Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Pober

Kenneth W. Pober 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: 10358595
    Abstract: A method of producing particles comprising: (A) providing a plurality of particle cores, wherein the cores have at least a first property; (B) partially or fully coating the outer surface of the cores with a substance, wherein the substance has a second property, and wherein the second property is different from the first property; and (C) reducing the particle size of the coated particles, wherein the core is exposed after the step of reducing. A method of using particles comprising: introducing a treatment fluid into an area to be treated, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (i) a base fluid; and (ii) the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cato Russell McDaniel, Dale E. Jamison, Kenneth W. Pober, Xiangnan Ye
  • Patent number: 10144829
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing a bitumen-in-water emulsion comprising contacting (i) bitumen, (ii) water, and (iii) an alkoxylated humus material to obtain a stabilized bitumen-in-water emulsion, wherein the alkoxylated humus material comprises an ethoxylated humus material, a C3+ alkoxylated humus material, or combinations thereof. A method of stabilizing a bitumen-in-water emulsion comprising contacting (i) bitumen, (ii) water, and (iii) an alkoxylated humus material to obtain a stabilized bitumen-in-water emulsion, wherein the alkoxylated humus material comprises an ethoxylated lignite, and the bitumen is extracted from the Orinoco Oil Belt in Venezuela. A stabilized bitumen-in-water emulsion comprising bitumen, water, and an alkoxylated humus material wherein the alkoxylated humus material comprises an ethoxylated humus material, a C3+ alkoxylated humus material, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cato R. McDaniel, Kenneth W. Pober
  • Publication number: 20170073566
    Abstract: An invert emulsion drilling fluid comprising: an external phase, wherein the external phase comprises a hydrocarbon liquid; an internal phase, wherein the internal phase comprises: (i) a polyol; and (ii) a solution comprising a water-soluble salt and water. A method of using the invert emulsion drilling fluid comprises: introducing the drilling fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Pober
  • Publication number: 20170073574
    Abstract: A method of producing particles comprising: (A) providing a plurality of particle cores, wherein the cores have at least a first property; (B) partially or fully coating the outer surface of the cores with a substance, wherein the substance has a second property, and wherein the second property is different from the first property; and (C) reducing the particle size of the coated particles, wherein the core is exposed after the step of reducing. A method of using particles comprising: introducing a treatment fluid into an area to be treated, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (i) a base fluid; and (ii) the particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Cato Russell McDaniel, Dale E. Jamison, Kenneth W. Pober, Xiangnan Ye
  • Publication number: 20160376489
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation employing a high pH aqueous mud or drilling fluid with a high pH lubricant. In one embodiment, the lubricant, which significantly improves the lubricity of the fluid in a high pH environment, comprises about 80 volume percent 2-octyldodecanol and about 20 volume percent alkylglucoside. In one embodiment, the alkylglucoside is comprised of 2-ethylhexylglucoside or a mixture of alkylglucosides having more than about 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. The lubricant is effective at pH ranges from 7 to 14, preventing the lubricity of the aqueous drilling fluid from declining in relation to increasing pH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Pober
  • Publication number: 20160168335
    Abstract: A method of alkoxylating a humus material comprising heating a reaction mixture comprising a humus material, a C3+ cyclic ether, a catalyst and an inert reaction solvent, and recovering a C3+ alkoxylated humus material from the reaction mixture. A method of alkoxylating a humus material comprising heating a reaction mixture comprising a humus material, a C3+ cyclic ether, a catalyst and an inert reaction solvent to a temperature of from about 130° C. to about 170° C., wherein the humus material comprises leonardite, the C3+ cyclic ether comprises propylene oxide, and the inert reaction solvent comprises xylene, and recovering a C3+ alkoxylated humus material from the reaction mixture. A C3+ alkoxylated humus material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth W. POBER, Cato R. MCDANIEL
  • Publication number: 20160122544
