Patents by Inventor R. Ashley Donaldson

R. Ashley Donaldson 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: 7939474
    Abstract: Wellbore servicing fluids and methods of using the same to service a wellbore in a subterranean formation are provided. A filter cake in the wellbore is contacted with the gravel packing fluid, which comprises an oil-soluble additive capable of removing the filter cake. The additive undergoes hydrolysis to produce an acid upon contacting water provided from, for example, water in the wellbore servicing fluid, connate water in the subterranean formation, water in the filter cake, water produced by the subterranean formation, water pumped into the wellbore, or combinations thereof. The acid dissolves particulates in the filter cake in situ. In an embodiment in which the wellbore servicing fluid serves as a gravel packing fluid, the fluid also deposits gravel along the face of the subterranean formation, forming a barrier against the migration of sand from the formation and into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Blauch, David W. Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal, R. Ashley Donaldson
  • Patent number: 7222672
    Abstract: Wellbore servicing fluids and methods of using the same to service a wellbore in a subterranean formation are provided. A filter cake in the wellbore is contacted with the gravel packing fluid, which comprises an oil-soluble additive capable of removing the filter cake. The additive undergoes hydrolysis to produce an acid upon contacting water provided from, for example, water in the wellbore servicing fluid, connate water in the subterranean formation, water in the filter cake, water produced by the subterranean formation, water pumped into the wellbore, or combinations thereof. The acid dissolves particulates in the filter cake in situ. In an embodiment in which the wellbore servicing fluid serves as a gravel packing fluid, the fluid also deposits gravel along the face of the subterranean formation, forming a barrier against the migration of sand from the formation and into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Blauch, David W. Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal, R. Ashley Donaldson
  • Patent number: 7108083
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Floyd Randolph Simonds, Morris Wayne Cox, Terry Michael Dailey, Tommie Austin Freeman, Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jr., Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
  • Patent number: 7048048
    Abstract: An expandable sand control screen (100) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member (102) that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (102). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium (106) that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member (118) that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (100), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member (118) allows the expandable sand control screen (100) to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen (100) and the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Johnny A. Barton, R. Ashley Donaldson, Alex Procyk, Jackie M. LaFontaine, Ralph H. Echols, Perry C. Shy, Timothy E. Harms, Gregory B. Chitwood
  • Publication number: 20040261994
    Abstract: An expandable sand control screen (100) that is positionable within a wellbore comprises a fluid permeable generally tubular member (102) that is expanded downhole. A filtering assembly is disposed exteriorly of the generally tubular member (102). The filtering assembly includes a filter medium (106) that prevents the flow of particulate material of a predetermined size therethrough but allows the flow of production fluids therethrough. The filtering assembly also includes a compliable member (118) that has a thickness that is radially variable downhole. During or after expansion of the expandable sand control screen (100), the radial variability of the thickness of the compliable member (118) allows the expandable sand control screen (100) to comply with any irregularities in the wellbore profile, thereby preventing any void regions between the expandable sand control screen (100) and the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Johnny A. Barton, R. Ashley Donaldson, Alex Procyk, Jackie M. LaFontaine, Ralph H. Echols, Perry C. Shy, Timothy E. Harms, Gregory B. Chitwood
  • Publication number: 20040168799
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for completing an interval of a wellbore while drilling comprises a drill string (52) having a drill bit (30) mounted on the lower end thereof. A completion assembly (50) is positioned around a section of the drill string (52) such that when the wellbore (32) is extended by rotating the drill bit (30) and advancing the drill string (52), the completion assembly (50) does not rotate. The advancement of the drill string (52) and rotation of the drill bit (30) is ceased when the completion assembly (50) has reached the desired interval of the wellbore (32). Thereafter, the drill string (52) is disconnected from the drill bit (30) for retrieval to the surface leaving the completion assembly (50) and the drill bit (30) downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Floyd Randolph Simonds, Morris Wayne Cox, Terry Michael Dailey, Tommie Austin Freeman, Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
  • Patent number: 6766862
    Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand-control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jr., Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
  • Publication number: 20030131997
    Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand-control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal
  • Patent number: 6562764
    Abstract: A well service fluid and method using same for brine-sensitive formations is disclosed. The fluid is an invert oil emulsion comprising heavy, solids-free brine, an oil or synthetic, and sufficient emulsifier to create the emulsion. The fluid has particular applicability in gravel packing a horizontal well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Inventors: R. Ashley Donaldson, Steven R. Blattel, Michael H. Hoff
  • Patent number: 6543545
    Abstract: In general, a method is provided for completing a subterranean wellbore, and an apparatus for using the method. The method comprises positioning an expandable sand-control device in the wellbore thereby forming an annulus between the sand-control device and the wellbore; depositing a filter media in the annulus; and after the depositing step, radially expanding the sand-control device to decrease the volume of the annulus. The sand control device can be a sand screen or slotted or perforated liner having radially extending passageways in the walls thereof, the passageways designed to substantially prevent movement of the particulate material through the passageways and into the sand-control device. Where a slotted liner is desired, the passageways can be plugged during positioning and later unplugged for production. The filter media is typically a particulate material and can be deposited as a slurry comprising liquid material and particulate material, or as a cement slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, R. Ashley Donaldson, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Travis T. Hailey, Jr., Jackie M. LaFontaine, Philip D. Nguyen, John Podowski, Alex Procyk, Sanjay Vitthal