Patents by Inventor Amy J. Cairns

Amy J. Cairns 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: 20240124760
    Abstract: Acidizing treatments for carbonate reservoir may include a surfactant comprising one or more of C8-C30-alkyloxyglycoside-substituted hydroxysultaine, C8-C30-alkylamidopropyl hydroxysulfobetaine, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), C8-C30-alkyl amido alkylamine oxide, C8-C30-alkyl-amido amine oxide, C8-C30-alkyl amine oxide, C8-C30-alkyl aryl amine oxide, C8-C30-alkyl polyether phosphate, C8-C30-alkyl polyether phosphonate, C8-C30-alkyl ether phosphonate, C8-C30-alkyl amido ammonium propyl sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl amido ammonium vinyl sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl ether sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl amido ammonium propyl sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl ether sulfonate, alpha olefin sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl benzene sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl ethoxy carboxylate, C8-C30-alkylphenol ethoxylate carboxylate, and C8-C30-alkyl amido ammonium carboxylate. These acidizing treatments may also include an aqueous acid solution or mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
    Inventors: Amy J. Cairns, Ayrat Gizzatov, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mohammed Sayed
  • Publication number: 20240067868
    Abstract: The present application relates to compositions and methods for controlled delivery of acid to a desired location, for instance to a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Amy J. Cairns, Katherine L. Hull, Desmond E. Schipper
  • Patent number: 11905804
    Abstract: Techniques for treating a hydrocarbon reservoir include delivering a composition to the hydrocarbon reservoir. The composition includes at least one acid, and liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2). The method further includes exposing the delivered composition to water to activate the composition; and treating a rock formation of the hydrocarbon reservoir with the activated composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Amy J. Cairns, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Publication number: 20240035374
    Abstract: A method includes introducing a fluoro-based small molecule tracer into a stimulation fluid, injecting the stimulation fluid into a target zone of a subterranean formation, and maintaining the fluoro-based small molecule tracer inside the target zone of the subterranean formation for an amount of time. While being maintained inside the target zone, the fluoro-based small molecule tracer comes into contact with water at a downhole temperature resulting in hydrolysis of the fluoro-based small molecule tracer to produce a fluorinated tracer and a nonfluorinated group. Then, produced fluid that includes the fluorinated tracer is recovered, a concentration of the fluorinated tracer in the hydrocarbons is determined, and the concentration of the fluorinated tracer is correlated to a productivity of the target zone of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
    Inventors: Rajesh Kumar Saini, Amy J. Cairns, Shitong Sherry Zhu, Ayrat Gizzatov, Wei Wang, Mohammed Sayed, Hooisweng Ow
  • Publication number: 20240035373
    Abstract: A method for monitoring gas production in a subterranean formation includes introducing a polymer composite particle having a degradable portion and a non-degradable portion including a tracer into a stimulation fluid and injecting the stimulation fluid into the subterranean formation to a treatment stage of a treatment zone. The treatment stage has at least one opening that the polymer composite particle may flow into and remain inside. The polymer composite particle may be exposed to moisture at a downhole temperature while inside the at least one opening. The moisture may degrade the degradable portion of the polymer composite particle, thereby releasing the non-degradable portion including the tracer. Produced gas that includes the non-degradable portion including the tracer may be recovered from the subterranean formation and the tracer may be correlated to the treatment stage of the treatment zone of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ayrat Gizzatov, Shitong Sherry Zhu, Amy J. Cairns, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mohammed Sayed, Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20240018411
    Abstract: A composition for treating a formation includes a surfactant including an amphiphilic block copolymer having a first block and a second block and an acid. The amphiphilic block copolymer is a reaction product of a first monomer and a second monomer via a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) in a two-step reaction using a chain transfer agent (CTA) and a radical initiator. The surfactant favors adsorption onto a surface of the formation such that a temporary barrier is formed, thereby attenuating a reaction rate between the acid and the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
    Inventors: Sivaprakash Shanmugam, Amy J. Cairns, Mohammed Sayed
  • Publication number: 20240002717
    Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively reducing water production in a well. The interior of the well casing is in fluid communication with a subterranean formation with a hydrocarbon-producing zone and a water-producing zone. The subterranean formation has a switchable polymer in contact with at least one of the hydrocarbon-producing zone and the water-producing zone. The switchable nature of the polymer enables a hydrophobic state and a hydrophilic state and fluid communication between the water-producing zone and the interior of the well casing is greater when the polymer is in its hydrophilic state than when the polymer is in its hydrophobic state. In its hydrophilic state, more of the polymer will invade the water-producing zone but the plugging action will not take place until it is switched to the hydrophobic state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Rajesh Kumar Saini, Amy J. Cairns
  • Patent number: 11851613
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlled delivery of acid to a desired location, for instance to a subterranean formation, are disclosed. A method for in situ acid stimulation of a subterranean formation that contains a hydrocarbon reservoir and a method for in situ acid treatment of a subterranean formation includes contacting the subterranean formation with (a) a sulfonate-based ammonium salt capable of being oxidized to produce acid; and (b) an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing the sulfonate-based ammonium salt, where the ammonium salt and oxidizing agent in the aqueous fluid react to produce acid. The method for in situ acid stimulation of a subterranean formation includes stimulating the subterranean formation with the produced acid. The method for in situ acid treatment of a subterranean formation includes treating the subterranean formation with the produced acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Amy J. Cairns, Katherine L. Hull, Desmond E. Schipper
  • Patent number: 11840666
    Abstract: A formation treatment composition that includes an aqueous fluid, at least omniphobic fluorochemical, and an acid is described. A method of attenuating acid reactivity of a formation rock is also described. The method includes injecting a formation treatment composition into a reservoir, contacting the omniphobic fluorochemical of the formation treatment composition with the rock, and mitigating a reaction between the acid of the formation treatment composition and the rock surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohammed Sayed, Rajesh Saini, Fakuen Frank Chang, Amy J. Cairns
  • Publication number: 20230392484
    Abstract: Techniques for treating a hydrocarbon reservoir include delivering a composition to the hydrocarbon reservoir. The composition includes at least one acid, and liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2). The method further includes exposing the delivered composition to water to activate the composition; and treating a rock formation of the hydrocarbon reservoir with the activated composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Amy J. Cairns, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Patent number: 11808146
    Abstract: Testing apparatuses and their methods of use for testing core samples with treatment fluids, such as reactive fluids, such as acidic fluids, are provided. The testing apparatuses include a top and a base housing coupled together having a sample recess, a viewing window, and a primary distribution hole. Within the sample recess a core sample assembly is secured and immobilized. The core sample assembly in the testing apparatus is viewable through the viewing window and fluidly accessible through the primary distribution hole. Optionally, a light connector coupled to the testing apparatus provides light into the core sample assembly. Methods of using the testing apparatus include providing a testing apparatus with a core sample assembly secured and immobilized within the sample recess of the testing apparatus, introducing a treatment fluid to the core sample, and detecting the interaction within the testing apparatus of the core sample with the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ayrat Gizzatov, Karim Ismail, Mohammed Sayed, Amy J. Cairns
  • Patent number: 11781057
    Abstract: A composition for treating a formation includes a surfactant including an amphiphilic block copolymer having a first block and a second block and an acid. The amphiphilic block copolymer is a reaction product of a first monomer and a second monomer via a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) in a two-step reaction using a chain transfer agent (CTA) and a radical initiator. The surfactant favors adsorption onto a surface of the formation such that a temporary barrier is formed, thereby attenuating a reaction rate between the acid and the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Sivaprakash Shanmugam, Amy J. Cairns, Mohammed Sayed
  • Publication number: 20230184075
    Abstract: Formation treatment compositions may include a surfactant and an aqueous acid solution or mixture. The surfactant may include one or more of C6-C20-fluoroalkylsulfonate, C6-C20-alkylarylsulfonate, C6-C20-alkylcycloalkylsulfonate, C6-C20-arylsulfate, C6-C20-alkylphosphonate, C6-C20-arylphosphonate, C6-C20-alkylpolyetherphosphate, C6-C20-alkylpolyetherphosphonate, C6-C20-alkylcarboxylate, C6-C20-arylcarboxylate, and polyoxyethyleneamine. In the formation treatment compositions, the surfactant may be configured to partially or fully adsorb on a carbonate formation to accelerate the partial dissolution of the formation. Methods of treating a formation may include introducing the formation treatment composition into a wellbore such that that the formation treatment composition contacts the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
    Inventors: Amy J. CAIRNS, Frank F. CHANG, Mohammed SAYED
  • Publication number: 20230137416
    Abstract: A composition for treating a formation includes a surfactant including an amphiphilic block copolymer having a first block and a second block and an acid. The amphiphilic block copolymer is a reaction product of a first monomer and a second monomer via a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) in a two-step reaction using a chain transfer agent (CTA) and a radical initiator. The surfactant favors adsorption onto a surface of the formation such that a temporary barrier is formed, thereby attenuating a reaction rate between the acid and the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
    Inventors: Sivaprakash Shanmugam, Amy J. Cairns, Mohammed Sayed
  • Patent number: 11597867
    Abstract: A method and reactive treatment fluid for treating a wellbore for filter cake removal, including providing the reactive treatment fluid having a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) into a wellbore in a subterranean formation and attacking the filter cake via the reactive treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Brady Kevin Crane, Amy J. Cairns
  • Patent number: 11555145
    Abstract: A method for stimulating production of hydrocarbons from a sandstone formation includes the steps of injecting a stimulation fluid formed from a hydrofluoric acid generating precursor and an oxidizing agent, an ammonium containing compound, and a nitrite containing compound into the sandstone formation, where one or both of the hydrofluoric acid generating precursor and the oxidizing agent comprise a degradable encapsulation. The method further includes maintaining the stimulation fluid, the ammonium containing compound, and the nitrite containing compound in the sandstone formation to initiate reaction and generate heat and nitrogen gas. Upon generation of heat and degradation of the degradable encapsulation, the hydrofluoric acid generating precursor and the oxidizing agent react to form hydrofluoric acid in-situ to dissolve silica and silicate minerals and stimulate the sandstone formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ayman R. Al-Nakhli, Amy J. Cairns, Katherine Hull
  • Patent number: 11505737
    Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the controlled delivery of acid to a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohammed Sayed, Amy J. Cairns, Bashayer S. Aldakkan, Ahmed M. Gomaa, Khalid R. Al-Noaimi
  • Patent number: 11485900
    Abstract: The present application relates to methods and systems for mitigating condensate banking. In some embodiments, the methods and systems involve altering the wettability of a rock formation in the vicinity of a wellbore for a gas condensate reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mohammed Sayed, Hooisweng Ow, Mohammad Haque, Amy J. Cairns
  • Publication number: 20220290034
    Abstract: Acidizing treatments for carbonate reservoir may include a surfactant comprising one or more of C8-C30-alkyloxyglycoside-substituted hydroxysultaine, C8-C30-alkylamidopropyl hydroxysulfobetaine, poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), C8-C30-alkyl amido alkylamine oxide, C8-C30-alkyl-amido amine oxide, C8-C30-alkyl amine oxide, C8-C30-alkyl aryl amine oxide, C8-C30-alkyl polyether phosphate, C8-C30-alkyl polyether phosphonate, C8-C30-alkyl ether phosphonate, C8-C30-alkyl amido ammonium propyl sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl amido ammonium vinyl sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl ether sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl amido ammonium propyl sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl ether sulfonate, alpha olefin sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl benzene sulfonate, C8-C30-alkyl ethoxy carboxylate, C8-C30-alkylphenol ethoxylate carboxylate, and C8-C30-alkyl amido ammonium carboxylate. These acidizing treatments may also include an aqueous acid solution or mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
    Inventors: Amy J. Cairns, Ayrat Gizzatov, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Mohammed Sayed
  • Publication number: 20220243117
    Abstract: A method and reactive treatment fluid for treating a wellbore for filter cake removal, including providing the reactive treatment fluid having a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) into a wellbore in a subterranean formation and attacking the filter cake via the reactive treatment fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Brady Kevin Crane, Amy J. Cairns