Patents Examined by Ashish Varma
  • Patent number: 10822538
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprises introducing into the subterranean formation a treatment fluid comprising encapsulated particles having a core of a crosslinking agent and a shell of a chitosan encapsulant disposed on the core; releasing the crosslinking agent from the encapsulated particles with an acid; reacting the released crosslinking agent with the chitosan encapsulant or a derivative thereof forming a polymerized chitosan; and consolidating a plurality of particles in the subterranean formation with the polymerized chitosan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Darryl Ventura, Deepak Kumar, Anton Kovalchuk
  • Patent number: 9896921
    Abstract: Providing high energy materials that can be placed in previously created fractures and activating them in place to extend or change an existing fracture system. Also detecting the location of fractures or permeable pathways and a means to assess the extent and efficiency of proppant emplacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery James Roberts, Roger D. Aines, Eric B. Duoss, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Kevin S. Vandersall
  • Patent number: 9896923
    Abstract: A technique facilitates a fracturing operation by maintaining the heterogeneity of proppant fluid as it is injected into reservoir fractures. The technique comprises using a blender to deliver proppant material in a pulsating manner to create pulses of proppant. The pulses of proppant are mixed with a fluid to create a proppant slurry having the pulses of proppant material separated by a second fluid. The proppant slurry is then split between a plurality of pumps which are operated to pump the slurry to a well. To maintain heterogeneity, the pump rates of the pumps are individually adjusted to control dispersion of the pulses of proppant downstream of the pumps and to substantially maintain the separated pulses of proppant material in the slurry. A wide variety of other system adjustments also may be made for enhancing the ability of the overall fracturing system to maintain separated pulses of concentrated proppant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aleksandr Lakhtychkin, Mikhail Shestakov, Chad Kraemer, Herbe Gomez Conzatti y Martinez
  • Patent number: 9890322
    Abstract: Methods including preparing a surface modification agent emulsion comprising an aqueous base fluid, a surfactant, and a hydrophobically-modified amine-containing polymer (HMAP), the HMAP comprising a plurality of hydrophobic modifications on an amine-containing polymer, and wherein the aqueous base fluid forms an external phase of the surface modification agent emulsion and the HMAP forms an internal phase of the surface modification agent emulsion; and introducing the surface modification agent emulsion into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Loan K. Vo, Philip D. Nguyen, James William Ogle, Feng Liang
  • Patent number: 9879515
    Abstract: Proppant materials, and methods for making proppant materials, are provided. In one embodiment, the proppant material comprises a substrate material, a polymeric material disposed on the substrate material and a surface wettability modifier disposed on the polymeric material. Methods of making and using the proppant materials are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HEXION INC.
    Inventors: John William Green, John Mario Terracina, Jerry Francis Borges, Scott Edward Spillars, Samantha Huixian Mah
  • Patent number: 9862876
    Abstract: Embodiments including methods of treating a subterranean formation comprising providing a solvent-based treatment fluid comprising a liquid resin agent, wherein the liquid resin agent comprises the reaction product of a multifunctional electrophilic compound comprising at least two electrophilic reactive groups and at least one nucleophilic compound selected from the group consisting of a dimer acid; a dimer diamine; any derivative thereof; and any combination thereof, and wherein the multifunctional electrophilic compound comprises at least two electrophilic reactive groups; introducing the solvent-based treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; and curing the liquid resin agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Loan Vo, Feng Liang, Philip D. Nguyen, Tingji Tang
  • Patent number: 9856167
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for cementing are disclosed. Embodiments include a method of cementing comprising: providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, a primary set retarder, a secondary set retarder; activating the set-delayed cement composition to produce an activated cement composition; introducing the activated cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the activated cement composition to set in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Kyriacos Agapiou, Peter James Boul, Pauline Akinyi Otieno, Thomas Jason Pisklak, Lance Everett Brothers
  • Patent number: 9850167
    Abstract: The invention provides a carbon dioxide-resistant hydraulic cement composition. The inventive composition comprises a Portland cement, Class C fly ash and water. The Class C fly ash is present in the composition in an amount in the range of from about 5% to less than about 30% by weight based on the total weight of the cementitious components in the composition. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of cementing in a carbon dioxide environment. In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of enhancing the recovery of a hydrocarbon fluid from a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok K. Santra, David Kulakofsky
  • Patent number: 9850748
    Abstract: Generally, methods for propping complex fracture networks in tight subterranean formations may involve introducing a first treatment fluid comprising a first base fluid and a first propping agent having a mean particulate size distribution ranging from about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns into a fracture network in a subterranean formation; and then introducing a second treatment fluid comprising a second base fluid and a second propping agent having a mean particulate size distribution greater than about 35 microns into the fracture network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jeff T. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9809736
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a lost-circulation composite material into a wellbore, wherein the lost-circulation composite material comprises a swellable component and a reinforcing component. A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a reinforcing component disposed within a swellable component wherein the swellable component comprises a crosslinked polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Murphy, Matthew L. Miller
  • Patent number: 9809716
