluid away from the zone. A treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a multi-functional diverter particulate, wherein the multi-functional diverter particulates comprise a polyvinyl alcohol and a well service additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh, Larry Steven Eoff, Travis Hope Larsen
  • Synergistic enhancement of slickwater fracturing fluids
    Patent number: 11466199
    Abstract: A slickwater fracturing fluid that includes a brine with dissolved solids, an anionic friction reducing additive, a polysaccharide, and a nanomaterial that includes nanoparticles with an average particle size between about 1 nm and about 500 nm. The polysaccharide and the anionic friction reducing additive synergistically reduce friction of the slickwater fracturing fluid so as to increase an injection rate of the slickwater fracturing fluid. Also, the polysaccharide, the anionic friction reducing additive, and the nanomaterial synergistically provide viscosity to the slickwater fracturing fluid so as to increase proppant transport capability. Also described is a method of fracturing a subterranean formation by pumping the slickwater fracturing fluid into a borehole and fracturing the subterranean formation with the slickwater fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Chunli Li, Liang Xu, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Foamed treatment fluids comprising nanoparticles
    Patent number: 11459500
    Abstract: Foamed treatment fluids for use in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, a method of using a foamed treatment fluid comprises: introducing a foamed treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation, wherein the foamed treatment fluid comprises an aqueous base fluid, one or more surfactants, a natural gas, and a plurality of nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatyana V. Khamatnurova, Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Jun Su An
  • Methods for wellbore formation using thermochemicals
    Patent number: 11454098
    Abstract: A method for stimulating a well includes mixing at least one thermochemical with fracturing fluid to create a fracturing fluid mixture, injecting the fracturing fluid mixture into the well, creating an exothermic reaction with the fracturing fluid mixture, generating a pressure pulse in the well from the exothermic reaction, and fracturing a formation around the well with pressure from the pressure pulse and a hydraulic pressure source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS
    Inventors: Ayman R. Al-Nakhli, Mohammed A. Bataweel, Mohamed Ahmed Nasr El Din Mahmoud, Abdulazeez Abdulraheem, Zeeshan Tariq
  • High-intensity acoustic treatment of colloidal mineral suspensions for wellbore operations
    Patent number: 11448022
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of enhancing the rheological properties of a colloidal mineral suspension in a liquid with high-intensity acoustical energy. In some examples, the colloidal mineral suspension may be dehydrated after treatment with high-intensity acoustical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston Andrew May, Eric Benjamin Frantz
  • Asphaltene solution for water shut off
    Patent number: 11447683
    Abstract: A method and a system for a water shut off material in a wellbore are provided. In an exemplary embodiment the water shutoff material includes a precipitate formed from a solution of asphaltene and an aqueous precipitant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ahmad Noor Al-Deen Hassan Rizq
  • Forming frac packs in high permeability formations
    Patent number: 11441406
    Abstract: A method of treating a highly permeable subterranean formation that is penetrated by a wellbore to form a frac pack in the formation adjacent to a desired wellbore interval is provided. The method comprises (a) injecting a first high efficiency fracturing fluid into the formation to form a fracture in the formation that propagates from a near-wellbore region of the formation into a far-field region of the formation. Thereafter, high strength proppant is placed in a portion of the fracture in the near-wellbore region of the formation, and low strength proppant is placed in a portion of the fracture near the far-field region of the formation using low viscosity fluids. Subsequently, a high strength proppant is squeezed into a portion of the fracture in the near-wellbore region of the formation to assure that the fracture is completely packed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Michael W. Sanders
  • Liquid sand treatment optimization
    Patent number: 11441068
    Abstract: A method of hydraulic fracturing may comprise mixing at least one liquid sand mixture with a fluid to produce a fracturing fluid; and conveying the fracturing fluid to two or more wellbores simultaneously, wherein the wellbores penetrate a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehdi Mazrooee, Ubong Akpan Inyang, Alexander Jose Verde Salas
  • Method of removing iron-containing scale from a wellbore, pipe, or surface using a biodegradable descaler solution
    Patent number: 11441064
    Abstract: A method of removing iron-containing scale from a wellbore, pipe, or metal-containing surface involving contacting the iron-containing scale with a biodegradable descaler solution of water, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, citric acid, a corrosion inhibitor, a corrosion inhibitor intensifier, and a surfactant. The method is performed at a pressure of 14 to 400 psi and a temperature of 100 to 150° C. The method removes iron-containing scale made of iron sulfide, iron carbonate, iron oxyhydroxide, and calcium carbonate. The method meets industry standard steel corrosion rates of less than 0.049 lb/ft2 per day. Also disclosed is a biodegradable descaler solution of water, hydrochloric acid, formic acid, citric acid, a corrosion inhibitor, a corrosion inhibitor intensifier, and a surfactant that meets OECD 301B thresholds for ready biodegradability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Salaheldin Elkatatny, Mohamed Mahmoud, Hany Gamal, Abdullah Sultan
  • Methods and compositions for reducing corrosivity of aqueous fluids
    Patent number: 11414592
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating aqueous fluids that may be included in treatment fluids that are used for treating a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the methods include: providing a treatment fluid including an aqueous fluid and a composition that includes an oxygen scavenger, a pH-adjusting agent, and a corrosion inhibitor, wherein the aqueous fluid is aerated; contacting a metal surface with the treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Darrell Davis, Philippe Prince
  • Methods and materials for reducing lost circulation in a wellbore
    Patent number: 11414971
    Abstract: A method of reducing lost circulation in a wellbore includes introducing a fluid including a fluid loss control additive comprising shape memory polymer, shape memory alloy, or both into the wellbore. The method further includes allowing the fluid loss control additive to lodge within fractures within a subsurface formation in the wellbore. The method further includes allowing the fluid loss control additive to expand within the fractures, thereby forming a barrier between the wellbore and the subsurface formation to reduce lost circulation in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Simone Musso, Sivaprakash Shanmugam
  • Degradable diversion material having a polyacrylate compound
    Patent number: 11407934
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are degradable diverter materials comprising a polyacrylate compound. In particular, the degradable diverter material may be a particulate with each individual particle being having a polyacrylate compound and optionally at least one inert filler. The degradable diverter material may be introduced into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The degradable diverter material may then be allowed to divert at least a portion of fluid present downhole, the fluid being introduced from the surface or already present downhole. The degradable diverter material can then be allowed to at least partially degrade via dissolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Steven Eoff, Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh
  • Hydrocarbon wells and methods that utilize a plug with an included tracer material
    Patent number: 11408276
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon wells and methods that utilize a plug with an included tracer material. The hydrocarbon wells include a wellbore that extends within a subsurface region and a downhole tubular that extends within the wellbore and defines a tubular conduit. The hydrocarbon wells also include a plug positioned within the wellbore and a tracer detection structure. The plug forms a fluid seal and includes a tracer material. The tracer detection structure is configured to detect the tracer material within a produced fluid stream that is produced from the hydrocarbon well. The methods include releasing the tracer material from the plug and producing the produced fluid stream. The methods also include detecting the tracer material within the produced fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Rami Jabari, Maciej Lukawski
  • Friction reducer compositions
    Patent number: 11401458
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing friction in fracturing fluids are disclosed. An exemplary friction reducing composition includes a synthetic water-soluble polymer and a nanocellulose. This friction reducing composition is added to aqueous saline fluid for hydraulic fracturing treatment of hydrocarbon wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Wenwen Li, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Multi-grade diverting particulates
    Patent number: 11401453
    Abstract: A variety of methods, compositions, and systems are disclosed, including, a method comprising: introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation wherein the treatment fluid comprises: a base fluid; and multi-grade diverting particulates, wherein the multi-grade diverting particulates comprise a degradable polymer, wherein the degradable polymer comprises a first portion of the degradable polymer and a second portion of the degradable polymer of different grades, wherein the multi-grade diverting particulate at least partially plugs a zone in the subterranean formation; and diverting at least a portion of the treatment fluid and/or a subsequently introduced fluid away from the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Hope Larsen, Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh, Larry Steven Eoff
  • Materials and methods for recovering oil from oil sands
    Patent number: 11396623
    Abstract: The present invention provides environmentally-friendly compositions and methods for recovering oil from oil sands. The present invention can also be used for reducing the viscosity and/or increasing the API gravity of oil. In specific embodiments, the invention utilizes compositions comprising biochemical-producing microorganisms and microbial growth by-products, such as biosurfactants, as well as cavitation, to enhance oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: LOCUS OIL IP COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Farmer, Ken Alibek, Karthik N. Karathur
  • Pressure-bearing plugging composition, pressure-bearing plugging slurry and preparation method and use thereof
    Patent number: 11396621
    Abstract: The present discloses a pressure-bearing plugging composition comprising 1-7 parts by weight bentonite, 0.1-1.5 parts by weight deformation material, 8-18 parts by weight filling material and 4-12 parts by weight modified bridging material, based on 100 parts by weight of water; the modified bridging material comprises a core, and a coating layer coated on an outer surface of the core, and a paraffin layer disposed between the core and the coating layer; the core is made of a water-absorbing material, and the coating layer is formed by bonding rigid particles and an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Southwest Petroleum University
    Inventors: Yang Bai, Lingfeng Wu, Pingya Luo, Jinsheng Sun, Haibo Liang, Wen Xu, Kesheng Rong, Jing Zhang, Gang Xie, Jiading Deng
  • Viscoelastic-surfactant fracturing fluids having oxidizer
    Patent number: 11390796
    Abstract: A method and hydraulic fracturing fluid that is a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fracturing fluid having a surfactant and an inorganic oxidizer salt for hydraulic fracturing of a geological formation. The VES fracturing fluid is provided through a wellbore into the geological formation to hydraulically fracture the geological formation to form hydraulic fractures in the geological formation. The method includes oxidizing organic material in the hydraulic fractures with the VES fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Desmond Schipper, Brady Kevin Crane
  • Salting out inhibitors for use in treatment fluids
    Patent number: 11384624
    Abstract: Methods and system for using salting out inhibitors in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a salting out inhibitor, a gelling agent, and one or more salts into at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the salting out inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of: an oligomer comprising one or more quaternary ammonium cations, a polymer comprising one or more quaternary ammonium cations, a source of one or more phosphate anions, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sairam Eluru, Pratiksha Shivaji Meher, Chetan Prakash, Sandeep Kumar Borra
  • Polymer networks as lost-circulation material
    Patent number: 11377582
    Abstract: A treatment fluid can include: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; and a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material comprises a polymer network having at least one branching point formed with a monomer and a cross-linking agent that comprises at least three active functional groups. The treatment fluid can maintain a pressure differential of at least 1 psi when tested with a cylindrical void that has a diameter of 0.02 inches. The monomer can be a vinyl ester-based monomer that is polymerized with the cross-linking agent to form the polymer network. The treatment fluid can be used in an oil and gas operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cecil Pearl, Jr., Samuel J Lewis, Aleksey V Kolasnikov, Claudia Carmen Pineda, Stephanie Ruiz