Patents by Inventor Bitao Lai

Bitao Lai 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: 10760395
    Abstract: Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Feng Liang, Leiming Li, Jilin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10670506
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for determining imbibition of hydraulic fracturing fluids into hydrocarbon-bearing formations. More specifically, the disclosure relates to laboratory methods for determining certain unconventional flow parameters to measure the imbibition over time of hydraulic fracturing fluids into a low-permeability hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, JinHong Chen
  • Patent number: 10591399
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for analyzing and modeling natural gas flow in subterranean shale reservoirs. In preferred embodiments, methodologies and techniques for determining and modeling natural gas flow in shale formations using methodologies and techniques capable of determining natural gas properties related to dual-continuum flow, permeability and pressure within a subterranean shale reservoir. In some embodiments, the natural gas properties are determined by subjecting a subterranean shale reservoir sample to pulse-decay analysis. In certain embodiments, the methodologies and techniques described herein may be used in various reservoirs exhibiting macroporosity and/or microporosity, such as fractured reservoirs and carbonate reservoirs composed of reservoir fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, Jinhong Chen, Daniel T. Georgi
  • Patent number: 10571384
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining permeability, as a function of pore pressure, and porosity of a subsurface formation. The method includes positioning a sample in a sample assembly comprising of a gas and a pressure gauge, inside a pressure vessel comprising gas or liquid and a pressure gauge, measuring a first gas pressure, pi, of the sample inside the pressure vessel, applying a second gas pressure, po, to the pressure vessel, the second gas pressure being greater than the first gas pressure, measuring a third gas pressure, p, at time, t, at location, x, from the inlet of sample inside the pressure vessel, determining a total gas mass per unit volume of the subsurface formation, m, and determining the permeability, k, of the subsurface formation as a function of pore pressure based at least in part on the first gas pressure, the second pressure, the third gas pressure, and the gas density, with a single test run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, Jilin Jay Zhang, Daniel Georgi, Xinwo Huang
  • Publication number: 20190345805
    Abstract: Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Feng Liang, Leiming Li, Jilin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10436696
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining permeability, as a function of pore pressure, and porosity of a subsurface formation. The method includes positioning a sample in a sample assembly comprising of a gas and a pressure gauge, inside a pressure vessel comprising gas or liquid and a pressure gauge, measuring a first gas pressure, pi, of the sample inside the pressure vessel, applying a second gas pressure, po, to the pressure vessel, the second gas pressure being greater than the first gas pressure, measuring a third gas pressure, p, at time, t, at location, x, from the inlet of sample inside the pressure vessel, determining a total gas mass per unit volume of the subsurface formation, m, and determining the permeability, k, of the subsurface formation as a function of pore pressure based at least in part on the first gas pressure, the second pressure, the third gas pressure, and the gas density, with a single test run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, Jilin Jay Zhang, Daniel Georgi, Xinwo Huang
  • Publication number: 20190293542
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for determining imbibition of hydraulic fracturing fluids into hydrocarbon-bearing formations. More specifically, the disclosure relates to laboratory methods for determining certain unconventional flow parameters to measure the imbibition over time of hydraulic fracturing fluids into a low-permeability hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, JinHong Chen
  • Patent number: 10415358
    Abstract: Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Feng Liang, Leiming Li, Jilin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10401274
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining permeability, as a function of pore pressure, and porosity of a subsurface formation. The method includes positioning a sample in a sample assembly comprising of a gas and a pressure gauge, inside a pressure vessel comprising gas or liquid and a pressure gauge, measuring a first gas pressure, pi, of the sample inside the pressure vessel, applying a second gas pressure, po, to the pressure vessel, the second gas pressure being greater than the first gas pressure, measuring a third gas pressure, p, at time, t, at location, x, from the inlet of sample inside the pressure vessel, determining a total gas mass per unit volume of the subsurface formation, m, and determining the permeability, k, of the subsurface formation as a function of pore pressure based at least in part on the first gas pressure, the second pressure, the third gas pressure, and the gas density, with a single test run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, Jilin Jay Zhang, Daniel Georgi, Xinwo Huang
