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).
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Patent number: 8418763Abstract: Cement compositions and methods of their use in subterranean applications include the use of a self-degrading cement composition for use in fluid loss applications. A method includes placing a self-degrading cement composition in at least one fracture of a subterranean formation, the self-degrading cement including a cement composition including an acid-base cement, a particulate filler, and a solid acid precursor. The method includes allowing the self-degrading cement to set in the fracture.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Larry R. Deen, Donald L. Whitfill
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Patent number: 8383558Abstract: Sealant compositions comprising an alkali swellable latex and a pH increasing material and methods of using the same to service a wellbore are provided. In one embodiment, the sealant composition can be used in a wellbore and includes an alkali swellable latex and a pH increasing material. The sealant composition can have a pH of from about 7 to about 14. In other embodiments, the pH increasing material includes a base-producing material. The base-producing material can include alkali and alkali earth metal carbonates, alkali and alkali earth metal bicarbonates, alkali and alkali earth metal hydroxides, alkali and alkali earth metal oxides, alkali and alkali earth metal phosphates, alkali and alkali earth metal hydrogen phosphates, alkali and alkaline earth metal sulphides, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of silicates, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of aluminates, water soluble or water dispersible organic amines, polymeric amine, amino alcohols, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Mark R. Savery, Krishna M. Ravi, Donald L. Whitfill
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Publication number: 20120305248Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Krishna M. RAVI, Donald L. WHITFILL, Rahul Chandrakant PATIL, Abhimanyu DESHPANDE
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Patent number: 8132623Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation, comprising: placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler into a lost circulation zone within the wellbore. A method of blocking the flow of fluid through a lost circulation zone in a subterranean formation comprising placing a first composition comprising a packing agent into the lost circulation zone, placing a second composition comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler into the lost circulation zone, and allowing the compositions to set into place.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.Inventors: Melissa G Allin, John L. Dennis, Jr., Donald L. Whitfill
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Patent number: 8043997Abstract: A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging small fissures and large fractures and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The material has an optimized bimodal particle distribution and optionally has a polymer flocculent or water swellable polymer.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Cindy C. Fang, Matthew Miller
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Patent number: 7776797Abstract: A lost circulation composition for use in a wellbore comprising a crosslinkable polymer system and a filler.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Melissa G Allin, John L. Dennis, Jr., Donald L. Whitfill
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Patent number: 7749942Abstract: Herein provided are variable density fluid compositions and methods for using such compositions in a subterranean formation. One exemplary embodiment of the variable density fluid compositions of the present invention comprises a variable density fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a portion of elastic particles, the elastic particles having an isothermal compressibility factor in the range of from about 1.5×10?3 (1/psi) to about 1.5×10?9 (1/psi). Also provided are cement compositions comprising elastic particles, processes for preparing such cement compositions, and methods of cementing in subterranean formations using such cement compositions. One or more elastic particles are mixed with the cement before pumping the cement into a well bore. The elastic particles are preferably composed of an elastomeric material such as a copolymer of methylmethacrylate and acrylonitrile; a terpolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, and dichloroethane; a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer; and polystyrene.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, IncInventors: Krishna M. Ravi, Donald L. Whitfill, B. Raghava Reddy, Mike Szymanski
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Publication number: 20090221452Abstract: A lost circulation material and method for well treatment employing the material that is effective at sealing or plugging small fissures and large fractures and has utility over a wide range of temperatures, including high temperatures. The material has an optimized bimodal particle distribution and optionally has a polymer flocculent or water swellable polymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Cindy C. Fang, Matthew Miller
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Publication number: 20090137431Abstract: Sealant compositions comprising an alkali swellable latex and a pH increasing material and methods of using the same to service a wellbore are provided. In one embodiment, the sealant composition can be used in a wellbore and includes an alkali swellable latex and a pH increasing material. The sealant composition can have a pH of from about 7 to about 14. In other embodiments, the pH increasing material includes a base-producing material. The base-producing material can include alkali and alkali earth metal carbonates, alkali and alkali earth metal bicarbonates, alkali and alkali earth metal hydroxides, alkali and alkali earth metal oxides, alkali and alkali earth metal phosphates, alkali and alkali earth metal hydrogen phosphates, alkali and alkaline earth metal sulphides, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of silicates, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of aluminates, water soluble or water dispersible organic amines, polymeric amine, amino alcohols, or combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Mark R. Savery, Krishna M. Ravi, Donald L. Whitfill
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Publication number: 20090038855Abstract: Herein provided are variable density fluid compositions and methods for using such compositions in a subterranean formation. One exemplary embodiment of the variable density fluid compositions of the present invention comprises a variable density fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a portion of elastic particles, the elastic particles having an isothermal compressibility factor in the range of from about 1.5×10?3 (1/psi) to about 1.5×10?9 (1/psi). Also provided are cement compositions comprising elastic particles, processes for preparing such cement compositions, and methods of cementing in subterranean formations using such cement compositions. One or more elastic particles are mixed with the cement before pumping the cement into a well bore. The elastic particles are preferably composed of an elastomeric material such as a copolymer of methylmethacrylate and acrylonitrile; a terpolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, and dichloroethane; a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer; and polystyrene.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventors: Krishna M. Ravi, Donald L. Whitfill, B. Raghava Reddy, Mike Szymanski
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Patent number: 7488705Abstract: Sealant compositions comprising an alkali swellable latex and a pH increasing material and methods of using the same to service a wellbore are provided. In one embodiment, the sealant composition can be used in a wellbore and includes an alkali swellable latex and a pH increasing material. The sealant composition can have a pH of from about 7 to about 14. In other embodiments, the pH increasing material includes a base-producing material. The base-producing material can include alkali and alkali earth metal carbonates, alkali and alkali earth metal bicarbonates, alkali and alkali earth metal hydroxides, alkali and alkali earth metal oxides, alkali and alkali earth metal phosphates, alkali and alkali earth metal hydrogen phosphates, alkali and alkaline earth metal sulphides, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of silicates, alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of aluminates, water soluble or water dispersible organic amines, polymeric amine, amino alcohols, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Mark R. Savery, Krishna M. Ravi, Donald L. Whitfill
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Patent number: 7482309Abstract: The present invention provides variable density fluid compositions and methods for using such compositions in a subterranean formation. One exemplary embodiment of the variable density fluid compositions of the present invention comprises a variable density fluid comprising: a base fluid; and a portion of elastic particles, the elastic particles having an isothermal compressibility factor in the range of from about 1.5×10?3 (1/psi) to about 1.5×10?9 (1/psi).Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2003Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Krishna M. Ravi, Donald L. Whitfill, B. Raghava Reddy
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Patent number: 7284611Abstract: A lost circulation composition, that comprises a first portion of particles having a weight mean particle size of less than about 20 microns, a second portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 25 microns to about 400 microns, and a third portion of particles having a weight mean particle size in the range of from about 450 microns to about 1,500 microns, wherein the lost circulation composition has a multimodal particle size distribution, is provided, wherein resilient particles, particles comprising a thermoset polymer laminate, or a combination thereof are present in the lost circulation composition in an amount of at least about 20% by weight of the lost circulation composition, is provided. Drilling fluids, methods of controlling lost circulation, and methods of increasing an effective fracture gradient while drilling also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Donald L. Whitfill, Krishna M. Ravi, Mark R. Savery
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Patent number: 7281583Abstract: Methods and compositions for sealing subterranean zones having temperatures in the range of about 80° F. to about 300° F. are provided. In a method of the invention, a sealing composition of the invention of water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and poly lactic acid, with a pH above about 8.5, is introduced into the subterranean zone wherein it becomes substantially rigid and seals the zone when exposed to subterrnean zone temperatures above about 80° F.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Donald L Whitfill, Bradley L. Todd, Trinidad Munoz, Jr., Ashley Donaldson
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System and method for removing particles from a well bore penetrating a possible producing formation
Patent number: 6968898Abstract: A system and method for removing particles from a well bore penetrating a possible hydrocarbon producing formation, according to which drilling fluid is mixed with a weighted material, and the mixture is introduced into a well bore so that the mixture scours any particles accumulated in the well bore. A well-completion fluid is introduced into the well bore that dissolves the weighted material.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Bradley L. Todd, Donald L. Whitfill, Jimmie B. Lawson -
Patent number: 6932169Abstract: A system and method for developing and recycling drilling fluids at the site of a subterranean well is described, thus eliminating the need for transporting the fluids to the site.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Glenda Wylie, Frank Zamora, Donald L. Whitfill
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Patent number: 6889780Abstract: A method is provided for reducing loss of drilling fluid and for stabilizing a wellbore during drilling through depleted sands in a subterranean formation comprising depleted sands. The method comprises introducing into said wellbore and into said depleted sands an aqueous fluid comprising silicate or siliconate and resilient graphitic carbon in an amount effective at substantially plugging pores in said depleted sands.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Kenneth W. Pober, Thomas R. Carlson, Uday A. Tare, James V. Fisk, Joe L. Billingsley
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Patent number: 6848519Abstract: Methods of forming chemical casings include drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid having a pH in the range of from about 6 to 10 and comprising water, a water soluble or water dispersible polymer which is capable of being cross-linked by a thermoset resin and causing the resin to be hard and tough when cured, a particulate curable solid thermoset resin, a water soluble or dispersible thermoset resin, and a delayed dispersible acid-catalyst for curing the solid thermoset resin and the water soluble thermoset resin, whereby the drilling fluid forms a filter cake on the walls of the wellbore that cures into a hard and tough cross-linked chemical casing thereon.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Larry S. Eoff, Donald L. Whitfill, J. Michael Wilson, Denise Berryhill, Russel M. Fitzgerald, Thomas E. Becker, Jimmie D. Weaver
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Patent number: 6837316Abstract: Methods of consolidating formations include drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid that comprises water, a polymeric cationic catalyst which is adsorbed on minerals and rocks in weak unconsolidated zones or formations and then further contacting the unconsolidated formation with a treating fluid comprising a water soluble or dispersible polymer which is cross-linked by a thermoset resin and causes the resin to be hard and tough when cured, and a water soluble or dispersible thermoset resin which cross-links the polymer, is catalyzed and cured by the catalyst and consolidates the weak zone or formation so that sloughing is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Halliburtn Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Larry S. Eoff, Donald L. Whitfill, J. Michael Wilson, Denise Berryhill, Russel M. Fitzgerald, Thomas E. Becker, Jimmie D. Weaver
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Patent number: 6823940Abstract: Methods of consolidating unconsolidated weak zones or formations and forming chemical casings include drilling a well bore with a drilling fluid having a pH in the range of from about 6 to 10 and that comprises water, a polymeric cationic catalyst which is adsorbed on the mineral surfaces in the weak zone, a particulate curable solid thermoset resin and a delay acid catalyst for curing the solid resin, and forming a filter cake on the walls of the well bore. The filter cake is then contacted with a treating fluid comprising a water soluble or water dispersible polymer which is capable of being cross-linked by a thermoset resin and causing the resin to be hard and tough when cured, and a water soluble or dispersible thermoset resin, whereby the treating fluid components deposit on the filter cake and the thermoset resin cures into a hard and tough cross-linked chemical casing thereon.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Larry S. Eoff, Donald L. Whitfill, J. Michael Wilson, Denise Berryhill, Russel M. Fitzgerald, Thomas E. Becker, Jimmie D. Weaver