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing a bitumen-in-water emulsion comprising contacting (i) bitumen, (ii) water, and (iii) an alkoxylated humus material to obtain a stabilized bitumen-in-water emulsion, wherein the alkoxylated humus material comprises an ethoxylated humus material, a C3+ alkoxylated humus material, or combinations thereof. A method of stabilizing a bitumen-in-water emulsion comprising contacting (i) bitumen, (ii) water, and (iii) an alkoxylated humus material to obtain a stabilized bitumen-in-water emulsion, wherein the alkoxylated humus material comprises an ethoxylated lignite, and the bitumen is extracted from the Orinoco Oil Belt in Venezuela. A stabilized bitumen-in-water emulsion comprising bitumen, water, and an alkoxylated humus material wherein the alkoxylated humus material comprises an ethoxylated humus material, a C3+ alkoxylated humus material, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Cato R. McDaniel, Kenneth W. Pober
  • Publication number: 20160102237
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising preparing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising an alkoxylated humus material and an aqueous base fluid, wherein the alkoxylated humus material comprises an ethoxylated humus material and/or a C3+ alkoxylated humus material, and placing the wellbore servicing fluid in the wellbore and/or subterranean formation to modify the permeability of at least a portion of the wellbore and/or subterranean formation. A method of drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising preparing a drilling fluid comprising an alkoxylated humus material and an aqueous base fluid, wherein the alkoxylated humus material comprises an ethoxylated humus material and/or a C3+ alkoxylated humus material, and placing the drilling fluid in the wellbore and/or subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Pober, Cato R. McDaniel
  • Patent number: 9074442
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a foamed wellbore servicing fluid into a wellbore; flowing the foamed wellbore servicing fluid back to the wellbore surface; and contacting the foamed wellbore servicing fluid with an immobilized defoaming agent structure comprising an inert substrate and a defoamer. A system comprising a foamed wellbore servicing fluid in contact with a de-foaming structure, wherein the de-foaming structure comprises a defoamer covalently bonded to an inert substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Pober
  • Patent number: 8770287
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a foamed wellbore servicing fluid into a wellbore; flowing the foamed wellbore servicing fluid back to the wellbore surface; and contacting the foamed wellbore servicing fluid with an immobilized defoaming agent structure comprising an inert substrate and a defoamer. A system comprising a foamed wellbore servicing fluid in contact with a de-foaming structure, wherein the de-foaming structure comprises a defoamer covalently bonded to an inert substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Pober
  • Publication number: 20140174723
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a foamed wellbore servicing fluid into a wellbore; flowing the foamed wellbore servicing fluid back to the wellbore surface; and contacting the foamed wellbore servicing fluid with an immobilized defoaming agent structure comprising an inert substrate and a defoamer. A system comprising a foamed wellbore servicing fluid in contact with a de-foaming structure, wherein the de-foaming structure comprises a defoamer covalently bonded to an inert substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. POBER
  • Publication number: 20140102699
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a foamed wellbore servicing fluid into a wellbore; flowing the foamed wellbore servicing fluid back to the wellbore surface; and contacting the foamed wellbore servicing fluid with an immobilized defoaming agent structure comprising an inert substrate and a defoamer. A system comprising a foamed wellbore servicing fluid in contact with a de-foaming structure, wherein the de-foaming structure comprises a defoamer covalently bonded to an inert substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. POBER
  • Patent number: 7749941
    Abstract: The invention provides aqueous based well drilling and servicing fluids containing a polymer viscosifier with enhanced thermal stability provided by a diacid or diacid salt preferably having about two to about eight carbon atoms, such as, for example, sodium oxalate. The invention also provides a method of enhancing the thermal stability of aqueous based well drilling and servicing fluids containing a polymer viscosifer by adding diacid or diacid salt to the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody L. Maresh, William W. Shumway, Kenneth W. Pober
  • Patent number: 7507694
