Patents Examined by Charles R. Nold
  • Methods for recovering petroleum by reducing geological formation break-down pressures
    Patent number: 11215043
    Abstract: Petroleum may be recovered from a sub-surface reservoir by reducing the break-down pressure of a geological formation from an original break-down pressure to a reduced break-down pressure by exothermically reacting one or more reaction components in a carrier fluid adjacent to or within the geological formation, and forming fractures in the geological formation by hydraulic fracturing the geological formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ayman R. Al-Nakhli, Waheed Syed Arshad, Guadalupe Adrian Buenrostro Mendoza
  • Hydrophobic coating of particulates for enhanced well productivity
    Patent number: 11208591
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for coated or uncoated particulates, such as proppants, are provided that can, among other things, provide a hydrophobic surface that can enhance well productivity and other compositions and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Preferred Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Spyridon Monastiriotis, Magnus Ufumwen Legemah, Neomi Nishith Sanghrajka, Anthony Paul Haddock
  • Methods and compositions of using viscoelastic surfactants as diversion agents
    Patent number: 11203712
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid may include a gemini surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, an activator, and an aqueous base fluid. The gemini surfactant may have a structure represented by formula (I): where R1 is a C1-C10 hydrocarbon group, m and o are each, independently, an integer ranging from 1 to 4, and n is an integer ranging from 8 to 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS
    Inventors: Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Khalid Alnoaimi, Nour Baqader, Nisar Ullah, Muhammed Mansha
  • Wellbore remedial operations with no-heat liquid solder
    Patent number: 11174701
    Abstract: Remedial wellbore operations can be performed using metal material coated with a layer that is controllably activated to release the metal material downhole in a wellbore. At least a portion of the wellbore can be plugged or sealed using the metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cecil Pearl, Jr., Samuel J. Lewis, Frank Vinicia Acosta Villarreal, Lonnie Carl Helms
  • Methods for recovering petroleum by reducing geological formation break-down pressures
    Patent number: 11168553
    Abstract: Petroleum may be recovered from a sub-surface reservoir by reducing the break-down pressure of a geological formation from an original break-down pressure to a reduced break-down pressure by exothermically reacting one or more reaction components in a carrier fluid adjacent to or within the geological formation, and forming fractures in the geological formation by hydraulic fracturing the geological formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ayman R. Al-Nakhli, Waheed Syed Arshad, Guadalupe Adrian Buenrostro Mendoza
  • Nanometer plugging water-based drilling fluid and preparation method and use thereof
    Patent number: 11162010
    Abstract: A nanometer plugging water-based drilling fluid and preparation method and use thereof are within this disclosure. The nanometer plugging water-based drilling fluid comprise a nanometer plugging agent. The nanometer plugging agent may be surface modified SiO2 powder with the surfactant. The surfactant may be sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate and/or sodium dodecyl sulfate. The nanometer plugging water-based drilling fluid may perform effective anti-collapse of stratum and maintain the stability of stratum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yang Bai, Pingya Luo, Guojun Li, Cheng Li, Hao Zhang, Yan Cheng
  • Smart filtrate for strengthening formations
    Patent number: 11149519
    Abstract: A method of sealing a formation that includes drilling a wellbore through the formation while pumping a non-aqueous based wellbore fluid comprising a first sealing component into the wellbore, wherein the non-aqueous based wellbore fluid filters into the formation as a filtrate and substantially thickens is disclosed. The substantially thickening may result from adding a second sealing component to the wellbore fluid, whereby the first sealing component initiates a reaction of the second sealing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Guido De Stefano, James Friedheim, Steven Young
  • Polymer coated proppant
    Patent number: 11149191
    Abstract: A cross-linkable thermoplastic resin coating that is suitable for use in a coated proppant material used in sand control in oil and gas wells. The cross-linkable thermoplastic exhibits improved stability and low temperature and pressure strength compared to current thermosetting resin formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Terves, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Sherman, Brian Werry
  • High density brine with low crystallization temperature
    Patent number: 11149180
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a plurality of silica nanoparticles suspended in the first aqueous base fluid. The nanoparticles are present in the fluid in an amount to have an effect of decreasing a crystallization temperature by at least 4 to 55° F. as compared to a second aqueous base fluid without the silica nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hui Joyce Zhang, Xia Wei, Steven Young
  • Mobility control polymers for enhanced oil recovery
    Patent number: 11136425
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are water-soluble polymers comprising hydrolyzable cross-linked monomer units, and methods for recovering hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean formation using the water-soluble polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: ChampionX USA Inc.
