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).

  • Publication number: 20110036573
    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: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Richard D. Rickman, David B. Allison, Michael A. McCabe, Matt E. Blauch
  • Publication number: 20100212898
    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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Jimmie D. Weaver, Bhadra Desai
  • Publication number: 20100160187
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for stabilizing portions of a subterranean formation that comprise unconsolidated particulates are provided. In one embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation includes introducing a pre-flush fluid into a subterranean formation comprising unconsolidated particulates; introducing a foamed consolidation fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, an emulsified resin, a hardening agent, a silane coupling agent, and a surfactant into the subterranean formation subsequent to the pre-flush fluid; wherein the emulsified resin is emulsified prior to being introduced into the aqueous base fluid; and allowing the resin to cure to at least partially consolidate the unconsolidated particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20100101773
    Abstract: Methods for remediating a subterranean environment. Methods comprising introducing a cleanup fluid through a well bore and into a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore, applying a pressure pulse to the cleanup fluid, and introducing a consolidating agent through the well bore and into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of cleaning a sand control screen comprises introducing a cleanup fluid through a sand control screen and into a portion of a subterranean formation, the sand control screen located in a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; applying a pressure pulse to the cleanup fluid; and introducing a consolidating agent through the sand control screen and into the portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman
  • Publication number: 20100089578
    Abstract: Treatments and compounds useful in subterranean formations are discussed, with particular attention to those where particulates may be subject to water intrusion. Certain methods pertain to providing diffusion barriers for particulates. Of these, certain diffusion barriers may provide hydrophobic coatings to the particulates, certain diffusion barriers may provide fillers that may act to prevent water intrusion into surface features of particulates, and certain diffusion barriers may be initiated with diagenesis source material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Jimmie D. Weaver, Enrique A. Reyes, Hongyu Luo, Matt E. Blauch, Corine L. McMechan
  • Patent number: 7673686
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The method comprises the steps of: (a) introducing a composition through the wellbore into the subterranean formation, wherein the composition comprises: (i) a solvent consisting essentially of an aqueous dissolvable solvent comprising any solvent that is at least 25% by weight soluble in water, wherein the solvent is from about 90% to about 99.9% by weight of the composition; and (ii) a curable resin, wherein the curable resin is from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition; wherein the curable resin and the solvent are mutually selected such that, for the ratio of the curable resin to the solvent, the curable resin is soluble in the solvent; and (b) installing a mechanical sand control device into the wellbore either before or after introducing the composition into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 7665517
    Abstract: Methods for remediating a subterranean environment. Methods comprising introducing a cleanup fluid through a well bore and into a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore, applying a pressure pulse to the cleanup fluid, and introducing a consolidating agent through the well bore and into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of cleaning a sand control screen comprises introducing a cleanup fluid through a sand control screen and into a portion of a subterranean formation, the sand control screen located in a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation; applying a pressure pulse to the cleanup fluid; and introducing a consolidating agent through the sand control screen and into the portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman
  • Publication number: 20090151943
    Abstract: Methods of drilling a wellbore through a production zone within a subterranean formation using a drill-in fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid and a water-based consolidating emulsion and using the drill-in fluid to drill at least a portion of a well bore into the production zone while allowing the water-based consolidating emulsion to penetrate into the walls of the well bore. The water-based consolidating emulsion itself comprises an aqueous liquid, a hardenable resin, a hardening agent component, and an emulsifying agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman
  • Patent number: 7500521
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing uniform placement of a resin in a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a preflush fluid comprising an oil-soluble diverting agent into a portion of a subterranean formation; introducing a resin and an aqueous soluble diverting agent into at least a portion of the subterranean formation; allowing the oil-soluble diverting agent to at least partially dissolve; and allowing the resin to at least partially consolidate at least a portion of the subterranean formation. Optionally, afterflush fluids may be used as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman
  • Patent number: 7448451
    Abstract: Methods of controlling particulate migration in a portion of a subterranean formation comprising placing a pre-flush fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation; and then, placing a low-viscosity adhesive substance diluted with an aqueous dissolvable solvent into the portion of the subterranean formation; wherein the portion of a subterranean formation being treated has a regain permeability of at least about 70%. Methods of creating a stabilized region around a portion of a subterranean formation around a well bore having a screen or liner in place in that portion of the subterranean formation comprising placing a pre-flush fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation; and then, placing a low-viscosity adhesive substance diluted with an aqueous dissolvable solvent into that portion of the subterranean formation; wherein the portion of a subterranean formation being treated has regain permeability of at least about 70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Johnny A. Barton
  • Patent number: 7407010
    Abstract: Methods comprising: providing at least a plurality of liquid hardenable resin coated particulates that have been at least partially coated with a liquid hardenable resin component; providing at least a plurality of liquid hardening agent coated particulates that have been at least partially coated with a liquid hardening agent component; suspending the liquid hardenable resin coated particulates and the liquid hardening agent coated particulates in a treatment fluid; and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Methods comprising: providing at least a plurality of coated particulates that have been at least partially coated with one component of a two component resin system; coating at least a plurality of the coated particulates on a job site with a second component of a two component resin system; suspending the coated particulates in a treatment fluid; and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Rickman, Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Johnny A. Barton, Bhadra D. Desai, Max L. Phillippi
  • Publication number: 20080128131
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing the conductivity of fractures in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: 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 equal to or greater than the matrix rate of the subterranean formation but less than the rate sufficient to form or enhance a fracture in the subterranean formation; and forming at least one channel in the propped fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Jason Bryant, Jimmie D. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20080006406
    Abstract: Methods of enhancing uniform placement of a resin in a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a preflush fluid comprising an oil-soluble diverting agent into a portion of a subterranean formation; introducing a resin and an aqueous soluble diverting agent into at least a portion of the subterranean formation; allowing the oil-soluble diverting agent to at least partially dissolve; and allowing the resin to at least partially consolidate at least a portion of the subterranean formation. Optionally, afterflush fluids may be used as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman