Patents by Inventor Ian D. Robb

Ian D. Robb 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: 7960315
    Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a acidic treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid, an acid composition, and a gelling agent that comprises clarified diutan; and introducing the acidic treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the acidic treatment fluid may be allowed to interact with a component of the subterranean formation so that the component is at least partially dissolved. In some embodiments, the acidic treatment fluid may be introduced into a pipeline. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls, Lulu Song, Jason E. Bryant, Sean R. Beach, Ian D. Robb
  • Patent number: 7932215
    Abstract: Methods for treating a portion of a well include the steps of: (a) forming a treatment gel comprising a polymer or a polymer system of a mixture of two or more polymers, wherein the polymer or the polymer system is capable of each of the following, when tested at at least one concentration in the range of 2-10 times C* in deionized water, at about 22° C., and at about 1 atmosphere pressure: (i) forming a polymer gel of the polymer and water at at least one pH in the range of 4-9, wherein a bulk form of the polymer gel has a G? greater than G? at all frequencies in the range of 1 rad/sec-100 rad/sec; (ii) dissolving at at least one pH in the range of 2-4; and (iii) dissolving at at least one pH in the range of 9-12; (b) dispersing the treatment gel in a fluid to form a treatment fluid; (c) introducing the treatment gel in a treatment fluid into a portion of a well; and (d) after the step of introducing the treatment gel, adjusting the pH of the treatment gel to at least one pH in the range of 2-4 or 9-12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Mike A. Bajomo, Alexander Bismarck, Joachim Steinke
  • Patent number: 7928041
    Abstract: Methods for treating a portion of a well include the steps of: (a) forming a treatment gel comprising a polymer or a polymer system of a mixture of two or more polymers, wherein the polymer or the polymer system is capable of each of the following, when tested at least one concentration in the range of 2-10 times C* in deionized water, at about 22° C., and at about 1 atmosphere pressure: (i) forming a polymer gel of the polymer and water at least one pH in the range of 4-9, wherein a bulk form of the polymer gel has a G? greater than G? at all frequencies in the range of 1 rad/sec-100 rad/sec; (ii) dissolving at least one pH in the range of 2-4; and (iii) dissolving at least one pH in the range of 9-12; (b) dispersing the treatment gel in a fluid to form a treatment fluid; (c) introducing the treatment gel in a treatment fluid into a portion of a well; and (d) after the step of introducing the treatment gel, adjusting the pH of the treatment gel to at least one pH in the range of 2-4 or 9-12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Mike A. Bajomo, Alexander Bismarck, Joachim Steinke
  • Patent number: 7910524
    Abstract: Treatment fluids are provided that include a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a gelling agent that comprises clarified diutan. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid is a subterranean treatment fluid. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid is a subterranean treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, a gelling agent that comprises clarified diutan, and at least a plurality of particulates. Additional treatment fluids are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls, Lulu Song, Jason E. Bryant, Sean R. Beach, Ian D. Robb
  • Publication number: 20110015101
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the inventions, emulsion compositions are provided. Emulsions according to this aspect include: (a) a water-insoluble resinous material; (b) water; and (c) an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier comprises a non-ionic, a cationic, or a zwitterionic emulsifier; wherein the continuous phase of the emulsion comprises the water; wherein a dispersed phase of the emulsion comprises the resinous material; wherein the dispersed phase is in the form of droplets having a size distribution range such that at least 50% of the droplets have a size of 0.5 micrometers-500 micrometers; wherein the resinous material of the droplets is in a concentration of at least 5% by weight of the water; and wherein the composition of the droplets has a viscosity of less than 2,000 Poise measured at 20° F. According to another aspect of the inventions, methods are provided for treating a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Sherry G. Gaskins, Jimmie D. Weaver, Phillip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7846877
    Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a portion of a well and include the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises: (i) water; (ii) a water-soluble polysaccharide; (iii) one or more water-soluble salts, wherein the one or more salts are selected and are in at least a sufficient concentration such that the water-salt solution has a density of at least 10 ppg; and (iv) urea; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the well. According to the inventions, the concentration of the urea in the water is in at least a sufficient concentration such that aqueous solution: (1) has a G? of at least 2 Pa, or (2) is filterable. According to the inventions, an identical aqueous solution except with less than the sufficient concentration of the urea would not satisfy the above conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian D. Robb
  • Patent number: 7846878
    Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method that comprises: introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises water and a concentrated polymer composition comprising a complexing agent and a friction reducing polymer. Also disclosed is a method that comprises combining at least water and a concentrated polymer composition to form a treatment fluid, wherein the concentrated polymer composition comprises a complexing agent and a friction reducing polymer; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Also disclosed is a concentrated polymer composition comprising: a friction reducing polymer in an amount of about 15% to about 60% by weight of the composition; and a complexing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Thomas D. Welton, Jason Bryant, Michael L Carter
  • Publication number: 20100298177
    Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a portion of a well and include the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous solution, wherein the aqueous solution comprises: (i) water; (ii) a water-soluble polysaccharide; (iii) one or more water-soluble salts, wherein the one or more salts are selected and are in at least a sufficient concentration such that the water-salt solution has a density of at least 10 ppg; and (iv) urea; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the portion of the well. According to the inventions, the concentration of the urea in the water is in at least a sufficient concentration such that aqueous solution: (1) has a G? of at least 2 Pa, or (2) is filterable. According to the inventions, an identical aqueous solution except with less than the sufficient concentration of the urea would not satisfy the above conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventor: Ian D. Robb
  • Patent number: 7829508
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of formulating a treatment fluid and introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore. The treatment fluid comprises water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.5 lb/gal, wherein at least 50% by weight of the salt is selected from the group consisting of: bromide salts, non-bromide salts having a higher salting-in effect than bromide according to the Hofmeister series as measured by the salt's effect on the cloud point of poly(ethylene oxide) that has a molecular weight of 4×106, and any combination in any proportion thereof. The invention also provides a treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the treatment fluid comprising: water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Ian D. Robb, Bobby J. Burns
  • Publication number: 20100256023
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of formulating a treatment fluid and introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore. The treatment fluid comprises water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.5 lb/gal, wherein at least 50% by weight of the salt is selected from the group consisting of: bromide salts, non-bromide salts having a higher salting-in effect than bromide according to the Hofmeister series as measured by the salt's effect on the cloud point of poly(ethylene oxide) that has a molecular weight of 4×106, and any combination in any proportion thereof. The invention also provides a treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the treatment fluid comprising: water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Ian D. Robb, Bobby J. Bums
  • Publication number: 20100234250
    Abstract: Methods for treating a portion of a well include the steps of: (a) forming a treatment gel comprising a polymer or a polymer system of a mixture of two or more polymers, wherein the polymer or the polymer system is capable of each of the following, when tested at at least one concentration in the range of 2-10 times C* in deionized water, at about 22° C., and at about 1 atmosphere pressure: (i) forming a polymer gel of the polymer and water at at least one pH in the range of 4-9, wherein a bulk form of the polymer gel has a G? greater than G? at all frequencies in the range of 1 rad/sec-100 rad/sec; (ii) dissolving at at least one pH in the range of 2-4; and (iii) dissolving at at least one pH in the range of 9-12; (b) dispersing the treatment gel in a fluid to form a treatment fluid; (c) introducing the treatment gel in a treatment fluid into a portion of a well; and (d) after the step of introducing the treatment gel, adjusting the pH of the treatment gel to at least one pH in the range of 2-4 or 9-12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Mike A. Bajomo, Alexander Bismarck, Joachim Steinke
  • Publication number: 20100234251
    Abstract: Methods for treating a portion of a well include the steps of: (a) forming a treatment gel comprising a polymer or a polymer system of a mixture of two or more polymers, wherein the polymer or the polymer system is capable of each of the following, when tested at least one concentration in the range of 2-10 times C* in deionized water, at about 22° C., and at about 1 atmosphere pressure: (i) forming a polymer gel of the polymer and water at least one pH in the range of 4-9, wherein a bulk form of the polymer gel has a G? greater than G? at all frequencies in the range of 1 rad/sec-100 rad/sec; (ii) dissolving at least one pH in the range of 2-4; and (iii) dissolving at least one pH in the range of 9-12; (b) dispersing the treatment gel in a fluid to form a treatment fluid; (c) introducing the treatment gel in a treatment fluid into a portion of a well; and (d) after the step of introducing the treatment gel, adjusting the pH of the treatment gel to at least one pH in the range of 2-4 or 9-12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Mike A. Bajomo, Alexander Bismarck, Joachim Steinke
  • Publication number: 20100216673
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising the steps of formulating a treatment fluid and introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore. The treatment fluid comprises water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.5 lb/gal, wherein at least 50% by weight of the salt is selected from the group consisting of: bromide salts, non-bromide salts having a higher salting-in effect than bromide according to the Hofmeister series as measured by the salt's effect on the cloud point of poly(ethylene oxide) that has a molecular weight of 4×106, and any combination in any proportion thereof. The invention also provides a treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the treatment fluid comprising: water; diutan; and a sufficient amount of salt to increase the density of the treatment fluid to at least 8.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Ian D. Robb, Bobby J. Burns
  • Patent number: 7686084
    Abstract: Well bore servicing fluids are provided that include a thermally activated viscosification compound. Further, methods of servicing a well bore are provided that include displacing such a servicing fluid into the well bore, wherein a viscosity of the servicing fluid increases as it passes down the well bore due to its temperature increasing. Thus, the viscosity of the servicing fluid is effective to suspend solids therein when the servicing fluid is in the well bore. The servicing fluid may be, for example, a cement slurry, a drilling fluid, a gravel packing fluid, a fracturing fluid, a completion fluid, or a work-over fluid. In an embodiment, the thermally activated viscosification compound includes at least one water-soluble hydrophobically modified polymer comprising a hydrophobic substituent having from about 1 to about 22 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Frank Zamora, Ronney R. Koch, Joe M. Sandy, Ian D. Robb
  • Publication number: 20090298721
    Abstract: A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method that comprises: introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises water and a concentrated polymer composition comprising a complexing agent and a friction reducing polymer. Also disclosed is a method that comprises combining at least water and a concentrated polymer composition to form a treatment fluid, wherein the concentrated polymer composition comprises a complexing agent and a friction reducing polymer; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Also disclosed is a concentrated polymer composition comprising: a friction reducing polymer in an amount of about 15% to about 60% by weight of the composition; and a complexing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Thomas D. Welton, Jason Bryant, Michael L. Carter
  • Patent number: 7624743
    Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing the temperature of a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. According to one aspect, the method includes the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a carrier fluid; and (ii) a first reactant and a second reactant; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into a section of conduit used for the production or transmission of hydrocarbon. The first reactant and second reactant are selected for being capable of reacting together in an exothermic chemical reaction; and the first and second reactant are in at least sufficient concentrations in the carrier fluid to generate a theoretical heat of reaction of at least 1,000 kJ/liter of the treatment fluid. At least some of at least one of the first reactant and the second reactant is suspended in the carrier fluid in a solid form that is adapted to help control the release of the reactant into the carrier fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Diptabhas Sarkar, Stephen T. Arrington, Ronald J. Powell, Ian D. Robb, Bradley L. Todd
  • Patent number: 7621334
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising: providing an acidic treatment fluid that comprises a gelling agent that comprises an aqueous base fluid, an acid, and a gelling agent that comprises scleroglucan and/or diutan; and introducing the acidic treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls, Ian D. Robb
  • Publication number: 20090233817
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing wax deposition from a crude petroleum during transmission of the crude petroleum through a pipeline are provided. Compositions and methods of testing the deposition of wax from a petroleum sample are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Robert M. Kriegel, Jack F. Tinsley, Rajesh K. Saini, Robert K. Prud'homme, Ian D. Robb
  • Patent number: 7584791
    Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a gelling agent that comprises a diutan composition; providing a breaker that comprises an acid composition; allowing the breaker to interact with the treatment fluid; and allowing the viscosity of the treatment fluid to decrease. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid may comprise a base fluid, a gelling agent that comprises a diutan composition, and a breaker that comprises an acid composition. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid may be introduced into a portion of the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the portion of the subterranean formation. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Richard W. Pauls, Lulu Song
  • Patent number: H2232
    Abstract: Methods comprising: providing a test substance, providing two solvents that are substantially immiscible, introducing a known amount of the test substance and known amounts of the two solvents into a single vessel to create a pre-equilibrium sample, adjusting the concentration of the test substance in the pre-equilibrium sample so that the concentration of the test substance is below the critical micelle concentration of both solvents if the concentration of the test substance is not already below the critical micelle concentration, allowing the test substance to equilibrate between the two solvents over time at a substantially constant temperature, determining the equilibrium concentration of the test substance in each of the solvents, and calculating the partition coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Arron Karcher, O. Marlene Isenberg, Ian D. Robb, J. Michael Wilson