Patents Examined by Ashish Varma
  • Patent number: 9702216
    Abstract: A method is for establishing an annulus barrier in a subterranean well. The method comprises providing a plug in the well and along a longitudinal section thereof, wherein the plug, at least in a portion of the longitudinal section, covers substantially the entire cross-section of the well in such a manner that the plug covers both the inside and the outside of a casing; removing a central through portion of the plug internally in the casing in such a manner that a through central opening is formed in the plug, and in such a manner that at least a cross-sectional section of the plug remains on the outside of the casing; disposing and anchoring a connection pipe in the well, and internally in the casing, in such a manner that the connection pipe extends at least along a length of the remaining cross-sectional section; and sealing, in a fluid-tight manner, an annulus between the casing and the connection pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Hydra Systems AS
    Inventors: Arne Gunnar Larsen, Patrick Andersen, Roy Inge Jensen, Arnt Olav Dahl, Morten Myhre
  • Patent number: 9688900
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide generation in a subterranean formation can be problematic for a number of reasons. Accordingly, it can be desirable to sequester at least a portion of the carbon dioxide that may be present in a subterranean formation, thereby decreasing a quantity of free carbon dioxide. Methods for sequestering carbon dioxide can comprise: providing a CO2-sequestering polymer, the CO2-sequestering polymer sequestering carbon dioxide more readily than it does nitrogen; introducing the CO2-sequestering polymer into a subterranean formation that contains carbon dioxide; and interacting the CO2-sequestering polymer with the carbon dioxide in the subterranean formation, so as to decrease a quantity of free carbon dioxide that is present in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh, Enrique Antonio Reyes, Alyssa Lynn Smith
  • Patent number: 9683432
    Abstract: A fracturing method comprises: pumping a first stream of liquefied petroleum gas and gelling agent with a first frac pressure pump; pumping a second stream of lubricated proppant with a second frac pressure pump; combining the first stream and the second stream within a wellhead into a combined stream; pumping the combined stream into a hydrocarbon reservoir; and subjecting the combined stream in the hydrocarbon reservoir to fracturing pressures. A fracturing apparatus comprises: a first frac pressure pump connected to a first port of a wellhead; a second frac pressure pump connected to a second port of the wellhead; a frac fluid source connected to simply a stream of frac fluid comprising liquefied petroleum gas to the first frac pressure pump; a gel source connected to supply a gelling agent into the frac fluid; and a proppant supply source connected to supply lubricated proppant to the second frac pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Step Energy Services LLC
    Inventors: Victor Fordyce, Eric Tudor
  • Patent number: 9664017
    Abstract: In situ generation of hydrogen fluoride or other reactive fluoride species can sometimes be beneficial during an acidizing operation, particularly when it is desired to limit the presence of a carrier fluid that may be present. Methods for acidizing a subterranean formation can comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising a non-HF fluoride compound, the non-HF fluoride compound being a gas at standard temperature and pressure and that is free of boron; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; transforming the non-HF fluoride compound into a reactive fluoride species; and etching a surface in the subterranean formation with the reactive fluoride species, the surface comprising a siliceous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrique Antonio Reyes, Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh, Alyssa Lynn Smith
  • Patent number: 9664018
    Abstract: A method of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is provided. The method comprises generating a primary fracture using a fracturing fluid. The method further comprises extending the primary fracture and/or creating micro fractures about the primary fracture by initiating a chemical reaction such as an exothermic reaction at about the primary fracture. In one embodiment, the fracturing fluid is used to convey one of the reactive components participating in the chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventors: Angela Lee Vandeponseele, Steven Alan Mestemacher
  • Patent number: 9657557
    Abstract: Methods for controlling fluid flow through one or more pathways in one or more rock formations penetrated by a borehole in a subterranean well, comprise injecting into or adjacent to the formation a treatment fluid comprising at least one polysaccharide polymer; at least one crosslinker; and fibers, or a mixture of fibers and particles. The fluids are pumped into the well through a tubular body that comprises at least one flow restriction. Shearing of the treatment fluid as it passes through the flow restriction causes the viscosity to decrease, allowing the fibers to form masses that migrate to formation-rock openings such as pores, cracks, fissures and vugs. As a result, the fibrous masses are useful for curing lost circulation, providing fluid-loss control and as diverting agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vladimir Sergeevich Bugrin, Diankui Fu
  • Patent number: 9657522
    Abstract: Beneficiating drilling fluids that comprise low-quality clay and high-quality clay may be performed by adding a polymer and a high-quality clay to a fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a low-quality clay, so as to yield a drilling fluid, wherein the ratio of the low-quality clay to the high-quality clay is about 90:10 to about 80:20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Cortner, Charles R. Landis, Eric B. Frantz
  • Patent number: 9631474
    Abstract: A matrix acidizing monitoring system wherein a sensor array is operably associated with a matrix acidizing bottom hole assembly and contains first and second sets of sensors that detect a matrix acidizing operational parameter at different times at one or more particular locations along the wellbore. This allows the effectiveness of the acidizing to be modeled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Silviu Livescu, Trevor A. Sturgeon, Thomas J. Watkins
  • Patent number: 9631466
    Abstract: Systems for simultaneously injecting and producing in a well having multiple zones. One system includes a wellbore providing first perforations extending into a first subterranean formation and second perforations extending into a second subterranean formation, a production tubing having influx ports defined therein and an annulus defined between the wellbore and the production tubing, first and second pairs of wellbore isolation devices arranged about the production tubing and axially straddling the first and second perforations to define first and second formation zones, respectively, a first bypass conduit extending between the first pair of wellbore isolation devices, a second bypass conduit extending between the second pair of wellbore isolation devices, and an injection outlet defined on the first bypass conduit for injecting a portion of the fluid into the first subterranean formation and push hydrocarbons toward the second formation zone to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Jean-Marc Lopez
  • Patent number: 9617460
    Abstract: A non-hydraulic cement composition including: (i) a non-aqueous liquid phase comprising one or more organic compounds characterized by: (a) having at least one hydroxyl group on a carbon atom, (b) being a liquid when pure under Standard Laboratory Conditions, and (c) being at least soluble in water; (ii) one or more magnesium chloride compounds selected from the group consisting of: magnesium chloride, a magnesium chloride hydrate, and any combination thereof; and (iii) magnesium oxide; wherein the one or more organic compounds comprise at least 40% by weight of the non-aqueous liquid phase excluding the weight of any dissolved solids. A method of treating a well including the steps of: (A) forming the non-hydraulic cement composition; and (B) introducing the non-hydraulic cement composition into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 9580638
    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 comprises providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising pumice, hydrated lime, a cement set retarder, a synthetic smectite, and water; introducing the set-delayed cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the set-delayed cement composition to set in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Boul, Kyriacos Agapiou, Thomas Jason Pisklak, Ronnie Glen Morgan, Lance Everett Brothers, Pauline Akinyi Otieno
  • Patent number: 9567513
    Abstract: A fracturing material for supporting a bore hole, the fracturing material comprising a hardenable support material, and fibers embedded in the support material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Montanuniversitaet Leoben
    Inventor: Herbert Hofstaetter
  • Patent number: 9562425
    Abstract: Methods of treating subterranean formations comprising providing a wellbore in a subterranean formation having at least one fracture therein; providing a first treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and an acid generating inert agent; providing a second treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, and an acid generating activator; introducing the first treatment fluid into the at least one fracture; and introducing the second treatment fluid into the at least one fracture, wherein the acid generating inert agent in the first treatment fluid reacts with the acid generating activator in the second treatment fluid so as to generate an acid in the at least one fracture and create or enhance at least one microfracture therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Feng Liang, Thomas D. Welton, Christopher Parton
  • Patent number: 9562426
    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: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery James Roberts, Roger D. Aines, Eric B. Duoss, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Kevin S. Vandersall
  • Patent number: 9562423
    Abstract: Some embodiments herein comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, an acid, a permeability modifier, and a permeability modifier deactivator; providing an injection well having a first treatment zone comprising a first aqueous formation permeability, wherein the first treatment zone comprises formation damage; introducing the treatment fluid into the injection well, so as to contact the acid, the permeability modifier, and the permeability modifier deactivator with the first treatment zone; reacting the acid with the first treatment zone so as to repair a portion of the formation damage; reacting the permeability modifier with the first treatment zone so as to cause the first aqueous formation permeability to adopt a second, lesser aqueous formation permeability; and contacting the permeability modifier deactivator with the permeability modifier so as to deactivate the permeability modifier and restore the first treatment zone to about the first aqueous formation permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Steven Eoff, B. Raghava Reddy, Eric Davidson, Alexandra Clare Morrison
  • Patent number: 9556703
    Abstract: The current application discloses compositions and methods for treating a subterranean formation. CO2 swellable elastomers can be used in a treatment fluid to at least partially block a high permeability region, therefore improving the performance of an operation such as matrix stimulation, acidizing, and acid fracturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fatma Daou, Bernhard Lungwitz, Olga Alexandrovna Minikh, Diankui Fu, Gregory Kubala
  • Patent number: 9550934
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that related to cementing operations. Methods and compositions that include pumice and/or perlite as a replacement for fly ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery Dwane Karcher, Chad Brenneis, Lance E. Brothers
  • Patent number: 9540919
    Abstract: A one trip system for perforating and fracking multiple intervals uses a releasable barrier. The barrier can be an inflatable. A pressure booster system is associated with the BHA so that the existing hydrostatic pressure is boosted when the gun or portions thereof are fired. After firing in one interval, the BHA is raised and the barrier is redeployed and the pattern repeats. Instruments allow sensing the conditions in the interval for optimal placement of the gun therein and for monitoring flow, pressure and formation conditions during the fracturing. Circulation between gun firings cleans up the hole. If run in on wireline a water saving tool can be associated with the BHA to rapidly position it where desired. A multitude of perforation charges mounted in the BHA can be selectively fired by selected corresponding detonator based on a predetermined sequence or surface telemetry command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Homero C. Castillo, Otto N. Fanini
  • Patent number: 9518447
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a drilling or cutting operation performed by a wireline tool downhole, comprising the steps of commencing a drilling or cutting operation in a downhole object, such as a casing or valve; detecting vibration produced during the drilling or cutting operation in the downhole object using a vibration sensor adapted to transmit detected vibrations; processing a vibration signal from the vibration sensor to produce a real-time frequency spectrum; comparing the frequency spectrum to a reference frequency spectrum; and controlling the operation based upon the comparison of the frequency spectrum and the frequency spectrum specification. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a wireline tool for performing a drilling or cutting operation downhole and carrying out the method according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: WELLTEC A/S
    Inventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
  • Patent number: 9475976
    Abstract: Methods of performing a cleanout treatment including providing a wellbore in a subterranean formation having unconsolidated particulates therein; providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a hydrophobically modified flocculating water-soluble polymer; introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore in the subterranean formation; flocculating at least a portion of the unconsolidated particulates by exposure to the hydrophobically modified flocculating water-soluble polymer; removing the treatment fluid comprising the flocculated unconsolidated particulates from the wellbore in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio Estuardo Vasquez, B. Raghava Reddy, Natalie Lynn Pascarella