Patents by Inventor Robert E. Hanes, Jr.

Robert E. Hanes, Jr. 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: 7687441
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of increasing the viscosity of a treatment fluid comprising the steps of: adding a networking agent to the treatment fluid, wherein the networking agent is represented by the formula: Y—X—[B(OR)2]n, wherein: Y is at least partially capable of forming a crosslink between a gelling agent molecule, a second networking agent, and/or a combination thereof; X is at least partially capable of preventing or inhibiting a reaction represented by the formula: ROH+R?B(OR)2?R?OH+B(OR)3; R and R? are a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a combination thereof; and n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; allowing at least one crosslink to form between the networking agent and a gelling agent molecule, a second networking agent, and/or a combination thereof; and allowing the viscosity of the treatment fluid to increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Jimmie D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh
  • Publication number: 20100000735
    Abstract: Methods are provided that include, but are not limited to, methods of treating guar splits comprising: exposing guar splits to a treatment chemical to create treated guar splits, wherein the treatment chemical comprises at least one treatment chemical selected from the group consisting of: an aqueous salt solution; a caustic solution, and a derivatizing agent; and grinding the treated guar splits to create ground, treated guar splits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Robert E. Hanes, JR., Billy Slabaugh, Tommy Slabaugh
  • Patent number: 7637322
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating guar splits comprising exposing guar splits to a treatment chemical to create treated guar splits; and then, without first washing the treated guar splits, grinding the treated guar splits; and, then drying the ground, treated guar splits. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising providing a treatment fluid comprising a viscosifying agent wherein the viscosifying agent comprises ground, treated guar splits made by the following method: exposing guar splits to a treatment chemical to create treated guar splits; and then, without first washing the treated guar splits, grinding the treated guar splits; and, then drying the ground, treated guar splits; placing the treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Billy F. Slabaugh, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Jimmie D. Weaver
  • Publication number: 20090269765
    Abstract: Compositions, methods, and systems for detecting small molecules using chemiluminescent signaling assay technology are provided. One system provided herein comprises a chromophore; an oxalate ester, a peroxide, and a modulating agent, wherein the modulating agent will perturb a chemiluminescent signal generated by an interaction among the chromophore, the oxalate ester, and a peroxide; and the perturbation will occur in response to an analyte. One method provided herein comprises combining a chromophore, an oxalate ester, a peroxide, and a modulating agent, wherein: the modulating agent will perturb a chemiluminescent signal generate by an interaction among the chromophore, the oxalate ester, and a peroxide; and the perturbation will occur in response to an analyte. Another method provides a calorimetric or fluorometric signal response in the presence of an analyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Eric V. Anslyn, Himali Hewage, Ronald Houk, Damon V. Borich, Robert E. Hanes, JR., Jason A. Neeser
  • Patent number: 7591313
    Abstract: Provided are methods of modifying the surface stress-activated reactivity of proppant particulates used in subterranean operations. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a plurality of particulates, at least one of which comprises a mineral surface; providing a surface-treating reagent capable of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of a mineral surface of a particulate; and allowing the surface-treating reagent modify the stress-activated reactivity of at least a portion of the mineral surface of at least one particulate. In other embodiments, the methods comprise the use of particulates comprising a modified mineral surface in fluids introduced into subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Diederik van Batenburg, Mark A. Parker, Matthew E. Blauch, Neil A. Stegent, Philip D. Nguyen, Thomas D. Welton
  • Patent number: 7582590
    Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-ethyl acrylate and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-ethyl acrylate and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., David E. McMechan, Karen L. King, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7504366
    Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., David E. McMechan, Karen L. King, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7500519
    Abstract: Provided are methods of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of subterranean fracture faces and other surfaces in subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a surface-treating reagent capable of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of a mineral surface in a subterranean formation; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the surface-treating reagent to modify the stress-activated reactivity of at least a portion of a mineral surface in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Diederik van Batenburg, Mark A. Parker, Matthew E. Blauch, Neil A. Stegent, Philip D. Nguyen, Thomas D. Welton
  • Publication number: 20080300152
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a viscosified treatment fluid comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises water and a gelling agent; contacting the treatment fluid with a boronic acid crosslinking agent so as to form a crosslinked gelling agent, wherein the boronic acid crosslinking agent comprises a compound having the formula: The present invention also provides methods of crosslinking gelling agent molecules, methods of treating a subterranean formation, methods of reusing viscosified treatment fluids, methods of fracturing subterranean formations, and methods of placing a gravel pack in subterranean formations. The present invention also provides boronic acid crosslinking agents and viscosified treatment fluids that comprise crosslinked gelling agents, the crosslinked gelling agent being formed from a reaction comprising a gelling agent and a boronic acid crosslinking agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Robert E. Hanes, JR.
