Patents by Inventor Greg Niechwiadowicz

Greg Niechwiadowicz 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).

  • Surfactant based viscoelastic fluids
    Patent number: 7638468
    Abstract: The invention relates to surfactant based viscoelastic fluids for enhancing the productivity of a hydrocarbon-bearing formations, such as oil wells. The viscoelastic fluids of the invention have particular applicability in acid fracturing of subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells. The viscoelastic fluid contains an inorganic acid and at least one C10 to C24 alkyl trialkyl quaternary ammonium aromatic salt such as quaternary ammonium salicylate or phthalate. An anionic surfactant may also be present in the viscoelastic fluid. The addition of the C10 to C24 alkyl trialkyl quaternary ammonium aromatic salt to the inorganic acid causes gellation of the acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Greg Niechwiadowicz, Kewei Zhang
  • Carbon dioxide compatible non-aqueous crosslinked fracturing fluids and methods for their use
    Patent number: 7049436
    Abstract: Alcohol based hydraulic fracturing fluids useful for treating oil and gas wells are disclosed. The fluids are compatible with carbon dioxide, and comprise an alcohol, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a breaker. Hydroxypropyl guar with a molar substitution of about 1.2 to about 2.2 is identified as a presently preferred polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Greg Niechwiadowicz, Anita C Jerat
  • Surfactant based viscoelastic fluids
    Publication number: 20040138071
    Abstract: The invention relates to surfactant based viscoelastic fluids for enhancing the productivity of a hydrocarbon-bearing formations, such as oil wells. The viscoelastic fluids of the invention have particular applicability in acid fracturing of subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells. The viscoelastic fluid contains an inorganic acid and at least one C10 to C24 alkyl trialkyl quaternary ammonium aromatic salt such as quaternary ammonium salicylate or phthalate. An anionic surfactant may also be present in the viscoelastic fluid. The addition of the C10 to C24 alkyl trialkyl quaternary ammonium aromatic salt to the inorganic acid causes gellation of the acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Greg Niechwiadowicz, Kewei Zhang
  • Carbon dioxide compatible non-aqueous crosslinked fracturing fluids and methods for their use
    Publication number: 20040072700
    Abstract: Alcohol based hydraulic fracturing fluids useful for treating oil and gas wells are disclosed. The fluids are compatible with carbon dioxide, and comprise an alcohol, a polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a breaker. Hydroxypropyl guar with a molar substitution of about 1.2 to about 2.2 is identified as a presently preferred polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: D.V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Greg Niechwiadowicz, Anita C. Jerat