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).
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Patent number: 7603896Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: BJ Services CompanyInventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, William D. Wood, Jennifer Cutler, Carolyn S. Devine
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Publication number: 20080210428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Paul H. Javora, Qi Qu, Brian B. Beall, Leonard J. Kalfayan
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Publication number: 20080182761Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Christopher John Stephenson, Jeffrey C. Dawson, Leonard J. Kalfayan, Qi Qu, Sergey Stolyarov
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Patent number: 7059414Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: BJ Services CompanyInventors: Philip James Rae, Gino Di Lullo Arias, Atikah Bte Ahmad, Leonard J. Kalfayan
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Publication number: 20040177957Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, Jeffrey C. Dawson
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Patent number: 5105887Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 1991Date of Patent: April 21, 1992Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Gregory S. Hewgill, Leonard J. Kalfayan
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Patent number: 5051197Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 1990Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, David R. Watkins, Gregory S. Hewgill
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Patent number: 5039434Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 1990Date of Patent: August 13, 1991Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan, Gregory S. Hewgill
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Patent number: 4992182Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 15, 1989Date of Patent: February 12, 1991Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, David R. Watkins, Gregory S. Hewgill
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Patent number: 4787453Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 1986Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Gregory S. Hewgill, David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan
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Patent number: 4708207Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 21, 1985Date of Patent: November 24, 1987Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, David R. Watkins, Gregory S. Hewgill
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Patent number: 4646835Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 1985Date of Patent: March 3, 1987Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan, Gregory S. Hewgill
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Patent number: 4580633Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 1983Date of Patent: April 8, 1986Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan
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Patent number: 4549609Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 1984Date of Patent: October 29, 1985Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: David R. Watkins, Robert K. Knight, Donald C. Young, Leonard J. Kalfayan
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Patent number: 4498538Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 1983Date of Patent: February 12, 1985Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: David R. Watkins, Leonard J. Kalfayan
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Patent number: 4479543Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 28, 1983Date of Patent: October 30, 1984Assignee: Union Oil Company of CaliforniaInventors: Leonard J. Kalfayan, David R. Watkins