Patents by Inventor Ronald Dusterhoft

Ronald Dusterhoft 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: 10988677
    Abstract: Methods and systems employing a flocculation polymer and microparticulates. The flocculation polymer flocculates the microparticulates to form micro-aggregates for use in forming complex fracture networks. Additionally, the flocculation causes the flocculation polymer to be removed from a treatment fluid due to its interaction with the microparticulates, thereby effectively cleaning the flocculation polymer from a subterranean formation. Individual microparticulates are synergistically used alone or in the presence of a de-aggregating agent to enhance complex fracture networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Janette Cortez Montalvo, Philip D. Nguyen, Loan K. Vo, Travis Hope Larsen, Dipti Singh, Ronald Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20200224084
    Abstract: Methods and systems employing a flocculation polymer and microparticulates. The flocculation polymer flocculates the microparticulates to form micro-aggregates for use in forming complex fracture networks. Additionally, the flocculation causes the flocculation polymer to be removed from a treatment fluid due to its interaction with the microparticulates, thereby effectively cleaning the flocculation polymer from a subterranean formation. Individual microparticulates are synergistically used alone or in the presence of a de-aggregating agent to enhance complex fracture networks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Janette Cortez Montalvo, Philip D. NEUYEN, Loan K. VO, Tracis Hope LARSEN, Dipti SINGH, Ronald DUSTERHOFT
  • Publication number: 20070289781
    Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a consolidating agent emulsion composition comprising an aqueous fluid, an emulsifying agent, and a consolidating agent; and introducing the consolidating agent emulsion composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the consolidating agent emulsion composition may be introduced into at least a portion of a propped fracture that comprises proppant particulates and allowed to at least partially consolidate at least a portion of the propped fracture. In some embodiments, the consolidating agent emulsion composition comprises a resin composition. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Rickman, Ronald Dusterhoft, Philip Nguyen, Thomas Welton, Jimmie Weaver, Mike Sanders, Harvey Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20070261854
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of stabilizing a portion of a subterranean formation or reducing the production of particulates from a portion of a subterranean formation comprising contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a pre-flush fluid; contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a consolidation fluid comprising a resin and an aqueous dissolvable solvent; and, contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with an after-flush fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Philip Nguyen, Ronald Dusterhoft, Johnny Barton
  • Publication number: 20070246407
    Abstract: Inflow control devices for sand control screens. A well screen includes a filter portion and at least two flow restrictors configured in series, so that fluid which flows through the filter portion must flow through each of the flow restrictors. At least two tubular flow restrictors may be configured in series, with the flow restrictors being positioned so that fluid which flows through the filter portion must reverse direction twice to flow between the flow restrictors. A method of installing a well screen includes the step of accessing a flow restrictor by removing a portion of an inflow control device of the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: William Richards, Ronald Dusterhoft, William Henderson, Travis Hailey
  • Publication number: 20060219408
    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: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Philip Nguyen, Richard Rickman, Ronald Dusterhoft, Johnny Barton
  • Publication number: 20060219405
    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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Philip Nguyen, Richard Rickman, Ronald Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20060137875
    Abstract: Methods of controlling fluid loss in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and a fluid loss control additive comprising a water-soluble polymer having hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification; introducing the treatment fluid into an interval of a well bore, the well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; creating one or more perforations in the interval of the well bore, wherein the perforations extend from the well bore and into the subterranean formation; and allowing the treatment fluid to contact a portion of the subterranean formation through the one or more perforations. Methods of a reducing fluid loss from a perforated and/or gravel packed interval of a well bore using a fluid loss control additive comprising a water-soluble polymer having hydrophobic or hydrophilic modification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Ronald Dusterhoft, Bradley Todd, David Ritter, Larry Eoff
  • Publication number: 20060124309
    Abstract: Methods for stabilizing portions of a subterranean formation and controlling the production of water from those subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise: providing a consolidating agent; introducing the consolidating agent into an unconsolidated portion of a subterranean formation using a fluid diversion tool; allowing the consolidating agent to at least partially consolidate the unconsolidated portion of the subterranean formation; providing a relative permeability modifier; introducing the relative permeability modifier into the subterranean formation using a fluid diversion tool; and allowing the relative permeability modifier to modify the relative permeability of at least a portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Philip Nguyen, Ronald Dusterhoft, Jim Surjaatmadja, Loyd East
  • Publication number: 20060089266
