Patents by Inventor Audis C. Byrd

Audis C. Byrd 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: 20190316032
    Abstract: A dual-function polyacrylamide proppant suspending agent is prepared by blending polyacrylamide in a concentration range of 0.10% to 0.90% active polyacrylamide material in an aqueous solution by weight of the mix fluid. The proppant suspending agent can suspend granular materials commonly used as fracturing proppants. The polyacrylamide active material is used on the surface as proppant suspending agent to suspend proppants at very high proppant concentration levels. The polyacrylamide and proppant are both diluted by a supply of dean proppant free fluid to concentration ranges for proppant and friction reducer (FR) commonly used in Waterfrac treatments with the resulting slurry being injected into the wellbore, through the casing of the well and into the reservoir at high rates with lowered surface treating pressures. The polyacrylamide active material performs two different functions at two different times during the hydraulic fracturing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Audis C. BYRD, Robert D. HUNT, Larry M. SHULTZ
  • Patent number: 9850422
    Abstract: Systems, compositions, and methods usable to stimulate a formation include a first supply subsystem adapted to provide a first medium to the formation and a pressure subsystem that includes a pump in communication with the first medium to pressurize the first medium to a pressure sufficient to stimulate the formation. Usable media can include non-gelled liquid alkanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, foamed hydrocarbons, a fluidized solid proppant material that behaves as a liquid under threshold conditions, or a liquid material adapted to solidify under threshold conditions. A proppant can be supplied in addition to the first medium when performing fracturing operations. Usable proppant can include materials having a size or density adapted to facilitate buoyancy, hollow materials, composite materials, porous materials, or crystalline materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Prostim Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lestz, John F. Thrash, Audis C. Byrd, James H. Junkins
  • Publication number: 20160312108
    Abstract: Systems, compositions, and methods usable to stimulate a formation include a first supply subsystem adapted to provide a first medium to the formation and a pressure subsystem that includes a pump in communication with the first medium to pressurize the first medium to a pressure sufficient to stimulate the formation. Usable media can include non-gelled liquid alkanes, halogenated hydrocarbons, foamed hydrocarbons, a fluidized solid proppant material that behaves as a liquid under threshold conditions, or a liquid material adapted to solidify under threshold conditions. A proppant can be supplied in addition to the first medium when performing fracturing operations. Usable proppant can include materials having a size or density adapted to facilitate buoyancy, hollow materials, composite materials, porous materials, or crystalline materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: ProStim Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lestz, John F. Thrash, Audis C. Byrd, James H. Junkins
  • Publication number: 20150354329
    Abstract: A reciprocating pump for use in a wellbore is disclosed. The pump includes a fluid directing apparatus for directing fluid in and out of the pump, the fluid directing apparatus having an inlet disposed in a sidewall of the fluid directing apparatus and an outlet. The pump also includes a piston disposed in a fluid housing and a piston driving apparatus for reciprocating the piston in the fluid housing to cause fluid to be pulled in and out of the fluid directing tool. A method of using the reciprocating pump is also disclosed. The pump is placed in to the wellbore in an area where fluid is desired to be pumped out of the wellbore. Once positioned in the wellbore, the pump is operated to remove fluid from the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Larry Perry, Audis C. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20150114652
    Abstract: The disclosure contained herein describes systems, units, and methods usable to stimulate a formation including a pump usable to pressurize fluid, an electric-powered driver in communication with and actuating the pump, and an electrical power source in communication with and powering the electric-powered driver. The electrical power source can include on-site generators and/or grid power sources, and transformers can be used to alter the voltage received to a voltage suitable for powering the electric-powered driver. Air moving devices associated with the electric-powered driver can be used to provide air proximate to the pump to disperse gasses. In combination with fluid supply and/or proppant addition subsystems, the pump can be used to fracture a formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Robert S. Lestz, John F. Thrash, Audis C. Byrd, James H. Junkins, Norman S. Myers, David A. Carroll
  • Patent number: 7025134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to petroleum recovery operations, and more particularly, to the use of pulse technology to enhance the effectiveness of waterflooding operations. The systems of the present invention generally comprise an injection means for continually injecting a fluid into the subterranean formation, and a pressure pulsing means for periodically applying a pressure pulse having a given amplitude and frequency to the fluid while the fluid is being injected into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, David W. Ritter, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20040256097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to petroleum recovery operations, and more particularly, to the use of pulse technology to enhance the effectiveness of waterflooding operations. The systems of the present invention generally comprise an injection means for continually injecting a fluid into the subterranean formation, and a pressure pulsing means for periodically applying a pressure pulse having a given amplitude and frequency to the fluid while the fluid is being injected into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, David W. Ritter, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 6795773
    Abstract: Fracture design for well completion includes determining a conductivity profile for the given reservoir to be fractured. Materials needed to obtain this conductivity profile are selected based on their ability to meet the conductivity objective and their rank based on economic value. A further step gives the designer a pumping schedule to be performed on the surface after an initial test in the actual well. This can reduce the iterations required to optimize a fracturing treatment and significantly reduce the redesign process at the well site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Y. Soliman, Audis C. Byrd
  • Publication number: 20030050758
    Abstract: Fracture design for well completion includes determining a conductivity profile for the given reservoir to be fractured. Materials needed to obtain this conductivity profile are selected based on their ability to meet the conductivity objective and their rank based on economic value. A further step gives the designer a pumping schedule to be performed on the surface after an initial test in the actual well. This can reduce the iterations required to optimize a fracturing treatment and significantly reduce the redesign process at the well site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Mohamed Y. Soliman, Audis C. Byrd
  • Patent number: 5604300
    Abstract: Automated objective crosslink time and crosslink temperature determinations are provided in a method of testing for chemical crosslinking of a fluid. A fluid having a crosslinking agent is placed in a vessel and a paddle is rotated through the fluid in the vessel at substantially a constant rotational speed. A paddle torque parameter is sensed at sequential times and digital signals are encoded to define digital torque data representing values of the sensed torque parameter. In response to stored digital torque data and digital time data, a baseline torque parameter value and a change in the digital torque data representing increasing torque of the paddle are determined. In response to the baseline torque parameter value and the change in the digital torque data, a crosslink time for the fluid is determined. A crosslink temperature can also be determined. This is determined in response to the crosslink time and stored digital temperature data that has been obtained at sequential times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Norman A. Sayers, Russell D. Taylor, David L. Lord, Audis C. Byrd
  • Patent number: 4767603
    Abstract: A pig for a fluid conducting system includes a support member, a first rim extending substantially longitudinally from an end of the support member, and a second rim extending substantially longitudinally from an opposite end of the support member. In a preferred embodiment, the pig also includes an axially located actuator, disposed beyond the first rim, for actuating a first location signal signifying the pig has reached a first predetermined location. This embodiment also includes another actuator, disposed beyond the second rim, for actuating a second location signal signifying the pig has reached a second predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, Robert J. Morris
  • Patent number: 4754648
    Abstract: A gauge protector comprising a body, connector, cap assembly, piston with inter-relief valve assembly, valve extension assembly, and tattletale tube assembly with plug and plug level indicator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, Robert J. Morris
  • Patent number: 4661321
    Abstract: A continuous reactor for forming polymeric materials from reactive components for use in a system for mixing monomeric materials and the process of operation of the continuous reactor and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, Robert J. Morris, Robert H. Black, Jimmie D. Weaver, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4595566
    Abstract: A continuous reactor for forming polymeric materials from reactive components for use in a system for mixing monomeric materials and the process of operation of the continuous reactor and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, Robert J. Morris, Robert H. Black, Jimmie D. Weaver, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4445465
    Abstract: A sludge cleaning lance advancing apparatus includes a frame having a lead screw rotatably disposed in the frame. An electric stepping motor is connected to the frame and a belt and pulley drive is connected between the stepping motor and the lead screw for rotating the lead screw upon rotation of a shaft of the stepping motor. A lance carrier has an internal screw thread engaging the lead screw, and the lance carrier and lead screw are so arranged and constructed that the lance carrier is moved longitudinally relative to the lead screw as the lead screw is rotated relative to the lance carrier. A lance is carried by the lance carrier. A handwheel is attached to the lead screw for manually rotating the lead screw to initially position the lance. An alignment rod is provided to aid in this initial positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, Bradley L. Todd, William W. Pattison, Jr.