Abstract: A system and method that uses fluid diversion to selectively re-fracture a location of a multizone horizontal wellbore. A tubing string is extended from the surface to a location within the wellbore that is to be re-fractured. The annulus between the tubing string and the wellbore contains a first fluid and a second fluid is contained within the tubing string. The annulus may be sealed off at or near the surface and the second fluid is pumped out of the tubing string to initiate the re-fracture of the first location. The annulus seal may then be unset and the first fluid may be pumped down the annulus simultaneous to pumping a third fluid down the tubing string to re-fracture the first location. After re-fracturing the first location, the first location may be hydraulically isolated from the wellbore to permit a second location to be re-fractured.
Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing a wellbore servicing apparatus into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore servicing apparatus contains a plurality of mobilized template-assisted crystallization beads and contacting a fluid comprising scale-forming ions with at least a portion of the template-assisted crystallization beads. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising contacting a fluid comprising scale-forming ions with a quantity of template-assisted crystallization beads in a vessel to form a treated fluid, wherein the template-assisted crystallization beds are mobile within the vessel and placing the treated fluid into a wellbore, a subterranean formation, or a combination thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 29, 2013
Date of Patent:
October 18, 2016
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Lucas Kurtis Fontenelle, Eli Allen Schnoor, Holly Ann Grider, Nathan Carl Schultheiss, Todd Anthony Stair
Abstract: Fiber laden fluids may be used to separate two wellbore-service fluids as they travel through a tubular body, preventing their commingling. Such fluids obviate the need for mechanical devices such as wiper plugs, or special adjustment of the wellbore-service fluids' rheological properties. The wellbore-service fluids may be drilling fluids, spacer fluids, chemical washes, cement slurries, acidizing fluids, fracturing fluids, formation-consolidation fluids or gravel-pack fluids.
Abstract: Methods for recovering methane gas from natural gas hydrates are provided. A representative method includes the step of adding a gas mixture containing air and carbon dioxide to a natural gas hydrate (NGH), the step of replacing the methane gas with the gas mixture, and the step of decomposition-replacement of methane hydrate.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 11, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 30, 2016
Assignee:
KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Abstract: A method of using precipitated particles in a wellbore may comprise circulating a wellbore fluid in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the wellbore fluid having a density of about 7 ppg to about 50 ppg and comprising a base fluid and a plurality of precipitated particles having a shape selected from the group consisting of ovular, substantially ovular, discus, platelet, flake, toroidal, dendritic, acicular, spiked with a substantially spherical or ovular shape, spiked with a discus or platelet shape, rod-like, fibrous, polygonal, faceted, star shaped, and any hybrid thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 29, 2013
Date of Patent:
August 9, 2016
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Dale E. Jamison, Charles Landis, Jay Deville, Cato McDaniel
Abstract: The reaction product of a polyhydroxy compound and borax is used as a cement retarder for slurries introduced into a wellbore. The molar ratio of the polyhydroxy compound to boron, derived from the borax, is from 1:1 to about 4:1. The polyhydroxy compound may be a sugar such as a gluconic acid, gluconate or glucoheptonate or a salt thereof.
Abstract: A method of treating a subsurface formation includes circulating at least one molten salt through at least one conduit of a conduit-in-conduit heater located in the formation to heat hydrocarbons in the formation to at least a mobilization temperature of the hydrocarbons. At least some of the hydrocarbons are produced from the formation. An electrical resistance of at least one of the conduits of the conduit-in-conduit heater is assessed to assess a presence of a leak in at least one of the conduits.
Abstract: Methods and systems for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon formation are described herein. A method for treating a subsurface hydrocarbon formation includes applying electrical current to a one or more heating elements positioned in a first tubular located in an opening in the subsurface hydrocarbon formation; providing fluid through a second tubular positioned in the first tubular in the subsurface hydrocarbon formation such that a portion of the fluid flows between the first tubular and second tubular and along a length of the tubulars; allowing the fluid to flow into a hydrocarbon layer in the subsurface hydrocarbon formation; and allowing heat to transfer from at least one of the heating elements and the fluid to a portion of the hydrocarbon layer in the subsurface hydrocarbon formation.
Abstract: A method for pyrolyzing organic matter in a subterranean formation includes powering a first generation in situ resistive heating element within an aggregate electrically conductive zone at least partially in a first region of the subterranean formation by transmitting an electrical current between a first electrode pair in electrical contact with the first generation in situ resistive heating element to pyrolyze a second region of the subterranean formation, adjacent the first region, to expand the aggregate electrically conductive zone into the second region, wherein the expanding creates a second generation in situ resistive heating element within the second region and powering the second generation in situ resistive heating element by transmitting an electrical current between a second electrode pair in electrical contact with the second generation in situ resistive heating element to generate heat with the second generation in situ resistive heating element within the second region.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 17, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 19, 2016
Assignee:
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
Inventors:
William P. Meurer, Chen Fang, Federico G. Gallo, Nazish Hoda, Michael W. Lin
Abstract: Methods for servicing subterranean wells are disclosed. Particularly, the use of a fiber-laden fluid to separate and prevent the commingling of two stationary process fluids after placement in the borehole of a subterranean well, or in a tubular body installed in a subterranean well. The fiber-laden fluids prevent the cement plug from descending through drilling fluid to the bottom of the well. It obviates the need for mechanical devices such as packers, or special adjustment of the process fluids' rheological properties.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 2011
Date of Patent:
July 19, 2016
Assignee:
SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
Inventors:
Gerard Daccord, Alice Chougnet-Sirapian
Abstract: Organic compounds containing at least one nitrogen atom are particularly suitable as retarders for geopolymeric systems employed as well cements. Preferred compounds include aminated polymers, amine phosphonates, quaternary ammonium compounds and tertiary amines. The geopolymeric compositions are suitable for primary cementing and remedial cementing operations. The preferred temperature range within which the retarders operate is between about 20° C. and 120° C.
