Patents by Inventor Donald L. Whitfill

Donald L. Whitfill 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: 10982125
    Abstract: Methods for using cement compositions in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a first treatment fluid comprising a first base fluid and a metal oxide into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation; introducing a spacer fluid into the wellbore that separates the first treatment fluid from at least a second treatment fluid; introducing the second treatment fluid into the wellbore, wherein the second treatment fluid comprises a second base fluid and a soluble salt; allowing the first treatment fluid to contact the second treatment fluid to form a cement mixture; and allowing the cement mixture to at least partially set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Sharath Savari, Reem Alburaikan, Waseem Abdulrazzaq, Dale E. Jamison
  • Publication number: 20200010751
    Abstract: Methods for using cement compositions in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise introducing a first treatment fluid comprising a first base fluid and a metal oxide into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation; introducing a spacer fluid into the wellbore that separates the first treatment fluid from at least a second treatment fluid; introducing the second treatment fluid into the wellbore, wherein the second treatment fluid comprises a second base fluid and a soluble salt; allowing the first treatment fluid to contact the second treatment fluid to form a cement mixture; and allowing the cement mixture to at least partially set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Sharath Savari, Reem Alburaikan, Waseem Abdulrazzaq, Dale E. Jamison
  • Patent number: 10066143
    Abstract: Highly resilient carbon-based materials having a resiliency greater than about 120% at 10,000 psi may be useful as lost circulation materials (LCMs) for wellbore strengthening and lost circulation mitigation in downhole operations in subterranean formations with depleted zones. For example, a downhole method may include drilling at least a portion of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with at least one depleted zone having a plurality of fractures extending from the wellbore into the at least one depleted zone; circulating a treatment fluid through the wellbore, the treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a resilient carbon-based material having a resiliency greater than about 120% at 10,000 psi; contacting the at least one depleted zone with the resilient carbon-based material; and plugging at least some of the plurality of fractures in the at least one depleted zone with the resilient carbon-based material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Jonathan Paul Walker, Sharath Savari
  • Patent number: 10035941
    Abstract: Compositions for lost circulation materials (LCM) and methods for using same in drilling and/or completing wellbores that help solve lost circulation problems in a wide range of fracture sizes, thereby advantageously eliminating the need for a variety of products for lost circulation in a field at any one time. The compositions provide specific LCM components in specific ratios that are analogs to lost circulation fractures and that yield superior performance in preventing or alleviating lost circulation in drilling and cementing boreholes. The compositions have a multi-modal particle size distribution (PSD) which provides a higher concentration of component materials in the same range of two or more fracture widths or median pore size diameters, thus allowing plugging to occur over a wider range than a single mode or narrow PSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Matthew Lynn Miller
  • Patent number: 9932510
    Abstract: A treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; a plurality of a first type of fiber, wherein the first type of fiber is degradable; a plurality of a second type of fiber; and a third lost-circulation material, wherein the first type of fibers, the second type of fibers, and the third lost-circulation material inhibit or prevent some or all of the treatment fluid from penetrating into a subterranean formation from a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Walker, Donald L. Whitfill, Sharath Savari
  • Publication number: 20170321102
    Abstract: Highly resilient carbon-based materials having a resiliency greater than about 120% at 10,000 psi may be useful as lost circulation materials (LCMs) for wellbore strengthening and lost circulation mitigation in downhole operations in subterranean formations with depleted zones. For example, a downhole method may include drilling at least a portion of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with at least one depleted zone having a plurality of fractures extending from the wellbore into the at least one depleted zone; circulating a treatment fluid through the wellbore, the treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a resilient carbon-based material having a resiliency greater than about 120% at 10,000 psi; contacting the at least one depleted zone with the resilient carbon-based material; and plugging at least some of the plurality of fractures in the at least one depleted zone with the resilient carbon-based material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Donald L. WHITFILL, Jonathan Paul WALKER, Sharath SAVARI
  • Patent number: 9725975
    Abstract: A method of wellbore strengthening may include providing a wellbore strengthening fluid comprising a drilling fluid, a particulate, and a fiber; introducing the wellbore strengthening fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and forming a plug comprising the particulate and the fiber in a void near the wellbore, the plug being capable of maintaining integrity at about 1000 psi or greater overbalance pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Arunesh Kumar, Sharath Savari, Donald L. Whitfill, Dale E. Jamison
  • Publication number: 20170166795
    Abstract: A treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid; a plurality of a first type of fiber, wherein the first type of fiber is degradable; a plurality of a second type of fiber; and a third lost-circulation material, wherein the first type of fibers, the second type of fibers, and the third lost-circulation material inhibit or prevent some or all of the treatment fluid from penetrating into a subterranean formation from a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Walker, Donald L. Whitfill, Sharath Savari
  • Publication number: 20160333247
    Abstract: Compositions for lost circulation materials (LCM) and methods for using same in drilling and/or completing wellbores that help solve lost circulation problems in a wide range of fracture sizes, thereby advantageously eliminating the need for a variety of products for lost circulation in a field at any one time. The compositions provide specific LCM components in specific ratios that are analogs to lost circulation fractures and that yield superior performance in preventing or alleviating lost circulation in drilling and cementing boreholes. The compositions have a multi-modal particle size distribution (PSD) which provides a higher concentration of component materials in the same range of two or more fracture widths or median pore size diameters, thus allowing plugging to occur over a wider range than a single mode or narrow PSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Matthew Lynn Miller
