Patents by Inventor David B. Allison
David B. Allison 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).
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Patent number: 10030494Abstract: Enhanced methods for use in subterranean operations and, more particularly, for fracturing a subterranean formation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises: introducing into a wellbore penetrating a portion of a subterranean formation alternating intervals of a particulate-laden fluid comprising a plurality of particulates sized 100 U.S. mesh or smaller, and a treatment fluid comprising a lesser amount of particulates than the particulate-laden fluid; wherein the alternating intervals of the particulate-laden fluid and the treatment fluid are introduced into the wellbore at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Harold G. Walters, David B. Allison, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
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Patent number: 9708523Abstract: Swellable spacer fluids can be useful in subterranean operations for sealing an annular space in a well bore, such as the annular space between a tubular and the subterranean formation or between two concentric tubulars, or for forming a seal inside a well bore in the subterranean formation. One embodiment of such methods involves providing a swellable fluid, wherein the swellable fluid comprises: an aqueous fluid, a crosslinking agent, and at least a plurality of swellable particles; and placing the swellable fluid in a subterranean formation, and allowing the spacer fluid to form a semi-solid crosslinked gel structure in the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David B. Allison, Rickey L. Morgan, Melissa G. Allin, Larry S. Eoff
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Patent number: 9464500Abstract: Rapid swelling and un-swelling materials provide for rapid actuation of well tools. A well tool can include a swellable material, with the swellable material comprising a swellable glass material. A method of actuating a well tool in a subterranean well can include contacting a swellable material of the well tool with an activating fluid in the well, thereby causing the swellable material to swell. The well tool rapidly actuates in response to contacting the swellable material with the activating fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David B. Allison, Leonard Case, Alf Kolbjorn Sevre
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Publication number: 20160194944Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to subterranean operations and, more particularly, to fracturing a subterranean formation. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method comprising: introducing into a wellbore penetrating a portion of a subterranean formation alternating intervals of a particulate-laden fluid comprising a plurality of particulates sized 100 U.S. mesh or smaller, and a treatment fluid comprising a lesser amount of particulates than the particulate-laden fluid; wherein the alternating intervals of the particulate-laden fluid and the treatment fluid are introduced into the wellbore at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: July 7, 2016Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Harold G. Walters, David B. Allison, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
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Patent number: 9273533Abstract: A well tool including swellable material and integrated fluid for initiating swelling. A well tool includes a swellable material and a reservoir for containing a fluid of a type which causes the swellable material to swell. A method of swelling a swellable material included in a well tool includes the steps of: positioning the well tool in a well; and then activating a fluid to cause swelling of the swellable material. A method of swelling a swellable material includes the steps of: providing the swellable material which is capable of swelling when contacted by a fluid; positioning the swellable material in an environment in which the swellable material is contacted by another fluid which does not cause the material to swell; and swelling the swellable material by contacting the swellable material with the first fluid while the swellable material remains in contact with the other fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2010Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David B. Allison, Alan B. Webb, Steven G. Streich, Christopher J. Chalker, Kristian Solhaug
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Patent number: 9063247Abstract: Methods for acquiring, cataloguing, and analyzing digital core samples taken of subterranean formations are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method that includes obtaining an image or a series of images of at least a portion of a subterranean formation; simulating, by a computing device, a fracturing characteristic of the subterranean formation based on the image or the series of images; and cataloguing the image or the series of images in a formation fingerprinting database.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Gang Li, David B. Allison, Andrew J. Eis, Ahmed Kenawi
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Patent number: 8883695Abstract: Reduction of the water permeability within a subterranean formation, particularly within a proppant pack or a gravel pack, can be achieved through the use of a relative permeability modifier (RPM) coated on a particulate material. Methods for reducing the water permeability include providing RPM-coated particulates that contain a RPM coating on the particulates, and placing a treatment fluid containing a base fluid and the RPM-coated particulates in at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid can also contain a companion polymer that serves to further reduce the water permeability compared to that achievable when using the RPM alone.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Larry S. Eoff, Bradley L. Todd, David B. Allison
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Patent number: 8555961Abstract: A swellable packer with composite material end rings. A packer assembly includes at least one generally tubular seal element extending longitudinally between opposite ends thereof. At least one end ring is positioned proximate one of the seal element opposite ends. The end ring includes a nonmetal material. A method of constructing a packer assembly includes the steps of: chemically bonding at least one end ring to a base pipe; providing at least one generally tubular seal element which extends longitudinally between opposite ends thereof; and restricting longitudinal displacement of the seal element relative to the base pipe utilizing the end ring positioned at one of its opposite ends.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2009Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Tom R. Koloy, Jonny Haugen, David B. Allison
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Publication number: 20130236064Abstract: Methods for acquiring, cataloguing, and analyzing digital core samples taken of subterranean formations are disclosed. One embodiment provides a method that includes obtaining an image or a series of images of at least a portion of a subterranean formation; simulating, by a computing device, a fracturing characteristic of the subterranean formation based on the image or the series of images; and cataloguing the image or the series of images in a formation fingerprinting database.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Gang Li, David B. Allison, Andrew J. Eis, Ahmed Kenawi
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Publication number: 20120279704Abstract: Reduction of the water permeability within a subterranean formation, particularly within a proppant pack or a gravel pack, can be achieved through the use of a relative permeability modifier (RPM) coated on a particulate material. Methods for reducing the water permeability include providing RPM-coated particulates that contain a RPM coating on the particulates, and placing a treatment fluid containing a base fluid and the RPM-coated particulates in at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The treatment fluid can also contain a companion polymer that serves to further reduce the water permeability compared to that achievable when using the RPM alone.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2011Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Larry S. Eoff, Bradley L. Todd, David B. Allison
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Patent number: 8127859Abstract: A method of sealing an annulus formed between a casing string and a surface in a well may include: positioning a seal element in the annulus with a swellable material of the seal element positioned between the casing string and the surface; and flowing cement through a channel formed between the swellable material and the casing string. A method of sealing in a well may include the steps of: positioning an annular seal element in the well, wherein the element may include a swellable material; and flowing cement into at least one channel formed longitudinally through the seal element. A method of sealing an annulus between two casing strings may include: providing multiple arcuate segments that may include a swellable material; and installing the segments in the annulus, wherein each of the segments may occupy a respective circumferential portion of the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David B. Allison, Timothy Bozeman, Michael MacDonald, Alf K. Sevre, Earl Webb
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Publication number: 20120048551Abstract: Rapid swelling and un-swelling materials provide for rapid actuation of well tools. A well tool can include a swellable material, with the swellable material comprising a swellable glass material. A method of actuating a well tool in a subterranean well can include contacting a swellable material of the well tool with an activating fluid in the well, thereby causing the swellable material to swell. The well tool rapidly actuates in response to contacting the swellable material with the activating fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: David B. ALLISON, Leonard CASE, Alf Kolbjorn SEVRE
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Patent number: 8100190Abstract: A method is provided for swelling hydrocarbon-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a water-in-oil emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the water-in-oil emulsion comprises: (i) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the external phase of the water-in-oil emulsion; (ii) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is an internal phase of the water-in-oil emulsion and wherein the aqueous liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the water-in-oil emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the water-in-oil emulsion to contact the hydrocarbon-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the hydrocarbon-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, David B. Allison, Michael A. McCabe, Matt E. Blauch
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Patent number: 8042618Abstract: A method is provided for swelling water-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing an oil-in-water emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises: (i) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is an internal phase of the oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the oil-in-water emulsion to contact the water-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the water-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, David B. Allison, Michael A. McCabe, Matt E. Blauch
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Publication number: 20110094746Abstract: In some embodiments, the invention provides methods useful for subterranean operations, and more particularly, to swellable spacer fluids for sealing an annular space in a well bore, such as the annular space between a tubular and the subterranean formation or between two concentric tubulars or for forming a seal inside a well bore in the subterranean formation. One method involves providing a swellable fluid, wherein the swellable fluid comprises: an aqueous fluid, a crosslinking agent, and at least a plurality of swellable particles; and placing the swellable fluid in a subterranean formation, and allowing the spacer fluid to form a semi-solid crosslinked gel structure in the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: David B. Allison, Rickey L. Morgan, Melissa G. Allin, Larry S. Eoff
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Publication number: 20110083861Abstract: A well tool including swellable material and integrated fluid for initiating swelling. A well tool includes a swellable material and a reservoir for containing a fluid of a type which causes the swellable material to swell. A method of swelling a swellable material included in a well tool includes the steps of: positioning the well tool in a well; and then activating a fluid to cause swelling of the swellable material. A method of swelling a swellable material includes the steps of: providing the swellable material which is capable of swelling when contacted by a fluid; positioning the swellable material in an environment in which the swellable material is contacted by another fluid which does not cause the material to swell; and swelling the swellable material by contacting the swellable material with the first fluid while the swellable material remains in contact with the other fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: David B. ALLISON, Alan B. WEBB, Steven G. STREICH, Christopher J. CHALKER, Kristian SOLHAUG
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Publication number: 20110036573Abstract: A method is provided for swelling hydrocarbon-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a water-in-oil emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the water-in-oil emulsion comprises: (i) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the external phase of the water-in-oil emulsion; (ii) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is an internal phase of the water-in-oil emulsion and wherein the aqueous liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the water-in-oil emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the water-in-oil emulsion to contact the hydrocarbon-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the hydrocarbon-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, David B. Allison, Michael A. McCabe, Matt E. Blauch
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Publication number: 20110036572Abstract: A method is provided for swelling water-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing an oil-in-water emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises: (i) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is an internal phase of the oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the oil-in-water emulsion to contact the water-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the water-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Richman, David B. Allison, Michael A. McCabe, Matt E. Blauch
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Publication number: 20110030954Abstract: A method of sealing an annulus formed between a casing string and a surface in a well includes: positioning a seal element in the annulus, a swellable material of the seal element being positioned between the casing string and the surface; and flowing cement through a channel formed between the swellable material and the casing string. A method of sealing in a well includes the steps of: positioning an annular seal element comprising a swellable material in the well; and flowing cement into at least one channel formed longitudinally through the seal element. A method of sealing an annulus between two casing strings includes: providing multiple arcuate segments, each of the segments comprising a swellable material; and installing the segments in the annulus, each of the segments thereby occupying a respective circumferential portion of the annulus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2010Publication date: February 10, 2011Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: David B. ALLISON, Timothy BOZEMAN, Michael MACDONALD, Alf K. SEVRE, Earl WEBB
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Patent number: 7866408Abstract: A well tool including swellable material and integrated fluid for initiating swelling. A well tool includes a swellable material and a reservoir for containing a fluid of a type which causes the swellable material to swell. A method of swelling a swellable material included in a well tool includes the steps of: positioning the well tool in a well; and then activating a fluid to cause swelling of the swellable material. A method of swelling a swellable material includes the steps of: providing the swellable material which is capable of swelling when contacted by a fluid; positioning the swellable material in an environment in which the swellable material is contacted by another fluid which does not cause the material to swell; and swelling the swellable material by contacting the swellable material with the first fluid while the swellable material remains in contact with the other fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: David B. Allison, Alan B. Webb, Steven G. Streich, Christopher J. Chalker, Kristian Solhaug