Patents Examined by Angela M Ditrani
  • Self-suspending proppant particulates using canola protein-based hydrogel
    Patent number: 9976074
    Abstract: Methods and compositions including self-suspending proppant particulates comprising proppant particulates at least partially coated with a canola protein-based hydrogel, wherein the canola protein-based hydrogel comprises a copolymer of a water-swellable polymeric material grafted onto a hydrolyzed canola protein backbone. In some embodiments, the water-swellable polymeric material further comprises at least one guanidinium ion pendant group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Corneliu Stanciu, Loan K. Vo, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Method of using shaped compressed pellets in well treatment operations
    Patent number: 9976070
    Abstract: A shaped compressed pellet formed from a composite of a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a calcined porous metal oxide or into the interstitial spaces of the calcined porous metal oxide may be introduced into an oil or gas producing well. The well treatment agent of the shaped compressed pellet may be used to prevent and/or control the formation of deposits in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Dong Shen
  • Water treatment suited for oil production wells
    Patent number: 9975790
    Abstract: A method of depleting the bacterial content in a water source is provided. The method involves depleting the bacterial content in a water source for a water flooding process, said method comprising contacting a water source with a superparamagnetic or paramagnetic nanoparticle; complexing the bacteria with the particle; and removing the bacteria-particle complex by applying a magnetic field so as to provide a water source with depleted bacterial content. The depleted water can then be pumped into one or more connecting injection well(s) in an oil field pushing the crude oil towards one or more production well(s) thereby allowing for enhanced oil recovery from the production wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: MAERSK OLIE OG GAS A/S
    Inventors: Martin Vad Bennetzen, Kristian Mogensen
  • Drilling fluids with leakoff control and drill cuttings removal sweeps
    Patent number: 9976390
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprises circulating a water-based or oil-based drilling fluid in the subterranean formation; the water-based or oil-based drilling fluid comprising a carrier, and a superabsorbent polymer present in an amount effective to reduce fluid leakoff during the drilling operation, the superabsorbent polymer comprising crosslinks formed before the superabsorbent polymer is combined with the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Scott Gregory Nelson
  • Enhanced oil recovery processes
    Patent number: 9976071
    Abstract: Oil recovery processes from carbonate or sandstone reservoirs. With a carbonate reservoir, the reservoir is initially flooded with a fluid such as sea water. Then the same fluid containing a plurality of citric acid-filled microcapsules is injected into the reservoir. These microcapsules are left to incubate in the reservoir, which will then infiltrate the rock formations, degrade by heat and release the encapsulated citric acid. The released citric acid reacts with the carbonate rocks to produce CO2 in situ, which causes oil trapped in the rock formations to swell, reduce in viscosity and move towards to a nearby production well. For a sandstone reservoir, calcium carbonate can be also encapsulated with the citric acid for CO2 generation at the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Mohamed A. Mahmoud, Mir Muhammad Mansoor Alam
  • Sealant compositions for use in subterranean formation operations
    Patent number: 9969923
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include methods comprising providing a sealant composition comprising an aqueous base fluid, a crosslinkable polymer composition, and a density segregation prevention agent, wherein the crosslinkable polymer composition comprises a crosslinkable organic polymer and a crosslinker; introducing a particulate density reducing agent into the sealant composition, wherein the particulate density reducing agent causes the sealant composition to adopt a reduced density as compared to the sealant composition without the particulate density reducing agent, thereby creating a reduced density sealant composition; introducing the reduced density sealant composition into a subterranean formation; and crosslinking the reduced density sealant composition into a gel to form a seal in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Larry S. Eoff, Christopher A. Lewis, Robert Maier
  • Method of utilizing carbon monoxide to increase oil recovery
    Patent number: 9951594
    Abstract: A method of utilizing carbon monoxide to increase oil recovery includes methods of injecting an effective amount of carbon monoxide into an oil reservoir. The carbon monoxide increases oil flow from the oil reservoir through a variety of chemical mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Paul Trost
  • Compositions and methods for completing subterranean wells
    Patent number: 9938447
    Abstract: Spacer fluids that are stable at temperatures up to at least 260° C. comprise water, polystyrene sulfonate and a mixture of particulate materials. The particulate materials may be chosen such that the mixture has at least a trimodal particle-size distribution. The fluids may further comprise inorganic clays, mutual solvents and surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michel Michaux, Jean-Philippe Caritey, Laurent Gabilly
  • Fracturing fluid containing a viscosifying agent and curable resin additive
    Patent number: 9932515
    Abstract: A fracturing fluid comprising: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; proppant; and an additive, wherein the additive: (i) is a cross-linkable polymer, wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide comprising a backbone and pendant functional groups, wherein the polysaccharide is derivatized by substituting one or more of the pendant functional groups with furan; (ii) is a viscosifying agent; and (iii) is a curable resin for consolidating the proppant. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: introducing the fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation; and creating or enhancing one or more fractures in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dipti Singh, Jeremy Holtsclaw, Aaron G. Russell
  • Polymeric viscosifiers for use in water-based drilling fluids
    Patent number: 9926481
    Abstract: Systems and methods for drilling in a subterranean formation are disclosed. A method comprises providing a drilling fluid, wherein the drilling fluid comprises an aqueous fluid; a first polymer comprising 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, vinylpyrrolidinone, pentaerythritol allyl ether, and methylenebisacrylamide; and a second polymer comprising acrylate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, methacrylic acid, and allyloxy 2-hydroxy propane sulfonic acid. The method further comprises placing the drilling fluid into the subterranean formation and drilling a wellbore in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kay Ann Galindo, Weibin Zha, Jay Paul Deville
