Patents by Inventor Katherine Leigh Hull

Katherine Leigh Hull 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: 10900339
    Abstract: A system and method for forming mineral or proppant in-situ in fractures in a geological formation via a fracturing fluid. The mineral or proppant is formed from rock in the geological formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Desmond Schipper, Katherine Leigh Hull, Mohammad Hamidul Haque
  • Patent number: 10871061
    Abstract: Technologies relating to increasing hydraulic fracturing efficiencies in subterranean zones by degrading organic matter, such as kerogen, are described. A method for treating kerogen in a subterranean zone includes placing a composition in the subterranean zone, and the composition includes an oxidizer including sodium bromate and an additive including a tetrasubstituted ammonium salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Younane N. Abousleiman, David Jacobi
  • Patent number: 10871060
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for treating a geologic formation that includes providing a hydraulic fracture model, providing a first value representative of a volume of kerogen breaker in a fracturing fluid, determining a discrete fracture network (DFN) based on the hydraulic fracture model and the first value, determining a geomechanical model based on the DFN and a reservoir model based on the DFN, determining a hydrocarbon production volume based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model, adjusting the first value based on the hydrocarbon production volume, and adjusting a volume of kerogen breaker in the fracturing fluid to a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the adjusted first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yanhui Han, Leiming Li, Ghaithan Muntasheri, Younane N. Abousleiman, Katherine Leigh Hull, David Jacobi
  • Patent number: 10830027
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating kerogen-rich shale (KRS) including measuring, via scanning microscopy, electrical conductivity of a KRS sample and a mechanical property of the KRS sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Younane N. Abousleiman, Shannon L. Eichmann, David Jacobi
  • Publication number: 20200340342
    Abstract: A system and method for forming mineral or proppant in-situ in fractures in a geological formation via a fracturing fluid. The mineral or proppant is formed from rock in the geological formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Desmond Schipper, Katherine Leigh Hull, Mohammad Hamidul Haque
  • Publication number: 20200340345
    Abstract: A system and method for hydraulically fracturing a geological formation with fracturing fluid to generate fractures in the geological formation and forming proppant in situ in the fractures by synthesizing mineral from ions in the fracturing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Desmond Schipper, Katherine Leigh Hull, Mohammad Hamidul Haque
  • Publication number: 20200339867
    Abstract: A method of altering wettability of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well is described. A first oxidizer including a persulfate is introduced to the subterranean formation. A second oxidizer including a bromate is introduced to the subterranean formation. The well is shut in for a period of time to allow the first oxidizer and the second oxidizer to alter the wettability of the subterranean formation toward non-wetting of oil and of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Mohammed Sayed
  • Publication number: 20200325758
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating kerogen-rich shale (KRS) including measuring, via scanning microscopy, electrical conductivity of a KRS sample and a mechanical property of the KRS sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Younane N. Abousleiman, Shannon L. Eichmann, David Jacobi
  • Patent number: 10781360
    Abstract: Provided in this disclosure, in part, are methods, compositions, and systems for degrading organic matter, such as kerogen, in a subterranean formation. Further, these methods, compositions, and systems allow for increased hydraulic fracturing efficiencies in subterranean formations, such as unconventional rock reservoirs. Also provided in this disclosure is a method of treating kerogen in a subterranean formation including placing in the subterranean formation a composition that includes a first oxidizer including a persulfate and a second oxidizer including a bromate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri, Younane N. Abousleiman, David Jacobi
  • Patent number: 10775360
    Abstract: Nano-indentation test to determine mechanical properties of reservoir rock can be implemented as multi-stage or single-stage tests. An experimental nano-indentation test (multi-stage or single-stage) is performed on a solid sample. A numerical nano-indentation test (multi-stage or single-stage) is performed on a numerical model of the solid sample. One or more experimental force-displacement curves obtained in response to performing the experimental nano-indentation test and one or more numerical force-displacement curves obtained in response to performing the numerical test are compared. Multiple mechanical properties of the solid sample are determined based on a result of the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yanhui Han, Younane N. Abousleiman, Katherine Leigh Hull, Ghaithan Muntasheri
  • Patent number: 10753190
    Abstract: A system and method for forming minerals or proppant in situ in fractures in a geological formation via a frac fluid and hydrothermal synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Desmond Schipper, Katherine Leigh Hull, Mohammad Hamidul Haque
  • Patent number: 10711606
