Patents by Inventor Erika Shoemaker
Erika Shoemaker 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: 11078394Abstract: Coated nanoparticles include nanoparticles with a cationic coating, such that the nanoparticles have a net-positive charge. The cationic coatings may be selected from an amino acid, a polysaccharide, a polyamine, an acrylate polymer, a dendrimer, a copolymer, a histone, a protein, an ester, or combinations thereof. The coated nanoparticles may be incorporated into methods for improving an amount of oil recovered during enhanced oil recovery. The methods may include introducing an aqueous drilling fluid comprising coated nanoparticles to a carbonate reservoir and injecting drilling fluid comprising the coated nanoparticles into the carbonate reservoir to displace oil in the carbonate reservoir and thereby enhance the oil recovery.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard K. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10838101Abstract: An example method includes introducing a solution into at least part of a reservoir. The solution includes a contrast agent and a fluid. The contrast agent includes a polymer having a dielectric constant that may be greater than a predefined value. The example method also includes using at least one EM transmitter antenna to direct a first electromagnetic (EM) signal into the reservoir. The first EM signal passes through the at least part of the reservoir into which the solution was introduced. The first EM signal is received using at least one EM receiver antenna following passage through the at least part of the reservoir. Data is determined that represents a difference between a first travel time of the first EM signal transmitted through the contrast agent in the reservoir and a second travel time of a second EM signal transmitted through water-saturated reservoir rock. Information about a physical feature of the at least part of the reservoir is generated based on the data.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jason Cox, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
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Publication number: 20200283672Abstract: Coated nanoparticles include nanoparticles with a cationic coating, such that the nanoparticles have a net-positive charge. The cationic coatings may be selected from an amino acid, a polysaccharide, a polyamine, an acrylate polymer, a dendrimer, a copolymer, a histone, a protein, an ester, or combinations thereof. The coated nanoparticles may be incorporated into methods for improving an amount of oil recovered during enhanced oil recovery. The methods may include introducing an aqueous drilling fluid comprising coated nanoparticles to a carbonate reservoir and injecting drilling fluid comprising the coated nanoparticles into the carbonate reservoir to displace oil in the carbonate reservoir and thereby enhance the oil recovery.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard K. Schmidt
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Patent number: 10690798Abstract: Provide are compositions and methods for electromagnetic (EM) surveying of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs using a giant dielectric material as a contrast agent. An injection fluid composition for EM surveying may include an aqueous fluid and giant dielectric nanoparticles having a dielectric constant of at least 10000 in the 1 Hz to 1 MHz frequency range. EM surveying of a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs may be performed by introducing an injection fluid having the giant dielectric nanoparticles into the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir and generating an image of the position of the injection fluid from a transit time of emitted EM energy that traveled through the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
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Patent number: 10577925Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements from a downhole well tool in a wellbore are obtained to identify length of fractures adjacent the wellbore. A ground penetrating radar transmitter of the downhole tool emits an electromagnetic pulse. The electromagnetic wave of the ground penetrating radar is diffracted on encountering an end or tip of a fracture, which acts as a secondary source. The diffracted signal is then collected by downhole receiver(s) of the downhole tool. Length of the fracture is determined based on the time of travel of the electromagnetic wave from its emission until its collection as a diffracted signal by the downhole receiver(s).Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Ersan Turkoglu, Howard Khan Schmidt
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Patent number: 10570727Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements from a downhole well tool in a wellbore are obtained to identify length of fractures adjacent the wellbore. A ground penetrating radar transmitter of the downhole tool emits an electromagnetic pulse. The electromagnetic wave of the ground penetrating radar is diffracted on encountering an end or tip of a fracture, which acts as a secondary source. The diffracted signal is then collected by downhole receiver(s) of the downhole tool. Length of the fracture is determined based on the time of travel of the electromagnetic wave from its emission until its collection as a diffracted signal by the downhole receiver(s).Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Ersan Turkoglu, Howard Khan Schmidt
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Patent number: 10539704Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for mapping hydrocarbon reservoirs. Operations include disposing an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and an EM receiver into first and second wellbores of first and second wells, respectively, penetrating a resistive layer of a subsurface formation bounded by first and second conductive layers. The EM transmitter and receiver each being disposed at depths proximate to intersections of the first and second wellbores and the resistive layer, respectively. The operations further including transmitting an EM signal between the EM transmitter and receiver via the resistive layer, determining transport properties associated with propagation of the EM signal from the EM transmitter to the EM receiver via the resistive layer, and determining the presence of an anomaly in at least one of the conductive layers based on the travel time.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis
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Patent number: 10534103Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for mapping hydrocarbon reservoirs. Operations include disposing an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and an EM receiver into first and second wellbores of first and second wells, respectively, penetrating a resistive layer of a subsurface formation bounded by first and second conductive layers. The EM transmitter and receiver each being disposed at depths proximate to intersections of the first and second wellbores and the resistive layer, respectively. The operations further including transmitting an EM signal between the EM transmitter and receiver via the resistive layer, determining transport properties associated with propagation of the EM signal from the EM transmitter to the EM receiver via the resistive layer, and determining the presence of an anomaly in at least one of the conductive layers based on the travel time.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis
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Publication number: 20190361141Abstract: An example method includes introducing a solution into at least part of a reservoir. The solution includes a contrast agent and a fluid. The contrast agent includes a polymer having a dielectric constant that may be greater than a predefined value. The example method also includes using at least one EM transmitter antenna to direct a first electromagnetic (EM) signal into the reservoir. The first EM signal passes through the at least part of the reservoir into which the solution was introduced. The first EM signal is received using at least one EM receiver antenna following passage through the at least part of the reservoir. Data is determined that represents a difference between a first travel time of the first EM signal transmitted through the contrast agent in the reservoir and a second travel time of a second EM signal transmitted through water-saturated reservoir rock. Information about a physical feature of the at least part of the reservoir is generated based on the data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jason Cox, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
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Patent number: 10392929Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements from a downhole well tool in a wellbore are obtained to identify length of fractures adjacent the wellbore. A ground penetrating radar transmitter of the downhole tool emits an electromagnetic pulse. The electromagnetic wave of the ground penetrating radar is diffracted on encountering an end or tip of a fracture, which acts as a secondary source. The diffracted signal is then collected by downhole receiver(s) of the downhole tool. Length of the fracture is determined based on the time of travel of the electromagnetic wave from its emission until its collection as a diffracted signal by the downhole receiver(s).Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Ersan Turkoglu, Howard Khan Schmidt
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Publication number: 20190249545Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements from a downhole well tool in a wellbore are obtained to identify length of fractures adjacent the wellbore. A ground penetrating radar transmitter of the downhole tool emits an electromagnetic pulse. The electromagnetic wave of the ground penetrating radar is diffracted on encountering an end or tip of a fracture, which acts as a secondary source. The diffracted signal is then collected by downhole receiver(s) of the downhole tool. Length of the fracture is determined based on the time of travel of the electromagnetic wave from its emission until its collection as a diffracted signal by the downhole receiver(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: JESUS MANUEL FELIX SERVIN, ERIKA SHOEMAKER ELLIS, ERSAN TURKOGLU, HOWARD KHAN SCHMIDT
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Publication number: 20190249546Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements from a downhole well tool in a wellbore are obtained to identify length of fractures adjacent the wellbore. A ground penetrating radar transmitter of the downhole tool emits an electromagnetic pulse. The electromagnetic wave of the ground penetrating radar is diffracted on encountering an end or tip of a fracture, which acts as a secondary source. The diffracted signal is then collected by downhole receiver(s) of the downhole tool. Length of the fracture is determined based on the time of travel of the electromagnetic wave from its emission until its collection as a diffracted signal by the downhole receiver(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: JESUS MANUEL FELIX SERVIN, ERIKA SHOEMAKER ELLIS, ERSAN TURKOGLU, HOWARD KHAN SCHMIDT
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Publication number: 20190250300Abstract: Provide are compositions and methods for electromagnetic (EM) surveying of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs using a giant dielectric material as a contrast agent. An injection fluid composition for EM surveying may include an aqueous fluid and giant dielectric nanoparticles having a dielectric constant of at least 10000 in the 1 Hz to 1 MHz frequency range. EM surveying of a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs may be performed by introducing an injection fluid having the giant dielectric nanoparticles into the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir and generating an image of the position of the injection fluid from a transit time of emitted EM energy that traveled through the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
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Publication number: 20190242246Abstract: Ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements from a downhole well tool in a wellbore are obtained to identify length of fractures adjacent the wellbore. A ground penetrating radar transmitter of the downhole tool emits an electromagnetic pulse. The electromagnetic wave of the ground penetrating radar is diffracted on encountering an end or tip of a fracture, which acts as a secondary source. The diffracted signal is then collected by downhole receiver(s) of the downhole tool. Length of the fracture is determined based on the time of travel of the electromagnetic wave from its emission until its collection as a diffracted signal by the downhole receiver(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2018Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: JESUS MANUEL FELIX SERVIN, ERIKA SHOEMAKER ELLIS, ERSAN TURKOGLU, HOWARD KHAN SCHMIDT
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Patent number: 10365393Abstract: Provide are compositions and methods for electromagnetic (EM) surveying of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs using a giant dielectric material as a contrast agent. An injection fluid composition for EM surveying may include an aqueous fluid and giant dielectric nanoparticles having a dielectric constant of at least 10000 in the 1 Hz to 1 MHz frequency range. EM surveying of a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs may be performed by introducing an injection fluid having the giant dielectric nanoparticles into the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir and generating an image of the position of the injection fluid from a transit time of emitted EM energy that traveled through the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
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Publication number: 20190137645Abstract: Provide are compositions and methods for electromagnetic (EM) surveying of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs using a giant dielectric material as a contrast agent. An injection fluid composition for EM surveying may include an aqueous fluid and giant dielectric nanoparticles having a dielectric constant of at least 10000 in the 1 Hz to 1 MHz frequency range. EM surveying of a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs may be performed by introducing an injection fluid having the giant dielectric nanoparticles into the subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir and generating an image of the position of the injection fluid from a transit time of emitted EM energy that traveled through the reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2017Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
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Publication number: 20180275114Abstract: Methods and systems for determining tracer breakthrough from multiple wells commingled at a Gas Oil Separation Plant (GOSP) are provided. An example hydrocarbon reservoir monitoring method includes periodically sampling fluid carried by a water line of a Gas Oil Separation Plant (GOSP). The GOSP is configured to receive commingled well hydrocarbon fluids from multiple wells formed in multiple regions of a hydrocarbon reservoir, separate the well fluids into hydrocarbon components including water, and flow the water through the water line. The multiple regions are tagged with respective tracers. Each tracer is injected into a respective region of the hydrocarbon reservoir surrounding a respective well and can flow into the respective well in response to a well breakthrough. The method also includes analyzing each sampled fluid for one or more tracers of the multiple tracers and monitoring the multiple wells for fluid breakthrough based on results of analyzing each sampled fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Dmitry Kosynkin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Mohammed Alaskar, Afnan Mashat
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Patent number: 9891170Abstract: A portable sensing system for nanomaterial tracers used in oil producing wells is provided. The portable sending system includes a separation device such as a hydrocyclone or carboy, a filtration device having filtration media, a waste container, and spectrometer. The portable sensing system may also include or be connected to a portable computer such as a laptop. The portable sensing system may be connected to a wellhead without any modification of the wellhead or a producing line. Additionally, the portable sensing system may perform separation, filtration, and detection on a sample without manual or automatic pumps and other moving parts, and using gravity and the existing fluid pressure of the sample to promote fluid flow for the separation, filtration, and detection.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Erika Shoemaker Ellis
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Publication number: 20180003848Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for mapping hydrocarbon reservoirs. Operations include disposing an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and an EM receiver into first and second wellbores of first and second wells, respectively, penetrating a resistive layer of a subsurface formation bounded by first and second conductive layers. The EM transmitter and receiver each being disposed at depths proximate to intersections of the first and second wellbores and the resistive layer, respectively. The operations further including transmitting an EM signal between the EM transmitter and receiver via the resistive layer, determining transport properties associated with propagation of the EM signal from the EM transmitter to the EM receiver via the resistive layer, and determining the presence of an anomaly in at least one of the conductive layers based on the travel time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis
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Publication number: 20170371062Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for mapping hydrocarbon reservoirs. Operations include disposing an electromagnetic (EM) transmitter and an EM receiver into first and second wellbores of first and second wells, respectively, penetrating a resistive layer of a subsurface formation bounded by first and second conductive layers. The EM transmitter and receiver each being disposed at depths proximate to intersections of the first and second wellbores and the resistive layer, respectively. The operations further including transmitting an EM signal between the EM transmitter and receiver via the resistive layer, determining transport properties associated with propagation of the EM signal from the EM transmitter to the EM receiver via the resistive layer, and determining the presence of an anomaly in at least one of the conductive layers based on the travel time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis