Patents by Inventor Alfredo Villarreal

Alfredo Villarreal 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).

  • Publication number: 20180305603
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using hydrophobizing agents to prevent or delay acidization and/or improve filter cake removal in subterranean formations are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and one or more hydrophobizing agents; contacting at least a portion of a surface within a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid; and allowing the hydrophobizing agent to interact with the portion of the surface within the subterranean formation to reduce its reactivity with an acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: William Walter Shumway, Cato Russell McDaniel, Alfredo Villarreal, Catherine Martin Santos
  • Patent number: 10106718
    Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: providing coated particles, wherein the coated particles comprise solid particles coated with an expandable coating; and introducing the coated particles into a permeable zone of the subterranean formation such that the coated particles form a barrier to fluid flow in the permeable zone. In another embodiment, a method of drilling a well bore may be provided, the method comprising: including coated particles in a drilling fluid, the coated particles comprising solid particles coated with an expandable coating; using a drill bit to enlarge the well bore; and circulating the drilling fluid past the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo Villarreal, Jr., William Walter Shumway
  • Publication number: 20170145283
    Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: providing coated particles, wherein the coated particles comprise solid particles coated with an expandable coating; and introducing the coated particles into a permeable zone of the subterranean formation such that the coated particles form a barrier to fluid flow in the permeable zone. In another embodiment, a method of drilling a well bore may be provided, the method comprising: including coated particles in a drilling fluid, the coated particles comprising solid particles coated with an expandable coating; using a drill bit to enlarge the well bore; and circulating the drilling fluid past the drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo Villarreal, William Walter Shumway
  • Patent number: 9598927
    Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: providing coated particles, wherein the coated particles comprise solid particles coated with an expandable coating; and introducing the coated particles into a permeable zone of the subterranean formation such that the coated particles form a barrier to fluid flow in the permeable zone. In another embodiment, a method of drilling a well bore may be provided, the method comprising: including coated particles in a drilling fluid, the coated particles comprising solid particles coated with an expandable coating; using a drill bit to enlarge the well bore; and circulating the drilling fluid past the drill bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo Villarreal, Jr., William Walter Shumway
  • Publication number: 20140135237
    Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising: providing coated particles, wherein the coated particles comprise solid particles coated with an expandable coating; and introducing the coated particles into a permeable zone of the subterranean formation such that the coated particles form a barrier to fluid flow in the permeable zone. In another embodiment, a method of drilling a well bore may be provided, the method comprising: including coated particles in a drilling fluid, the coated particles comprising solid particles coated with an expandable coating; using a drill bit to enlarge the well bore; and circulating the drilling fluid past the drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Alfredo Villarreal, JR., William Walter Shumway
  • Publication number: 20140087974
    Abstract: Additives used in treatment fluids include particulate weighting agents comprising removable coatings which can be used in methods such as drilling and cementing operations; a method includes providing a treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid including a coated particulate weighting agent including a core weighting agent having a first specific gravity and a removable polymer coating having a second specific gravity, the first specific gravity and the second specific gravity are not the same, introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation, and allowing a portion of the removable polymer coating to be removed to alter the specific gravity of the coated particulate weighting agent down hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo Villarreal, William Walter Shumway