Patents Examined by Angela M Ditrani
  • Methods and systems to seal subterranean void
    Patent number: 10683725
    Abstract: A device including an expandable material that is configured to be compressed in a first state while traveling through a wellbore and expanded in a second state to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp-Rock Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hong Wang
  • Removing scale from a wellbore
    Patent number: 10677020
    Abstract: Supercritical carbon dioxide is directed into a wellbore to a specified depth. The supercritical carbon dioxide is directed at an inner surface of the wellbore at the specified depth. Scale is removed from the wall of the wellbore with the supercritical carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Aslan Bulekbay, Sultan Attiah, Talal Al-Mutairi, Abdulrahman Alsousy
  • Removing scale from a wellbore
    Patent number: 10677021
    Abstract: Supercritical carbon dioxide is directed into a wellbore to a specified depth. The supercritical carbon dioxide is directed at an inner surface of the wellbore at the specified depth. Scale is removed from the wall of the wellbore with the supercritical carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Aslan Bulekbay, Sultan Attiah, Talal Al-Mutairi, Abdulrahman Alsousy
  • Betaines for shale stabilization
    Patent number: 10669467
    Abstract: Included are drilling fluids for drilling in a subterranean formation. A drilling fluid may include: an aqueous base fluid and a betaine shale stabilizer comprising glycine betaine HCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria Celeste Rellamas Tria, Catherine Martin Santos
  • Hollow hydrogel capsules and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 10662361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hollow hydrogel capsules. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation with a hollow hydrogel capsule including a hydrogel shell including a hydrolyzed and crosslinked polymerized composition. The hollow hydrogel capsule also includes a hollow interior including at least one component of a downhole composition for subterranean petroleum or water well drilling, stimulation, clean-up, production, completion, abandonment, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides compositions comprising the hollow hydrogel capsules and methods of making the hollow hydrogel capsules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Hallibunon Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Wayne Livanec, Scott Anthony Klasner
  • Methods and compositions for diversion during enhanced oil recovery
    Patent number: 10655053
    Abstract: A method for isolating a first region and a proximate second region of a subterranean formation is disclosed that includes introducing an asphaltene composition into the first region of the subterranean formation, the asphaltene composition including asphaltene dissolved in a solvent, and after introducing the asphaltene composition, introducing an aqueous composition to the first region to precipitate the asphaltene in the first region. The precipitated asphaltene forms a barrier that isolates the second region from at least a portion of the first region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmad Noor Al-deen Rizq, Badr H. Zahrani
  • Flow control in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 10655427
    Abstract: A method of restoring flow through an opening in a well, the opening being blocked by a plugging device, can include conveying a well tool into the well, contacting the plugging device with the well tool, and permitting flow through the opening as a result of the contacting step. Another method of restoring flow through an opening blocked by a plugging device in a well can include conveying a well tool into the well, reducing pressure in the well with the well tool, and permitting flow through the opening as a result of the pressure reducing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Solvents and NCG-co-injection with tapered pressure
    Patent number: 10648308
    Abstract: A variation of expanding solvent steam assisted gravity drainage (ES-SAGD) production of heavy oil wherein steam and hydrocarbon solvent are co-injected into a heavy oil reservoir and water, hydrocarbon solvent and heavy oil are produced by gravity drainage until the steam chamber is well developed or until oil recovery reaches about 20-30% of oil in place. At that time, the wells are switched to a lateral sweep using non-condensible gas (NSG) and steam co-injection, where more hydrocarbon solvent is recovered than is recovered with ES-SAGD used alone and where the cumulative steam to oil ratio is reduced over using -ES-SAGD alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Bo Chen, Thomas James Wheeler, Pradeep Ananth Govind
  • Flow control in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 10641057
    Abstract: A method of restoring flow through an opening in a well, the opening being blocked by a plugging device, can include conveying a well tool into the well, contacting the plugging device with the well tool, and permitting flow through the opening as a result of the contacting step. Another method of restoring flow through an opening blocked by a plugging device in a well can include conveying a well tool into the well, reducing pressure in the well with the well tool, and permitting flow through the opening as a result of the pressure reducing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Enhancing proppant performance
    Patent number: 10640701
    Abstract: A method may comprise providing a concentrated proppant slurry comprising a slurry fluid and a proppant, preparing a fracturing fluid by combining components comprising the concentrated proppant slurry, a carrier fluid, and a dispersing agent, and introducing the fracturing fluid through a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation at an injection rate and pressure that is at or above the fracture gradient of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Janette Cortez Montalvo, Loan Vo, Travis Hope Larsen, Dipti Singh, Philip D Nguyen
  • Flow control in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 10641069
    Abstract: A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device having a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body. A well system can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body. A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a degradable body, and a plurality of fibers joined to the body, each of the fibers having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew Ferguson
  • Flow control in subterranean wells
    Patent number: 10641070
    Abstract: A method of controlling flow in a well can include a device introduced into the well being conveyed by flow in the well, and the device having a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from a body, the fibers being retained by a retainer. A well system can include a flow conveyed device conveyed through a tubular string by flow in the tubular string, and the flow conveyed device including a body with a plurality of fibers extending outwardly from the body. A retainer can at least partially enclose the device. A flow conveyed device for use in a well can include a body, and a plurality of fibers joined to the body, each of the fibers having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Dynamic in-situ measurement of reservoir wettability
    Patent number: 10633969
    Abstract: One methods for in-situ characterization of a reservoir rock includes: (a) sealing an interval corresponding to a selected depth or depths within the subterranean formation; (b) injecting a displacement fluid into the interval, wherein the displacement fluid displaces a reservoir fluid stored in the reservoir rock; (c) monitoring movement of the displacement fluid or the reservoir fluid in the reservoir rock; and (d) assessing wettability of the reservoir rock based on (c) or determining recovery rate of the reservoir fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: James J. Howard, Siluni Wickramathilaka
  • Reducing solvent retention in ES-SAGD
    Patent number: 10633957
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons in a subterranean reservoir are recovered using Expanding Solvent-Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (ES-SAGD), including recovering hydrocarbons while reducing the solvent retention in the reservoir. Reducing solvent retention improves process economics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Arelys Y. Salazar, Tawfik N. Nasr
  • Microbubbles for heat and/or gas generation in subterranean formations
    Patent number: 10626321
    Abstract: Compositions, systems, and methods for generating heat and/or gas, for example, to create and/or enhance microfractures in low-permeability formations are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a plurality of microbubbles, wherein the microbubbles each comprise at least an outer shell and a heat- and/or gas-generating chemical within the shell, and have a diameter of about 100 microns or less; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the microbubbles may enter one or more microfractures in the subterranean formation and release the heat- and/or gas-generating chemical therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Lee J. Hall
  • Acid-soluble plug forming rapidly dehydrating loss control slurry
    Patent number: 10611944
    Abstract: A rapidly dehydrating lost circulation material (LCM) composition that forms an acid-soluble plug is provided. The LCM composition may include a carrier fluid, an acid-soluble-particulate material, a viscosifier, and date tree rachis fibers. The carrier fluid may be water and the viscosifier may be a cellulosic microfiber. The LCM composition may alter a lost circulation zone by forming an acid-soluble plug in a fracture of the lost circulation zone. The acid-soluble plug may be removed via an acid solution, such as a hydrochloric acid solution. Methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of a rapidly dehydrating LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Md Amanullah
  • Acid-soluble plug forming rapidly dehydrating loss control slurry
    Patent number: 10611946
    Abstract: A rapidly dehydrating lost circulation material (LCM) composition that forms an acid-soluble plug is provided. The LCM composition may include a carrier fluid, an acid-soluble-particulate material, a viscosifier, and date tree rachis fibers. The carrier fluid may be water and the viscosifier may be a cellulosic microfiber. The LCM composition may alter a lost circulation zone by forming an acid-soluble plug in a fracture of the lost circulation zone. The acid-soluble plug may be removed via an acid solution, such as a hydrochloric acid solution. Methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of a rapidly dehydrating LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Md Amanullah
  • Acid-soluble plug forming rapidly dehydrating loss control slurry
    Patent number: 10611945
    Abstract: A rapidly dehydrating lost circulation material (LCM) composition that forms an acid-soluble plug is provided. The LCM composition may include a carrier fluid, an acid-soluble-particulate material, a viscosifier, and date tree rachis fibers. The carrier fluid may be water and the viscosifier may be a cellulosic microfiber. The LCM composition may alter a lost circulation zone by forming an acid-soluble plug in a fracture of the lost circulation zone. The acid-soluble plug may be removed via an acid solution, such as a hydrochloric acid solution. Methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of a rapidly dehydrating LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Md Amanullah
  • Acid-soluble plug forming rapidly dehydrating loss control slurry
    Patent number: 10611943
    Abstract: A rapidly dehydrating lost circulation material (LCM) composition that forms an acid-soluble plug is provided. The LCM composition may include a carrier fluid, an acid-soluble-particulate material, a viscosifier, and date tree rachis fibers. The carrier fluid may be water and the viscosifier may be a cellulosic microfiber. The LCM composition may alter a lost circulation zone by forming an acid-soluble plug in a fracture of the lost circulation zone. The acid-soluble plug may be removed via an acid solution, such as a hydrochloric acid solution. Methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of a rapidly dehydrating LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Md Amanullah
  • Method of increasing lubricity of wellbore fluids
    Patent number: 10611948
    Abstract: Method for increasing lubricity of a wellbore fluid comprising the following steps: i) preparing a water in oil microemulsion that contains insoluble particles of metal hydroxides and/or metal oxides in the inner aqueous phase, the insoluble particles being synthesized from their salt precursors in the water droplets of the microemulsion; ii) adding to the wellbore fluid the water in oil microemulsion; iii) injecting the wellbore fluid into a subterranean formation and iv) performing the drilling, completion or coiled tubing operations in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Lamberti SPA
    Inventors: Erik Gallo, Luigi Merli, Pierangelo Pirovano, Letizia Privitera, Massimo Cecchetto, Giovanni Floridi, Giuseppe Li Bassi