Patents by Inventor Richard D. Rickman

Richard D. Rickman 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: 8371384
    Abstract: Of the many methods provided herein, one method comprises: providing at least one fracture in a subterranean formation that comprises tight gas, a shale, a clay, and/or a coal bed; providing a plasticity modification fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid and an alkaline embrittlement modification agent; placing the plasticity modification fluid into the fracture in the subterranean formation; and embrittling at least one fracture face of the fracture to form an embrittled fracture face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Dwain G. King, Jimmie D. Weaver, Michael A. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20120285690
    Abstract: A method of desensitizing a subterranean formation may include introducing a leading-edge fluid comprising a first base fluid and a first desensitizing agent into at least a portion of the subterranean formation, wherein the first desensitizing agent is present in the first base fluid at a first concentration; and then introducing a treatment fluid comprising a second base fluid and a second desensitizing agent into at least a portion of the subterranean formation, wherein the second desensitizing agent is present in the second base fluid at a second concentration, and wherein the first concentration is higher than the second concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: JIMMIE D. WEAVER, PHILIP D. NGUYEN, RICHARD D. RICKMAN
  • Patent number: 8307897
    Abstract: Methods using diagenesis source material including the steps of providing a diagenesis source material in a subterranean formation and introducing a first plurality of particulates into the subterranean formation. The diagenesis source material then consolidates at least a portion of the first plurality of particulates into a pack in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventors: Enrique A. Reyes, Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, Hongyu Luo
  • Patent number: 8306751
    Abstract: Fluid tests may be performed to determine suitability of an additive for a production enhancement treatment. In one aspect, a measuring device is used to determine a result of adding a sample of solid material to a test fluid that includes an additive. The result may include, for example, a change in surface tension, a change in contact angle, and/or another result. The measured result is used to determine the suitability of the additive for use in a stimulation treatment for a subterranean formation. For example, the additive may be determined suitable for use during a pad phase of a fracture treatment, during a proppant-laden phase of a fracture treatment, and/or for other phases and/or types of stimulation treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Rickman
  • Publication number: 20120267114
    Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation comprising first introducing a pre-flush fluid into a subterranean formation having particulate matter therein. Then introducing a curable adhesive composition comprising a silane coupling agent and a polymer, the polymer having a reactive silicon end group into the subterranean formation subsequent to the pre-flush fluid. Then introducing an aqueous post-fluid fluid into the subterranean formation subsequent to the curable adhesive composition. Then allowing the curable adhesive composition to at least partially consolidate particulate matter within the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Jimmie D. Weaver, Bhadra Desai
  • Patent number: 8261833
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for consolidating particulate matter in a subterranean formation are provided. In one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation includes coating a curable adhesive composition comprising a silane coupling agent and a polymer having a reactive silicon end group onto proppant material; suspending the coated proppant material in a carrier fluid to form a proppant slurry; introducing the proppant slurry into a subterranean formation; and allowing the curable adhesive composition to at least partially consolidate the proppant material in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Jimmie D. Weaver, Bhadra Desai
  • Publication number: 20120220504
    Abstract: Consolidation fluids comprising: an aqueous base fluid comprising a hardening agent; an emulsified resin having an aqueous external phase and an organic internal phase; a silane coupling agent; and a surfactant. The consolidation fluid itself may be emulsified and further comprise an emulsifying agent. The consolidation fluid may also be foamed in some cases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Philip D. Nguyen, Thomas D. Welton, Jimmie D. Weaver, Mike W. Sandars, Harvey J. Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20120205107
    Abstract: Method of treating a subterranean formation comprising providing a consolidation fluid, introducing the resin consolidation fluid into a subterranean formation comprising unconsolidated particulates; and, curing the resin to at least partially consolidate the unconsolidated particulates. The consolidation fluid comprises a resin in emulsified form with an aqueous external phase and an organic internal phase wherein the emulsified resin does not comprise a hardening agent and an aqueous base fluid that further comprises a hardening agent. The consolidation fluid may further comprise an emulsifying agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Philip D. Nguyen, Thomas D. Welton, Jimmie D. Weaver, Mike W. Sanders, Harvey J. Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20120180551
    Abstract: Methods comprising: placing particulates in a test column; adding a fluid medium comprising a salt solution to the test column; placing the column under test conditions, wherein the test conditions comprise target temperature and target pressure; maintaining test conditions for a target test duration; and, analyzing the particulates. Some methods also measure a permeability value of the column after placing particulates in a test column and before placing the column under test conditions; continuously flow the salt solution through the particulates during the test; measure a permeability value after maintaining the test conditions for the target test duration; and, calculate a retained permeability value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrique A. Reyes, Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, Hongyu Luo
  • Publication number: 20120043082
    Abstract: Methods including the steps of providing an injection well having unconsolidated particulates in one or more formation intervals along the wellbore that accept injection fluid; providing a consolidating treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a consolidating agent; introducing the consolidating treatment fluid through the injection well, while the well is under injection, such that the consolidating treatment fluid enters into a portion of a formation interval along the wellbore that accepts injection fluid; and, allowing the consolidating fluid to consolidate formation particulates therein. The methods may be performed such that the percentage of consolidating agent varies over the course of the treatment or the rate of injection varies over the course of the treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Jimmie D. Weaver, Dave Tiffin, Gary Hurst
