Patents by Inventor Erik B. Nelson

Erik B. Nelson 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: 20130161006
    Abstract: A rubber pocket is described that is suitable for use on tubing, such as a packer-type seal, on casing, such as a cement-type seal, or on liners. The rubber pocket may contain cement particles, rubber particles, swellable particles, cement filled rubber particles, cement filled swellable particles, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, iron (III) oxide, calcium sulfoaluminate, clay, magnetic particles and/or reactants such as crosslinkers, retardants or epoxy. The particles may be bulk spheres, bulk fibers, hollow spheres, hollow fibers, etc. The rubber pocket or bladder may also be fully or partially filled with fluids such as polymer reactants. The pocket may also be empty or contain a small volume of reactants. The slurry or epoxy or other type of fluid and granular solid or injectable matter can be injected after the completion positioning downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: AGATHE ROBISSON, FRANCOIS M. AUZERAIS, ERIK B. NELSON, JULIO GUERRERO, SUDEEP MAHESHWARI, SHERRY S. ZHU
  • Patent number: 8242148
    Abstract: Methods of treating depression, binge eating disorder, narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, substance use disorders, and Prader Willi syndrome, disorders characterized at least in part by hypocortisolemia and decreased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and disorders related to disturbances in circadian rhythm, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a histamine type 3 (H3) receptor antagonist, such as betahistine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or its metabolites to an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventors: Erik B. Nelson, Floyd R. Sallee
  • Publication number: 20120115914
    Abstract: Methods of treating depression, binge eating disorder, narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, substance use disorders, and Prader Willi syndrome, disorders characterized at least in part by hypocortisolemia and decreased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and disorders related to disturbances in circadian rhythm, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a histamine type 3 (H3) receptor antagonist, such as betahistine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or its metabolites to an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Erik B. Nelson, Floyd R. Sallee
  • Patent number: 8119668
    Abstract: Methods of treating depression, binge eating disorder, narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, substance use disorders, and Prader Willi syndrome, disorders characterized at least in part by hypocortisolemia and decreased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and disorders related to disturbances in circadian rhythm, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a histamine type 3 (Bb) receptor antagonist, such as betahistine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or its metabolites to an individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Erik B. Nelson, Floyd R. Sallee
  • Patent number: 8066073
    Abstract: Methods for treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore which improves fluid loss control during treatment. In some aspects, the treatments include preparing an aqueous fluid including one or more water inert polymers and an optional viscosifier, injecting the aqueous fluid into the wellbore at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure, and thereafter injecting into the wellbore a proppant laden fluid at a pressure equal to or greater than the formation's fracture initiation pressure. The water inert polymer may be a polymer such as an emulsion polymer or a latex polymer. Some methods of the invention use a fluid which may have a normalized leak off coefficient (Cw/sqrt(K)) equal to or less than about 0.0022, 0.0014, or 0.0010. A conventional fluid loss additive may or may not be used in conjunction with the treatment fluid and/or the proppant laden fluid. The water inert polymer may or may not substantially enter formation pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D Hutchins, Marie Noelle Dessinges, Carlos Abad, Erik B Nelson
  • Patent number: 7823642
    Abstract: A treatment fluid that can be used for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is prepared from a primary treatment fluid component and an emulsion component mixed with the primary treatment fluid component. The emulsion component has an oil phase and an aqueous phase. The emulsion component comprising a source of insoluble silica particles and a source of calcium hydroxide, wherein the source of calcium hydroxide is present in the oil phase, and the source of insoluble silica particles are contained in the aqueous phase. The method is carried out by contacting at least a portion of the formation with the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Balkrishna Gadiyar, Erik B. Nelson, Juan-Carlos Santamaria, Brent Busby, Philip F. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20090298892
    Abstract: Methods of treating depression, binge eating disorder, narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, substance use disorders, and Prader Willi syndrome, disorders characterized at least in part by hypocortisolemia and decreased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and disorders related to disturbances in circadian rhythm, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of a histamine type 3 (Bb) receptor antagonist, such as betahistine or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or its metabolites to an individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Erik B. Nelson, Floyd R. Sallee
  • Publication number: 20090111718
    Abstract: A treatment fluid that can be used for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is prepared from a primary treatment fluid component and an emulsion component mixed with the primary treatment fluid component. The emulsion component has an oil phase and an aqueous phase. The emulsion component comprising a source of insoluble silica particles and a source of calcium hydroxide, wherein the source of calcium hydroxide is present in the oil phase, and the source of insoluble silica particles are contained in the aqueous phase. The method is carried out by contacting at least a portion of the formation with the treatment fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Balkrishna Gadiyar, Erik B. Nelson, Juan-Carlos Santamaria, Brent Busby, Philip F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7111683
    Abstract: A formation consolidation process is described which comprises injecting into an unconsolidated or poorly consolidated subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore an aqueous pumpable system comprising an insoluble silica source (e.g., colloidal silica, silica fume or fumed silica) and a source of calcium hydroxide (e.g., aqueous solutions of calcium chloride and sodium hydroxide). The aqueous system may contain a nucleation inhibitor. The components of the aqueous system react to produce a calcium silicate hydrate gel (C-S-H gel) having cementitious properties within the pores of the formation. After the C-S-H gel sets and hardens, the consolidated formation has a high compressive strength (e.g., 500 psi (about 3.5 MPa) or more). The technique can be performed as a remedial treatment or in new completions, but it is particularly useful in workover treatments for existing wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Erik B. Nelson, Samuel Danican, Golchehreh Salamat
  • Patent number: 6908888
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for controlled addition of components that decrease the viscosity of the viscoelastic surfactant fluids or for controlled changes in the electrolyte concentration or composition of the viscoelastic surfactant fluids. One aspect of the invention relates to the use of internal breakers with a delayed activation. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of precursors that release a breaking system such as alcohol by a process such as melting, slow dissolution, reaction with a compound present in the fluid or added to the fluid during or after the step of injecting, rupture of an encapsulating coating and de-adsorption of a breaking agent absorbed into solid particles. In another aspect of the invention, alcohols are included in a pad to reduce the low-shear viscosity and reduce the resistance to flow of the treatment fluids during a desired phase of the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse C. Lee, Erik B. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6881709
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for controlled addition of components that decrease the viscosity of the viscoelastic surfactant fluids or for controlled changes in the electrolyte concentration or composition of the viscoelastic surfactant fluids. One aspect of the invention relates to the use of internal breakers with a delayed activation. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of precursors that release a breaking system such as alcohol by a process such as melting, slow dissolution, reaction with a compound present in the fluid or added to the fluid during or after the step of injecting, rupture of an encapsulating coating and de-adsorption of a breaking agent absorbed into solid particles. In another aspect of the invention, alcohols are included in a pad to reduce the low-shear viscosity and reduce the resistance to flow of the treatment fluids during a desired phase of the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Erik B. Nelson, Bernhard Lungwitz, Keith Dismuke, Mathew Samuel, Golchi Salamat, Trevor Hughes, Jesse Lee, Philip Fletcher, Diankui Fu, Richard Hutchins, Michael Parris, Gary John Tustin
  • Patent number: 6613720
    Abstract: The effect of various chemical or biological agents in well treatment fluids can be delayed by sequestering the agents in the discontinuous phase of an emulsion for a period of time, before the emulsion is destabilized by exposure to at least one of: (1) a change in temperature, (2) a change in pH, (3) a change in salinity, (4) a change in alcohol concentration, (5) a change in stabilizing surfactant concentration, (6) a change in organic ion concentration, (7) a change in destabilizing surfactant concentration, (8) a change in surfactant adsorbent material concentration, (9) an ultrasonic pulse, and (10) an electrical field. Upon exposure to the emulsion destabilizing condition, the agent sequestered in the discontinuous phase of the emulsion is released into the continuous phase of the fluid composition, where it can have its intended effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean Pierre Feraud, Michael D. Parris, Richard D. Hutchins, Stanley Bruce McConnell, Erik B. Nelson, Keith Dismuke
  • Publication number: 20030019627
    Abstract: The improved recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is accomplished. Fracturing fluids using a viscosifying surfactant fluid containing viscosifying micelles, for example, wormlike micelles, are useful to improve recovery of hydrocarbons and limit the loss of fracturing fluid into the formation fracture face. The invention further relates to novel fracturing and acidizing methods useful for increasing hydrocarbon production, limiting water production, resisting fracturing fluid loss into the subterranean formation, and reducing the equipment requirements in mixing and pumping fracturing fluid. The action of viscosifying micelles of surfactant in aqueous zones of the subterranean formation diverts fracturing fluid or acid from the aqueous zones to the hydrocarbon-bearing zones and also facilitates the flowback of increased amounts of hydrocarbons once a fractured well is placed back on production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Erik B. Nelson, Dean M. Willberg, Mathew M. Samuel, Jesse C. Lee, Frank F. Chang, Roger J. Card, Palathinkara S. Vinod, J. Ernest Brown, Ronnie L. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20020193257
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for controlled addition of components that decrease the viscosity of the viscoelastic surfactant fluids or for controlled changes in the electrolyte concentration or composition of the viscoelastic surfactant fluids. One aspect of the invention relates to the use of internal breakers with a delayed activation. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of precursors that release a breaking system such as alcohol by a process such as melting, slow dissolution, reaction with a compound present in the fluid or added to the fluid during or after the step of injecting, rupture of an encapsulating coating and de-adsorption of a breaking agent absorbed into solid particles. In another aspect of the invention, alcohols are included in a pad to reduce the low-shear viscosity and reduce the resistance to flow of the treatment fluids during a desired phase of the treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Jesse C. Lee, Erik B. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020185278
    Abstract: The improved recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is accomplished. Fracturing fluids using a viscoelastic surfactant fluid containing wormlike micelles are useful to improve recovery of hydrocarbons and limit the loss of fracturing fluid into the formation fracture face. The invention further relates to novel fracturing methods useful for increasing hydrocarbon production, limiting connate water production, resisting fracturing fluid loss into the subterranean formation, and reducing the equipment requirements in mixing and pumping fracturing fluid. The action of micelles of surfactant in aqueous zones of the subterranean formation facilitates the flowback of increased amounts of hydrocarbons once a fractured well is placed back on production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: J. Ernest Brown, Roger J. Card, Erik B. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6450260
    Abstract: Herein is described a method of consolidating a subterranean formation or repairing a gravel pack, comprising (i) providing a consolidating fluid, wherein the consolidating fluid comprises a gel component and a gel-forming agent; and (ii) injecting the consolidating fluid into the formation or gravel pack, under conditions wherein the gel component forms a flexible gel, thereby consolidating the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Simon G. James, Erik B. Nelson, Frédéric J. Guinot
  • Patent number: 6435277
    Abstract: The improved recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is accomplished. Fracturing fluids using a viscosifying surfactant fluid containing viscosifying micelles, for example, wormlike micelles, are useful to improve recovery of hydrocarbons and limit the loss of fracturing fluid into the formation fracture face. The invention further relates to novel fracturing and acidizing methods useful for increasing hydrocarbon production, limiting water production, resisting fracturing fluid loss into the subterranean formation, and reducing the equipment requirements in mixing and pumping fracturing fluid. The action of viscosifying micelles of surfactant in aqueous zones of the subterranean formation diverts fracturing fluid or acid from the aqueous zones to the hydrocarbon-bearing zones and also facilitates the flowback of increased amounts of hydrocarbons once a fractured well is placed back on production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Erik B. Nelson, Dean M. Willberg, Mathew M. Samuel, Jesse C. Lee, Jr., Frank F. Chang, Roger J. Card, Palathinkara S. Vinod, J. Ernest Brown, Ronnie L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6412561
    Abstract: The improved recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is accomplished. Fracturing fluids using a viscoelastic surfactant fluid containing wormlike micelles are useful to improve recovery of hydrocarbons and limit the loss of fracturing fluid into the formation fracture face. The invention further relates to novel fracturing methods useful for increasing hydrocarbon production, limiting connate water production, resisting fracturing fluid loss into the subterranean formation, and reducing the equipment requirements in mixing and pumping fracturing fluid. The action of micelles of surfactant in aqueous zones of the subterranean formation facilitates the flowback of increased amounts of hydrocarbons once a fractured well is placed back on production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: J. Ernest Brown, Roger J. Card, Erik B. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20020023752
    Abstract: The improved recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is accomplished. Fracturing fluids using a viscosifying surfactant fluid containing viscosifying micelles, for example, wormlike micelles, are useful to improve recovery of hydrocarbons and limit the loss of fracturing fluid into the formation fracture face. The invention further relates to novel fracturing and acidizing methods useful for increasing hydrocarbon production, limiting water production, resisting fracturing fluid loss into the subterranean formation, and reducing the equipment requirements in mixing and pumping fracturing fluid. The action of viscosifying micelles of surfactant in aqueous zones of the subterranean formation diverts fracturing fluid or acid from the aqueous zones to the hydrocarbon-bearing zones and also facilitates the flowback of increased amounts of hydrocarbons once a fractured well is placed back on production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: QI QU, ERIK B. NELSON, DEAN M. WILLBERG, MATHEW M. SAMUEL, JESSE C. LEE, FRANK F. CHANG, ROGER J. CARD, PALATHINKARA S. VINOD, J. ERNEST BROWN, RONNIE L. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20020004464
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for controlled addition of components that decrease the viscosity of the viscoelastic surfactant fluids or for controlled changes in the electrolyte concentration or composition of the viscoelastic surfactant fluids. One aspect of the invention relates to the use of internal breakers with a delayed activation. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of precursors that release a breaking system such as alcohol by a process such as melting, slow dissolution, reaction with a compound present in the fluid or added to the fluid during or after the step of injecting, rupture of an encapsulating coating and de-adsorption of a breaking agent absorbed into solid particles. In another aspect of the invention, alcohols are included in a pad to reduce the low-shear viscosity and reduce the resistance to flow of the treatment fluids during a desired phase of the treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Erik B. Nelson, Bernhard Lungwitz, Keith Dismuke, Mathew Samuel, Golchi Salamat, Trevor Hughes, Jesse Lee, Philip Fletcher, Diankui Fu, Richard Hutchins, Michael Parris, Gary John Tustin