  • Fluorosurfactant extraction process for carbonate reservoirs
    Patent number: 9920238
    Abstract: A process for recovering oil from a carbonate reservoir of high salinity, wherein supercritical CO2 floodings are combined with a fluorosurfactant in the tertiary recovery. Embodiments include alternating injection and co-injection schemes of the supercritical CO2 and the fluorosurfactant. A stable fluorosurfactant-CO2 foam that is not susceptible to the harsh conditions of the reservoir (temperature, pressure and salinity) can be successfully generated, leading to a reduction in the mobility of CO2, an increase in the mobility of the reservoir oil, higher contact between the injected fluid with the oil and a better sweep efficiency of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Zaid Zaffar Jangda, Abdullah S. Sultan
  • Sealing fluid for setting a packer
    Patent number: 9920234
    Abstract: A method and a sealing fluid for setting a packer in an annulus between a well bore and a well tubular is provided, which by adjusting i.a. the density, viscosity and setting time of the sealing fluid is able to provide among other things a full radial seal with an acceptable axial dispersion, in particular in highly deviated wells and/or in wells having eccentric annuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MAERSK OLIE OG GAS A/S
    Inventors: Edo Boekholtz, Hans Van Dongen
  • Coal bed methane recovery
    Patent number: 9920596
    Abstract: In-situ heating of coal facilitates desorption and diffusion of the methane for production of the methane through a wellbore. Water within fractures of the coal forms an electrical conduit through which current is passed. The heating relies at least in part on resistivity of the water, which thereby preheats the coal for the recovering of the methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Shuxing Dong, Thomas J. Wheeler, W. Reid Dreher, Jr.
  • System and method for inhibiting scale formation in oil wells
    Patent number: 9914869
    Abstract: An amount of treatment water injected into a subterranean well may be reduced by providing an environmentally friendly polymer, such as a biodegradable polymer (e.g., an aspartic acid based polymer), to the subterranean well. In some cases, the aspartic acid based polymer may include one or more of a copolymer of the aspartic acid based polymer, a terpolymer of the aspartic acid based polymer, an aspartic acid based polymer derivative, an aspartic acid based polymer having an end cap, and a soluble salt of the aspartic acid based polymer. In some cases, the treatment water use may be reduced within the range of about five percent to about ninety five percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBAL GREEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Larry P. Koskan, Abdul R. Meah
  • Methods using fluid stream for selective stimulation of reservoir layers
    Patent number: 9915131
    Abstract: A technique enables stimulation of a subterranean formation. A reactive fluid is delivered downhole into a wellbore. The reactive fluid is under sufficient pressure downhole to create a jet of the reactive fluid that is directed at a specific treatment section. The jet is maintained until a localized region of enhanced permeability is created. One or more jets can be created or moved to treat a plurality of low permeability zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Murtaza Ziauddin, Andrew Parry, Moussa Kane
  • Method of inerting pipelines, buried tanks or wellbores using an SAP
    Patent number: 9914828
    Abstract: A method of inerting pipelines, or buried tanks or wellbores consisting of preparing a composition including at least one superabsorbent (co)polymer partially or fully swollen in the presence of water, then injecting the composition directly into the pipelines or buried tank or well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: Stéphane Delheur, Pierre Lyot
  • Using colloidal silica as isolator, diverter and blocking agent for subsurface geological applications
    Patent number: 9909052
    Abstract: A system for blocking fast flow paths in geological formations includes preparing a solution of colloidal silica having a nonviscous phase and a solid gel phase. The solution of colloidal silica is injected into the geological formations while the solution of colloidal silica is in the nonviscous phase. The solution of colloidal silica is directed into the fast flow paths and reaches the solid gel phase in the fast flow paths thereby blocking flow of fluid in the fast paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: William L. Bourcier, Sarah K. Roberts, Jeffery J. Roberts, Souheil M. Ezzedine, Jonathan D. Hunt
  • Adjusting surfactant concentrations during hyraulic fracturing
    Patent number: 9909403
    Abstract: Fracturing methods include introducing a relatively high concentration of a surfactant in an initial portion of one or more fluids used in a fracturing treatment and then cutting or ramping back to a relatively low concentration of the surfactant in the remaining fluid used in the treatment. By using such a method, the volume of surfactant to provide superior treatment can be reduced significantly from the normal recommendations, leading to a high cost savings while still obtaining the desired effect upon cleanup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Weaver, Michael A. McCabe
  • Composition of a degradable diverting agent and a degradable accelerator with tunable degradable rate
    Patent number: 9909055
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for a treatment fluid composition are disclosed for use within a subterranean formation, comprising: a degradable diverting agent, and a Schiff base comprising a degradation accelerator. The treatment fluid may be introduced into a formation and the Schiff base allowed to hydrolytically release the degradation accelerator, allowing the degradation accelerator to degrade the degradable diverting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Janette Cortez
  • Method employing pressure transients in hydrocarbon recovery operations
    Patent number: 9903170
    Abstract: Methods to induce pressure transients in fluids for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations. Pressure transients are induced in a fluid by a collision process. The collision process employs a moving object that collides outside the fluid with a body that is in contact with the fluid inside a partly enclosed space. The pressure transients must be allowed to propagate in the fluid. The fluid may be one or more of the following group: primarily water, consolidation fluid, treatment fluid, cleaning fluid, drilling fluid, fracturing fluid and cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: IMPACT TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Jim-Viktor Paulsen