  • Patent number: 8100190
    Abstract: A method is provided for swelling hydrocarbon-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing a water-in-oil emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the water-in-oil emulsion comprises: (i) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is the external phase of the water-in-oil emulsion; (ii) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is an internal phase of the water-in-oil emulsion and wherein the aqueous liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the water-in-oil emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the water-in-oil emulsion to contact the hydrocarbon-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the hydrocarbon-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, David B. Allison, Michael A. McCabe, Matt E. Blauch
  • Patent number: 8082994
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing the conductivity of fractures in subterranean formations comprising: providing a propped fracture in a subterranean formation wherein a plurality of proppant particulates reside in at least a portion of the fracture; providing a displacement fluid; introducing the displacement fluid into the propped fracture in the subterranean formation at a rate that is at least the matrix rate of the subterranean formation; and allowing the displacement fluid to displace at least a portion of the plurality of proppant particulates, thereby forming at least one channel in the propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Jason Bryant, Jimmie D. Weaver
  • Patent number: 8042618
    Abstract: A method is provided for swelling water-swellable elements located in a portion of a well. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing an oil-in-water emulsion into the portion of the well, wherein the oil-in-water emulsion comprises: (i) an aqueous liquid, wherein the aqueous liquid is the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; (ii) a hydrocarbon liquid, wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is an internal phase of the oil-in-water emulsion, and wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is adjacent to the external phase of the oil-in-water emulsion; and (iii) a surfactant; and (B) allowing the oil-in-water emulsion to contact the water-swellable element for a sufficient length of time to cause the thickness of the water-swellable element to expand by a desired percentage, wherein the desired percentage is at least 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, David B. Allison, Michael A. McCabe, Matt E. Blauch
  • Publication number: 20110253374
    Abstract: Treatments and compounds useful in subterranean formations are discussed, with particular attention to fracturing treatments where particulates and/or surfaces may be subject to water intrusion. Certain methods pertain to utilizing diagenesis source material to create porous structures in a subterranean formation. Such porous structures may be formed of consolidated particulates and/or diagenic product. Certain methods pertain to analyzing and/or quantifying the effects of the other methods disclosed herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Enrique A. Reyes, Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, Hongyu Luo
  • Publication number: 20110240296
    Abstract: Of the many methods provided herein, one method comprises: providing at least one fracture in a subterranean formation that comprises tight gas, a shale, a clay, and/or a coal bed; providing a plasticity modification fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid and an alkaline embrittlement modification agent; placing the plasticity modification fluid into the fracture in the subterranean formation; and embrittling at least one fracture face of the fracture to form an embrittled fracture face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, Michael A. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20110240292
    Abstract: Of the many methods provided herein. one method comprises: providing at least a portion of a subterranean formation that comprises a shale; providing a plasticity modification fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid and an alkaline embrittlement modification agent; placing a pack completion assembly neighboring the portion of the subterranean formation; and embrittling at least a portion of the shale to form an embrittled shale portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, Michael A. McCabe, Dwain King
  • Publication number: 20110240291
    Abstract: Of the many methods provided herein, one method comprises: providing at least one fracture in a subterranean formation that comprises tight gas, a shale, a clay, and/or a coal bed; providing a plasticity modification fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid and an alkaline embrittlement modification agent; placing the plasticity modification fluid into the fracture in the subterranean formation; and embrittling at least one fracture face of the fracture to form an embrittled fracture face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Dwain G. King, Jimmie D. Weaver, Michael A. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20110174485
    Abstract: Improved methods of oil and/or gas production by employing mixed surfactants to treat formations comprising multiple rocks. In one embodiment the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a first surfactant having a charge, a second surfactant having an opposite charge, and a compatibilizer; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Richard D. Rickman, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20110174492
    Abstract: Improved treatment fluids and methods for use in subterranean operations including the treatment of low permeability shale formations. In one embodiment the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a controlled wetting system that comprises: a water soluble polymer having a charge, a surfactant having an opposite charge, and a compatibilizer; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Jason E. Bryant, Richard D. Rickman
  • Patent number: 7926591
    Abstract: Methods are described for drilling a wellbore through a production zone within a subterranean formation. Some of the methods use water-based consolidating emulsions that comprise an aqueous liquid and an emulsion comprising a hardening agent external phase and hardenable resin internal phase to drill along a production zone. Other methods use water-based consolidation emulsions that comprise a first emulsion comprising a hardenable resin internal phase and an aqueous external phase and a second emulsion comprising a hardening agent internal phase and an aqueous external phase to drill along a production zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman