Patents by Inventor Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi

Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11774436
    Abstract: A method of determining foam stability includes placing a core plug and two porous plates into a core holder of a vesselcore plug. The first porous plate and the second porous plate are disposed on opposite sides of the core plug, and the core plug, the first porous plate, and the second porous plate are saturated with surfactant. The method further includes alternating surfactant solution injections between a first injection area located on the first porous plate and a second injection area located on the second porous plate, while ensuring that the surfactant solution is being continuously fed, thereby forming continuously flowing foam in-situ within the core plug, in which the surfactant solution comprises gas and the surfactant; and monitoring the pressure drop to determine the stability of the foam in the core plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Jinxun Wang
  • Publication number: 20230194497
    Abstract: A method of determining foam stability includes placing a core plug and two porous plates into a core holder of a vesselcore plug. The first porous plate and the second porous plate are disposed on opposite sides of the core plug, and the core plug, the first porous plate, and the second porous plate are saturated with surfactant. The method further includes alternating surfactant solution injections between a first injection area located on the first porous plate and a second injection area located on the second porous plate, while ensuring that the surfactant solution is being continuously fed, thereby forming continuously flowing foam in-situ within the core plug, in which the surfactant solution comprises gas and the surfactant; and monitoring the pressure drop to determine the stability of the foam in the core plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Jinxun Wang
  • Patent number: 11614391
    Abstract: A method of evaluating gel stability of a gel for treating a subterranean formation includes placing a composite core plug into a core holder of a coreflood testing device where the composite core plug comprises first, second, and third core plugs, alternating injection of polymer solution into first and second injection areas, and monitoring a pressure drop across the composite core plug as a function of time. The method further includes identifying a gelation of a gelent solution in the third core plug, where the gelation is indicated by an increase in the pressure drop across the composite core plug, after the increase in the pressure drop indicative of the gelation point, continuing alternating injections of the polymer solution into the first and second injection areas, and identifying a reduction in the pressure drop across the composite core plug indicative of deterioration of the gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Jinxun Wang
  • Publication number: 20220082002
    Abstract: Methods for treating a hydrocarbon-containing formation may include preheating a gelant that contains a crosslinkable polymer, one or more crosslinking agents, and an aqueous fluid; and injecting the gelant into the formation, wherein the gelant forms a gel in the formation. Methods for enhanced oil recovery may include preheating a gelant that contains a crosslinkable polymer, one or more crosslinking agents, and an aqueous fluid; injecting the gelant into a high permeability zone of a hydrocarbon-containing formation, wherein the gelant forms a gel; and stimulating a flow of hydrocarbons from a low permeability zone of the hydrocarbon-containing formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jinxun Wang, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Amer M. Anazi
  • Patent number: 11041109
    Abstract: A composition for use in surfactant polymer flooding processes in a carbonate reservoir, the composition comprising a surfactant, the surfactant operable to reduce interfacial tension, a polymer, the polymer operable to increase the viscosity of the composition, and a tailored water, the tailored water operable to alter a wettability of the in-situ rock, where the tailored water has a total dissolved solids of between 5,000 wt ppm and 7,000 wt ppm, where the total dissolved solids comprises a salt, where the composition has a viscosity between 3 cP and 100 cP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Subhash Ayirala, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Jinxun Wang, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef
  • Patent number: 10988673
    Abstract: A composition for use in a polymer flooding operation in a viscous oil containing carbonate reservoir formation with in situ rock is provided. The composition includes a polymer, the polymer operable to increase the viscosity of the composition; and a smart water, the smart water operable to alter a wettability of the in situ rock, wherein the smart water has a total dissolved solids of between 5,000 ppm and 7,000 ppm, wherein the total dissolved solids comprises one or more salts; wherein the composition has a viscosity between 4 cP and 100 cP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Jinxun Wang
  • Publication number: 20210115325
    Abstract: A composition for use in a polymer flooding operation in a viscous oil containing carbonate reservoir formation with in situ rock is provided. The composition includes a polymer, the polymer operable to increase the viscosity of the composition; and a smart water, the smart water operable to alter a wettability of the in situ rock, wherein the smart water has a total dissolved solids of between 5,000 ppm and 7,000 ppm, wherein the total dissolved solids comprises one or more salts; wherein the composition has a viscosity between 4 cP and 100 cP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Jinxun Wang
  • Patent number: 10961831
    Abstract: A composition for use in a polymer flooding operation in a viscous oil containing carbonate reservoir formation with in situ rock is provided. The composition includes a polymer, the polymer operable to increase the viscosity of the composition; and a tuned water, the tuned water operable to alter a wettability of the in situ rock, wherein the tuned water has a total dissolved solids of between 5,000 ppm by weight and 7,000 ppm by weight, wherein the total dissolved solids comprises one or more salts; wherein the composition has a viscosity between 4 cP and 100 cP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Jinxun Wang
  • Patent number: 10920129
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS) to about 8000 ppm TDS and a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 750 ppm. The one or more salts may include at least one of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Patent number: 10920128
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS) to about 8000 ppm TDS and a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 750 ppm. The one or more salts may include at least one of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Patent number: 10889750
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS) to about 8000 ppm TDS and a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 750 ppm. The one or more salts may include at least one of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Patent number: 10781362
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) to about 8000 ppm, a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 500 ppm, and metal oxide nanoparticles having a concentration in the range of 0.01 weight (wt) % to 0.05 wt %. The one or more salts may include sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Publication number: 20200270511
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS) to about 8000 ppm TDS and a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 750 ppm. The one or more salts may include at least one of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Patent number: 10723937
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) to about 8000 ppm, a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 500 ppm, and metal oxide nanoparticles having a concentration in the range of 0.01 weight (wt) % to 0.05 wt %. The one or more salts may include sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Publication number: 20200224079
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS) to about 8000 ppm TDS and a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 750 ppm. The one or more salts may include at least one of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Patent number: 10689978
    Abstract: A method of determining gelation time is disclosed that includes placing a composite core plug into a core holder of a commercially-available vessel. The composite core plug includes a first core plug with second and third core plugs disposed on opposite sides of the first core plug. The second and third core plugs are saturated with polymer solution, and the first core plug is saturated with gel solution comprising polymer and crosslinker. The method further includes alternating polymer solution injections between a first injection area located on the second core plug and a second injection area located on the third core plug, while ensuring that the polymer solution is being continuously fed to the composite core plug. The pressure drop across the composite core plug is monitored during the alternating injection of polymer solution to determine the gelation time of the gel solution in the first core plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Jinxun Wang, Hassan Wasel Al Hashim
  • Publication number: 20200172793
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) to about 8000 ppm, a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 500 ppm, and metal oxide nanoparticles having a concentration in the range of 0.01 weight (wt) % to 0.05 wt %. The one or more salts may include sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Publication number: 20200172794
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) to about 8000 ppm, a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 500 ppm, and metal oxide nanoparticles having a concentration in the range of 0.01 weight (wt) % to 0.05 wt %. The one or more salts may include sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Publication number: 20200115620
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 4000 parts-per-million (ppm) total dissolved solids (TDS) to about 8000 ppm TDS and a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 750 ppm. The one or more salts may include at least one of sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi
  • Patent number: 10590329
    Abstract: An oil recovery composition of an aqueous solution of one or more salts and dilute polymer and processes for enhanced oil recovery using the oil recovery composition are provided. An oil recovery composition may include an aqueous solution of one or more salts having a salinity of about 5000 parts-per-million (ppm) to about 6000 ppm and a polymer having a concentration of 250 ppm to 500 ppm. The one or more salts may include sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The polymer may include a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylamido tertiary butyl sulfonate (ATBS). The oil recovery compositions provided may be suited for enhancing oil recovery in carbonate reservoirs having in situ oil viscosities less than 3 centipoise (cP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Subhash Chandrabose Ayirala, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef, Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi