Patents Examined by George A. Suchfield
  • Surfactant based viscoelastic fluids and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 8196662
    Abstract: Surfactant based viscoelastic fluids for enhancing the productivity of a hydrocarbon-bearing formations have particular applicability in acid fracturing of subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells. The viscoelastic fluid contains an organic acid, an inorganic monovalent salt and a quaternary ammonium aromatic salt and water. The fluid may further be foamed or energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ronald Casey Plasier, Scott Robert Allen
  • Selective placement of conformance treatments in multi-zone well completions
    Patent number: 8196655
    Abstract: Selective placement of conformance treatments in multi-zone well completions. A method includes injecting a relative permeability modifier into a zone and optimizing a ratio of desired fluid to undesired fluid produced from the zone, including adjusting at least one flow control device between fully open and fully closed configurations. Another method includes injecting a relative permeability modifier into multiple zones, one at a time, via respective flow control devices, and then producing fluid from each of the zones. Another method includes identifying which of the zones to treat by, for each of the zones: a) closing flow control devices corresponding to the other zones, and b) evaluating fluid produced from the zone; and injecting a conformance treatment into the zones identified as the zones to treat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Kalman, Eldon D. Dalrymple, Larry Eoff
  • Creating fluid injectivity in tar sands formations
    Patent number: 8191630
    Abstract: Methods for treating a tar sands formation are described herein. Methods for treating a tar sands may include heating a portion of a hydrocarbon layer in the formation from one or more heaters located in the portion. The heat may be controlled to increase the permeability of at least part of the portion to create an injection zone in the portion with an average permeability sufficient to allow injection of a fluid through the injection zone. A drive fluid and/or an oxidizing fluid may be provided into the injection zone. At least some hydrocarbons including mobilized hydrocarbons are produced from the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: George Leo Stegemeier, Gary Lee Beer, Etuan Zhang
  • Protective circuit module and secondary battery having the same
    Patent number: 8192855
    Abstract: A secondary battery having a bare cell and a protective circuit module disposed over the bare cell and electrically connected to the bare cell via a first lead plate, in which the first lead plate includes a first plate, a second plate connected to the first plate, and a third plate arranged opposite to the first plate and connected to the second plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bongyoung Kim
  • Method and system for extraction of hydrocarbons from oil sands
    Patent number: 8186430
    Abstract: A system and method for extracting hydrocarbon products from oil sands using nuclear energy sources for power to decrease the viscosity of bitumen in oil sands deposits and provide sufficient heat and pressure to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon products. Steps for extracting the hydrocarbon products form the oil sands deposits are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Shale and Sands Oil Recovery LLC
    Inventor: Thomas B. O'Brien
  • Method of gas-cap air injection for thermal oil recovery
    Patent number: 8176980
    Abstract: A method for producing bitumen or heavy oil from a subsurface oil sands reservoir, the subsurface oil sands reservoir and an overlying gas zone in fluid communication, the method includes providing an in situ combustion process in the overlying gas zone, to create or expand a combustion front within the overlying gas zone, providing a thermal recovery process in the oil sands reservoir, to create or expand a rising hot zone within the oil sands reservoir, and selectively operating the thermal recovery process or the in situ combustion process or both such that the rising hot zone does not intersect the overlying gas zone until the combustion front has moved beyond that portion of the overlying gas zone at the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: FCCL Partnership
    Inventors: Javier Enrique Sanmiguel, Matthew Abram Toews, Larry Wayne Freeman
  • Fluorinated surfactants and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 8176981
    Abstract: A composition comprising a nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant having a weight average molecular weight of least 100,000 grams per mole, the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant comprising: divalent units independently represented by formula (I): in a range from 30% to 65% by weight, based on the total weight of the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant; and divalent units independently represented by formula (II): in a range from 70% to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant. Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having from 3 to 4 carbon atoms; R and R2 are each independently hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R1 is alkyl of 16 to 24 carbon atoms; and n is an integer from 2 to 11. Foams comprising the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant and a liquid hydrocarbon and methods of making and using the foams are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patricia M. Savu, Michael J. Sierakowski
  • Method for in-situ combustion of in-place oils
    Patent number: 8167036
    Abstract: A novel method is provided for in situ combustion and recovery of oil from underground reservoirs including injecting oxygen into the reservoir at a region near the reservoir floor, establishing a combustion front wherein hot combustion gases rise at the combustion front, withdrawing hot combustion gases from a region near the reservoir ceiling, and extracting oil from a horizontal production well near the reservoir floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Pfefferle
  • Apparatus and method for energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly recovery of bitumen
    Patent number: 8167041
    Abstract: A system and method for energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly recovery of bitumen aims at recovering unconventional oil in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way that has the potential of eliminating the need of natural gas currently employed for steam production and power generation. The system and method aims at providing low temperature steam for the stimulation of the formation by means of solar radiation. In addition, the system and method provides a novel solution for hydrogen production that does not employ reforming of natural gas. Furthermore, the use of thermoelectric devices in combination with low temperature steam can be employed to power an electrolysis plant to generate the hydrogen necessary to produce synthetic oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Masdar Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Matteo Chiesa, Vincent Berube, Andy Muto, Anurag Bajpayee, Daniel Kraemer
  • In situ combustion in gas over bitumen formations
    Patent number: 8167040
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for natural gas and oil recovery, which include the use of air injection and in situ combustion in natural gas reservoirs to facilitate production of natural gas and heavy oil in gas over bitumen formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Encana Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Weiers, Ben Nzekwu
  • Degradable material assisted diversion or isolation
    Patent number: 8167043
    Abstract: A method for well treatment by forming a temporary plug in a fracture, a perforation, a wellbore, or more than one of these locations, in a well penetrating a subterranean formation is provided, in which the method of well treatment includes: injecting a slurry comprising a degradable material, allowing the degradable material to form a plug in a perforation, a fracture, or a wellbore in a well penetrating a formation; performing a downhole operation; and allowing the degradable material to degrade after a selected time such that the plug disappears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Willberg, Marina Bulova, Christopher N. Fredd, Alexey Vostrukhov, Curtis L. Boney, John Lassek, Ann M. W. Hoefer, Philip F. Sullivan
  • Method of forming self-diverting high-rate water packs
    Patent number: 8167042
    Abstract: Methods of forming gravel packs while reducing fluid loss to the surrounding subterranean formation. The methods involve suspending gravel that has been coated with a tackifying agent and degradable fines into a low viscosity carrier fluid and then placing that suspension into a subterranean formation so as to form a gravel pack wherein, as the gravel pack is placed, the degradable fines to de-adhere from the gravel and to fill at least a portion of the pore spaces within the gravel pack so as to reducing fluid loss through the gravel pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley L. Todd
  • Method of delivering frac fluid and additives
    Patent number: 8162048
    Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Tetra Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico J. Termine, Robert I. Richie
  • Electrical device having a battery pack with an easy attachment and release mechanism
    Patent number: 8163414
    Abstract: An electrical device has a device body defining a cavity for receiving a battery pack, the battery pack has an arm and a sleeve that at least partially surrounds the arm, and the sleeve is rotatable relative to the arm around an axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Mohsein Wan, Manfred Lutz, Rofaizi Nor
  • Slag compositions and methods of use
    Patent number: 8162058
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cementing operations. Methods and compositions that include a latex strength enhancer for enhancing the compressive strength of slag compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Callie R. Jarratt, Chad Brenneis
  • Radiation-induced thickening for set-on-command sealant compositions and methods of use
    Patent number: 8162057
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore by preparing a sealant composition comprising a fluid component and a polymeric additive component, placing the sealant composition into a wellbore and subjecting the sealant composition to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive components and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, David F. Myers, James Lynn Davis, Vikram Rao, Vijay Gupta, Lynn Margaret Soby, Andrew K. Dummer
  • Treatment of subterranean formations
    Patent number: 8157010
    Abstract: A method of preparing and using a subterranean formation stabilization agent. The stabilization agent includes a guanidyl copolymer and may be admixed with a fracturing fluid and optionally brine. The stabilization agent is effective in preventing and/or reducing, for example, clay swelling and fines migration from a subterranean formation contacted with the stabilization agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Polymer Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher B. Murphy, Jon O. Fabri, Phillip B. Reilly, Jr.
  • Cement compositions and associated methods comprising sub-micron calcium carbonate and latex
    Patent number: 8157009
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that relate to cement compositions and methods comprising sub-micron calcium carbonate and latex. An embodiment includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. The method may comprise introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, water, sub-micron calcium carbonate, and latex. The method further may comprise allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Another embodiment includes a cement composition that may comprise cement, water, a sub-micron calcium carbonate, and latex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Chandrakant Patil, Abhijit Tarafdar, Abhimanyu Deshpande, Christopher L. Gordon
  • Methods of making transportation fuel
    Patent number: 8151880
    Abstract: A method for producing alkylated hydrocarbons is disclosed. Formation fluid is produced from a subsurface in situ heat treatment process. The formation fluid is separated to produce a liquid stream and a first gas stream. The first gas stream includes olefins. The liquid stream is fractionated to produce at least a second gas stream including hydrocarbons having a carbon number of at least 3. The first gas stream and the second gas stream are introduced into an alkylation unit to produce alkylated hydrocarbons. At least a portion of the olefins in the first gas stream enhance alkylation. The alkylated hydrocarbons may be blended with one or more components to produce transportation fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Augustinus Wilhelmus Maria Roes, Weijian Mo, Michel Serge Marie Muylle, Remco Hugo Mandema, Vijay Nair
  • Cement compositions comprising stevia retarders
    Patent number: 8153563
    Abstract: Methods and compositions that include a method of cementing comprising providing a cement composition comprising water, a hydraulic cement, and an additive comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a stevia retarder and inulin; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; and permitting the cement composition to set in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Ronnie G. Morgan, William J. Caveny, Rickey L. Morgan