    Abstract: Realtime on-site mechanical characterization of wellbore cuttings is described. At a surface of a wellbore being drilled at a wellbore drilling site, multiple cuttings resulting from drilling the wellbore are received. At the wellbore drilling site, nano-indentation tests on each of the multiple cuttings are performed. At the wellbore drilling site, mechanical properties of the multiple cuttings are determined based on the results of the nano-indentation tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Younane N. Abousleiman
  • Publication number: 20200208505
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for treating a geologic formation that includes providing a hydraulic fracture model, providing a first value representative of a volume of kerogen breaker in a fracturing fluid, determining a discrete fracture network (DFN) based on the hydraulic fracture model and the first value, determining a geomechanical model based on the DFN and a reservoir model based on the DFN, determining a hydrocarbon production volume based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model, adjusting the first value based on the hydrocarbon production volume, and adjusting a volume of kerogen breaker in the fracturing fluid to a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the adjusted first value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yanhui Han, Leiming Li, Ghaithan Muntasheri, Younane N. Abousleiman, Katherine Leigh Hull, David Jacobi
  • Publication number: 20200141849
    Abstract: A rock sample is nano-indented from a surface of the rock sample to a specified depth less than a thickness of the rock sample. While nano-indenting, multiple depths from the surface to the specified depth and multiple loads applied to the sample are measured. From the multiple loads and the multiple depths, a change in load over a specified depth is determined, using which an energy associated with nano-indenting rock sample is determined. From a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of the nano-indented rock sample, an indentation volume is determined responsive to nano-indenting, and, using the volume, an energy density is determined. It is determined that the energy density associated with the rock sample is substantially equal to energy density of a portion of a subterranean zone in a hydrocarbon reservoir. In response, the physical properties of the rock sample are assigned to the portion of the subterranean zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Younane N. Abousleiman
  • Publication number: 20200123032
    Abstract: A method includes mixing seawater with a two-part additive system configured to precipitate sulfate from the seawater; removing the sulfate precipitates from the seawater; and delivering the seawater into an oilfield reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Brent Cooper, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri
  • Patent number: 10619469
    Abstract: A method for treating a geologic formation that includes providing a hydraulic fracture model, providing a first value representative of a volume of kerogen breaker in a fracturing fluid, determining a discrete fracture network (DFN) based on the hydraulic fracture model and the first value, determining a geomechanical model based on the DFN and a reservoir model based on the DFN, determining a hydrocarbon production volume based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model, adjusting the first value based on the hydrocarbon production volume, and adjusting a volume of kerogen breaker in the fracturing fluid to a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the adjusted first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yanhui Han, Leiming Li, Ghaithan Muntasheri, Younane N. Abousleiman, Katherine Leigh Hull, David Jacobi
  • Publication number: 20200071641
    Abstract: Treating a sulfide scale includes contacting the sulfide scale with an oxidizing composition that includes a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Brent Cooper
  • Publication number: 20200048531
    Abstract: Provided in this disclosure, in part, are methods, compositions, and systems for degrading organic matter, such as kerogen, in a subterranean formation. Further, these methods, compositions, and systems allow for increased hydraulic fracturing efficiencies in subterranean formations, such as unconventional rock reservoirs. Also provided in this disclosure is a method of treating kerogen in a subterranean formation including placing in the subterranean formation a composition that includes a first oxidizer including a persulfate and a second oxidizer including a bromate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri, Younane N. Abousleiman, David Jacobi
  • Patent number: 10520407
    Abstract: A rock sample is nano-indented from a surface of the rock sample to a specified depth less than a thickness of the rock sample. While nano-indenting, multiple depths from the surface to the specified depth and multiple loads applied to the sample are measured. From the multiple loads and the multiple depths, a change in load over a specified depth is determined, using which an energy associated with nano-indenting rock sample is determined. From a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) image of the nano-indented rock sample, an indentation volume is determined responsive to nano-indenting, and, using the volume, an energy density is determined. It is determined that the energy density associated with the rock sample is substantially equal to energy density of a portion of a subterranean zone in a hydrocarbon reservoir. In response, the physical properties of the rock sample are assigned to the portion of the subterranean zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Younane N. Abousleiman
  • Patent number: 10519406
    Abstract: Treating a sulfide scale includes contacting the sulfide scale with an oxidizing composition that includes a first oxidizer and a second oxidizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Katherine Leigh Hull, Brent Cooper