Patents by Inventor Leonard J. Kalfayan

Leonard J. Kalfayan 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: 7603896
    Abstract: A fluid flow model is comprised of one cross-flow style core holder and a multitude of standard style core holders, all connected by a concurrent combination of serial and parallel flow paths. The sum of these flow paths yields a fluid flow model that closely approximates a small radial slice of a conventional reservoir. The fluid flow model has particular applicability to estimate the requisite treatment fluid for use in acidizing as well as water control methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, William D. Wood, Jennifer Cutler, Carolyn S. Devine
  • Publication number: 20080210428
    Abstract: A filter cake deposited by a drilling fluid, drill-in fluid or fluid loss control pill may be removed from a wellbore by introducing into the wellbore a dispersing agent of an organic amino phosphonic acid, ester or salt. The dispersing agent forms a dispersion containing at least a portion of the drilled solids. The dispersing agent may be introduced into the wellbore as a component of a filter cake removal treatment fluid or either prior to or after introduction of the filter cake removal treatment fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Paul H. Javora, Qi Qu, Brian B. Beall, Leonard J. Kalfayan
  • Publication number: 20080182761
    Abstract: The productivity of sandstone or carbonate formations is enhanced by contacting the formation with a deformable particulate and a HF-containing acidizing solution. The deformable particulates create a partial monolayer in the formation while the HF-containing acidizing solution differentially etches the rock around the deformable particulate. The surface of the formation is partially blocked from reaction with the acidizing solution by the creation of the partial monolayer. Conductive channels are therefore created on the surface of the formation. The deformable particulates deform on closure. As the closure stress increases, the formation faces compress the non-dissolved, sandwiched formation points. These points function as pillars of un-reacted formation and act similar to a partial monolayer of proppant, providing the highly conductive channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher John Stephenson, Jeffrey C. Dawson, Leonard J. Kalfayan, Qi Qu, Sergey Stolyarov
  • Patent number: 7059414
    Abstract: A method of stimulating subterranean formations in oil and gas wells using a high pH buffered acid system. The method may be used to treat sandstone formations wherein the pH buffered acid system is used as the preflush or overflush or both. The method consists of introducing into the well a hydrofluoric acid containing sandstone acidizing solution either prior to or subsequent to introduction of the pH buffered acid system. The pH buffered acid system may further be used in the treatment of carbonate reservoirs. The pH of the buffered acid solution is substantially equivalent to that of the pH of the acidizing solution. The buffered acid solution is void of either hydrofluoric acid or hydrofluoric acid precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Philip James Rae, Gino Di Lullo Arias, Atikah Bte Ahmad, Leonard J. Kalfayan
  • Publication number: 20040177957
    Abstract: Compositions useful in the reduction of excessive water in oil and gas wells and other subterranean formations comprises an organosilicon compound and a relative permeability modifier (RPM) macromolecule. The RPM is capable of impeding the production of water. The organosilicon compound is capable of forming a water-soluble silanol by hydrolysis and is preferably either an organosilane halide or organosilane alkoxide. The composition is introduced into the subterranean formation for the purpose of selectively reducing excessive production of aqueous fluids. The composition may be employed in well treatment fluids introduced into production wells or injection wells. The compositions may also be utilized in conjunction with stimulation treatments and with introduction of other well treatment fluids. By introducing the composition into fluid passages of the formation, the water producing zones can be selectively blocked off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, Jeffrey C. Dawson
  • Patent number: 5105887
    Abstract: In situ hydrogenation in a subterranean formation is readily performed by introducing a non-gaseous hydrogen precursor into steam to form a composition. The composition is injected into the oil-bearing subterranean formation to enhance the recovery of the oil from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hewgill, Leonard J. Kalfayan
  • Patent number: 5051197
    Abstract: An aqueous composition comprises an aminopolycarboxylic acid and a water-soluble organosilicon compound. The composition is useful for removing scale from well equipment and/or openings in a subterreanean formation, and for stabilizing fine particles within the formation to prevent their subsequent movement. Fluid flow through formations and wells treated with the composition tends to be increased and more stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, David R. Watkins, Gregory S. Hewgill
  • Patent number: 5039434
    Abstract: Subterranean formations are treated with acid, by a method comprising the steps of: (1) forming an acidizing composition by mixing an aqueous acid component with at least one water-soluble organosilicon compound; and (2) injecting the composition into the formation. Suitable organosilicon compounds include water-soluble organosilanes and organosilanes which hydrolyze to form water-soluble silanols. By using the organosilicon compound, movement of formation fine particles is inhibited and swelling of clays by aqueous fluids is reduced, thus tending to maintain formation permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1991
