Patents Examined by Bryan A Fuller
  • Patent number: 7051817
    Abstract: A device for improving recovery of hydrocarbons through a well by creating, regulating and maintaining under the device a calculated bottomhole pressure at a desired level and creating above the device a two-phase gas-liquid homogenous flow for efficient lifting of hydrocarbons to a surface, the device has a body having a central throughgoing opening with a shape corresponding a shape of a Laval nozzle and with a cross section which changes steplessly and gradually, and a mandrel attachable to a tubing and associated with the body without interfering with a flow of fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Sorowell Production Services LLC
    Inventors: Vladimir M. Shaposhnikov, Leonid Levitan
  • Patent number: 7044224
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of stimulating a subterranean formation. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to methods of fracturing subterranean formations utilizing a fracturing fluid comprising a permeable cement composition that may be used as a propping agent. One method of stimulating a subterranean formation of the present invention comprises the following steps: preparing a permeable cement composition comprising a hydraulic cement, water, and a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole; injecting the permeable cement composition into the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create a fracture in the subterranean formation; and allowing the permeable cement composition to form a proppant matrix having voids in the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7032669
    Abstract: Methods of combining water-in-oil emulsion polymers with aqueous saline well treating fluids and compositions are provided. A composition of the invention basically comprises hydraulic cement, an aqueous saline fluid sufficient to form a slurry, a polymer precipitation and coagulation preventing surfactant, and a water-in-oil emulsion polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Bobby J. King
  • Patent number: 7025134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to petroleum recovery operations, and more particularly, to the use of pulse technology to enhance the effectiveness of waterflooding operations. The systems of the present invention generally comprise an injection means for continually injecting a fluid into the subterranean formation, and a pressure pulsing means for periodically applying a pressure pulse having a given amplitude and frequency to the fluid while the fluid is being injected into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, David W. Ritter, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 7013995
    Abstract: A method and materials for stabilizing a wellbore against excess fluid pressure is described. It comprises forming or placing a flexible and essentially impermeable lining on or in the wellbore wall. The flexibility of the lining ensures that it remains in compression as the pressure in the wellbore is increased above the fluid pressure in the surrounding rock and it therefore does not need high tensile strength. The lining may be a preformed elastomer sleeve or formed in situ by the use of a reactive drilling fluid. Appropriate reactive formulations are described for the situation where the rock contains significant quantities of clay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Peter Crawshaw, Paul William Way, Marc Thiercelin
  • Patent number: 6978838
    Abstract: A method is given for completing an interval of an open-hole injection well penetrating a subterranean formation when the interface between the wellbore and the formation includes a zone invaded by a filter cake that includes bridging materials and other embedded solid materials. The method includes the steps of injecting a clean-up fluid and contacting it with the filtercake for a period of time sufficient to loosen some of the other solids embedded in the filter cake; removing the loosened solids by a high-rate displacement fluid containing suspending additives; and then injecting a dissolving fluid containing a diverter and an effective amount of a salt or acid capable of dissolving the bridging material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mehmet Parlar, Mark Brady, Liz Morris