Patents by Inventor Dennis W. Gray

Dennis W. Gray 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: 7296927
    Abstract: A test cell for testing a sample cement composition includes a test chamber and a variable stress system. The test chamber is configured to hold a sample cement composition for a wellbore. The variable stress system communicates with the test chamber. Performance of the sample cement composition is tested for a wellbore using the variable stress system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Dennis W. Gray, Johnny W. Johnson, Anthony V. Palmer, Keith E. Blaschke, Lance E. Brothers
  • Patent number: 7285166
    Abstract: Methods and cement compositions are provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore, wherein the cement composition comprises zeolite, cementitious material, and a mixing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen Luke, B. Raghava Reddy, Russell M. Fitzgerald, Frank Zamora, Glen C. Fyten, Keith A. Rispler, Donald A. Getzlaf, Dennis W. Gray, Sears T. Dealy
  • Patent number: 7255170
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to cementing operations and, more particularly, to foamed cement compositions, foaming and stabilizing additives, and associated methods. A foaming and stabilizing additive, that comprises a mixture of an alkali salt of an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, wherein the alkali salt of the alkyl ether sulfate surfactant comprises a mixture of an alkali salt of a C6-10 alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, and an alkali salt of a C2-4 alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, an alkyl or alkene amidopropyl betaine surfactant, an alkyl or alkene amidopropyl dimethylamine oxide surfactant, sodium chloride, and water, is provided. Also provided are foamed cement compositions that comprise the foaming and stabilizing additive, and associated methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, D. Chad Brenneis, Bobby J. King, Roger S. Cromwell, Dennis W. Gray
  • Patent number: 7244303
    Abstract: Cement compositions, that comprise water, a cement, a strength-retrogression additive, and an acid, wherein the acid comprises ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, or a combination thereof, are provided. Methods of cementing in a subterranean formation, methods of retarding the set time of a cement composition, and set retarder compositions also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, James F. Heathman, Dennis W. Gray, Bryan K. Waugh
  • Patent number: 7143827
    Abstract: Well completion spacer fluids containing fibers and methods of using the spacer fluids are provided. A method of the invention for displacing a first fluid from a well bore with an incompatible second fluid comprises the following steps. A spacer fluid is placed between the first and second fluids to separate the first and second fluids and to remove the first fluid from the walls of the well bore. Thereafter, the first fluid and the spacer fluid are displaced from the well bore with the second fluid. The spacer fluid comprises water, a weighting material, a dispersing agent, a suspending agent and friction reducer and fibers. The spacer fluid containing the components mentioned above is preferably also foamed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Dennis W. Gray, Bobby J. King, John L. Dennis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7128149
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining suitable displacement fluids for use in subterranean cementing operations, and methods of cementing that use such displacement fluids, are provided. Examples of methods include methods of water-wetting an annulus in a subterranean formation having an oleaginous-external/aqueous-internal fluid disposed on at least a portion of one or more surfaces of the annulus. Another example of a method is a method of using an inverter fluid in a subterranean formation that includes a tubular string disposed therein having an annular region adjacent the outer surface of the tubular string, at least part of the annular region having an oleaginous-external/aqueous-internal fluid on a surface thereof. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of identifying an inverter fluid to use for inverting an oleaginous-external/aqueous-internal fluid in a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Heathman, Sears T. Dealy, James H. Cantrell, Dennis W. Gray
  • Patent number: 7128142
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining suitable displacement fluids for use in subterranean cementing operations, and methods of cementing that use such displacement fluids, are provided. Examples of apparatus include apparatus for evaluating fluids. An example of a system is a system for inverting an oleaginous-external/aqueous-internal fluid in a well bore in a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James F. Heathman, Sears T. Dealy, James H. Cantrell, Dennis W. Gray
  • Patent number: 7013975
    Abstract: The present invention relates to foamed cement slurries, additives and methods. A foamed cement slurry of the invention comprises a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry, sufficient gas to form a foam and an environmentally benign foaming and stabilizing additive comprising a mixture of an ammonium salt of an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, a cocoamidopropyl betaine surfactant, a cocoamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide surfactant, sodium chloride and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, D. Chad Brenneis, Bobby J. King, Roger S. Cromwell, Dennis W. Gray
  • Patent number: 7008477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to foamed cement slurries, additives and methods. A foamed cement slurry of the invention comprises a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry, sufficient gas to form a foam and an environmentally benign foaming and stabilizing additive comprising a mixture of an ammonium salt of an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, a cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine surfactant, a cocoamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide surfactant, sodium chloride and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Bobby J. King, Roger S. Cronwell, D. Chad Brenneis, Dennis W. Gray
  • Patent number: 7004256
    Abstract: Cement compositions, that comprise water, a cement, a strength-retrogression additive, and an acid, wherein the acid comprises ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, or a combination thereof, are provided. Methods of cementing in a subterranean formation, methods of retarding the set time of a cement composition, and set retarder compositions also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, James F. Heathman, Dennis W. Gray, Bryan K. Waugh
  • Patent number: 6978835
    Abstract: A method of retarding the set time of a cement composition comprising providing a cement composition that comprises water and a cement, and retarding the set time of the cement composition by including a copolymer retarder in the cement composition, wherein the copolymer retarder comprises olefinically unsaturated non-acrylate sulfonate monomers and olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers. Methods of cementing in a subterranean formation also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Dennis W. Gray, Bryan K. Waugh, Jan Pieter Vijn
  • Patent number: 6964302
    Abstract: Methods and cement compositions are provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore, wherein the cement composition comprises zeolite, cementitious material, and a mixing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen Luke, B. Raghava Reddy, Russell M. Fitzgerald, Frank Zamora, Glen C. Fyten, Keith A. Rispler, Donald A. Getzlaf, Dennis W. Gray, Sears T. Dealy
  • Patent number: 6951249
    Abstract: The present invention relates to foamed cement slurries, additives and methods. A foamed cement slurry of the invention comprises a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry, sufficient gas to form a foam and an environmentally benign foaming and stabilizing additive comprising a mixture of an ammonium salt of an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, a cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine surfactant, a cocoamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide surfactant, sodium chloride and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Bobby J. King, Roger S. Cronwell, D. Chad Brenneis, Dennis W. Gray
  • Patent number: 6843846
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for cementing subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of providing a cement composition which comprises a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry and a dispersing agent comprising a tetrapolymer formed of methacrylic acid, methacrylate, methallyl sulfonic acid and ethoxylated acrylic acid. The cement composition is placed in the subterranean zone to be cemented and allowed to set into an impermeable solid mass therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, D. Chad Brenneis, Dennis W. Gray, Krista L. Keener
  • Patent number: 6829922
    Abstract: A test method for foamed cement does not transfer the test composition under pressure from one device to another and the equipment is not handled under dangerous pressure, thereby providing a safe test method. Steps include: rotating a paddle at a first speed in a pressurized foamable cement composition in a receptacle in a high pressure, high temperature chamber such that the foamable cement composition becomes a foamed cement; rotating the paddle at a second speed in the pressurized foamed cement for a selected time period; maintaining the foamed cement static after the selected time period and increasing temperature in the chamber during a foamed cement setting period; thereafter reducing temperature in the chamber and reducing pressure in the chamber; removing the foamed cement in a set condition and the paddle from the chamber; removing the set foamed cement from the paddle; and testing the removed foamed cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Patin, Dennis W. Gray, James H. Cantrell, D. Chad Brenneis, Garland W. Davis, Wendell D. Riley
  • Publication number: 20040226483
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for cementing subterranean zones penetrated by well bores are provided. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of providing a cement composition which comprises a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a slurry and a dispersing agent comprising a tetrapolymer formed of methacrylic acid, methacrylate, methallyl sulfonic acid and ethoxylated acrylic acid. The cement composition is placed in the subterranean zone to be cemented and allowed to set into an impermeable solid mass therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, D. Chad Brenneis, Dennis W. Gray, Krista L. Keener
  • Patent number: 6797054
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved foamed well cement slurries, additives and methods. The foamed well cement slurries are basically comprised of a hydraulic cement, sufficient water to form a pumpable slurry, sufficient gas to form a foam and an effective amount of an additive for foaming the slurry comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Roger S. Cromwell, Chad R. Brenneis, Bobby J. King, Dennis W. Gray, Frank Zamora
  • Publication number: 20040182577
    Abstract: Well completion spacer fluids containing fibers and methods of using the spacer fluids are provided. A method of the invention for displacing a first fluid from a well bore with an incompatible second fluid comprises the following steps. A spacer fluid is placed between the first and second fluids to separate the first and second fluids and to remove the first fluid from the walls of the well bore. Thereafter, the first fluid and the spacer fluid are displaced from the well bore with the second fluid. The spacer fluid comprises water, a weighting material, a dispersing agent, a suspending agent and friction reducer and fibers. The spacer fluid containing the components mentioned above is preferably also foamed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Dennis W. Gray, Bobby J. King, John L. Dennis
  • Patent number: 6767867
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating subterranean zones penetrated by well bores in primary well cementing operations, well completion operations, production stimulation treatments and the like. The methods are basically comprised of introducing into the subterranean zone an aqueous well treating fluid comprised of water and a water soluble polymer complex fluid loss control additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Roger S. Cromwell, Bobby J. King, D. Chad Brenneis, Dennis W. Gray, Ronald J. Crook, Shih-Ruey T. Chen, Valentino L. DeVito, Kevin W. Frederick, Kevin W. Smith, Randy J. Loeffler
  • Publication number: 20040112600
    Abstract: Methods and cement compositions are provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a wellbore, wherein the cement composition comprises zeolite, cementitious material, and a mixing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Karen Luke, B. Raghava Reddy, Russell M. Fitzgerald, Frank Zamora, Glen C. Fyten, Keith A. Rispler, Donald A. Getzlaf, Dennis W. Gray, Sears T. Dealy