Patents by Inventor David E. McMechan

David E. McMechan 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: 20080161212
    Abstract: Among many things, in some embodiments, dual-function additives that enhance fluid loss control and the stability of viscoelastic surfactant fluids, and their associated methods of use in subterranean formations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a viscoelastic surfactant fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a dual-function additive that comprises a soap component; and introducing the viscoelastic surfactant fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, David E. McMechan, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20080139415
    Abstract: Many methods are provided herein including a method of providing fluid loss control comprising: providing a treatment fluid; adding to the treatment fluid an acid-generating fluid loss control additive comprising an acid-generating component wherein the acid-generating fluid loss control additive forms droplets in the treatment fluid; and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Other methods are provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Bradley L. Todd, David E. McMechan
  • Publication number: 20080078546
    Abstract: Of the many methods provided, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a first surfactant, and a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, David E. McMechan, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20080045422
    Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, David E. McMechan, Karen L. King, Jiten Chatterji
  • Publication number: 20080035342
    Abstract: Methods of acidizing subterranean formations or well bores, and more specifically, to acidizing systems involving acid-generating fluids that comprise acid-generating compounds and associated methods are provided. An example of a method of the present invention comprises: providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises an acid-generating compound; placing the acid-generating fluid into a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the acid-generating compound to produce an acid that then acidizes at least a portion of the subterranean formation or damage contained in the formation or well bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Saini, Bradley L. Todd, David E. McMechan, Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls
  • Publication number: 20080035339
    Abstract: Among many things, compositions and methods relating to the prevention and remediation of surfactant gel damage are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a chelating agent and a scale control agent, and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation that has been treated with a viscoelastic surfactant fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Jason E. Bryant, David E. McMechan
  • Publication number: 20080035340
    Abstract: Among many things, compositions and methods relating to the prevention and remediation of surfactant gel damage are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid; at least one component selected from the group consisting of a chelating agent and a scale control agent; at least one component selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, a glycol, a pH modifier, a hydrocarbon, a mutual solvent, an oxidizer, a reducer, an enzyme, a transition metal, a combination thereof, and a derivative thereof; and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a nonemulsifier, a demulsifier, a combination thereof, and a derivative thereof, and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Jason E. Bryant, David E. McMechan
  • Publication number: 20080035341
    Abstract: Methods of acidizing subterranean formations or well bores, and more specifically, to acidizing systems involving acid-generating fluids that comprise acid-generating compounds and associated methods are provided. An example is a method that comprises: providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises an acid-generating compound; placing the acid-generating fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing an acid to generate from the acid-generating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Saini, Bradley L. Todd, David E. McMechan, Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls
  • Publication number: 20080035338
    Abstract: Many methods and compositions are provided. One of the methods provided comprises the steps of: providing an aqueous treatment fluid that comprises a polysaccharide and a dual functional component, the aqueous treatment fluid having a first viscosity; allowing the dual functional component to interact with the polysaccharide such that the viscosity of the aqueous treatment fluid increases to a second viscosity, the second viscosity being greater than the first viscosity; placing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the dual functional component to interact with the polysaccharide so as to reduce the second viscosity of the aqueous treatment fluid to a third viscosity, the third viscosity being less than the second viscosity. An example of a composition is a viscosified treatment fluid for treating subterranean formations comprising: an aqueous base fluid and an apparent cross linked reaction product of a polysaccharide and a dual functional component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Thomas D. Welton, David E. McMechan, Jason Bryant
  • Patent number: 7311146
    Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., David E. McMechan, Karen L. King, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7271134
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods comprising providing an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising water, an anionic salt, a water-based friction reducing polymer, a polyol, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant; mixing the aqueous polymer dispersion with additional water to form an aqueous treatment fluid; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Also disclosed are methods comprising providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, an anionic salt, a water-based friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to provide friction reduction without forming a gel, a polyol, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen L. King, David E. McMechan, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7232793
