Patents by Inventor Qi Qu

Qi Qu 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).

  • Publication number: 20150083415
    Abstract: A composite having a solid particulate and a surface modifying treatment agent on the solid particulate wherein the surface modifying treatment agent has a hydrophobic tail and an anchor for adhering the hydrophobic tail onto the solid particulate. The anchor may be metal and the hydrophobic tail may be an organo-silicon material, a fluorinated hydrocarbon or both an organo-silicon material and a fluorinated hydrocarbon. The composite may be used as a proppant in a hydraulic fracturing operation as well as a sand control particulate in a gravel packing operation. The presence of the surface modifying treatment agent on the surface of the solid particulate reduces the generation of fines and dust as well as the migration of sand during a hydraulic fracturing operation or a sand control operation. The presence of the surface modifying treatment agent on the surface of the solid particulate further enhances the crush resistance of the solid particulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Terry D. Monroe, Brian B. Beall, Naima Bestaoui-Spurr, Sumit Bhaduri, Kimberly Lant, Hoang Le, Qi Qu
  • Publication number: 20150083416
    Abstract: A well treatment fluid contains a surface modifying treatment agent having an anchor and a hydrophobic tail. The surface modifying treatment agent is an organophosphorus acid derivative. After the well treatment fluid is pumped into a well penetrating the subterranean formation, the anchor binds to the surface of the formation. The subterranean formation is a siliceous formation or a metal oxide-containing subterranean formation. The anchor bonds to a Si atom when the formation is a siliceous formation and to the metal of the metal oxide when the formation is a metal oxide-containing formation. After being bound to the surface of the formation, frictional drag within the well is reduced. This allows for faster recovery of formation fluids. The bonding of the surface modifying treatment agent onto the formation may further be enhanced by first pre-treating the formation with a non-aqueous fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kimberly Lant, Naima Bestaoui-Spurr, Sumit Bhaduri, James B. Crews, Hoang Le, Terry D. Monroe, Qi Qu
  • Publication number: 20150083414
    Abstract: A composite having a solid particulate and a surface modifying treatment agent on the solid particulate wherein the surface modifying treatment agent has a hydrophobic tail and an anchor for adhering the hydrophobic tail onto the solid particulate. The anchor is an organophosphorus acid derivative. The composite may be used as a proppant in a hydraulic fracturing operation as well as a sand control particulate in a gravel packing operation. The presence of the surface modifying treatment agent on the surface of the solid particulate reduces the generation of fines and dust as well as the migration of sand during a hydraulic fracturing operation or a sand control operation. The presence of the surface modifying treatment agent on the surface of the solid particulate further enhances the crush resistance of the solid particulate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Terry D. Monroe, Brian B. Beall, Naima Bestaoui-Spurr, Sumit Bhaduri, Kimberly Lant, Hoang Le, Qi Qu
  • Publication number: 20150060062
    Abstract: Scales are prevented or inhibited from forming in a well or in a formation penetrated by a well by pumping into the well a fluid comprising a hydratable polymer, a crosslinking agent, such as an organometallic crosslinking agent containing a polyvalent metal and a scale inhibitor selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl sulfonates, a polyacrylamidomethylpropane sulfonic acid, carboxymethyl inulin and sulfonated polyacrylates and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Dong Shen, Dora V. Galvan, Hoang V. Le, Qi Qu
  • Publication number: 20150041139
    Abstract: A well treatment fluid includes an aqueous-based fluid, a crosslinked CMHEC polymer, and a crosslinker. The CMHEC polymer exhibits a DS of 0.2 to 0.6 and a MS of 2.0 to 2.5. The well treatment fluid exhibits a viscosity of at least about 100 cP. A well treatment method includes crosslinking a CMHEC polymer in an aqueous-based fluid at a pH of at least about 6. The crosslinking increases a viscosity of the well treatment fluid to at least about 100 cP. A well is treated with the well treatment fluid at a temperature of at least about 200° F. Another well treatment method includes forming a well treatment fluid from produced water that has a TDS content of at least about 150,000 ppm. The crosslinking increases a viscosity of the well treatment fluid to at least about 100 cP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: JIA ZHOU, MAGNUS U. LEGEMAH, HONG SUN, BRIAN B. BEALL, QI QU
  • Patent number: 8944166