    Inventors: Peter E. Reed, William J. Andrews, Mingli Wei, Xiaojin Harry Li
  • Well apparatus and associated methods
    Patent number: 11136856
    Abstract: A method of sealing in a bore, such as plugging a well for abandonment. The method includes applying a swellable in particulate form to the bore. The swellable includes a polymer. The particulate swellable is positioned in place within the bore at a desired location. The method includes swelling the swellable so as to form a seal at the desired location. The technology may also include a well comprising a bore with a seal applied by injecting the swellable in particulate form as a flowable into the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Resolute Energy Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Iain Lees
  • PH sensitive water-absorbent resin suitable for oil well cement slurry and application thereof
    Patent number: 11136490
    Abstract: A pH sensitive water-absorbent resin suitable for oil well cement slurry and an application thereof are provided. The pH sensitive water-absorbent resin includes distilled water, a monomer, a mixed auxiliary agent, a crosslinking agent and an initiator, the amount of the monomer is 30% to 100% of the mass of the distilled water, the amount of the mixed auxiliary agent is 16% to 67% of the mass of the monomer, the amount of the crosslinking agent is 0.2% to 1% of the mass of the monomer, and the amount of the initiator is 0.4 to 1% of the mass of the monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)
    Inventors: Yuhuan Bu, Chunyu Wang, Huajie Liu, Leiju Tian, Xinyang Guo
  • Gravel packing fluids with enhanced thermal stability
    Patent number: 11130904
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using gellable gravel packing fluids that may comprise polysaccharide gelling agents and gel stabilizers to extend the working temperature range for the polysaccharide gelling agents. A method for placing a gravel pack in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a gravel packing fluid in the form of a linear gel and comprising an aqueous base fluid, a polysaccharide gelling agent, a thermal stabilizer, and a gravel; placing the gravel packing fluid into the subterranean formation; and allowing the gravel packing fluid to form a gravel pack in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mallikarjuna Shroff Rama, Chetan Prakash, Anant Kanhoba Ghumare, Sunil Narsingrao Garaje
  • Compositions and methods for well cementing
    Patent number: 11130899
    Abstract: Methods for cementing a subterranean well and maintaining zonal isolation involve preparing a cement slurry that contains water, an inorganic cement and an expanding agent. The slurry is placed in the annular region between casing and the formation or between two casing strings. After the cement sets, the expanding agent reacts and causes the set cement to be in a state of compression within the annular region. The casing dimensions may fluctuate in response to a temperature change, a pressure change, a mechanical disturbance resulting from a well intervention, or mud contamination or a combination thereof. The expanding agent may further react and maintain a state of compression within the annular region. The state of compression in the annular region may be monitored by acoustic impedance measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mickael Allouche, Sebastien Catheline, Alice Chougnet-Sirapian, Nicolas Droger
  • Polymer emulsions for use in crude oil recovery
    Patent number: 11118099
    Abstract: Emulsions of mobility control polymers can be used to increase recovery of crude oil from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. A flooding fluid comprising the polymer emulsions are injected into a well that is in contact with the subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation. The polymers can be temporarily cross-linked and have protected shear degradation and improved injectivity into the well; the shear resistance can be measured in terms of viscosity loss due to shear, and the improved injectivity can be measured in terms of the flooding fluid's filter ratio, flow rate, and viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: ChampionX USA Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojin Harry Li, Peter E. Reed, William J. Andrews
  • Polymer gel compositions for treating aqueous zones in subterranean formations and methods of treating the aqueous zones
    Patent number: 11111753
    Abstract: A polymer gel composition for treating an aqueous zone of a subterranean formation may include a base polymer, a cross-linking agent, and an adsorption system. The adsorption system may include one or more silane compounds or a combination of silane compounds and silicates. The adsorption system may improve bonding of the polymer gel composition to the pore surfaces of the rock in the aqueous zone. A method of treating an aqueous zone of a subterranean formation may include injecting the polymer gel composition into the aqueous zone of the formation and allowing the polymer gel composition to cure to form a cross-linked polymer gel matrix that provides a barrier that reduces or prevents the flow of aqueous materials from the aqueous zone to the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ayman Almohsin, Jin Huang, Mohammed Abdullah Bataweel
  • Methods of improving hydraulic fracture network
    Patent number: 11111766
    Abstract: The complexity of a fracture network may be enhanced during a hydraulic fracturing operation by monitoring operational parameters of the fracturing job and altering stress conditions in the well in response to the monitoring of the operational parameters. The operational parameters monitored may include the injection rate of the pumped fluid, the density of the pumped fluid or the bottomhole pressure of the well after the fluid is pumped. The method provides an increase to the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Harold Dean Brannon, Thomas Ray Starks, II, Scott Gregory Nelson, Charles Elmer Bell, Tom N. Royce, D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Jimie Devon Lemons, Curtis David Huff, John Gottschling, Angel F. Gonzalez
  • Hydraulic fracturing using multiple fracturing fluids sequentially
    Patent number: 11098564
    Abstract: A method for hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation includes injecting an oil-based fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation through a well. The method also includes injecting a second fracturing fluid, for example a water-based fracturing fluid, into the subterranean formation through the well after completion of the injection of the oil-based fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Emulsions containing water-soluble acid retarding agents and methods of making and using
    Patent number: 11091689
    Abstract: Described herein is a multi-phase aqueous composition containing a surfactant; a first phase comprising water, an acid, and a water-soluble acid retarding agent; and a second phase selected from the group consisting of an immiscible organic phase, a gas, and combinations thereof. Further described are methods of making and using such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Daeffler, Mohan Kanaka Raju Panga
  • Method to hydraulically fracture a well
    Patent number: 11078407
    Abstract: A method may comprise: determining a total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of a water source; correlating the TDS concentration to an ion concentration; and selecting at least one friction reducing polymer for a hydraulic fracturing operation based at least in part on the ion concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Multi-Chem Group, LLC
    Inventors: Ian Wood Straffin, Howard Thomas Riley, Teddy Joel Dubois, James William Ogle