Patents by Inventor Michael J. Szymanski

Michael J. Szymanski 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: 9458371
    Abstract: Provided herein are organophilic clays that comprise a smectite clay modified by reaction with a protonated amphoteric surfactant. Also provided are fluids that comprise an oil and an organophilic clay comprising a smectite clay modified by reaction with a protonated amphoteric surfactant. Also provided are methods of preparing and using these organophilic clays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 9057011
    Abstract: Fluids comprising oil; and an organophilic clay comprising a smectite clay modified by reaction with a protonated amphoteric surfactant. The smectite clay may be montmorillonite, beidellite, nontronite, or a combination thereof. The protonated amphoteric surfactant may be cetyl/myristyl amine oxide, a stearyl amine oxide, a stearyl betaine, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the fluid may also include water and/or a solid reactive metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Publication number: 20120190594
    Abstract: Fluids comprising oil; and an organophilic clay comprising a smectite clay modified by reaction with a protonated amphoteric surfactant. The smectite clay may be montmorillonite, beidellite, nontronite, or a combination thereof. The protonated amphoteric surfactant may be cetyl/myristyl amine oxide, a stearyl amine oxide, a stearyl betaine, or a combination thereof. In some cases, the fluid may also include water and/or a solid reactive metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Publication number: 20100319585
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are defoamers comprising ethylene glycol, a defoaming hydrocarbon base fluid, and a non-ionic surfactant wherein the hydrocarbon base fluid comprises an internal olefin or a straight-chain n-alcohol, and wherein the non-ionic surfactant is present in the defoamer in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the defoamer. Also disclosed herein are cement compositions comprising water, hydraulic cement, and a defoamer, wherein the defoamer comprises ethylene glycol, a non-ionic surfactant, and a defoaming hydrocarbon base fluid wherein the hydrocarbon base fluid comprises an internal olefin or a straight-chain n-alcohol, and wherein the non-ionic surfactant is present in the defoamer in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the defoamer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Michael J. Szymanski, Samuel J. Lewis, J. Michael Wilson, Arron L. Karcher
  • Patent number: 7824489
    Abstract: Cement compositions including environmentally compatible defoamers and methods of using such cement compositions are provided herein. An example of a method is a method of reducing foam generation in a cement composition. An example of a composition is a is a cement composition comprising water, hydraulic cement, and a defoamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc
    Inventors: Michael J. Szymanski, Samuel J. Lewis, J. Michael Wilson, Arron L. Karcher
  • Publication number: 20100132594
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the density of a well cement composition for cementing in a subterranean formation. The method comprises providing a cement composition that comprises water and a cement, and then adding an additive comprising an anionic foam stabilizer and an anionic foaming agent or a Zwitterionic foam booster. A gas is added to this mixture to reduce the density. Further, foamed cement compositions and additives for foaming and stabilizing a well cement composition are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski, Kristi D. Thacker
  • Patent number: 7709420
    Abstract: Provided herein are organophilic clays that comprise a smectite clay modified by reaction with a protonated amphoteric surfactant. Also provided are fluids that comprise an oil and an organophilic clay comprising a smectite clay modified by reaction with a protonated amphoteric surfactant. Also provided are methods of preparing and using these organophilic clays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7543642
    Abstract: Cement compositions comprising flexible, compressible beads, processes for preparing such cement compositions, and methods of cementing in subterranean formations using such cement compositions. One or more flexible, compressible beads are mixed with the cement before pumping the cement into a well bore. The flexible, compressible beads are preferably composed of an elastomeric material such as a copolymer of methylmethacrylate and acrylonitrile; a terpolymer of methylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, and dichloroethane; a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer; and polystyrene. The flexible, compressible beads may be heated to expand the beads before mixing with the cement such that the ensuing cement composition will have a desired density. Non-flexible beads such as spherulites may also be added to the cement compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Krishna M. Ravi, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7524369
    Abstract: Methods of using density-reducing additives comprising low-density particulates in subterranean cementing operations are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of cementing comprising: providing a cement composition comprising a cement component, a base fluid, and a density-reducing additive comprising particulates that comprise an agglomerating material; placing the cement composition in a location to be cemented; and allowing the cement composition to set therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Caveny, Michael J. Szymanski, Richard F. Vargo, Jr., Rickey L. Morgan, John G. Heaton, David L. Bolado
  • Patent number: 7510609
    Abstract: Density-reducing additives comprising low-density particulates, and cement compositions comprising such additives, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a cement composition comprising: a cement component; a density-reducing additive comprising particulates that comprise an agglomerating material; and a base fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Caveny, Michael J. Szymanski, Richard F Vargo, Jr., Rickey L. Morgan, John G. Heaton, David L. Bolado
  • Patent number: 7445670
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the density of a well cement composition for cementing in a subterranean formation. The method comprises providing a cement composition that comprises water and a cement, and then adding an additive comprising an anionic foam stabilizer and an anionic foaming agent or a Zwitterionic foam booster. A gas is added to this mixture to reduce the density. Further, foamed cement compositions and additives for foaming and stabilizing a well cement composition are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski, Kristi D. Thacker
  • Publication number: 20080227667
    Abstract: A fluid loss control additive comprising a crosslinked polymer and sugar and cement compositions comprising the same. In one embodiment, the fluid loss control additive comprises a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink. In some embodiments, the polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol, and the sugar is a sugar alcohol such as sorbitol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Szymanski, Samuel J. Lewis, Christian Spindler, Andrea Fenchl
  • Patent number: 7398827
    Abstract: Methods for performing cementing operations in a subterranean zone under high temperature conditions include forming a cementing composition having a density of less than about 10.5 pounds per gallon, pumping the cementing composition into the subterranean zone by way of the well bore and allowing the cementing composition to set therein. The cementing composition includes calcium aluminate, water, and a lightweight additive having a specific gravity of less than about 0.70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Kulakofsky, Michael J Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7399355
    Abstract: A fluid loss control additive comprising a crosslinked polymer and sugar and cement compositions comprising the same. In one embodiment, the fluid loss control additive comprises a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink. In some embodiments, the polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol, and the sugar is a sugar alcohol such as sorbitol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., BASF Contruction Polymers GmbH
    Inventors: Michael J. Szymanski, Samuel J. Lewis, Christian Spindler, Andrea Fenchl
  • Patent number: 7390356
    Abstract: Compositions for performing cementing operations in a subterranean zone under high temperature conditions have a density of less than about 10.5 pounds per gallon, and include calcium aluminate, water, and a lightweight additive having a specific gravity of less than about 0.70.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Kulakofsky, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7293941
    Abstract: Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7273949
    Abstract: Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7258738
    Abstract: Disulfonate salts of 2,4-pentanedione and methods for making such salts are described. The disulfonate salts are useful as cement dispersants. Cement compositions including such salts, methods for making cement compositions including such salts, and methods for performing cementing operations using such cement compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7240732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cementing operations, and more particularly to improved cement dispersants for cement compositions and methods of cementing. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of cementing comprising the steps of: providing a cement composition comprising a cement, and a dispersant composition, the dispersant composition comprising a surfactant and a hydrolyzed protein; placing the cement composition in a desired location; and allowing the cement composition to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski
  • Patent number: 7191834
    Abstract: A method of cementing in a subterranean formation that comprises providing a foamed cement composition that comprises water, a cement, a gas, and an additive, the additive comprising an anionic foaming agent and at least one of an anionic foam stabilizer or a Zwitterionic foam booster; placing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and allowing the cement composition to set therein is provided. Foamed cement compositions, additives for foaming and stabilizing a cement composition, and methods of reducing the density of a cement composition, also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel J. Lewis, Michael J. Szymanski, Kristi D. Thacker