    Abstract: Provided are methods comprising providing an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising water, an anionic salt, a water-based friction reducing polymer, a polyol, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant; mixing the aqueous polymer dispersion with additional water to form an aqueous treatment fluid; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Also provided are methods comprising providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, an anionic salt, a water-based friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to provide friction reduction without forming a gel, a polyol, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen L. King, David E. McMechan, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7140437
    Abstract: An apparatus (50) for monitoring a treatment process in a treatment interval (58) includes a packer assembly (60) and a sand control screen assembly (64) connected relative to the packer assembly (60). A cross-over assembly (62) provides lateral communication paths (92, 98) downhole and uphole of the packer assembly for respectively delivering of a treatment fluid (84) and taking return fluid. A wash pipe assembly (76) is positioned in communication with the lateral communication path (98) uphole of the packer assembly (60) and extending into the interior of the sand control screen assembly (64). At least one sensor (80) is operably associated with the wash pipe assembly (76) to collect data relative to at least one property of the treatment fluid during a treatment process such that a characteristic of the treatment fluid (84) is regulatable during the treatment process based upon the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. McMechan, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7004254
    Abstract: Aqueous treatment fluids that comprise water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide in an amount in the range of from about 60% to about 90% by weight and acrylic acid in an amount in the range of from about 10% to about 20% by weight. Methods of treating portions of subterranean formation using the aqueous treatment fluid that comprise providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide in an amount in the range of from about 60% to about 90% by weight and acrylic acid in an amount in the range of from about 10% to about 20% by weight; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Karen L. King, David E. McMechan
  • Publication number: 20040211559
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for completing unconsolidated subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of placing a slotted pipe having openings formed therein which vary in size or in the number of openings along the length of the slotted pipe or both in the subterranean zone, isolating the annulus between the slotted pipe and the well bore and injecting particulate material into the annulus whereby the particulate material is uniformly packed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Michael Sanders, Ron Gibson, David L. Lord, David E. McMechan, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 6784141
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, aqueous treating fluids and friction pressure reducers for the treating fluids. A treating fluid of the invention comprises water and a non-toxic environmentally acceptable friction pressure reducer comprising a mixture of a copolymer of acrylamide and dimethylaminoethyl acrylate quaternized with benzyl chloride and a stabilizing and dispersing homopolymer of ethanaminium,N,N,N-trimethyl-2-[(1,oxo-2-prbpenyl)oxy]-chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen L. King, David E. McMechan, Jiten Chatterji
  • Publication number: 20020189808
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for completing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore are provided. The improved methods basically comprise the steps of placing a sand screen (e.g., screens, screened pipes, perforated liners, prepacked screens, etc.) in the wellbore adjacent the zone to be completed, positioning an alternate flowpath comprised of a plurality of blank (non-perforated) tube segments which are open at both ends in the annulus between the sand screen and the wellbore, isolating the annulus between the screen and the wellbore in the zone, and injecting particulate material into the annulus between the sand screen and the wellbore and into the zone, whereby the particulate material is uniformly packed into the annulus between the sand screen and the zone. The multiple flow paths are provided via a series of blank tubes (without intermediate openings) with each tube extending only a portion of the length of the zone to be completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Michael W. Sanders, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Henry L. Restarick, David E. McMechan
  • Patent number: 6210476
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved foamed well cement compositions and methods. The foamed cement compositions have improved properties and are basically comprised of hydraulic cement, amorphous silica surface treated with a mixture of organosilane coupling agents, sufficient water to form a slurry, sufficient gas to foam the slurry and a mixture of foaming and foam stabilizing surfactants present in an amount sufficient to facilitate the formation of the foam and stabilize the foamed composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Roger S. Cromwell, Baireddy R. Reddy, Clyde R. Anderson, David E. McMechan
  • Patent number: 5558161
    Abstract: A method of fracturing high permeability formations is provided utilizing a first crosslinked gel fluid to initiate the fracture followed by a second gel which results in improved proppant transport and packing of the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Sanjay M. Vitthal, Mary A. Hardy, David E. McMechan, William E. Martch, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 5431225
    Abstract: Methods of completing poorly consolidated subterranean formations bounded by one or more consolidated formations to prevent sand production from the poorly consolidated formations are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of drilling a well bore into the consolidated boundary formation adjacent to the poorly consolidated formation, creating a propped fracture communicating with the well bore in the consolidated boundary formation which extends into the poorly consolidated formation and producing fluids from the poorly consolidated formation into the well bore by way of the propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Hazim H. Abass, David L. Meadows, John L. Brumley, David E. McMechan, James J. Venditto