Patents by Inventor James H. Hedges

James H. Hedges 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: 12037544
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable and labile crosslinked water swellable polymeric microparticles that can be further gelled by covalent crosslinking in a transamidation reaction, methods for making same, and their various uses in the hygiene and medical arts, gel electrophoresis, packaging, agriculture, the cable industry, information technology, in the food industry, papermaking, use as flocculation aids, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles having labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said microparticle mixed with a fluid and an unreacted tertiary crosslinker comprising PEI or other polyamine based tertiary crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the microparticle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and swelling of the particle, so as to form a stable gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Min Cheng, Riley B. Needham, James H Hedges, Ramesh S Sarathi, Faye L Scully, Terry M Christian, Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang
  • Patent number: 11820939
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully, James H. Hedges
  • Patent number: 11814578
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 11634626
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ying-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
  • Patent number: 11466198
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable and labile crosslinked water swellable polymeric microparticles that can be further gelled, methods for making same, and their various uses in the hygiene and medical arts, gel electrophoresis, packaging, agriculture, the cable industry, information technology, in the food industry, papermaking, use as flocculation aids, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles having labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said microparticle mixed with a fluid and an unreacted tertiary crosslinker comprising PEI or other polyamine based tertiary crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the microparticle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and swelling of the particle, so as to form a stable gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Min Cheng, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Ramesh S. Sarathi, Faye L. Scully, Terry M. Christian, Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang
  • Patent number: 11401455
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 11396624
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully, James H. Hedges
  • Patent number: 11390795
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 11186765
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ying-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
  • Patent number: 11136492
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: University of Kansas, Conocophilllips Company
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 10752826
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully, James H. Hedges
  • Patent number: 10407612
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 10323174
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g., in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili S. Guan, Faye L. Scully, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, James P. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10093848
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Ying-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
  • Publication number: 20180066177
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g., in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Huili S. Guan, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, David R. Zornes, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. Hedges, Min CHENG, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 9850425
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, James H. Hedges, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 9796909
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully, James H. Hedges
  • Publication number: 20170210971
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Huili GUAN, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. Hedges, Min CHENG, Faye L. SCULLY
  • Patent number: 9644136
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 9518463
    Abstract: Methods and systems for enhanced capture and recovery of core samples from unconsolidated or friable formations are provided using drilling fluids that permit increased overpressures to preserve the ability to cut core samples and to strengthen the core samples obtained. Drilling fluids used during capture and recovery of core samples may comprise a solid particulate loss prevention material having a size range from about 150 microns to about 1,000 microns. The solid particulate loss prevention material prevents fracture initiation and propagation in the subterranean formation to allow the use of higher overpressures than would otherwise be possible. Thus, by circulating drilling fluid in the borehole while drilling a core sample, higher overpressures may be achieved, which have been found to be beneficial during core capture and recovery by maintaining core integrity and avoiding core loss. In this way, core sample integrity is improved, yielding more accurate representations of the subsurface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: James H. Hedges, David H. Beardmore