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation or of stabilizing a surface within a subterranean fracture comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising lightweight proppant at least partially coated with an adhesive substance; introducing the treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation; depositing at least a portion of the lightweight proppant in the portion of the subterranean formation; allowing at least a portion of the lightweight proppant in the subterranean formation to form a particulate pack; and, allowing at least a portion of the adhesive substance to migrate from the lightweight particulates to a surface within the portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Ronald Dusterhoft, Harvey Fitzpatrick, David Adams, Walter Glover, Philip Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20060076138
    Abstract: A method of injecting a treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid having a viscosity; determining the breakdown pressure of the portion of the subterranean formation; calculating the maximum sustainable flow rate for the treatment fluid; and, injecting the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation at a flow rate less than or equal to the maximum sustainable flow rate for the treatment fluid. A method of injecting a treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid having a viscosity; determining the breakdown pressure of the portion of the subterranean formation; calculating the maximum allowable treatment fluid viscosity; adjusting the viscosity of the treatment fluid to a viscosity less than or equal to the maximum allowable treatment fluid viscosity; and injecting the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation at the selected treatment fluid flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Ronald Dusterhoft, Philip Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20050269086
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of stabilizing a portion of a subterranean formation or reducing the production of particulates from a portion of a subterranean formation comprising contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a pre-flush fluid; contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with a consolidation fluid comprising a resin and an aqueous dissolvable solvent; and, contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with an after-flush fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Philip Nguyen, Ronald Dusterhoft, Johnny Barton
  • Publication number: 20050250652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to emulsion compositions and associated methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to gelled invert emulsion compositions and their associated methods of use and preparation. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: providing a gelled invert emulsion composition that comprises an oleaginous continuous phase, a discontinuous phase, and a gelling agent; and treating a portion of the subterranean formation. The present invention also provides methods of increasing the viscosity of an invert emulsion composition, methods of making gelled invert emulsion compositions, methods of providing some degree of sand control to portions of subterranean formations, methods of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation, and gelled invert emulsion compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Gary Funkhouser, Ronald Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20050189110
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing a servicing fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a hydrocarbon blend, wherein the hydrocarbon blend comprises at least about 65% hydrocarbons having from six carbons (C6) to eleven carbons (C11); and placing the servicing fluid into the subterranean formation. A subterranean servicing fluid comprising carbon dioxide and a hydrocarbon blend wherein the hydrocarbon blend comprises and at least about 65% hydrocarbons having from six carbons (C6) to eleven carbons (C11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Gary Funkhouser, Ronald Dusterhoft, Robert Lestz
  • Publication number: 20050189111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to servicing fluids for use in subterranean operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved servicing fluids comprising optimized hydrocarbon blends and methods of using such servicing fluids in subterranean formations. One embodiment of the preset invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing a servicing fluid comprising a hydrocarbon blend wherein the hydrocarbon blend comprises at least about 65% hydrocarbons having from 6 carbons (C6) to eleven carbons (C11); and placing the servicing fluid into the subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a subterranean servicing fluid comprising a hydrocarbon blend wherein the hydrocarbon blend comprises at least about 65% hydrocarbons having from 6 carbons (C6) to eleven carbons (C11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Robert Lestz, Audis Byrd, Ronald Dusterhoft, David Attaway, Gary Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20050189112
    Abstract: The present invention relates to gelled fluids and methods for using liquefied petroleum gas in subterranean operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to servicing fluids that comprise gelled liquefied petroleum gas or servicing fluids that comprise a conventional gelled hydrocarbon fluid with liquefied petroleum gas and methods of using such servicing fluids in subterranean formations. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing a gelled LPG fluid comprising liquefied petroleum gas and a gelling agent; and placing the gelled LPG fluid into the subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing a combined LPG servicing fluid comprising liquefied petroleum gas and a conventional hydrocarbon servicing fluid; and placing the combined LPG servicing fluid into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Taylor, Gary Funkhouser, Ronald Dusterhoft, Robert Lestz, Audis Byrd
  • Publication number: 20050155772
    Abstract: An expandable well screen having a temporary sealing substance. In a described embodiment, a method of installing a well screen in a subterranean well includes the steps of: providing the screen including a temporary sealing substance preventing fluid flow through a wall of the screen; positioning the screen in a wellbore of the well; expanding the screen in the wellbore; and degrading the sealing substance, thereby permitting fluid flow through the screen wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Ronald Dusterhoft, Bradley Todd
  • Publication number: 20050059555
    Abstract: The present invention relates to stabilizing surfaces within a subterranean formation using particulates coated with a consolidating liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Ronald Dusterhoft, Harvey Fitzpatrick, David Adams, Walter Glover, Philip Nguyen