Patents by Inventor Nikhil Shindgikar

Nikhil Shindgikar 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: 9896612
    Abstract: Method for controlling lost circulation in a subterranean well using oil-dispersible lost-circulation materials which comprise fibers that are coated (or sized) with a lipophilic coupling agent, a lipophilic film-forming polymer or both. The fibers are preferably between about 6 mm and about 25 mm long, and between about 10 ?m and about 200 ?m in diameter. The fibers may be added to carrier fluids comprising oil-base fluids, synthetic-base fluids, invert-emulsion-base fluids and combinations thereof. The preferred fiber concentration in the carrier fluid is between about 0.55 g/L and about 28.5 g/L. The carrier fluid may be a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid or a lost-circulation pill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Slaheddine Kefi, Jesse C. Lee, Chrystel Brunet-Cambus, Nikhil Shindgikar
  • Patent number: 9879488
    Abstract: A composition, for use in treating oil wells, comprises fibers, hot melt adhesives and particulate solids. This composition has a wide range of applications including preventing or lessening lost circulation, wellbore strengthening or consolidation, controlling fluid loss, producing a “stress cage” effect, gravel packing, acting as an aid to cementing, and for proppant backflow control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse Lee
  • Publication number: 20170298270
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising pumping a wellbore fluid into the wellbore, the wellbore fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and an environmentally friendly slurried gelling agent meeting at least two of the following three criteria: (1) Biodegradation: a) >60% in 28 days as measured by OECD 306 or any other OSPAR-accepted marine protocols, b) or in the absence of valid results for such tests: i. >60% in 28 days as measured by OECD 301B, 301C, 301D, 301F, 310, Freshwater BODIS or ii. >70% in 28 days as measured by OECD 301A, 301E); (2) Bioaccumulation: a) a bioconcentration factor of less than 100; b) log Pow?3 and molecular weight >700, or c) if the conclusion of a weight of evidence expert judgment under Appendix 3 of OSPAR Agreement 2008-5 is positive; and (3) Aquatic Toxicity: a) LC50>10 mg/l or EC50>10 mg/l and performing a downhole operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Nikhil SHINDGIKAR, Carlos ABAD
  • Publication number: 20160201411
    Abstract: The invention is a composition, for use in treating oil wells, comprising fibres, hot melt adhesives and particulate solids. This composition has a wide range of applications including preventing or lessening lost circulation, wellbore strengthening or consolidation, controlling fluid loss, producing a “stress cage” effect, gravel packing, acting as an aid to cementing, and for proppant backflow control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse Lee
  • Patent number: 9303474
    Abstract: A composition, for use in treating oil wells, comprises fibers, hot melt adhesives and particulate solids. This composition has a wide range of applications including preventing or lessening lost circulation, wellbore strengthening or consolidation, controlling fluid loss, producing a “stress cage” effect, gravel packing, acting as an aid to cementing, and for proppant backflow control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse Lee
  • Publication number: 20160060501
    Abstract: Method for controlling lost circulation in a subterranean well using oil-dispersible lost-circulation materials which comprise fibers that are coated (or sized) with a lipophilic coupling agent, a lipophilic film-forming polymer or both. The fibers are preferably between about 6 mm and about 25 mm long, and between about 10 ?m and about 200 ?m in diameter. The fibers may be added to carrier fluids comprising oil-base fluids, synthetic-base fluids, invert-emulsion-base fluids and combinations thereof. The preferred fiber concentration in the carrier fluid is between about 0.55 g/L and about 28.5 g/L. The carrier fluid may be a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid or a lost-circulation pill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Slaheddine Kefi, Jesse C. Lee, Chrystel Brunet-Cambus, Nikhil Shindgikar
  • Publication number: 20150159080
    Abstract: The following describes a novel and alternative mechanism in regards to releasing reactive chemicals. Namely, utilizing shells containing multiple emulsions that can be blended with the base fluids, and then react with said base fluid upon exposure to a trigger e.g. high shear and/or elongation flow, therefore plugging even large fractures. Such gelling lost circulation material allows to obtain a reliable carrier and fast reaction when triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Jesse C. Lee, Stephane Boulard, Nikhil Shindgikar, Slaheddine Kefi
  • Publication number: 20150099674
    Abstract: The invention provides a composition made of fibers and a material able to exhibit reverse solubility. The invention preferably is used in a well and as a method to cure lost circulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Jesse C. Lee, Nikhil Shindgikar
  • Patent number: 8991497
    Abstract: The following describes a novel and alternative mechanism in regards to releasing reactive chemicals. Namely, utilizing shells containing multiple emulsions that can be blended with the base fluids, and then react with said base fluid upon exposure to a trigger e.g. high shear and/or elongation flow, therefore plugging even large fractures. Such gelling lost circulation material allows to obtain a reliable carrier and fast reaction when triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse C. Lee, Stephane Boulard, Nikhil Shindgikar, Slaheddine Kefi
  • Patent number: 8946133
