Patents by Inventor Ian Robb

Ian 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: 7159658
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for breaking treatment fluids utilized in the stimulation of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Frost, Bradley L. Todd, Richard W. Pauls, Ian Robb
  • Publication number: 20060247135
    Abstract: Treatment fluids are provided that comprise a gelling agent that comprises scleroglucan and/or diutan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Welton, Richard Pauls, Ian Robb
  • Publication number: 20060243449
    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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Welton, Richard Pauls, Ian Robb
  • Publication number: 20060205606
    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: March 11, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Richard Pauls, Ian Robb, Bobby Burns
  • Publication number: 20060042836
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for improving the suspension of solids in liquids; more particularly, to reducing the potential stresses caused by increased particle loading in a fluid. An example of a method is a method of enhancing the flow of particles. Another example of a method is a method of fracturing a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of gravel packing a portion of a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of enhancing the flow of drill cuttings. An example of a composition is a treatment fluid comprising a liquid component and a solid component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Ian Robb, Ronnie Morgan
  • Publication number: 20050273722
    Abstract: A character having a plurality of attributes is created by a network user while within a character-enabled network site. Each attribute is defined by at least one of either audio data and/or visual image data and is selected by the user from a plurality of attributes presented to the user through a user interface. The combination of attributes define a persona for the character. At least one of either an audio presentation and/or a visual image presentation is provided to the user interface. The presentations presented are selected from a plurality of presentations based on the character's persona. Data related to character attributes are stored in a database. One or more of the presentations presented to the user may be interactive, in that it allows for the user to make choices. In response to a user's interaction with the interactive presentation, additional audio presentation and/or a visual image presentation is provided to the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Ian Robb, Michael Madlener, Ken McGuire
  • Publication number: 20050261138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to viscosified treatment fluids comprising gelling agents that comprise scleroglucan or diutan, and their use in industrial and oil field operations. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation with a viscosified treatment comprising a gelling agent that comprises scleroglucan or diutan. Methods of fracturing, gravel packing, and producing hydrocarbons also are provided. Viscosified treatment fluid compositions and methods of making such exemplary compositions are provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventors: Ian Robb, Richard Pauls
  • Publication number: 20050260468
    Abstract: A self-contained power generator comprises a fuel source, a solid oxygen source capable of releasing oxygen when heated, an engine capable of generating power by combusting the fuel with the oxygen so as to produce exhaust gases, and an exhaust gas absorbent. The oxygen source and the exhaust gas absorbent are preferably combined. The oxygen source may comprise potassium superoxide in combination with sodium peroxide, potassium oxide, or calcium oxide The engine may be any known heat engine. Fuel is fed to the engine at a desired rate so as to generate power at a desired rate. Heat from said combustion is preferably applied to the oxygen source and heat may be exchanged between the exhaust gases and oxygen. The exhaust gases are preferably absorbed at substantially the same rate as the rate at which they are generated such that pressure in the generator does not increase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fripp, David Stickler, Haoyue Zhang, Ian Robb, Jamie Woodroffe
  • Publication number: 20050215438
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations. More particularly, the present invention relates to polymersomes, viscosifying agents that comprise polymersomes, and associated methods of use. In some embodiments, the present invention discloses methods of treating a section of a subterranean formation that comprises the steps of providing a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous-based component, and a viscosifying agent that comprises a polymersome; and treating the section of the subterranean formation. In other embodiments, the present invention discloses methods of viscosifying a treatment fluid, suspending particulates in a treatment fluid, fracturing a subterranean formation, providing sand control in a section of a subterranean formation, and encapsulating treatment fluid additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Prud'homme, Lewis Norman, Douglas Adamson, Mustafa Yildiz, Ian Robb
  • Publication number: 20050178546
    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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: B. Reddy, Frank Zamora, Ronney Koch, Joe Sandy, Ian Robb
  • Publication number: 20050109087
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of determining the source of a particular fluid or particulate, and to novel tracer matrixes that may be used in such methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of detecting particulate or fluid flow from a first location to a second location comprising the steps of: introducing a tracer matrix comprising a polymeric material and a photoactive material to the first location; and detecting the photoactive material at the second location. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of detecting flow from a first zone and a second zone in a multizonal well in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: introducing a first photoactive tracer into the first zone; introducing a second photoactive tracer into the second zone; and detecting the first and the second photoactive tracers in the return flow from the first and second zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Ian Robb, Robert Hanes, Billy Slabaugh, Jim Weaver, Philip Nguyen, Johnny Barton
  • Publication number: 20050080176
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods of preparing crosslinked polymer gels useful in subterranean well operations, to compositions comprising such polymers, and to the use of such compositions in treating subterranean formations. In certain exemplary embodiments, the crosslinked polymer gels are produced from emulsion polymerization reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventor: Ian Robb
  • Publication number: 20050061504
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for breaking treatment fluids utilized in the stimulation of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Keith Frost, Bradley Todd, Richard Pauls, Ian Robb
  • Patent number: 6849586
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are acidic aqueous hard surface cleaners and methods for using them. The cleaners include a surfactant and a poly D-glucosamine such as chitosan. They provides residual benefits on the hard surface such as soil resistance and resistance to bacteria, molds and biofilms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Avery, Ian Robb
  • Patent number: 6794346
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are acidic aqueous hard surface cleaners and methods for using them. The cleaners include a poly D-glucosamine such as chitosan and also a furanone. The cleaners provide residual benefits on the hard surface such as soil resistance and resistance to bacteria, molds and biofilms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberta A. Wick, Richard W. Avery, Ian Robb
  • Publication number: 20030144153
    Abstract: Methods for drilling, running casing in, and/or cementing a borehole in a subterranean formation without significant loss of drilling fluid are disclosed, as well as compositions for use in such methods. The methods employ drilling fluids comprising fragile gels or having fragile gel behavior and providing superior oil mud rheology and overall performance. The fluids are especially advantageous for use in offshore wells because the fluids exhibit minimal differences between downhole equivalent circulating densities and surface densities notwithstanding differences in drilling or penetration rates. When an ester and isomerized olefin blend is used for the base of the fluids, the fluids make environmentally acceptable and regulatory compliant invert emulsion drilling fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Jeff Kirsner, Don Siems, Kimberly Burrows-Lawson, David Carbajal, Ian Robb, Dale E. Jamison
  • Publication number: 20030092597
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are acidic aqueous hard surface cleaners and methods for using them. The cleaners include a surfactant and a poly D-glucosamine such as chitosan. They provides residual benefits on the hard surface such as soil resistance and resistanc to bacteria, molds and biofilms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Richard W. Avery, Ian Robb
  • Publication number: 20030083224
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are acidic aqueous hard surface cleaners and methods for using them. The cleaners include a poly D-glucosamine such as chitosan and also a furanone. The cleaners provide residual benefits on the hard surface such as soil resistance and resistance to bacteria, molds and biofilms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Roberta A. Wick, Richard W. Avery, Ian Robb