    Abstract: Methods and compositions that protect cement compositions from corrosion, particularly from wet carbon dioxide, are provided. A soluble salt additive is provided to react with reaction products generated during the reactions that occur when cement is exposed to wet carbon dioxide. The soluble salt reacts to form an insoluble salt that forms a protective layer on the surface of the cement that protects it from further corrosion from exposure to wet carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Alan Vorderbruggen, Richard F. Stevens, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 8921597
    Abstract: Methods for making polyaminoboric acid compounds are provided. The polyaminoboric acid compounds are made by reacting a polyamine with boric acid in the presence of a solvent to produce polyaminoboric acid compounds with more than one boron-nitrogen bond. The polyaminoboric acid compounds are useful as crosslinking agents for fracturing fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Hong Sun, Qi Qu
  • Publication number: 20140332214
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing composition includes: a superabsorbent polymer in an expanded state; a plurality of proppant particles disposed in the superabsorbent polymer; an additive comprising a surfactant, a viscose polymer, or a combination thereof, and a fluid to expand the superabsorbent polymer into the expanded state. A process for disposing a plurality of proppant particles in a fracture comprises: disposing a hydraulic fracturing composition in a downhole environment; forming a fracture; disposing the hydraulic fracturing composition in the fracture; breaking the superabsorbent polymer after forming the fracture; and releasing the plurality of proppant particles from superabsorbent polymer. The process also comprises injecting a proppant-free fluid and a proppant-containing fluid in an alternating order into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jia Zhou, Qi Qu, Scott G. Nelson, Hong Sun, Leiming Li
  • Publication number: 20140332213
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing composition includes: a superabsorbent polymer in an expanded state and configured to break in response to a breaking condition; a plurality of proppant particles disposed in the superabsorbent polymer prior to release of the plurality of proppant particles from the superabsorbent polymer in response to breaking the superabsorbent polymer; and a fluid to expand the superabsorbent polymer into the expanded state. The hydraulic fracturing composition can be made by contacting a superabsorbent polymer with a fluid to expand the superabsorbent polymer into an expanded state; and disposing a plurality of proppant particles in the superabsorbent polymer to make the hydraulic fracturing composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jia Zhou, Hong Sun, Qi Qu, Michael Guerin
  • Publication number: 20140318783
    Abstract: Downhole conditions in a wellbore may be monitored in real time by pumping into the well a sensing treatment fluid which includes a piezoelectric or piezoresistive material and measuring changes in electrical resistivity within the wellbore. The monitoring in real time of the piezoelectric or piezoresistive material enhances the integrity of the wellbore during the setting of the treatment fluid as well as during the lifetime of the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Robert S. Martin, Guido Gustavo Narvaez, Qi Qu, Gregory B. Itskovich
  • Patent number: 8863838
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation may be treated with an aqueous well treatment fluid which contains a hexose oxidase, such as glucose oxidase, mannose oxidase or galactose oxidase. The aqueous well treatment fluid further may contain a viscosifying polymer and an aldohexose. The aldohexose reacts in-situ with the hexose oxidase and molecular oxygen to produce hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide may then act as a breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles David Armstrong, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 8841914
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of approximating or determining at least one dimension of at least one underground geological feature in a zone of interest proximate to a well bore includes generating an electric field in the zone of interest while the well bore and geological feature at least partially contain conductive fluid. At least two sensing electrodes are provided in the well bore and configured to detect differences therebetween in electric potential caused by at least one target object in the zone of interest and provide data relating thereto to at least one data processing system. The data processing system(s) approximates or determines the dimension(s) of the geological feature(s) based at least partially upon data provided by the sensing electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Russell L. Maharidge, Thomas J. Pisklak
  • Patent number: 8833457
