Patents by Inventor Bobby J. Burns

Bobby J. Burns 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: 8815785
    Abstract: Methods for creating a fluid diverting barrier in a zone of a subterranean formation are provided. Certain methods comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a soap component; placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore; and allowing the soap component of the treatment fluid to interact with a metal ion present in the subterranean formation to form a precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Bobby J. Burns
  • Patent number: 7829508
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of formulating a treatment fluid and introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore. The treatment fluid comprises water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.5 lb/gal, wherein at least 50% by weight of the salt is selected from the group consisting of: bromide salts, non-bromide salts having a higher salting-in effect than bromide according to the Hofmeister series as measured by the salt's effect on the cloud point of poly(ethylene oxide) that has a molecular weight of 4×106, and any combination in any proportion thereof. The invention also provides a treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the treatment fluid comprising: water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Ian D. Robb, Bobby J. Burns
  • Patent number: 7825073
    Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a gelling agent that comprises a clarified xanthan; and placing the viscosified treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the method comprises placing the viscosified treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the viscosified treatment fluid may also comprise a plurality of particulates. In some embodiments, the viscosified treatment fluids may be placed into at least a portion of a pipeline. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Michael W. Sanders, Jeffery L. Mundy, Sean R. Beach, Richard W. Pauls, Phillip C. Harris, Stanley J. Heath, David E. McMechan, Christina A. Parkinson, Harold G. Walters, Jason E. Bryant, Trinidad Munoz, Rajesh K. Saini, Bobby J. Burns
  • Publication number: 20100216673
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of formulating a treatment fluid and introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore. The treatment fluid comprises water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.5 lb/gal, wherein at least 50% by weight of the salt is selected from the group consisting of: bromide salts, non-bromide salts having a higher salting-in effect than bromide according to the Hofmeister series as measured by the salt's effect on the cloud point of poly(ethylene oxide) that has a molecular weight of 4×106, and any combination in any proportion thereof. The invention also provides a treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the treatment fluid comprising: water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Ian D. Robb, Bobby J. Burns
  • Publication number: 20090143256
    Abstract: Methods for creating a fluid diverting barrier in a zone of a subterranean formation are provided. Certain methods comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a soap component; placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore; and allowing the soap component of the treatment fluid to interact with a metal ion present in the subterranean formation to form a precipitate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Bobby J. Burns