Patents by Inventor Andrew May

Andrew May 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: 11220625
    Abstract: A method of drilling may include mixing, at the surface, a base fluid, a polyvalent cation reactive polymer, and a delayed source of polyvalent cation so as to form a treatment fluid; placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation to form a solid plug including the polyvalent cation reactive polymer crosslinked with the polyvalent cation; contacting the solid plug with a breaker so as to transform the solid plug into a reclaimed treatment fluid; and removing the reclaimed treatment fluid. A system for drilling may include a treatment fluid, at the surface, including a polyvalent cation reactive polymer, and a delayed source of a polyvalent cation, where the treatment fluid is settable in the formation to form a solid plug including the polyvalent cation reactive polymer and the polyvalent cation; and a breaker, separate from the treatment fluid at the surface, capable of liquefying the solid plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston Andrew May, Jay Paul Deville
  • Publication number: 20210404270
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of enhancing the rheological properties of a colloidal mineral suspension in a liquid with high-intensity acoustical energy. In some examples, the colloidal mineral suspension may be dehydrated after treatment with high-intensity acoustical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Preston Andrew May, Eric Benjamin Frantz
  • Publication number: 20210403788
    Abstract: A fluid is provided. The fluid includes a base fluid and an additive. The additive has a marker functional group that absorbs infrared radiation having a wavelength in a predetermined range between about 2100 cm?1 and about 2300 cm?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jay Paul DEVILLE, Preston Andrew MAY, Michele Suzanne BROWN
  • Publication number: 20210405017
    Abstract: Described herein are methods to determine an amount of shale inhibitor in drilling fluids used in wellbore operations. In some cases, methods include receiving a sample of a drilling fluid, removing solids from the sample to produce a solids-free fluid, contacting the solids-free fluid with an anion to produce a precipitate in a test solution, and determining an amount of an amine-based shale inhibitor within the sample by measuring the amount of the precipitate in the test solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Preston Andrew May, Jay Paul Deville
  • Publication number: 20210389253
    Abstract: A method of detecting an amine-based additive in wellbore servicing fluid (WSF) comprising contacting an aliquot of WSF with an amine detector reagent and aqueous medium to form a detection solution; wherein the amine detector reagent comprises an amine detector compound, and a polar organic solvent (POS) with flash point >105° C.; wherein the WSF comprises the amine-based additive; and wherein the detection solution is characterized by at least one absorption peak wavelength in 380-760 nm; detecting an absorption intensity for detection solution at a wavelength within ±20% of the at least one absorption peak wavelength; comparing the absorption intensity of detection solution at the wavelength within ±20% of the at least one absorption peak wavelength with a target absorption intensity of amine-based additive to determine the amount of amine-based additive in WSF; and comparing the amount of amine-based additive in WSF with a target amount of amine-based additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Preston Andrew MAY, Emily Cummings HART, Jay Paul DEVILLE
  • Publication number: 20210388719
    Abstract: A method of detecting an amine-based additive in a wellbore servicing fluid (WSF) comprising contacting an aliquot of WSF with an amine detector compound and an aqueous salt solution to form a detection solution; wherein the aqueous salt solution comprises an inorganic salt and organic carboxylate salt; wherein the WSF comprises the amine-based additive; and wherein the detection solution is characterized by at least one absorption peak wavelength in the range of 380-760 nm; detecting an absorption intensity for detection solution at a wavelength within about ±20% of the at least one absorption peak wavelength; comparing the absorption intensity of detection solution at the wavelength within about ±20% of the at least one absorption peak wavelength with a target absorption intensity of amine-based additive to determine the amount of amine-based additive in WSF; and comparing the amount of amine-based additive in WSF with a target amount of amine-based additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Preston Andrew MAY, Emily Cummings HART, Jay Paul DEVILLE
  • Publication number: 20210371721
    Abstract: Compositions and methods of using such compositions to treat subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include providing a drilling fluid including an aqueous base fluid and a low molecular mass organic gelator; and using the drilling fluid to drill at least a portion of a wellbore that penetrates at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, the methods include providing a drilling fluid including an aqueous base fluid and a low molecular mass organic gelator; and using the drilling fluid to drill at least a portion of a wellbore that penetrates at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Hui Zhou, Jay Paul Deville, Preston Andrew May
  • Publication number: 20210372694
    Abstract: A method of operating a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a controller and a plurality of food storage compartments. The method includes identifying a food item, such as in response to a user input. The method also includes retrieving optimal or preferred storage conditions for the identified food item. The method may include modifying the conditions of a selected food storage compartment and/or providing instructions to modify the conditions of the selected food storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jianwu Li, Jason Andrew May
  • Publication number: 20210371720
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for using those compositions to at least partially stabilize subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include providing a treatment fluid including an aqueous base fluid and an additive including a low molecular mass organic gelator; introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation to contact at least a portion of the subterranean formation that includes shale; and allowing the additive to interact with the shale to at least partially stabilize the shale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Jay Paul Deville, Preston Andrew May
  • Publication number: 20210363884
    Abstract: A method comprising determining a concentration of one or more components of a wellbore servicing fluid during a wellbore servicing operation; and adjusting or maintaining a composition of the wellbore servicing fluid being introduced into a wellbore and/or an operational parameter of the wellbore servicing operation based on the determining of the concentration of the one or more components, wherein the determining of the concentration of the one or more components comprises contacting a sample of the wellbore servicing fluid with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device to provide a sample response indicative of the concentration of the one or more components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Dale E. JAMISON, William Walter SHUMWAY, Preston Andrew MAY, Jay Paul DEVILLE
  • Publication number: 20210363872
    Abstract: A method includes determining a concentration of one or more components of a subterranean fluid, and adjusting or maintaining at least one operating parameter of a wellbore servicing operation based on the determining of the concentration of the one or more components. The subterranean fluid includes a fluid obtained from a subterranean formation during the wellbore servicing operation, and the determining of the concentration of the one or more components includes contacting a sample of the subterranean fluid with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device to provide a sample response indicative of the concentration of the one or more components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Dale E. JAMISON, William Walter SHUMWAY, Preston Andrew MAY, Jay Paul DEVILLE
  • Publication number: 20210332285
    Abstract: Compositions and methods involving polyvalent cation reactive polymers for use as lost circulation materials in subterranean treatment operations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include forming a treatment fluid including a base fluid, a source of a polyvalent cation, a polyvalent cation reactive polymer, and an acid precursor; introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and allowing the treatment fluid to at least partially set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Preston Andrew May, Hui Zhou, Jay Deville
  • Publication number: 20210324446
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention provides amplification methods in which nucleotide tag(s) and, optionally, a barcode nucleotide sequence are added to target nucleotide sequences. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a microfluidic device that includes a plurality of first input lines and a plurality of second input lines. The microfluidic device also includes a plurality of sets of first chambers and a plurality of sets of second chambers. Each set of first chambers is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of first input lines. Each set of second chambers is in fluid communication with one of the plurality of second input lines. The microfluidic device further includes a plurality of first pump elements in fluid communication with a first portion of the plurality of second input lines and a plurality of second pump elements in fluid communication with a second portion of the plurality of second input lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: Fluidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew May, Peilin Chen, Jun Wang, Fiona Kaper, Megan Anderson
  • Patent number: 11130897
    Abstract: Methods for the use of treatment fluids that include thermally responsive viscosifiers in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include introducing a treatment fluid including an aqueous base fluid and a thermally responsive hydrogel including at least one thermoresponsive polymer into at least a portion of a subterranean formation; allowing the thermally responsive hydrogel to reach a thickening transition temperature, wherein the thermally responsive hydrogel undergoes a liquid-to-solid phase change at or above the thickening transition temperature; and allowing the treatment fluid to at least partially solidify in the subterranean formation, wherein the solid thermally responsive hydrogel is present in the treatment fluid in an amount from about 0.01 to about 0.2 by volume fraction of solids of the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Preston Andrew May, William Walter Shumway
  • Patent number: 11117072
    Abstract: Methods for breaking polymer-containing treatment fluids for use in subterranean formations are provided. In one or more embodiments, the methods comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a polymer, wherein the treatment fluid was used to treat at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and sonicating at least a portion of the treatment fluid to at least partially reduce the viscosity of the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston Andrew May, William Walter Shumway, Kingsley Ihueze Nzeadibe
  • Patent number: 11066590
    Abstract: Shale inhibiting additives for subterranean drilling and/or treatment fluids that include water-soluble polymers are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a shale inhibiting additive comprising a water-soluble polymer; introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation to contact at least a portion of the subterranean formation that comprises shale; and allowing the shale inhibiting additive to interact with the shale in the subterranean formation to at least partially inhibit the shale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Preston Andrew May
  • Patent number: 11060400
    Abstract: A method including determining a concentration of one or more components of a fluid during a wellbore servicing operation of a wellbore, and providing a trigger signal to actuate mechanical operation of a tool based on the determining of the concentration of the one or more components. The determining of the concentration of the one or more components includes contacting a sample of the fluid with a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device to provide a sample response indicative of the concentration of the one or more components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, William Walter Shumway, Preston Andrew May, Jay Paul Deville
  • Publication number: 20210179912
    Abstract: Methods for the use of treatment fluids that include thermally responsive viscosifiers in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include introducing a treatment fluid including an aqueous base fluid and a thermally responsive hydrogel including at least one thermoresponsive polymer into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Preston Andrew May, William Walter Shumway
  • Publication number: 20210179911
    Abstract: Methods for the use of treatment fluids that include thermally responsive anti-sag agents in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include introducing a treatment fluid including a base fluid and an anti-sag agent including a thermally responsive hydrogel that includes at least one thermoresponsive polymer into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Preston Andrew May, William Walter Shumway
  • Publication number: 20210179915
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for the use of thermally responsive lost circulation materials in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods include introducing a treatment fluid including a base fluid and a thermally responsive lost circulation material including a thermally responsive hydrogel that includes at least one thermoresponsive polymer into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation including a loss zone; allowing the thermally responsive lost circulation material to reach a thickening transition temperature; and allowing the treatment fluid to at least partially set in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, William Walter Shumway, Preston Andrew May