Patents by Inventor Nicholas Braley

Nicholas Braley 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).

  • Drilling fluids having reduced sag potential and related methods
    Patent number: 8569213
    Abstract: Invert emulsion drilling fluids that have extended emulsion stability and reduced sag potential can be realized through incorporation of colloidal particles therein. The invert emulsion drilling fluids can be free of organophilic clays. The organophilic clay-free drilling fluids can comprise: an oleaginous fluid continuous phase; an aqueous fluid internal phase; a surfactant; a weighting agent; and a plurality of colloidal particles, the colloidal particles comprising fibrous colloidal particles and at least one other type of colloidal particle; wherein at least a portion of the plurality of colloidal particles interact with the surfactant to form an associative supporting structure that inhibits sag of the weighting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey James Miller, Nicholas Braley, Donald R. Siems, Dale E. Jamison, Patrick Baker
  • Drilling fluids having reduced sag potential and related methods
    Patent number: 8476201
    Abstract: Invert emulsion drilling fluids that have extended emulsion stability and reduced sag potential are described herein. The drilling fluids comprise an invert emulsion, a weighting agent, and a plurality of colloidal particles. The invert emulsion comprises an oleaginous fluid continuous phase, an aqueous fluid internal phase, and a surfactant. At least a portion of the plurality of colloidal particles interact with the surfactant to form an associative supporting structure that inhibits sag of the weighting agent. In some embodiments, the weighting agent comprises barite particles, particularly barite particles that are less than about 45 ?m in size. Methods for placing the invert emulsion drilling fluids in a subterranean formation via a wellbore are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey James Miller, Nicholas Braley, Donald R. Siems, Patrick Chris Baker, Dale Jamison
  • Drilling Fluids Having Reduced Sag Potential and Related Methods
    Publication number: 20120165231
    Abstract: Invert emulsion drilling fluids that have extended emulsion stability and reduced sag potential are described herein. The drilling fluids comprise an invert emulsion, a weighting agent, and a plurality of colloidal particles. The invert emulsion comprises an oleaginous fluid continuous phase, an aqueous fluid internal phase, and a surfactant. At least a portion of the plurality of colloidal particles interact with the surfactant to form an associative supporting structure that inhibits sag of the weighting agent. In some embodiments, the weighting agent comprises barite particles, particularly barite particles that are less than about 45 ?m in size. Methods for placing the invert emulsion drilling fluids in a subterranean formation via a wellbore are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey James Miller, Nicholas Braley, Donald R. Siems, Patrick Chris Baker, Dale Jamison