Abstract: A method of treating a treatment zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore of a well, the method including: (A) introducing into the treatment zone a first particulate, wherein: (i) the first particulate comprises a first degradable material; (ii) the first particulate comprises a first particulate size selected to bridge the pore throats of a first matrix permeability of the treatment zone; and (B) introducing into the treatment zone a second particulate, wherein: (i) the second particulate comprises a second degradable material; (ii) the second particulate comprises a second particulate having a second particulate size selected to bridge the pore throats of a second matrix permeability of the treatment zone; and (C) introducing into the treatment zone a liquid resin, wherein the liquid resin is introduced into the treatment zone.
Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for providing fluid-loss control in subterranean wells. Well-completion fluids contain fine particulate additives whose glass-transition temperatures are below the anticipated bottomhole temperature. The particles soften upon injection into the well, whereupon they soften and become deformable. The particles then migrate to the borehole wall and form a seal that reduces further fluid flow from the borehole into the formation. The additive may be supplied as a powder or in the form of a liquid suspension.
Abstract: According to an embodiment, an invert emulsion drilling fluid comprises: an external phase, wherein the external phase of the drilling fluid comprises a hydrocarbon liquid; an internal phase, wherein the internal phase of the drilling fluid comprises a hygroscopic liquid; and a suspending agent, wherein the suspending agent is a polymer comprising urea linkages or urea and urethane linkages. According to certain embodiments, the hygroscopic liquid comprises a salt and a suitable solvent. According to other embodiments, the hygroscopic liquid comprises an alcohol. In certain embodiments, the drilling fluid does not contain an organophilic clay or organophilic lignite. According to another embodiment, a method of using the invert emulsion drilling fluid comprises: introducing the drilling fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
Abstract: Disclosed herein are cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. In one embodiment, a method of cementing in a subterranean formation is described. The method may comprise providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder; activating the set-delayed cement composition with a liquid additive to produce an activated cement composition, wherein the liquid additive comprises a monovalent salt, a polyphosphate, a dispersant, and water; and allowing the activated cement composition to set.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 26, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 21, 2016
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter James Boul, Thomas Jason Pisklak, Samuel J. Lewis, Kyriacos Agapiou, Lance Everett Brothers, Pauline Akinyi Otieno, Ronnie Glen Morgan, Baya Adams, Cody Glenn Harris
Abstract: A method of using a slurry-like fracturing fluid for hydraulic fracturing in an unconventional reservoir: injecting the slurry-like fracturing fluid into the unconventional reservoir, the slurry-like fracturing fluid comprises a particulate portion and a slurry water, the particulate portion comprises a solid acid component, injecting the slurry-like fracturing fluid is operable to generate a network of fractures, the slurry-like fracturing fluid is operable to reduce a reservoir temperature from a resting reservoir temperature, permitting the slurry-like fracturing fluid to cure into a permeable bed, allowing the reservoir temperature to return to the resting reservoir temperature to trigger the hydrolysis of the solid acid, hydrolyzing the solid acid to produce a liquid acid, and stimulating the network of fractures with the liquid acid to increase permeability of the permeable bed in the network of fractures in the unconventional reservoir, the increased permeability operable to create a sweet spot.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 10, 2014
Date of Patent:
June 14, 2016
Assignee:
Saudi Arabian Oil Company
Inventors:
Hazim Hussein Abass, Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Al-Mulhem, Mirajuddin R. Khan, Victor V. Hilab
Abstract: Disclosed herein are cement compositions and methods of using set-delayed cement compositions in subterranean formations. An embodiment includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and a strength enhancer, wherein the strength enhancer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of cement kiln dust, slag, amorphous silica, a pozzolan, and any combination thereof; introducing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 21, 2014
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2016
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Thomas Jason Pisklak, Kyriacos Agapiou, Juan Humberto Martinez, Samuel Jason Lewis, Lance Everett Brothers, Pauline Akinyi Otieno, Peter James Boul, Matthew Grady Kellum, Ronnie Glen Morgan
Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment a method a cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder; foaming the set-delayed cement composition; activating the set-delayed cement composition; introducing the set-delayed cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the set-delayed cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Additional methods, foamed set-delayed cement composition, and systems for cementing are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 20, 2013
Date of Patent:
May 3, 2016
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Kyriacos Agapiou, Thomas Jason Pisklak, Samuel J. Lewis, Peter James Boul, Pauline Akinyi Otieno, Lance Everett Brothers
Abstract: Mineral particles may provide for wellbore fluids with tailorable properties and capabilities. Such wellbore fluids may be included as a portion of a wellbore drilling assembly that includes a pump in fluid communication with a wellbore via a feed pipe; and a wellbore fluid disposed in at least one selected from the group consisting of the pump, the feed pipe, the wellbore, and any combination thereof, wherein the wellbore fluid comprises a base fluid and a plurality of mineral particles, for example, mineral particles that comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of manganese carbonate, NixFe (x=2-3), copper oxide, and any combination thereof, the mineral particles having a median diameter between about 5 nm and about 5000 microns.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 21, 2013
Date of Patent:
April 26, 2016
Assignee:
Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
Inventors:
Dale E. Jamison, Charles Landis, Jay Deville, Cato McDaniel