Patents Examined by William D Hutton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12291937
    Abstract: A plug for wellbore tubing includes: an internal portion; a first external portion which surrounds the internal portion; and a second external portion disposed axially adjacent to the first external portion, with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the plug. The second external portion expands to: engage an interior surface of the wellbore tubing in response to a trigger as the plug displaces downhole through the wellbore tubing; and open a passage to permit a fluid to progress to the first external portion. The first external portion expands to engage the wellbore tubing in response to the expansion of the second external portion and upon contact with the fluid. A related method includes providing such a plug, and displacing the plug downhole in the wellbore tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ali Ssafwany, Ali S. Al-Mashhad, Rakan Al Yateem
  • Patent number: 12275893
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Patent number: 12276184
    Abstract: A method that includes disposing a packer and an ESP inside a production tubing bore. The ESP includes a pump, a discharge, a shroud, and a bypass sub coupled to the shroud. The shroud includes a closed end coupled to a base of the pump. The packer, coupled to an outer surface of the shroud, is located downstream of the bypass sub. The method includes circulating liquids from the pumping base through the discharge to a shroud open end downstream of the packer thereby sealing the packer between the outer surface and the production tubing bore. The method includes pumping, using the pump device, the liquids through the production tubing using the bypass sub and performing a production operation using the wellhead assembly to obtain an amount of gas production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Chidirim Enoch Ejim, Hattan M. Banjar
  • Patent number: 12270283
    Abstract: A downhole acoustic stimulation tool comprises: a sealed chamber containing a liquid; a pair of electrodes located in the chamber; at least one transducer arranged to generate an acoustic field between the electrodes thereby inducing cavitation in a volume of the liquid between the electrodes; and at least one capacitor configured to apply a pulse voltage across the electrodes when discharged, thereby causing the cavitating volume of liquid to form a plasma which collapses to form a shockwave. The at least one transducer constitutes a first energy source, and the at least one capacitor back and electrodes constitute a second energy source. Alternative forms and arrangements of the first and second energy sources are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Global Post Graystone Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Clark, Ann-Marie Harmon De Clare
  • Patent number: 12269987
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid may include an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase; an emulsifier stabilizing the non-oleaginous phase within the oleaginous phase; a low density material selected and in an amount to result in a specific gravity of the wellbore fluid that is less than 0.83; and at least one rheology modifier selected to suspend the low density material within the wellbore fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Roger Daniloff, Arne Asko, Nicholas Hilbig, Jerome Pic
  • Patent number: 12264699
    Abstract: A device which is attachable to a fastener stack, the device comprising: an attachment element made of shape memory material; and a cap comprising a base having an aperture and a shell having an interior space in fluid communication with the opening, wherein the base supports the shell and is coupled to the attachment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher S. Roper, Mark R. O'Masta, Haftom Y. Dessalegn
  • Patent number: 12258852
    Abstract: A system for surveying internal pipeline scaling includes a control system, a gauge cutter, a scale recorder, and a wireline. The control system communicates with the scale recorder to obtain scale recorder data and acoustic images. The gauge cutter dislodges scaling debris from an interior wall of the pipeline and includes a fluid permeable screen which collects the dislodged scaling debris. The scale recorder obtains scale recorder data and acoustic images, and includes an ultrasound wave transmitter, an ultrasound wave receiver, a processor, a memory, and a communication interface. The wireline lowers the gauge cutter in the pipeline and is coupled to the control system and the communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Norah A. Aljeaban, Faisal Alrasheed, Tao Chen
  • Patent number: 12258842
    Abstract: Some implementations include an apparatus for washing a downhole tubular. The apparatus may include a head coupled to a rotatable shaft, the head including one or more jets configured to emit fluid to cause the head to rotate on the rotatable shaft and wash the downhole tubular. The apparatus may include one or more brakes coupled with the rotatable shaft and configured to control rotation of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Carson Edward Riggins
  • Patent number: 12251671
