Patents by Inventor Erika Shoemaker Ellis

Erika Shoemaker Ellis 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: 11078394
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10838101
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jason Cox, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
  • Publication number: 20200283672
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard K. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10690798
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
  • Patent number: 10577925
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Ersan Turkoglu, Howard Khan Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10570727
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Ersan Turkoglu, Howard Khan Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10539704
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis
  • Patent number: 10534103
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis
  • Publication number: 20190361141
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jason Cox, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
  • Patent number: 10392929
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Ersan Turkoglu, Howard Khan Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190249545
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: JESUS MANUEL FELIX SERVIN, ERIKA SHOEMAKER ELLIS, ERSAN TURKOGLU, HOWARD KHAN SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20190250300
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
  • Publication number: 20190249546
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: JESUS MANUEL FELIX SERVIN, ERIKA SHOEMAKER ELLIS, ERSAN TURKOGLU, HOWARD KHAN SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20190242246
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: JESUS MANUEL FELIX SERVIN, ERIKA SHOEMAKER ELLIS, ERSAN TURKOGLU, HOWARD KHAN SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10365393
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
  • Publication number: 20190137645
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin
  • Publication number: 20180275114
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Dmitry Kosynkin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Mohammed Alaskar, Afnan Mashat
  • Patent number: 9891170
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Erika Shoemaker Ellis
  • Publication number: 20180003848
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis
  • Publication number: 20170371062
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Howard Khan Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Shoemaker Ellis