  • Publication number: 20160264842
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed related to a composition for treating a subterranean formation, and methods and systems including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation that can include obtaining or providing a sealant composition comprising an alkali-swellable latex and a viscosifying agent. The method also includes placing the composition in a subterranean formation downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Lynn Miller, Donald L. Whitfill
  • Publication number: 20150376491
    Abstract: A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging fractured zones and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The lost circulation material includes particulate material to quickly de-fluidize the fluid formulation, fibrous material to suspend particles in the slurrified form of the composition and increase the shear strength of the resultant seal, and non-Portland cement material for increasing the compressive strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew Lynn Miller, Jason Thomas SCORSONE, Donald L. WHITFILL
  • Patent number: 9022147
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a drilling fluid comprises: water and a set accelerator, wherein the drilling fluid has a 10 minute gel strength of less than 20 lb*ft/100 sq ft, wherein the drilling fluid has a density in the range of about 9 to about 14 pounds per gallon, wherein the drilling fluid remains pourable for at least 5 days, and wherein when at least one part of the drilling fluid mixes with three parts of a cement composition consisting of water and cement, the drilling fluid cement composition mixture develops a compressive strength of at least 1,200 psi. According to another embodiment, a method of using the drilling fluid comprises the steps of: introducing the drilling fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein at least a portion of the drilling fluid is capable of mixing with a cement composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishna M. Ravi, Donald L. Whitfill, Rahul Chandrakant Patil, Abhimanyu Deshpande
  • Patent number: 8969264
    Abstract: A treatment fluid comprises: a metal oxide, wherein the metal oxide is capable of forming a chelate complex or coordination complex with a ligand, wherein the chelate complex or coordination complex has a setting time of less than 90 minutes at a temperature of 71° F. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; allowing or causing a chelate complex or coordination complex to form between the metal oxide and a ligand; and allowing or causing the chelate complex or coordination complex to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Donald L. Whitfill, Matthew L. Miller, Kay A. Morris
  • Publication number: 20150027707
    Abstract: A method of wellbore strengthening may include providing a wellbore strengthening fluid comprising a drilling fluid, a particulate, and a fiber; introducing the wellbore strengthening fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and forming a plug comprising the particulate and the fiber in a void near the wellbore, the plug being capable of maintaining integrity at about 1000 psi or greater overbalance pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Arunesh Kumar, Sharath Savari, Donald L. Whitfill, Dale E. Jamison
  • Patent number: 8887808
    Abstract: A method of wellbore strengthening may include providing a wellbore strengthening fluid comprising a drilling fluid, a particulate, and a fiber; introducing the wellbore strengthening fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and forming a plug comprising the particulate and the fiber in a void near the wellbore, the plug being capable of maintaining integrity at about 1000 psi or greater overbalance pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Arunesh Kumar, Sharath Savari, Donald L. Whitfill, Dale E. Jamison
  • Publication number: 20140155300
    Abstract: A treatment fluid comprises: a metal oxide, wherein the metal oxide is capable of forming a chelate complex or coordination complex with a ligand, wherein the chelate complex or coordination complex has a setting time of less than 90 minutes at a temperature of 71° F. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; allowing or causing a chelate complex or coordination complex to form between the metal oxide and a ligand; and allowing or causing the chelate complex or coordination complex to set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. JAMISON, Donald L. WHITFILL, Matthew L. MILLER, Kay A. MORRIS
  • Patent number: 8739872
    Abstract: A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging fractured zones and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The lost circulation material includes particulate material to quickly de-fluidize the fluid formulation, fibrous material to suspend particles in the slurrified form of the composition and increase the shear strength of the resultant seal, and non-Portland cement material for increasing the compressive strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Miller, Donald L. Whitfill, Jason T. Scorsone
  • Publication number: 20140038857
    Abstract: Compositions for lost circulation materials (LCM) and methods for using same in drilling and/or completing wellbores that help solve lost circulation problems in a wide range of fracture sizes, thereby advantageously eliminating the need for a variety of products for lost circulation in a field at any one time. An unexpected synergy and improved reduction in lost circulation is obtained. The invention provides specific LCM components in specific ratios that are analogs to lost circulation fractures and that yield superior performance in preventing or alleviating lost circulation in drilling and cementing boreholes. The invention compositions have a multi-modal particle size distribution (PSD) which provides a higher concentration of component materials in the same range of two or more fracture widths, thus allowing plugging to occur over a wider range than a single mode or narrow PSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Matthew L. Miller, Donald L. Whitfill
  • Patent number: 8517103
    Abstract: A treatment fluid comprises: a metal oxide, wherein the metal oxide is capable of forming a chelate complex or coordination complex with a ligand, wherein the chelate complex or coordination complex has a setting time of less than 90 minutes at a temperature of 71° F. and a pressure of 1 atmosphere. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; allowing or causing a chelate complex or coordination complex to form between the metal oxide and a ligand; and allowing or causing the chelate complex or coordination complex to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Donald L. Whitfill, Matthew L. Miller, Kay A. Morris
  • Publication number: 20130112414
    Abstract: A method of wellbore strengthening may include providing a wellbore strengthening fluid comprising a drilling fluid, a particulate, and a fiber; introducing the wellbore strengthening fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and forming a plug comprising the particulate and the fiber in a void near the wellbore, the plug being capable of maintaining integrity at about 1000 psi or greater overbalance pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Arunesh Kumar, Sharath Savari, Donald L. Whitfill, Dale E. Jamison