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a drilling fluid composition that comprises a surfactant-free emulsion comprising an oleaginous fluid, a fluid that is at least partially immiscible with the oleaginous fluid, and emulsion facilitating particles. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising providing a treatment fluid that comprises a surfactant-free emulsion, the surfactant-free emulsion comprising an oleaginous fluid, a fluid that is at least partially immiscible with the oleaginous fluid, and emulsion facilitating particles; and treating the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Shumway, Kenneth W. Pober, Jeff Kirsner
  • Patent number: 7485602
    Abstract: Environmentally acceptable or regulatory compliant oil-based drilling fluids and methods of using same in drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation are disclosed. The fluids are able to meet environmental regulations while maintaining acceptable oil mud rheology and overall oil mud performance. The fluids are comprised of an invert emulsion. The base or continuous phase of the emulsion is comprised of esters blended with isomerized olefins, and/or other hydrocarbons, such as paraffins, mineral oils or glyceride triesters or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the emulsion has as a base comprising isomerized olefins blended with other hydrocarbons such as linear alpha olefins, paraffins or naphthenes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Kirsner, Kenneth W. Pober, Robert W. Pike
  • Patent number: 6997270
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that affords improved stability to wellbores during drilling in argillaceous formations with water-based drilling fluids. The method comprises adding to the drilling fluid a compound of the invention having the capacity in water to generate a highly efficient membrane on argillaceous materials. The compound is soluble in the drilling fluid at least at the pH at which the compound is added to the drilling fluid or exists in the drilling fluid, but is insoluble in the water in the pores of the argillaceous formations, or at least at the pH of the water in such pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Fersheed K. Mody, Kenneth W. Pober, Chee P. Tan, Calum J. Drummond, George Georgaklis, Darrell Wells
  • Patent number: 6989352
    Abstract: A lubricant for use in silicic acid muds and other drilling fluids comprising silicate or silica species is disclosed. The lubricant significantly improves the lubricity of the fluid. A method of drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation employing the lubricant is also disclosed. A preferred lubricant of the invention comprises about 80 volume percent 2-octyldodecanol and about 20 volume percent alkylglucoside. The alkylglucoside is preferably comprised of 2-ethylhexylglucoside or a mixture of alkylglucosides having more than about 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Fisk, Jr., Jim D. Kerchevile, Kenneth W. Pober
  • Patent number: 6984611
    Abstract: A new composition for a spotting fluid and a method of using such spotting fluid for freeing differential stuck pipe in a subterranean well drilling operation is disclosed. The composition comprises an invert water-in-oil emulsion comprising iso-butyl oleate as its external phase and glycerin as the internal phase. In an alterative embodiment, calcium chloride and water may be substituted for glycerin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Kercheville, Kenneth W. Pober
  • Patent number: 6889780
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing loss of drilling fluid and for stabilizing a wellbore during drilling through depleted sands in a subterranean formation comprising depleted sands. The method comprises introducing into said wellbore and into said depleted sands an aqueous fluid comprising silicate or siliconate and resilient graphitic carbon in an amount effective at substantially plugging pores in said depleted sands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Whitfill, Kenneth W. Pober, Thomas R. Carlson, Uday A. Tare, James V. Fisk, Joe L. Billingsley
  • Publication number: 20040152603
    Abstract: Environmentally acceptable or regulatory compliant oil-based drilling fluids and methods of using same in drilling a wellbore in a subterranean formation are disclosed. The fluids are able to meet environmental regulations while maintaining acceptable oil mud rheology and overall oil mud performance. The fluids are comprised of an invert emulsion. The base or continuous phase of the emulsion is comprised of esters blended with isomerized olefins, and/or other hydrocarbons, such as paraffins, mineral oils or glyceride triesters or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the emulsion has as a base comprising isomerized olefins blended with other hydrocarbons such as linear alpha olefins, paraffins or naphthenes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jeff Kirsner, Kenneth W. Pober, Robert W. Pike