    Abstract: A composition made of fibers and a material able to exhibit reverse solubility has utility for treating subterranean wells. The composition may used to cure lost circulation. The composition may be added to drilling fluids, spacer fluids or cement slurries. As the fluid temperature increases in a well, the reverse solubility material may precipitate and migrate to the fibers, causing the fibers to stick to each other and form a network, thereby forming a barrier that reduces further egress of treatment fluid from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse Lee, Nikhil Shindgikar
  • Patent number: 8776882
    Abstract: Mixtures of fibers and solid particles are effective for curing fluid losses and lost circulation in a subterranean well. Stiff fibers are more effective than flexible ones; however, mixtures of stiff and flexible fibers have a synergistic effect. The quantity and particle-size distribution of the solids are optimized according to the stiffness, dimensions and concentrations of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse C. Lee, Slaheddine Kefi, Chrystel Brunet-Cambus, Michel Ermel
  • Patent number: 8689869
    Abstract: An encapsulated thixotropy agent may be added to aqueous well service fluids. Such fluids include drilling fluids, cement slurries and polymer pills. The well service fluid may be subjected to shearing action downhole, causing the thixotropy agent to be released and imparting thixotropy to the fluid. The thixotropy agent comprises a dry suspension of synthetic layered silicates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse Lee, Slaheddine Kefi
  • Patent number: 8479817
    Abstract: A system for curing lost circulation is made of fibers and a material able to stick fibers in a network when activated. Such activation can be temperature or pH change or both. The fibers can be metallic amorphous fibers, metallic non-amorphous fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, polymeric fibers and combinations thereof. The material can be a fiber coating or an additional material, for example polyvinyl alcohol, polyurethane and heat activated epoxy resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse Lee
  • Patent number: 8371381
    Abstract: Mixtures of fibers and solid particles are effective for curing fluid losses and lost circulation in a subterranean well. Stiff fibers are more effective than flexible ones; however, mixtures of stiff and flexible fibers have a synergistic effect. The quantity and particle-size distribution of the solids are optimized according to the stiffness, dimensions and concentrations of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse Lee, Slaheddine Kefi, Chrystel Cambus-Brunet, Michel Ermel
  • Publication number: 20120322695
    Abstract: Method for controlling lost circulation in a subterranean well using oil-dispersible lost-circulation materials which comprise fibers that are coated (or sized) with a lipophilic coupling agent, a lipophilic film-forming polymer or both. The fibers are preferably between about 6 mm and about 25 mm long, and between about 10 ?m and about 200 ?m in diameter. The fibers may be added to carrier fluids comprising oil-base fluids, synthetic-base fluids, invert-emulsion-base fluids and combinations thereof. The preferred fiber concentration in the carrier fluid is between about 0.55 g/L and about 28.5 g/L. The carrier fluid may be a drilling fluid, a spacer fluid or a lost-circulation pill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Slaheddine Kefi, Jesse C. Lee, Chrystel Brunet-Cambus, Nikhil Shindgikar
  • Publication number: 20120205102
    Abstract: The following describes a novel and alternative mechanism in regards to releasing reactive chemicals. Namely, utilizing shells containing multiple emulsions that can be blended with the base fluids, and then react with said base fluid upon exposure to a trigger e.g. high shear and/or elongation flow, therefore plugging even large fractures. Such gelling lost circulation material allows to obtain a reliable carrier and fast reaction when triggered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Jesse C. Lee, Stephane Boulard, Nikhil Shindgikar, Slaheddine Kefi
  • Publication number: 20110297375
    Abstract: The invention is a composition, for use in treating oil wells, comprising fibres, hot melt adhesives and particulate solids. This composition has a wide range of applications including preventing or lessening lost circulation, wellbore strengthening or consolidation, controlling fluid loss, producing a “stress cage” effect, gravel packing, acting as an aid to cementing, and for proppant backflow control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse Lee
  • Publication number: 20110237465
    Abstract: The invention provides a system comprising a encapsulating material (B) and a component (A), wherein said component (A) is trapped within said encapsulating material (B) and said encapsulating material (B) being able to break and release said component (A) under pressure drop higher than 10 bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Jesse Lee, Stéphane Boulard, Nikhil Shindgikar, Kefi Slaheddine
  • Publication number: 20110183871
    Abstract: The invention provides a system made of fibers and a material able to exhibit reverse solubility. The invention preferably is used in a well and as a method to cure lost circulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Jesse Lee, Nikhil Shindgikar
  • Publication number: 20110139454
    Abstract: A method of providing thixotropy to a fluid downhole comprising: adding an encapsulated thixotropic agent to a fluid at the surface; introducing the fluid into a borehole; and subjecting the fluid to a shearing action so as to release the thixotropic agent into the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Nikhil Shindgikar, Jesse Lee, Kefi Slaheddine