Patents by Inventor Gary Funkhouser

Gary Funkhouser 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: 9441147
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing two phases. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore where one phase sets upon subjecting the sealant composition to a thermal source followed by the setting of the other phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Natasha Shirshova, Alexander Bismarck, Angelika Menner, Gary Funkhouser
  • Patent number: 9243183
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating a subterranean formation having at least one fracture. The methods include providing a thermal thinning resistant treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, proppant particulates, and a thermally activated suspending agent, wherein the thermally activated suspending agent is hydratable above a threshold temperature. The thermal thinning resistant treatment fluid is introduced into the subterranean formation and exceeds the threshold temperature so as to hydrate the thermally activated suspending agent. Furthermore, the proppant particulates are placed into the at least one fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Gary Funkhouser, Christopher Parton, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8770291
    Abstract: A method for isolating a portion of a wellbore including preparing a sealant composition includes an emulsion of an internal phase and an external phase. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore where one phase sets upon subjecting the sealant composition to a thermal source followed by the setting of the other phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Natasha Shirshova, Alexander Bismarck, Angelika Menner, Gary Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20140144630
    Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation having at least one fracture including providing a thermal thinning resistant treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, proppant particulates, and a thermally activated suspending agent; wherein the thermally activated suspending agent is hydratable above a threshold temperature; introducing the thermal thinning resistant treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; exceeding the threshold temperature so as to hydrate the thermally activated suspending agent; and placing the proppant particulates into the at least one fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Gary Funkhouser, Christopher Parton, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140090847
    Abstract: Methods and compositions using gel compositions in treatment fluids employed in subterranean operations. A method includes providing a degradable gel precursor as a solid or dispersion in which substantially all the water has been removed, the degradable gel precursor being formed by a combination of a monomer and a degradable crosslinking agent of formula R1-[A]-[R3]—[B]—R2, wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different, and includes at least one group selected from a substituted or unsubstituted ethylenically unsaturated group, N-acryloyl, O-acryloyl, vinyl, allyl, maleic anydride, a derivative thereof, and a combination thereof, A and B comprise optional bridging units, and R3 comprises a degradable group or polymer, the method including placing the degradable gel precursor in an aqueous base fluid thereby forming a treatment fluid which includes a degradable gel, and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Gary Funkhouser, Rajesh Saini, Bradley L. Todd
  • Patent number: 8684082
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore by preparing a sealant composition comprising a fluid component and a polymeric additive component, placing the sealant composition into a wellbore and subjecting the sealant composition to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive components and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Gary Funkhouser, Paul Hoertz, David F. Myers, James Lynn Davis, Vikram Rao, Vijay Gupta, Lynn Margaret Soby
  • Patent number: 8662174
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore includes preparing a sealant composition having a fluid component, a polymeric additive constituent, and a set modifier component. The sealant composition is placed into a wellbore and subjected to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive constituents and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition. The ionizing radiation also alters the set modifier component, triggering the thickening of the sealant composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Gary Funkhouser, Anthony Badalamenti, Vikram Rao, David F. Myers, Vijay Gupta, James Lynn Davis, Michael Lamvik, Paul G. Hoertz, Lynn Margaret Soby, Andrew K. Dummer
  • Publication number: 20130150483
    Abstract: A cementing fluid may include an aqueous fluid, a hydraulic cement, and a cement suspending agent comprising a crosslinked particulate, wherein the crosslinked particulate is made from a reaction comprising: a first monofunctional monomer, a primary crosslinker, and a secondary crosslinker. In some instances, the reaction may further comprise a second monofunctional monomer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Funkhouser, Matthew G. Kellum
  • Publication number: 20120006545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing two phases. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore where one phase sets upon subjecting the sealant composition to a thermal source followed by the setting of the other phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Natasha Shirshova, Alexander Bismarck, Angelika Menner, Gary Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20120010324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions useful for isolating a portion of a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method includes preparing a sealant composition containing two phases. The sealant composition is placed into the wellbore where one phase sets upon subjecting the sealant composition to a thermal source followed by the setting of the other phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc
    Inventors: Natasha Shirshova, Alexander Bismarck, Angelika Menner, Gary Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20110272142
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore includes preparing a sealant composition having a fluid component, a polymeric additive constituent, and a set modifier component. The sealant composition is placed into a wellbore and subjected to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive constituents and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition. The ionizing radiation also alters the set modifier component, triggering the thickening of the sealant composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Halliburton Law Department
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Gary Funkhouser, Anthony Badalamenti, Vikram Rao, David F. Myers, Vijay Gupta, James Lynn Davis, Michael Lamvik, Paul Hoertz, Lynn Margaret Soby, Andrew K. Dummer
  • Publication number: 20110265996
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods relating to the setting of fluids or slurries in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a method of isolating a portion a wellbore by preparing a sealant composition comprising a fluid component and a polymeric additive component, placing the sealant composition into a wellbore and subjecting the sealant composition to ionizing radiation. The ionizing radiation can cause bonding between polymeric additive components and create a polymer matrix within the sealant composition that increases the mechanical strength of the sealant composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: Halliburton Law Department
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Gary Funkhouser, Paul Hoertz, David F. Myers, James L. Davis, Vikram Rao, Vijay Gupta, Lynn Margaret Soby
  • Patent number: 7736430
    Abstract: A method of treating fly ash to modify the set time and the induction profile for a slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. The method comprising mixing fly ash with an aqueous solution comprising the calcium carbonate, thereby modifying the set time and the induction profile of the slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. A method of treating fly ash to modify the induction profile of a slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. The method comprising contacting fly ash with a wet gas stream comprising water vapor and carbon dioxide in an amount sufficient to react with the fly ash so as to modify the induction profile of the slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. Cement compositions comprising water, hydraulic cement, and carbonated fly, and associated methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Corina Lupu, Katherine L. Jackson, Sean Bard, Gary Funkhouser
  • Patent number: 7549320
    Abstract: A cement sample testing apparatus including a first pressure zone; a second pressure zone; and a pressure control system. The pressure control system can be in fluid communication with the first pressure zone and the second pressure zone, operable to raise the first pressure zone to a first pressure above ambient pressure, and operable to raise the second pressure zone to a second pressure above ambient pressure. A method for determining mechanical properties for a sample cement composition can include applying a first pressure condition to a first portion of the sample cement composition; applying a second pressure condition raised to a second portion of the sample cement composition; and determining one or more mechanical properties of the sample cement composition based at least in part on the pressure conditions present at the failure of the sample cement composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Funkhouser, Christian Meyer, David McMechan, David Meadows, Johnny Johnson
  • Publication number: 20080168848
    Abstract: A cement sample testing apparatus including a first pressure zone; a second pressure zone; and a pressure control system. The pressure control system can be in fluid communication with the first pressure zone and the second pressure zone, operable to raise the first pressure zone to a first pressure above ambient pressure, and operable to raise the second pressure zone to a second pressure above ambient pressure. A method for determining mechanical properties for a sample cement composition can include applying a first pressure condition to a first portion of the sample cement composition; applying a second pressure condition raised to a second portion of the sample cement composition; and determining one or more mechanical properties of the sample cement composition based at least in part on the pressure conditions present at the failure of the sample cement composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Funkhouser, Christian Meyer, David McMechan, David Meadows, Johnny Johnson
  • Publication number: 20070267201
    Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Brezinski, Gregory Chitwood, Ralph Echols, Gary Funkhouser, John Gano, William Henderson, Paul Herman, Marion Kilgore, Jody McGlothen, Ronald Powell, Alex Procyk, Thomas Ray, Michael Sanders, Roger Schultz, David Steele, Robert Taylor, Bradley Todd, Cynthia Tuckness
  • Publication number: 20070215353
    Abstract: A method of treating fly ash to modify the set time and the induction profile for a slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. The method comprising mixing fly ash with an aqueous solution comprising the calcium carbonate, thereby modifying the set time and the induction profile of the slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. A method of treating fly ash to modify the induction profile of a slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. The method comprising contacting fly ash with a wet gas stream comprising water vapor and carbon dioxide in an amount sufficient to react with the fly ash so as to modify the induction profile of the slurry comprising cement and the fly ash. Cement compositions comprising water, hydraulic cement, and carbonated fly, and associated methods of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Andrew Barron, Corina Lupu, Katherine Jackson, Sean Bard, Gary Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20070204996
    Abstract: Methods comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation at rate in the range of from about 30 barrels to about 250 barrels per minute so as to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to reduce friction without forming a gel, and an antiflocculation additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: David McMechan, Jimmie Weaver, Thomas Welton, Robert Hanes, Karen King, Gary Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20070207933
    Abstract: Methods comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer, and an antiflocculation additive; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation at rate in the range of from about 30 barrels to about 250 barrels per minute so as to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid, a friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to reduce friction without forming a gel, and an antiflocculation additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: David McMechan, Jimmie Weaver, Thomas Welton, Robert Hanes, Karen King, Gary Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20070114016
    Abstract: The present disclosure addressed apparatus and methods for forming an annular isolator in a borehole after installation of production tubing. Annular seal means are carried in or on production tubing as it is run into a borehole. In conjunction with expansion of the tubing, the seal is deployed to form an annular isolator. An inflatable element carried on the tubing may be inflated with a fluid carried in the tubing and forced into the inflatable element during expansion of the tubing. Reactive chemicals may be carried in the tubing and injected into the annulus to react with each other and ambient fluids to increase in volume and harden into an annular seal. An elastomeric sleeve, ring or band carried on the tubing may be expanded into contact with a borehole wall and may have its radial dimension increased in conjunction with tubing expansion to form an annular isolator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: May 24, 2007
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Brezinski, Gregory Chitwood, Gary Funkhouser, John Gano, Jody McGlothen, Alex Procyk, Thomas Ray, Robert Taylor, Bradley Todd, Cynthia Tuckness