Patents by Inventor David Antony Ballard

David Antony Ballard 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: 9315714
    Abstract: A method of treating a formation that includes exposing a region of the formation occupied by a hydrolysable gel to a hydrolyzing agent; and allowing sufficient time for the hydrolyzing agent to hydrolyze the gel. Various methods may also include the use of a swelling agent to allow for expansion of the gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignees: M-I L.L.C., M-I Drilling Fluids U.K. Limited
    Inventors: Mark Sanders, David Antony Ballard, Arvind D. Patel, Jason T. Scorsone
  • Patent number: 8876437
    Abstract: A method of treating an earth formation that includes introducing at least one blocked isocyanate in a liquid phase into the earthen formation; introducing at least one active hydrogen compound into the earthen formation; and contacting the blocked isocyante and the active hydrogen compound form an elastomeric gel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Publication number: 20140162909
    Abstract: A method of formulating a wellbore fluid that includes precipitating a weighting agent from a solution; and adding the precipitated weighting agent to a base fluid to form a wellbore fluid is disclosed. Fluids and methods of formulating wellbore fluids that contain dispersant coated precipitated weighting agents are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Antony Ballard, Jarrod Massam
  • Patent number: 8598096
    Abstract: A method of formulating a wellbore fluid that includes precipitating a weighting agent from a solution; and adding the precipitated weighting agent to a base fluid to form a wellbore fluid is disclosed. Fluids and methods of formulating wellbore fluids that contain dispersant coated precipitated weighting agents are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Antony Ballard, Jarrod Massam
  • Patent number: 8474532
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid that includes an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase comprising a water-soluble silicate therein; and an emulsifier to stabilize the non-oleaginous phase dispersed in the oleaginous phase is disclosed. A setting agent, including organic or inorganic setting agent may optionally be included to trigger gelation or precipitation of the silicate downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: M-1 Drilling Fluids U.K. Limited
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Publication number: 20120234544
    Abstract: A method of treating a formation that includes emplacing an oxidizing breaker fluid into a region of the formation occupied by a gel; and allowing sufficient time for the oxidizing breaker fluid to degrade the gel is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Sanders, David Antony Ballard
  • Publication number: 20120202718
    Abstract: A method of formulating a wellbore fluid that includes precipitating a weighting agent from a solution; and adding the precipitated weighting agent to a base fluid to form a wellbore fluid is disclosed. Fluids and methods of formulating wellbore fluids that contain dispersant coated precipitated weighting agents are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Antony Ballard, Jarrod Massam
  • Patent number: 8207097
    Abstract: A method of treating a formation that includes emplacing an oxidizing breaker fluid into a region of the formation occupied by a gel; and allowing sufficient time for the oxidizing breaker fluid to degrade the gel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Sanders, David Antony Ballard
  • Patent number: 8178475
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid that includes an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous phase; and a polymeric additive formed by mixing at least one lipophilic monomer and at least one crosslinking agent, wherein the at least one lipophilic monomer is at least one of an epoxide-functionalized derivative of at least one selected from soybean oil, linseed oil, rapeseed oil, cashew nut shell oil; perilla oil, tung oil, oiticia oil, safflower oil, poppy oil, hemp oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, high-oleic triglycerides, triglycerides of euphorbia plants, peanut oil, olive oil, olive kernel oil, almond oil, kapok oil, hazelnut oil, apricot kernel oil, beechnut oil, lupine oil, maize oil, sesame oil, grapeseed oil, lallemantia oil, castor oil, herring oil, sardine oil, menhaden oil, whale oil, tall oil, and synthetic aliphatic or aromatic ethers, and the at least one crosslinking agent includes at least one selected from amines, alcohols, phenols, thiols, carbanions, carboxylates, and mixtures thereof is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Patent number: 8168569
    Abstract: A method of formulating a wellbore fluid that includes precipitating a weighting agent from a solution; and adding the precipitated weighting agent to a base fluid to form a wellbore fluid is disclosed. Fluids and methods of formulating wellbore fluids that contain dispersant coated precipitated weighting agents are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Antony Ballard, Jarrod Massam
  • Publication number: 20120061083
    Abstract: The present application describes improved compositions for wellbore fluids for use in downhole (e.g. oilwell) applications. The compositions comprise a blocked isocyanate (BI) component having a tolerance improving group (such as a hydrophilic group, e.g. an amine) bonded to it, and an active hydrogen component. When the BI group is unblocked, it reacts with the active hydrogen component to form a gel which, by virtue of the tolerance improving group, is more tolerant to contaminants (such as aqueous inorganic salts or brines) than the corresponding gel forms from unmodified BI. The application also relates to methods of treating an earthen formation using such a composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: M-I DRILLING FLUIDS UK LIMITED
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Publication number: 20110053809
    Abstract: A method of treating a formation that includes exposing a region of the formation occupied by a hydrolysable gel to a hydrolyzing agent; and allowing sufficient time for the hydrolyzing agent to hydrolyze the gel. Various methods may also include the use of a swelling agent to allow for expansion of the gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicants: M-I L.L.C., M-I DRILLING FLUIDS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Sanders, David Antony Ballard, Arvind D. Patel, Jason T. Scorsone
  • Publication number: 20110024122
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods of treating a wellbore (101) including emplacing at least one electrolytic tool (50) in a desired section of the wellbore, applying an electric charge to wellbore fluids present in the desired section of the wellbore, and generating oxidants in situ by electrolyzing components of the wellbore fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: M-I DRILLING FLUIDS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: David Antony Ballard, Andy Popplestone
  • Publication number: 20100326660
    Abstract: A direct emulsion wellbore fluid, including: a continuous non-oleaginous phase; a discontinuous oleaginous phase; a stabilizing agent; an oil-miscible epoxy-based resin; and a hardening agent; wherein the wellbore fluid is a stable emulsion having a viscosity greater than 200 cps. In some embodiments, the hardening agent is an oil-miscible hardening agent; in other embodiments, the hardening agent is an oil-immiscible hardening agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: David Antony Ballard, Andrew Burn
  • Patent number: 7825071
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid that includes an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous phase; and a modified polyesteramide surfactant; methods of formulating such wellbore fluid; and methods of drilling a subterranean formation with such wellbore fluid are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Publication number: 20100258313
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid that includes an oleaginous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous discontinuous phase comprising a water-soluble silicate therein; and an emulsifier to stabilize the non-oleaginous phase dispersed in the oleaginous phase is disclosed. A setting agent, including organic or inorganic setting agent may optionally be included to trigger gelation or precipitation of the silicate downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: M-I DRILLING FLUIDS UK LIMITED
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Patent number: 7786052
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid that includes an oleagninous continuous phase; a non-oleaginous phase; and a polymeric additive formed by reaction of at least one lipophilic epoxy modifier and at least one epoxide-reactive agent, wherein the at least one epoxide-reactive agent comprises at least one selected from lignins, tannins, biopolymers, starches, carboxy methyl cellulose, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, and synthetic polymers is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Patent number: 7786053
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid having at least two phases, the wellbore fluid including a fluid phase; and a solid phase including a powdered solid material coated with a polymer, wherein the polymer is the reaction product of a polyesteramide and a crosslinking agent is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: M-1 L.L.C.
    Inventor: David Antony Ballard
  • Publication number: 20100210480
    Abstract: An invert emulsion wellbore fluid, including: a continuous oleaginous phase; a discontinuous non-oleaginous phase; a stabilizing agent; an oil-immiscible epoxy-based resin; and a hardening agent; wherein the wellbore fluid is a stable emulsion having a viscosity greater than 200 cps. In some embodiments, the hardening agent is an oil-miscible hardening agent; in other embodiments, the hardening agent is an oil-immiscible hardening agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: David Antony Ballard, Andrew Burn
  • Publication number: 20100197528
    Abstract: A method of treating a formation that includes emplacing an oxidizing breaker fluid into a region of the formation occupied by a gel; and allowing sufficient time for the oxidizing breaker fluid to degrade the gel is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Sanders, David Antony Ballard