    Abstract: A continuous process for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to be used in heavy and extra heavy oil wells, where low and/or non-profitable production rates occur is presented. The process is named Hot Crude Gravity Drainage (HCGD), and HCGD may include different components to support the heating of crude produced in the oil well that is later going to be injected at the same volumes as heated crude. The crude may be injected in the sand from which it was produced, in order to continuously supply the required energy to significantly lower the viscosity, which in turn increases mobility in the pores of the producing sand and allows for an increment (e.g., of more than 100%) in production as regards the base or initial production of the oil well, in a 45 consecutive day period. The process unit may be simple, compact, modular and skid mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: DELFOS CAPITAL LLC
    Inventor: Jorge Enrique Echenagucia Cioppa
  • Patent number: 12247163
    Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for treating a subterranean formation for carbon dioxide sequestration include introducing a ferrate(VI)-based hydraulic fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation. The ferrate(VI)-based hydraulic fracturing fluid comprises ferrate(VI) oxidizing agent having the formula M2FeO4, where M is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal, and an aqueous carrier fluid. Reacting the ferrate(VI) oxidizing agent with a surface of the subterranean formation increases a pore volume of pores therein and interacting the ferrate(VI) oxidizing agent with carbon dioxide (CO2) sequesters the CO2 with the ferrate(VI) oxidizing agent within the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hasmukh A. Patel, Ahmet Atilgan, Katherine L. Hull, Younane Abousleiman
  • Patent number: 12247162
    Abstract: Provided herein are liquid polymer (LP) compositions comprising a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer), as well as methods for preparing inverted polymer solutions by inverting these LP compositions in an aqueous fluid. The resulting inverted polymer solutions can have a concentration of a synthetic (co)polymer (e.g., an acrylamide (co)polymer) of from 50 to 15,000 ppm, and a filter ratio of 1.5 or less at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. Also provided are methods of using these inverted polymer solutions in oil and gas operations, including enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, David Espinosa, Taimur Malik, Logan Jackson, Tom Lynch, Ronald Robinson, Frances Fournier, Hong Yang, Sukhjit Aujla
  • Patent number: 12241325
    Abstract: A well system includes a wellbore, production tubing extended into the wellbore and thereby defining an annulus between the production tubing and an inner wall of the wellbore, and a side pocket mandrel interposing upper and lower sections of the production tubing and including a body that provides a lateral projection extending radially outward from the body, and a pocket defined within the lateral projection. The well system further includes a chemical vessel receivable within the pocket and operable to discharge an injection fluid stored within the chemical vessel into the production tubing via one or more apertures provided in the chemical vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jawad Zahur, Mohammed Madan, Saud A. Al-Shuwaier
  • Patent number: 12241020
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for synthesizing ionic liquid formulations using non-stoichiometric hydrophobic or hydrotropic ionic liquids, including aprotic or protic ionic liquids, to create emulsions, microemulsions, or nanoemulsions. Additionally, the provided ionic liquid formulations may be used to make surfactant-free or detergentless microemulsions or nanoemulsions that may be used as additives for aqueous or oil-based solutions. Methods for introducing an ionic liquid in an injection fluid into a reservoir via an introduction well area also provided. The injection fluid intermingles with reservoir fluid and the intermingled injection fluid and reservoir fluid is retrieved via a production well. Methods for introducing an ionic liquid in an injection fluid may be used for CO2 sequestration within a reservoir. The CO2 may be introduced concurrently or by alternating injections of CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Adrian Cesar Cavazos Sepulveda
  • Patent number: 12241333
    Abstract: A method for designing a cement composition may include: providing a target compressive strength and a target composition density; selecting at least one cementitious material from a plurality of cementitious materials; calculating a required amount of water to produce a cement composition with the target composition density, the cement composition comprising the water and the at least one cementitious material; calculating a compressive strength of the cement composition based at least in part on a model of compressive strength; comparing the calculated compressive strength to the target compressive strength; and preparing the cement composition with the calculated compressive strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Bir Singh, Xueyu Pang, Krishna Babu Yerubandi, Thomas Jason Pisklak, Ronnie Glen Morgan, Siva Rama Krishna Jandhyala
  • Patent number: 12234406