  • Patent number: 7405183
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a viscosified treatment fluid comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises water and a gelling agent; contacting the treatment fluid with a boronic acid crosslinking agent so as to form a crosslinked gelling agent, wherein the boronic acid crosslinking agent comprises a compound having the formula: The present invention also provides methods of crosslinking gelling agent molecules, methods of treating a subterranean formation, methods of reusing viscosified treatment fluids, methods of fracturing subterranean formations, and methods of placing a gravel pack in subterranean formations. The present invention also provides boronic acid crosslinking agents and viscosified treatment fluids that comprise crosslinked gelling agents, the crosslinked gelling agent being formed from a reaction comprising a gelling agent and a boronic acid crosslinking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Hanes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7334640
    Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation comprising providing a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a gelling agent, providing a breaker composition that comprises an oxidizing breaker and a breaker activator that comprises a metal and a protein, allowing the viscosified treatment fluid to interact with the breaker composition, treating the subterranean formation with the viscosified treatment fluid, and allowing a viscosity of the viscosified treatment fluid to be reduced. Further, methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluids and methods of activating oxidizing breakers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Richard W. Pauls, David E. Griffin, Keith A. Frost, John M. Terracina
  • Patent number: 7311146
    Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create one or more fractures in the subterranean formation. Aqueous treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous fluid and a friction reducing copolymer that comprises acrylamide and an acrylic acid ester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., David E. McMechan, Karen L. King, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7299871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to sealing compositions and associated methods. In one embodiment, the present invention provides sealing compositions that comprise a viscous liquid polymer and a monomer comprising a vinyl monomer or an activated vinyl monomer. In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods of forming a seal in a subterranean formation using a sealing composition of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Hanes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7262154
    Abstract: Improved methods for treating and for fracturing subterranean formations and the fluid compositions are provided. The viscosity of a treating fluid containing gelling agents is broken, even at temperatures of about 250° F. and lower, utilizing an oxidizing breaker and a reducing sugar to activate the breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Griffin, Richard W. Pauls, Robert E. Hanes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7216704
    Abstract: Improved methods for treating and for fracturing subterranean formations and the fluid compositions are provided. A method presented herein is a method of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises providing a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises a basic fluid and a gelling agent, providing a breaker composition comprising an oxidizing breaker and a breaker activator that comprises a reducing sugar; and allowing the breaker composition and the viscosified treatment fluid to interact so as to reduce the viscosity of the viscosified treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Richard W. Pauls, David E. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7082995
    Abstract: Methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid are provided which comprise the steps of: providing a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises water, a crosslinked gelling agent, and a delinking composition capable of delinking at least a portion of the crosslinked gelling agent wherein the delinking composition comprises a delinking agent; and allowing the crosslinked gelling agent and the delinking composition to interact so as to delink at least a portion of the crosslinked gelling agent. Also provided are methods of reusing viscosified treatment fluids, methods of fracturing subterranean formations, and methods of gravel packing subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Jimmie D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh
  • Patent number: 7013974
    Abstract: Methods of treating subterranean zones using gelled aqueous treating fluids containing environmentally benign sequestering agents are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of preparing or providing a treating fluid comprising water containing divalent metal ions, a gelling agent, a borate crosslinking agent and an environmentally benign sequestering agent, and then introducing the treating fluid into the subterranean zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Hanes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7000702
    Abstract: Environmentally safe viscous well treating fluids and methods are provided by the present invention. The treating fluids are basically comprised of water, a viscosity producing polymer, a boron cross-linking agent for cross-linking the polymer, and a delayed cross-link delinker that chelates the boron and breaks the treating fluid into a low viscosity fluid selected from polysuccinamide and polyaspartic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Jim D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh, David M. Barrick
  • Patent number: 6976538
    Abstract: Methods of treating subterranean zones and high density viscous aqueous treating fluids are provided. A high density viscous aqueous treating fluid of the invention comprises salt water comprising water and one or more oxidation resistant salts; a gelling agent; and a delayed oxidizing gel breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Wilson, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Bradley L. Todd, Keith A. Frost