Patents by Inventor George Waters

George Waters 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: 10385259
    Abstract: Treatment methods and treatment fluids for increasing permeability of organic shale formations are described herein. The treatment method includes treating an organic shale formation with a treatment fluid. The treatment fluid includes a solvent that dissolves bitumen in the shale formation. After treating the shale formation with the treatment fluid, oil is recovered from the shale formation. By removing bitumen from pores and pore throats within the formation, the solvent increases permeability of the formation and allows mobile oil to flow more easily through the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Waters, Richard Lewis, Erik Rylander, Andrew E. Pomerantz, Ridvan Akkurt, Roderick Bovee, Syed A. Ali
  • Patent number: 9790775
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods in which a fracturing fluid source is in fluid communication with a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. A compressor has an input in fluid communication with a natural gas source, and has an output in fluid communication with the wellbore. The compressor is operable to compress natural gas received at the input for delivery at the output. A liquefied gas source is also in fluid communication with the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jijo Joseph, Richard D. Hutchins, William Troy Huey, Joel Clinkscales, Philippe Enkababian, Alejandro Pena, George Waters, Salvador Ayala, J. Ernest Brown
  • Publication number: 20170233636
    Abstract: Compositions may include an aqueous phase comprising an acid source; an oleaginous phase containing an oleaginous base fluid, a pyrrolidone solvent, a terpene solvent, and a cycloalkyl ketone; and a surfactant. Methods may include emplacing a fluid in a subsurface formation, the fluid containing an aqueous phase comprising an acid source; an oleaginous phase containing an oleaginous base fluid, a pyrrolidone solvent, a terpene solvent, and a cycloalkyl ketone; and a surfactant. Methods may also include adding a treatment fluid to a hydrocarbon fluid being transported in a pipeline, the treatment fluid containing an aqueous phase comprising an acid source; an oleaginous phase containing an oleaginous base fluid, a pyrrolidone solvent, a terpene solvent, and a cycloalkyl ketone; and a surfactant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Kyle D. BAKE, Andrew Emil POMERANTZ, George WATERS, Syed Afaq ALI, Jason BAIHLY
  • Publication number: 20170145818
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to determining an optimum orientation for perforations around the circumference of a subsurface borehole and optimum wellbore fluid initiation pressure for hydraulic fracturing in anisotropic formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Romain Charles Andre Prioul, Florian Karpfinger, George Waters, Brice Lecampion
  • Publication number: 20160194551
    Abstract: Treatment methods and treatment fluids for increasing permeability of organic shale formations are described herein. The treatment method includes treating an organic shale formation with a treatment fluid. The treatment fluid includes a solvent that dissolves bitumen in the shale formation. After treating the shale formation with the treatment fluid, oil is recovered from the shale formation. By removing bitumen from pores and pore throats within the formation, the solvent increases permeability of the formation and allows mobile oil to flow more easily through the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: George WATERS, Richard LEWIS, Erik RYLANDER, Andrew E. POMERANTZ, Ridvan AKKURT, Roderick BOVEE, Syed A. ALI
  • Patent number: 9376902
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to determining an optimum orientation for perforations around the circumference of a subsurface borehole and optimum wellbore fluid initiation pressure for hydraulic fracturing in anisotropic formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Romain Charles Andre Prioul, Florian Karpfinger, George Waters, Brice Lecampion
  • Patent number: 9303508
    Abstract: Example in-situ stress measurements in hydrocarbon bearing shales are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes lowering a downhole tool into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean shale formation, logging via the downhole tool, a portion of the wellbore adjacent the shale formation to generate logging results, processing the logging results to select test intervals along the portion of the wellbore, performing a stress test at one or more of the selected test intervals to generate stress test results for the shale formation, and adjusting a model representing at least one property of the shale formation based on the stress test results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hariharan Ramakrishnan, George Waters, Edward C. Boratko, Ahmad Latifzal, Doug Bentley
  • Patent number: 9045969
    Abstract: A method for calculating transmissibility, pore pressure, permeability and/or other properties of a subsurface layer comprising the modeling of the borehole pressure recorded from the time the subsurface layer is fractured by isolating said subsurface layer with a downhole tool, pumping fluid into the subsurface layer and stopping pumping said fluid once the formation is fractured until a pseudo-radial or pseudo-linear flow is reached. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: George Waters, Ahmad Latifzai, Edward C. Boratko
  • Publication number: 20140262265
    Abstract: Various methods for performing treatment operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with a reservoir therein are provided. The method involves introducing a treatment fluid comprised of at least a gas hydrate slurry to the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Alejandro Pena, William Troy Huey, Philippe Enkababian, George Waters, Andrey Mirakyan, Salvador Ayala, J. Ernest Brown, Heng-Joo Ng
  • Publication number: 20140262292
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods in which a fracturing fluid source is in fluid communication with a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. A compressor has an input in fluid communication with a natural gas source, and has an output in fluid communication with the wellbore. The compressor is operable to compress natural gas received at the input for delivery at the output. A liquefied gas source is also in fluid communication with the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jijo Joseph, Richard D. Hutchins, William Troy Huey, Joel Clinkscales, Philippe Enkababian, Alejandro Pena, George Waters, Salvador Ayala, J. Ernest Brown
  • Publication number: 20130206475
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to determining an optimum orientation for perforations around the circumference of a subsurface borehole and optimum wellbore fluid initiation pressure for hydraulic fracturing in anisotropic formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Romain Charles Andre Prioul, Florian Karpfinger, George Waters, Brice Lecampion
  • Publication number: 20120150515
    Abstract: Example in-situ stress measurements in hydrocarbon bearing shales are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes lowering a downhole tool into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean shale formation, logging via the downhole tool, a portion of the wellbore adjacent the shale formation to generate logging results, processing the logging results to select test intervals along the portion of the wellbore, performing a stress test at one or more of the selected test intervals to generate stress test results for the shale formation, and adjusting a model representing at least one property of the shale formation based on the stress test results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Ramakrishnan Hariharan, George Waters, Edward C. Boratko, Ahmad Latifzal, Doug Bentley
  • Publication number: 20110284214
    Abstract: The invention discloses a tool for use in a wellbore, comprising: a tubular elongated member; openings on the tubular member able to be close with a valve or a sleeve; swellable packers positioned between said opening on the tubular member; and a control unit; the control unit operating the valve or sleeve for fracturing a subterranean formation in a wellbore, in the stages: a. fracturing the subterranean formation through a first stage at predefined first locations; and b. fracturing the subterranean formation through a second stage at second location(s) wherein each location from the second location(s) is localized between the predefined first locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Joseph A. Ayoub, Dinesh R. Patel, Kevin W. England, Frank F. Chang, George Waters
  • Publication number: 20110259588
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising shale comprising forming a fluid comprising potassium acetate, and introducing the fluid to a surface of the subterranean formation comprising shale, wherein geomechanical weakening of the formation is lower than if the formation were not in contact with the fluid. Embodiments of the invention relate to a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising shale, comprising forming a fluid comprising potassium chloride and ammonium acetate; and introducing the fluid to a surface of the subterranean formation comprising shale, wherein geomechanical weakening of the formation is lower than if the formation were not in contact with the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Syed A. Ali, Kevin W. England, George Waters
  • Patent number: 8020620
    Abstract: Methods of making and using wellbore casing are described, one method comprising providing a plurality of flow-through passages in a portion of a casing while the casing is out of hole; temporarily plugging the flow-through passages with a composition while out of hole; running the casing in hole in a wellbore intersecting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and exposing the composition to conditions sufficient to displace the composition from the flow-through passages while in hole. Methods of using the casing may include pumping a stimulation treatment fluid through the casing string and into a formation through the flow-through passages in the first casing joint; plugging the flow-through passages in the first casing section; and exposing a second casing joint of the casing string to conditions sufficient to displace the composition from the flow-through passages in the second casing joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Daniels, George Waters, Mark Norris, J. Ernest Brown, Ian D. Bryant, Kevin Mauth, Jason Swaren
  • Publication number: 20110005754
    Abstract: Methods of making and using wellbore casing are described, one method comprising providing a plurality of flow-through passages in a portion of a casing while the casing is out of hole; temporarily plugging the flow-through passages with a composition while out of hole; running the casing in hole in a wellbore intersecting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and exposing the composition to conditions sufficient to displace the composition from the flow-through passages while in hole. Methods of using the casing may include pumping a stimulation treatment fluid through the casing string and into a formation through the flow-through passages in the first casing joint; plugging the flow-through passages in the first casing section; and exposing a second casing joint of the casing string to conditions sufficient to displace the composition from the flow-through passages in the second casing joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: John Daniels, George Waters, Mark Norris, J. Ernest Brown, Ian D. Bryant, Kevin Mauth, Jason Swaren
  • Patent number: 7810567
    Abstract: Methods of making and using wellbore casing are described, one method comprising providing a plurality of flow-through passages in a portion of a casing while the casing is out of hole; temporarily plugging the flow-through passages with a composition while out of hole; running the casing in hole in a wellbore intersecting a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and exposing the composition to conditions sufficient to displace the composition from the flow-through passages while in hole. Methods of using the casing may include pumping a stimulation treatment fluid through the casing string and into a formation through the flow-through passages in the first casing joint; plugging the flow-through passages in the first casing section; and exposing a second casing joint of the casing string to conditions sufficient to displace the composition from the flow-through passages in the second casing joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Daniels, George Waters, Mark Norris, J. Ernest Brown, Ian D. Bryant, Kevin Mauth, Jason Swaren
  • Patent number: 7806182
    Abstract: A subterranean formation stimulation method utilizes a treatment fluid comprising residual drilling fluid injected into the formation, and producing the stimulated formation. In one embodiment, a tight gas formation is fractured and the fracture has a higher conductivity than the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: George Waters, Paul R. Howard, Don Williamson, John W. Still
  • Publication number: 20100058854
    Abstract: A method for calculating transmissibility, pore pressure, permeability and/or other properties of a subsurface layer comprising the modeling of the borehole pressure recorded from the time the subsurface layer is fractured by isolating said subsurface layer with a downhole tool, pumping fluid into the subsurface layer and stopping pumping said fluid once the formation is fractured until a pseudo-radial or pseudo-linear flow is reached. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: George Waters, Ahmad Latifzai, Edward C. Boratko
  • Publication number: 20090107671
    Abstract: A subterranean formation stimulation method utilizes a treatment fluid comprising residual drilling fluid injected into the formation, and producing the stimulated formation. In one embodiment, a tight gas formation is fractured and the fracture has a higher conductivity than the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: George Waters, Paul R. Howard, Don Williamson, John W. Still