    Abstract: A method of imparting hydrophobicity and/or oleophobicity to a surface of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well during production of hydrocarbons from the well consists of pumping a surface modifying wettability agent into the well, the surface modifying wettability agent having an anchor, one or more hydrophobic and/or oleophobic functional groups attached to the anchor and one or more alkoxy groups as blocking moieties which increase stability of the agent in the presence of water by slowing down hydrolysis at the formation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Radhika Suresh, Naima Bestaoui-Spurr, Kimberly Spurlock-Lant
  • Patent number: 12221868
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly. The ESP assembly comprises an electric motor; a seal section coupled to the electric motor; a fluid intake coupled to an uphole end of the seal section, wherein the fluid intake defines a plurality of inlet ports; a gas separator comprising a plurality of gas phase discharge ports, and at least one liquid phase discharge port, wherein the gas separator is located uphole of the fluid intake; a centrifugal pump comprising a fluid inlet at a downhole end, wherein the at least one liquid phase discharge port of the gas separator is fluidically coupled to the fluid inlet of the centrifugal pump; and an inverted shroud assembly, wherein a downhole end of the inverted shroud assembly is coupled to an outside of the gas separator downhole of the gas phase discharge ports of the gas separator and uphole of the fluid intake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Ketankumar Kantilal Sheth, Andre Joseph Bernier
  • Patent number: 12215730
    Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a threaded fastener having a threaded shaft and a head coupled to the threaded shaft, an engagement member having a central cavity and an outer profile having a plurality of notches cut therein to define an engagement feature that is engageable by a torquing member, a retention member configured to engage the engagement member and retain the head of the threaded fastener within the central cavity of the engagement member, and a lower base threaded on the threaded shaft and into abutment with the engagement member and/or the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Advanced Wheel Locks LLC
    Inventors: Jon Lambert, Kent Troxel
  • Patent number: 12203346
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed a method for underground separation of components in sulfur-containing flue gas and sequestration of carbon dioxide and sulfides, comprising: injecting sulfur-containing flue gas into injection well which is arranged in a well pattern of a sequestrated aquifer in advance; transiting and injecting formation water into the formation at a first preset injection speed by injection well of the well pattern after injecting the sulfur-containing flue gas for a first preset time, maintaining the first formation pressure, and conducting water drainage and gas production by a production well of the well pattern in a mode of a fixed bottom hole flowing pressure; and determining the well shut-in time according to the nitrogen molar concentration of the production well and conducting well shut-in. The separated N2 is produced, while the separated CO2 and sulfides are sequestered in aquifer, achieving effective underground separation of the flue gas components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Fuzhen Chen, Shengnan Wu, Shihao Liu, Yuhang Zhou, Yixuan Liu, Yan Tian, Jianwei Gu
  • Patent number: 12188338
    Abstract: A microwave drill bit capable of achieving fracturing of a borehole wall and end of a deep hard rock while drilling and a use method thereof are provided. The microwave drill bit comprises a microwave drill bit body, wherein a support frame front plate, a metal sleeve and a water inlet ring sequentially sleeve on the microwave drill bit body, the metal sleeve is connected with a rotary drive I mounted on the support frame front plate, the microwave drill body is connected with a microwave mode converter and a microwave splitter II respectively, the microwave mode converter and the microwave splitter II are connected with a microwave splitter I by a rectangular waveguide, the microwave splitter I is sequentially connected with a microwave rotating joint, a fixed waveguide and a microwave generator, and the microwave rotating joint is connected with a rotary drive II mounted on the support frame rear plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Feng Lin, Xiating Feng, Chengxiang Yang, Jiuyu Zhang, Shiping Li, Tianyang Tong, Xiangxin Su
  • Patent number: 12187429
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an insert that includes a locking mechanism that may either be formed integrally to the component or attached separately to the insert body. The top of the locking mechanism is offset from the first surface by an offset distance to enable the insert to be coupled to a recess of a component such as an aircraft component. An aperture formed in a top surface of the first portion is configured to allow additional elements to be coupled to the aircraft component. The coupling of the insert to the aircraft component is further promoted by a compression mechanism that forces the locking mechanism to couple to an overhang portion of the top layer after the force applied to the insert once it is positioned in the recess is removed, such that the top surface of the insert is co-planar with an outermost surface of the aircraft component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Curtis L. Hall, Jr., David Lutz