    Abstract: Inadvertent or unavoidable contact of an acid with an acid-reactive substance may preclude the acid's use in another location where its reactivity is more desired. Excessive reactivity of acids toward acid-reactive substances may lead to undesired effects such as surface erosion, matrix deconsolidation, scaling, and the like. Methods for protecting an acid-reactive surface from excessive reaction may comprise: depositing a protective coating comprising an N-(phosphonoalkyl)iminodiacetic acid or any salt thereof onto an acid-reactive surface; and contacting a mineral acid or an organic acid with the protective coating without substantially reacting the acid-reactive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh, Enrique Antonio Reyes, Alyssa Lynn LaBlanc
  • Patent number: 9803456
    Abstract: A process to utilize at least one water lean zone (WLZ) interspersed within a net pay zone in a reservoir and produce bitumen from the reservoir, includes using Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage with Oxygen (SAGDOX) to enhance oil recovery, locating a SAGDOX oxygen injector proximate the WLZ, and removing non-condensable gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: NEXEN ENERGY ULC
    Inventor: Richard Kelso Kerr
  • Patent number: 9796904
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of cementing. The method comprises providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, a set retarder, and a micro-electrical-mechanical system; and allowing the set-delayed cement composition to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyriacos Agapiou, Ronnie Glen Morgan, Thomas Jason Pisklak, Samuel Jason Lewis, Lance Everett Brothers
  • Patent number: 9725640
    Abstract: Methods of stimulating a well comprising providing a stimulation fluid comprising at least one surfactant and submicron particles, the submicron particles having a particle size between about 200 nm and about 800 nm and a specific surface area greater than about 5 square meters per gram; and introducing the stimulation fluid into a wellbore. Additional methods to enhance oil recovery from subterranean reservoirs accessible via a well are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ChemEOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongxin Tang, Zayne Hai Lu
  • Patent number: 9726014
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for downhole evaluation using a sensor assembly that includes a sensor plate, wherein a surface of the sensor plate forms a portion of an exterior surface of a downhole tool. Methods may include submerging the surface of the sensor plate in a downhole fluid in a borehole; activating the sensor assembly to generate a guided wave that propagates along the sensor plate, wherein propagation of the guided wave along the sensor plate is dependent upon a parameter of interest of the downhole fluid; and using information from the sensor assembly relating to the propagation of the guided wave along the sensor plate to estimate the parameter of interest. Methods may include isolating an opposing surface of the sensor plate from the downhole fluid. The guided wave may be an interface guided wave or may propagate in the plate between the surface and an opposing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ehsan Khajeh, Roger R. Steinsiek
  • Patent number: 9714375
    Abstract: A well treatment method includes forming a well treatment fluid by combining ingredients including a polymer, a crosslinker, an acidifying substance, and a base fluid. Crosslinking increases viscosity of the fluid during a development time. A pH decrease is controlled during the development time using the acidifying substance. The method also includes delaying the development time of the viscosity increase by controlling the pH decrease. A well treatment method includes forming a well treatment fluid by combining ingredients including a hydratable polymer, a crosslinker, an acidifying substance, and a base fluid. The method includes delaying development time of a viscosity increase by controlling a pH decrease without adding further acidifying substance after combining the polymer, crosslinker, acidifying substance, and base fluid. A well treatment fluid formulated with ingredients include a base fluid, a polymer, a crosslinker, and an acidifying substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Magnus U. Legemah, Paul S. Carman, Rupa Venugopal, Hong Sun
  • Patent number: 9714560
    Abstract: Treatment fluids suitable for use in subterranean operations may include a base fluid; a protected scale inhibitor; and at least one selected from the group consisting of (1) a metal crosslinker and a gelling agent, (2) an amine-based resin curing agent and an epoxy-based composition, and (3) any combination thereof, wherein the protected scale inhibitor is a scale inhibitor with at least one chelating group functionalized with a protecting group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Donovan Welton
  • Patent number: 9708904
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of determining whether a wellbore sealing operation has been performed correctly, and to wellbore-lining tubing which facilitates the determination of whether a wellbore sealing operation has been performed correctly. The invention has a utility in determining whether cement has been correctly supplied into an annular region defined between an internal wall of a wellbore and an external surface of a wellbore-lining tubing located in the wellbore, or whether a packer has been properly set to seal such an annular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Manufacturing and Services Limited
    Inventors: Bruce McGarian, William Brown-Kerr
  • Patent number: 9708882
    Abstract: Apparatus, in the form of a eutectic alloy plug (1) and a deployment heater (10) are provided. The plug (1) and the deployment heated (10) are provided with means (5, 13) for releasably retaining the deployment heater (10) within a cavity (4) in the plug (1). The nature of the retaining means is such that once the plug (1) is secured in a well the heater (10) can be recovered without the plug (1). An extraction heater (20), which is also receivable within the cavity (4) of the plug (1), is provided to re-melt the eutectic alloy and thus enable the extraction of the plug from a well. Various method of plugging abandoned wells are made possible by the control that the provided apparatus gives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: BISN OIL TOOLS
    Inventors: Paul Carragher, Leo Richards
  • Patent number: 9708527
    Abstract: Generally, hydrophobic/oleophobic proppant particles may have hydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces. Hydrophobic/oleophobic proppant particles may be utilized for treating at least a portion of a subterranean formation with a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and the hydrophobic/oleophobic proppant particle. Treatments may involve the formation of proppant packs, gravel packs, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip D. Nguyen