  • Publication number: 20190250091
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining permeability, as a function of pore pressure, and porosity of a subsurface formation. The method includes positioning a sample in a sample assembly comprising of a gas and a pressure gauge, inside a pressure vessel comprising gas or liquid and a pressure gauge, measuring a first gas pressure, pi, of the sample inside the pressure vessel, applying a second gas pressure, po, to the pressure vessel, the second gas pressure being greater than the first gas pressure, measuring a third gas pressure, p, at time, t, at location, x, from the inlet of sample inside the pressure vessel, determining a total gas mass per unit volume of the subsurface formation, m, and determining the permeability, k, of the subsurface formation as a function of pore pressure based at least in part on the first gas pressure, the second pressure, the third gas pressure, and the gas density, with a single test run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, Jilin Jay Zhang, Daniel Georgi, Xinwo Huang
  • Patent number: 10365200
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for determining imbibition of hydraulic fracturing fluids into hydrocarbon-bearing formations. More specifically, the disclosure relates to laboratory methods for determining certain unconventional flow parameters to measure the imbibition over time of hydraulic fracturing fluids into a low-permeability hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, JinHong Chen
  • Patent number: 10254207
    Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Hui Li, Hui-Hai Liu, Yanhui Han
  • Publication number: 20180340878
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining permeability, as a function of pore pressure, and porosity of a subsurface formation. The method includes positioning a sample in a sample assembly comprising of a gas and a pressure gauge, inside a pressure vessel comprising gas or liquid and a pressure gauge, measuring a first gas pressure, pi, of the sample inside the pressure vessel, applying a second gas pressure, po, to the pressure vessel, the second gas pressure being greater than the first gas pressure, measuring a third gas pressure, p, at time, t, at location, x, from the inlet of sample inside the pressure vessel, determining a total gas mass per unit volume of the subsurface formation, m, and determining the permeability, k, of the subsurface formation as a function of pore pressure based at least in part on the first gas pressure, the second pressure, the third gas pressure, and the gas density, with a single test run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, Jilin Jay Zhang, Daniel Georgi, Xinwo Huang
  • Publication number: 20180238154
    Abstract: Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Bitao LAI, Feng LIANG, Leiming LI, Jilin ZHANG
  • Patent number: 10048179
    Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Hui Li, Hui-Hai Liu, Yanhui Han
  • Patent number: 9983106
    Abstract: A compressive load is exerted with a test apparatus across a rock sample that has a specified length-to-diameter ratio. A strain on the rock sample is measured during the compressive loading with a strain gauge. A mechanical property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the compressive load. An elastic property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yanhui Han, Bitao Lai, Hui-Hai Liu, Hui Li
  • Publication number: 20180088014
    Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Hui Li, Hui-Hai Liu, Yanhui Han
  • Publication number: 20170299486
    Abstract: A compressive load is exerted with a test apparatus across a rock sample that has a specified length-to-diameter ratio. A strain on the rock sample is measured during the compressive loading with a strain gauge. A mechanical property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the compressive load. An elastic property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Yanhui HAN, Bitao LAI, Hui-Hai LIU, Hui LI
  • Publication number: 20170299485
    Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Hui Li, Hui-Hai Liu, Yanhui Han
  • Publication number: 20170167964
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining permeability, as a function of pore pressure, and porosity of a subsurface formation. The method includes positioning a sample in a sample assembly comprising of a gas and a pressure gauge, inside a pressure vessel comprising gas or liquid and a pressure gauge, measuring a first gas pressure, pi, of the sample inside the pressure vessel, applying a second gas pressure, po, to the pressure vessel, the second gas pressure being greater than the first gas pressure, measuring a third gas pressure, p, at time, t, at location, x, from the inlet of sample inside the pressure vessel, determining a total gas mass per unit volume of the subsurface formation, m, and determining the permeability, k, of the subsurface formation as a function of pore pressure based at least in part on the first gas pressure, the second pressure, the third gas pressure, and the gas density, with a single test run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Hui-Hai Liu, Bitao Lai, Jilin Jay Zhang, Daniel Georgi, Xinwo Huang