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan, Gregory S. Hewgill
  • Patent number: 4992182
    Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation, or a well penetrating the formation, comprises injecting into the well an aqueous composition containing an aminopolycarboxylic acid and a water-soluble organosilicon compound. By use of the method, scale is removed from well equipment and/or openings in the formation, and fine particles within the formation are stabilized to prevent their subsequent movement, resulting in increased, more stable fluid flow through the formation and well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, David R. Watkins, Gregory S. Hewgill
  • Patent number: 4787453
    Abstract: A method for treating a fines-containing formation to prevent the migration and/or swelling of particulate matter. The method comprises injecting into the formation water and/or steam which contains at least one water-soluble organosilicon compound. Suitable compounds include those which are not normally considered to be water-soluble, but which hydrolyze to form water-soluble materials such as silanols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hewgill, David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan
  • Patent number: 4708207
    Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation, or a well penetrating the formation, comprises injecting into the well an aqueous composition containing an aminopolycarboxylic acid and water-soluble organosilicon compound. By use of the method, scale is removed from well equipment and/or openings in the formation, and fine particles within the formation are stabilized to prevent their subsequent movement, resulting in increased, more stable fluid flow through the formation and well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, David R. Watkins, Gregory S. Hewgill
  • Patent number: 4646835
    Abstract: Subterranean formations are treated with acid, by a method comprising the steps of: (1) forming an acidizing composition by mixing an aqueous acid component with at least one water-soluble organosilicon compound; and (2) injecting the composition into the formation. Suitable organosilicon compounds include water-soluble organosilanes and organosilanes which hydrolyze to form water-soluble silanols. By using the organosilicon compound, movement of formation fine particles is inhibited and swelling of clays by aqueous fluids is reduced, thus tending to maintain formation permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan, Gregory S. Hewgill
  • Patent number: 4580633
    Abstract: Method for treating a formation, particularly one containing finely divided particulate material, to increase the flow of fluids through the formation wherein there is injected therein an organosilicon compound, preferably in a hydrocarbon carrier liquid, followed by injection of steam containing a compound which contains ammoniacal nitrogen, selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, ammonium salts of inorganic acids, ammonium salts of carboxylic acids, quaternary ammonium halides, amine or substituted amine hydrochlorides, derivatives of ammonium cyanate, and water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursors selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and alkylated derivatives. A preferred nitrogen-containing compound is urea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan
  • Patent number: 4549609
    Abstract: Method for treating earthen formations which contain water-sensitive, finely divided particulate matter wherein there is injected into the formation steam or a mixture of steam and hot water containing an effective fines-stabilizing amount of a compound containing ammoniacal nitrogen selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide, an ammonium salt of an inorganic acid, an ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid, ammonium cyanate, derivatives of ammonium cyanate, ammonium thiocyanate, and a water-soluble ammonia or ammonium ion precursor selected from the group consisting of amides of carbamic acid and thiocarbamic acid, derivatives of such amides, tertiary carboxylic acid amides and their substituted and akylated derivatives. Preferred additives include ammonium carbonate and urea. If the formation is a subsurface oil-containing formation, the treatment can be part of a method for enhanced oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: David R. Watkins, Robert K. Knight, Donald C. Young, Leonard J. Kalfayan
  • Patent number: 4498538
    Abstract: A method for treating formations which contain particulate fines to decrease movement of or swelling of the fines when a fluid passes through the formation, thus maintaining the permeability of the formation, comprising injecting into the formation an organosilane or an ester of an organosilane, preferably in a hydrocarbon carrier liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan
  • Patent number: 4479543
    Abstract: A method for acidizing siliceous subterranean formations wherein the acidizing composition penetrates the formation to a greater extent before spending comprising injecting into the formation first an organosilane or an ester of an organosilane, preferably in a hydrocarbon carrier liquid, and thereafter an aqueous acidizing composition containing (1) a non-oxidizing mineral acid, acid precursor, low molecular weight organic acid or halogenated derivative thereof, and (2) a fluorine-containing acid or salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1984
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, David R. Watkins