    Abstract: The allosteric effectors, sulfate and phosphate, can be used with mannanohydrolase enzymes to better control the break of gelled fracturing fluids in wellbore operations. The fracturing fluid contains a hydratable polymer of guar, a guar derivative, a cellulose derivative, a water soluble biopolymer or a combination thereof and a crosslinking agent. The mannanohydrolase enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of ?-(1,4) mannosidic linkages to break the polymeric backbone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Charles David Armstrong, Hoang Le, Bharath Rajappa, Qi Qu
  • Publication number: 20140251626
    Abstract: The complexity of a fracture network within a subterranean formation may be enhanced by pumping a high breakdown pressure fluid followed by a low breakdown pressure fluid into the formation. The method increases the Stimulated Reservoir Volume (SRV) of the formation and provides for a network of ancillary fractures within the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Ahmed M. Gomaa, Qi Qu, Russell L. Maharidge, Scott G. Nelson, Ted B. Reed
  • Patent number: 8796188
    Abstract: A process for forming a strong, low-density proppant, which process includes heating pumice particulates, or shaped agglomerates thereof, so as to form heat-treated pumice particulates, or heat-treated, shaped pumice agglomerates, having an apparent density of 2.4 or less and a crush resistance of no more than 10% fines at 4000 psi. Proppants, and well treatment fluids comprising proppants, meeting these characteristics and processes for treating subterranean formations using fluids which include such proppants are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Pisklak, Richard F. Stevens, Jr., Qi Qu, Elizabeth G. Morillo
  • Patent number: 8797037
    Abstract: A method of approximating or determining at least one dimension or other characteristic of at least one underground geological feature in a zone of interest proximate to a well bore includes generating an electric field in the zone of interest. At least two sensing electrodes are provided in the well bore and configured to detect differences therebetween in electric potential caused by at least one target object in the zone of interest. Proppant containing signal generating devices (SGD) is delivered into the geological feature(s). The SGD generate a detectable signal in response to at least one downhole condition or property. At least one receiver receives the detectable signals and provides data relating thereto. At least one dimension or other characteristic of the geological feature is approximated or determined based at least partially upon data provided by the sensing electrodes and receiver(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Harold Dean Brannon, Qi Qu, Russell L. Maharidge, Thomas J. Pisklak
  • Publication number: 20140134340
    Abstract: Methods and compositions that protect cement compositions from corrosion, particularly from wet carbon dioxide, are provided. A soluble salt additive is provided to react with reaction products generated during the reactions that occur when cement is exposed to wet carbon dioxide. The soluble salt reacts to form an insoluble salt that forms a protective layer on the surface of the cement that protects it from further corrosion from exposure to wet carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Alan Vorderbruggen, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 8691735
    Abstract: Fracturing fluid compositions and methods of fracturing subterranean formations using polyboronic compounds as crosslinking agents are provided. The compositions and methods of the present invention allow for lower polymer loadings because achieving higher fracturing fluid viscosities can be achieved using less polymer than in traditional crosslinked systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Hong Sun, Qi Qu, Frances De Benedictis, Jerry Edwin Pardue
  • Publication number: 20140076562
    Abstract: Water and gas flow into a subterranean reservoir may be reduced by pumping into the reservoir a primary amine crosslinking agent and an anionic or hydrolyzable nonionic polymer capable of crosslinking with the crosslinking agent. The reaction product forms a gel plug impermeable to water and gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Sumit Bhaduri, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 8636068
    Abstract: Methods and compositions that protect cement compositions from corrosion, particularly from wet carbon dioxide, are provided. A soluble salt additive is provided to react with reaction products generated during the reactions that occur when cement is exposed to wet carbon dioxide. The soluble salt reacts to form an insoluble salt that forms a protective layer on the surface of the cement that protects it from further corrosion from exposure to wet carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Alan Vorderbruggen, Richard F. Stevens, Qi Qu