Patents Examined by Timothy J. Kugel
  • Patent number: 7854863
    Abstract: The present invention provides both polymer systems and electrooptic (EO) chromophores that form the components of optical devices such as optical switches and other devices useful in an optical waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Elizabeth Drotleff, Vincent D. McGinniss, Steven M. Risser, Kevin Bruce
  • Patent number: 7855169
    Abstract: The present invention includes composition having a nonionic, fluorinated polymeric surfactant, water and solvent. Embodiments of compositions according to the present invention are useful, for example, for recovering hydrocarbons from subterranean clastic formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignees: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Pope, Mukul M. Sharma, Viren Kumar, Jimmie R. Baran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7855170
    Abstract: A synthetic glass family in the quaternary phase field of CaO—SiO2-Al2O3-MgO (CSAM) with hydraulic and pozzolanic properties for use in differing applications in the gas and oil well cementing area. A method of making a mud-to-cement (MTC) slurry and a method for treating oil and gas wells with the MTC slurry containing a homogenous amorphous synthetic glass made from a mixture of inorganic materials selected from the group consisting of CSAM, wherein the cementing glasses with the mixture of inorganic materials are in a 100% amorphous phase with a degree of crystallization of zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: INTEVEP, S.A.
    Inventors: Yibran Perera, Virginia Buccellato, George Quercia, Aiskely Blanco
  • Patent number: 7855168
    Abstract: The current disclosure describes a multifunctional fluid that addresses a new concept in the removal of filter cake. A composition is disclosed comprising: a carrier fluid, a surfactant, a fluorine source and an organic stabilizer able to minimize precipitation of fluorine The associated method to remove the filter cake is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Fuller, Syed Ali, Laurent Pirolli, John W. Still
  • Patent number: 7851414
    Abstract: Useful microemulsions have corrosion inhibitors in the internal phase and an external phase, where the corrosion inhibitor has a surfactant property that helps define the microemulsion. For example, the corrosion inhibitor itself may have its pH adjusted so that it also serves the role of surfactant. The corrosion inhibitors form microemulsions with particle or droplet diameters of about 10 to about 300 nm. The microemulsions may be oil-in-water, water-in-oil or bi-continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jiang Yang, Vladimir Jovancicevic
  • Patent number: 7851415
    Abstract: An adaptive cementitious composite composition, comprising: a coarse particulate material such as sand or proppant; a series of other particulate or fibrous materials; and a carrier fluid; the sand and other particulate materials being present as a series of coarse, medium and fine particle sizes in ratios selected to provide an optimized packing volume fraction; wherein the sand or proppant is coated with a resin and at least one of the other particulate or fibrous materials is a material that can be modified when placed at a downhole location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Erik Nelson, Ernest Brown, Benedicte Zusatz-Ayache
  • Patent number: 7851513
    Abstract: A process for producing aqueous silica-based sols, having an S value from 15 to 25%, mole ratio Si:Al from 20:1 to 50:1, mole ratio Si:X, where X=alkali metal, from 5:1 to 17:1, SiO2 content of at least 5% by weight and containing silica-based particles having a specific surface area of at least 300 m2/g, are disclosed wherein a cationic ion exchange resin having part of its ion exchange capacity in hydrogen form is contacted with an aqueous alkali metal silicate to form a slurry having a pH from 5.0 to 11.5 and/or having particle aggregation or microgel formation corresponding to a S value up to 45%; adjusting the pH using a material comprising an aluminium compound; and separating the resin from the slurry. Further, the use of such silica-based sols in producing paper is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Nyander, Glenn Mankin
  • Patent number: 7851417
    Abstract: A process to prepare a stable solution of a borozirconate complex is disclosed and use of the solution in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The process comprises contacting zirconium complex with alkanolamine, then glycerol and water, then with a boron compound. The solution is particularly suitable for use in a cross-linking composition in hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones of subterranean formations at temperatures of 275° F. (135° C.) and higher in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Donald Edward Putzig
  • Patent number: 7846877
    Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a portion of a well and include the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises: (i) water; (ii) a water-soluble polysaccharide; (iii) one or more water-soluble salts, wherein the one or more salts are selected and are in at least a sufficient concentration such that the water-salt solution has a density of at least 10 ppg; and (iv) urea; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the well. According to the inventions, the concentration of the urea in the water is in at least a sufficient concentration such that aqueous solution: (1) has a G? of at least 2 Pa, or (2) is filterable. According to the inventions, an identical aqueous solution except with less than the sufficient concentration of the urea would not satisfy the above conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian D. Robb
  • Patent number: 7846878
    Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method that comprises: introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises water and a concentrated polymer composition comprising a complexing agent and a friction reducing polymer. Also disclosed is a method that comprises combining at least water and a concentrated polymer composition to form a treatment fluid, wherein the concentrated polymer composition comprises a complexing agent and a friction reducing polymer; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Also disclosed is a concentrated polymer composition comprising: a friction reducing polymer in an amount of about 15% to about 60% by weight of the composition; and a complexing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Thomas D. Welton, Jason Bryant, Michael L Carter
  • Patent number: 7846876
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surfactant composition containing a cationic surfactant (hereinafter referred to as a compound (A)), one or more compounds (hereinafter referred to as a compound (B)) selected from anionic aromatic compounds and bromide compounds and a cationic polymer (C), wherein compound (A) and (B) are selected when meeting the following condition: a combination of the compounds (A) and (B) ensures that that the viscosity (20° C.) of a solution prepared by mixing an aqueous solution SA of the compound (A) and an aqueous solution SB of the compound (B) in the same ratio is at least two times the viscosity of any one of the aqueous solutions (20° C.) before being mixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Koyanagi, Sadahara Miyamoto, Hotaka Yamamuro
  • Patent number: 7842651
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the compositions of a water-based silicate drilling fluid comprising: (1) alkali metal silicates; (2) cationic polyacrylamide; (3) a lubricant composition; and (4) other conventional drilling fluid additives. The lubricant composition comprises a lubricating effective amount of a carrier oil and one or more lubricants selected from lecithins, sulfurized vegetable and/or lard oils or modified castor oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Chengdu Cationic Chemistry Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Anming Wu, Xing Yan
  • Patent number: 7842650
    Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for producing foams, in particular for mineral oil and natural gas production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ulrich Steinbrenner
  • Patent number: 7838469
    Abstract: A method is given for reducing fluid loss in downhole operations such as drilling and completion. A composition containing a fusing solid is injected into the fluid loss flow path; the fusing solid fuses at formation temperature when the injection pressure is released and the formation matrix surfaces forming the flow path close on the composition. The fusing solid is gilsonite, or a similar material, or resin coated particles. The composition may optionally contain one or more of fibers, flakes, an activator, and a dispersant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Cunningham, Emmanuel Therond, Paulo Rubinstein
  • Patent number: 7838467
    Abstract: Single phase microemulsions improve the removal of filter cakes formed during drilling with oil-based muds (OBMs). The single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. Optionally, an acid capable of solubilizing the filter cake bridging particles may also be used with the microemulsion. In one non-limiting embodiment the acid may be a polyamino carboxylic acid. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced. In another optional embodiment, the single phase microemulsion may contain a filtration control additive for delaying the filter cake removal, destruction or conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas A. Jones, David E. Clark, Lirio Quintero
  • Patent number: 7833944
    Abstract: Methods and compositions including a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid and a solid particle comprising a crosslinked aliphatic polyester; and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Trinidad Munoz, Larry S. Eoff, Rajesh K. Saini
  • Patent number: 7833950
    Abstract: A method for minimizing the amount of metal crosslinked viscosifier necessary for treating a wellbore with proppant or gravel is given. The method includes using fibers to aid in transporting, suspending and placing proppant or gravel in viscous carrier fluids otherwise having insufficient viscosity to prevent particulate settling. Fibers are given that have properties optimized for proppant transport but degrade after the treatment into degradation products that do not precipitate in the presence of ions in the water such as calcium and magnesium. Crosslinked polymer carrier fluids are identified that are not damaged by contaminants present in the fibers or by degradation products released by premature degradation of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Willberg, Christopher N. Fredd, Marina Bulova
  • Patent number: 7833946
    Abstract: A water based drilling fluid contains as additive one or more alkyl ethoxylates having the formula RO(CH2CH2O)nH; wherein: R is a C16-22alkyl group (preferably R is aliphatic and more preferably R is linear), and n is an integer in the range 2-30. The fluid further contains one or more viscosifying agents, and is substantially clay-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: M-I, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Louise Bailey
  • Patent number: 7833947
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method of delivering a first chemical component to a subterranean formation in a wellbore comprising: providing a fluid comprising a carrier fluid and at least two different sizes of solid particulate materials selected from a group consisting of: very large particles, large particles, medium particles, fine particles, very fine particles and ultrafine particles; wherein the packed volume fraction (PVF) of the two sizes of solid particulate materials exceeds 0.80, and wherein first type of solid particulate materials contains the first chemical component able to be released by a first downhole trigger and second type of solid particulate materials contains the first chemical component or a second chemical component able to be released by a second downhole trigger; pumping the fluid into the wellbore; allowing the first chemical component to be released by the first downhole trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Kubala
  • Patent number: 7833948
    Abstract: A composition and a method for treating a subterranean formation with an injection liquid containing liquid carbon dioxide, a treating liquid and optionally a foaming agent and/or methanol. The treating liquid may be an acid, a corrosion inhibitor, a solvent or a scale inhibitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Team CO2, Inc
    Inventors: Randal L. Decker, Michael D. Hyman, John J. Ridge