Patents by Inventor Kirk M. Bartko

Kirk M. Bartko 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).

  • Publication number: 20220112422
    Abstract: A subterranean zone can be treated by introducing a mixture of an acid-generating material and a proppant (for example, in a pad fluid or a pre-pad fluid) to the subterranean zone. Fractures and microfractures are created in the subterranean zone using the mixture of the acid-generating material and the proppant. The proppant is positioned within the fractures and microfractures to keep them open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Hui-Hai Liu, Yanhui Han, Kirk M. Bartko, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Publication number: 20190309611
    Abstract: A subterranean zone can be treated by introducing an acid-generating material and a proppant to the subterranean zone. Fractures are created in the subterranean zone using the acid-generating material. The proppant is positioned within the created fractures to keep the fractures open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Hui-Hai Liu, Yanhui Han, Kirk M. Bartko, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Patent number: 9140102
    Abstract: Systems for determining hydraulic fracture geometry and/or areal extent of an area of interest in a reservoir, are provided. An embodiment of a system can include downhole acoustic receiver equipment isolated from fracturing operations in a lower portion of a first wellbore, and fracturing equipment located in a second wellbore connected to the first wellbore. Communications between surface equipment in the downhole acoustic receiver equipment is provided through a communications conduit bypass that permits well operations in the second wellbore without interfering with communications between the surface equipment and the downhole acoustic receiver equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Kirk M. Bartko, Brett Wayne Bouldin
  • Patent number: 8800652
    Abstract: Methods for determining hydraulic fracture geometry and/or areal extent of an area of interest in a reservoir, are provided. An exemplary method includes isolating downhole acoustic receiver equipment in a lower portion of a first wellbore from fracturing operations located in a second wellbore connected to the first wellbore. Communications between surface equipment in the downhole acoustic receiver equipment is provided through a communications conduit bypass that permits well operations in the second wellbore without interfering with communications between the surface equipment and the downhole acoustic receiver equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Kirk M. Bartko, Brett Wayne Bouldin
  • Publication number: 20130087321
    Abstract: Systems for determining hydraulic fracture geometry and/or areal extent of an area of interest in a reservoir, are provided. An exemplary system includes downhole acoustic receiver equipment isolated from fracturing operations in a lower portion of a first wellbore, and fracturing equipment located in a second wellbore connected to the first wellbore. Communications between surface equipment in the downhole acoustic receiver equipment is provided through a communications conduit bypass that permits well operations in the second wellbore without interfering with communications between the surface equipment and the downhole acoustic receiver equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Kirk M. Bartko, Brett Wayne Bouldin
  • Publication number: 20130087325
    Abstract: Methods for determining hydraulic fracture geometry and/or areal extent of an area of interest in a reservoir, are provided. An exemplary method includes isolating downhole acoustic receiver equipment in a lower portion of a first wellbore from fracturing operations located in a second wellbore connected to the first wellbore. Communications between surface equipment in the downhole acoustic receiver equipment is provided through a communications conduit bypass that permits well operations in the second wellbore without interfering with communications between the surface equipment and the downhole acoustic receiver equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Kirk M. Bartko, Brett Wayne Bouldin
  • Patent number: 8322414
    Abstract: Distinctive and analytically distinguishable water-soluble and oil-soluble tracer compositions are applied as coatings to the exterior surface of one or more lengths of production tubing installed in a horizontal well bore between open-hole packers adjacent one or more inflow control devices, (ICD), whereby water and/or oil contacting one or more of the respective tracer coatings and passing a faulty open-hole packer seal will solubilize the tracer coating(s) and be detectable by appropriate tests on the produced water and/or hydrocarbon fluids at the earth's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Al-Walid Abdullah Al-Gouhi, Kirk M. Bartko, Drew Hembling
  • Publication number: 20110290480
    Abstract: Distinctive and analytically distinguishable water-soluble and oil-soluble tracer compositions are applied as coatings to the exterior surface of one or more lengths of production tubing installed in a horizontal well bore between open-hole packers adjacent one or more inflow control devices, (ICD), whereby water and/or oil contacting one or more of the respective tracer coatings and passing a faulty open-hole packer seal will solubilize the tracer coating(s) and be detectable by appropriate tests on the produced water and/or hydrocarbon fluids at the earth's surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Al-Walid Abdullah Al-Gouhi, Kirk M. Bartko, Drew Hembling
  • Patent number: 5900544
    Abstract: A method for detecting in real time the growth of a hydraulic fracture in an impermeable subterranean zone separating a monitored subterranean zone and an injection subterranean zone, which zones are penetrated by a wellbore, whereby a pressure sensor is positioned in pressure sensing communication with the first subterranean zone, and the pressure sensor is monitored for a pressure increase in the first subterranean zone, the pressure increase being indicative of a hydraulic fracture extension from the second subterranean zone through the impermeable zone to the first subterranean zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Xiaowei Weng, Kirk M. Bartko