Patents by Inventor Ronald G. Dusterhoft

Ronald G. 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).

  • Publication number: 20100051270
    Abstract: A sand control screen assembly (40) is operably positionable within a wellbore (50). The sand control screen assembly (40) includes a base pipe (42) having a plurality of openings (46) in a sidewall portion thereof and an internal flow path (44). A plurality of radially extendable filter members (52) are each operably associated with at least one of the openings (46) of the base pipe (42). The radially extendable filter members (52) have a circumferential dimension that is less than a longitudinal dimension thereof. The radially extendable filter members (52) have a radially retracted running configuration and a radially extended operating configuration, in which, the radially extendable filter members (52) preferably contact the wellbore (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Kim Vance Thornton, Carl Bismark Ferguson, Tommy Frank Grigsby, Floyd Randolph Simonds, William Mark Richards
  • Publication number: 20090308599
    Abstract: Provided are methods that include a method comprising: placing a treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation, wherein the subterranean formation comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: a shale, a clay, a coal bed, and a combination thereof; and applying a pressure pulse to the treatment fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Jimmie D. Weaver, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20090301719
    Abstract: Methods relating to servicing fluids that comprise gelled liquefied petroleum gas or servicing fluids that comprise a conventional gelled hydrocarbon fluid with liquefied petroleum gas are provided. In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise providing a LPG servicing fluid comprising LPG and a gelling agent; pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps; introducing proppant particulates into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using one or more high pressure pumps; and introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one or more fractures therein. In one embodiment, a gelling agent may be metered into the LPG on-the-fly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, David M. Stribling, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Leonard R. Case, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20090173497
    Abstract: Methods are provided including a method comprising: placing a sand control screen in the wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, wherein the sand control screen comprises: a base pipe having at least one opening in a sidewall portion thereof; a swellable material layer disposed exteriorly of the base pipe and having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one opening of the base pipe; a telescoping perforation operably associated with the at least one opening of the base pipe and at least partially disposed within the at least one opening of the swellable material layer; and a filter medium disposed within the telescoping perforation; and introducing a consolidating agent into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 7534745
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Taylor, Gary P. Funkhouser, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20090078419
    Abstract: Methods are included that are useful in treating subterranean formations and, more particularly, to minimizing particulate migration over long intervals in subterranean well bores that may be horizontal, vertical, deviated, or otherwise nonlinear. In one embodiment, a method is presented comprising: providing a well bore comprising an open hole section of about 30 feet or more that comprises an open hole section with a filter cake neighboring at least a portion of a reservoir; allowing the integrity of at least a portion of the filter cake to become compromised; and treating at least a portion of the open hole section with a consolidating agent system in a single stage operation so as to at least partially reduce particulate migration in the open hole section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • Publication number: 20090078418
    Abstract: Methods are included that are useful in treating subterranean formations and, more particularly, to minimizing particulate migration over long intervals in subterranean well bores that may be horizontal, vertical, deviated, or otherwise nonlinear. In one embodiment, a method is presented comprising: providing a well bore comprising an open hole section of about 30 feet or more that comprises an open hole section with a filter cake neighboring at least a portion of a reservoir; allowing the integrity of at least a portion of the filter cake to become compromised; and treating at least a portion of the open hole section with a consolidating agent system in a single stage operation so as to at least partially reduce particulate migration in the open hole section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • 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: 7398825
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Loyd E. East, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7343973
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Harvey J. Fitzpatrick, David Adams, Walter F. Glover, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7341103
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Taylor, Gary P. Funkhouser, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Robert S. Lestz, Audis Byrd
  • Patent number: 7299875
    Abstract: Many methods are provided including 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. Also provided are methods of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation while controlling particulates 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 a fracturing fluid at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance a fracture in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Johnny A. Barton
  • Patent number: 7293611
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Taylor, Gary P. Funkhouser, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Robert S. Lestz
  • Patent number: 7267171
    Abstract: Methods comprising providing a fracturing fluid comprising proppant particulates at least partially coated with a hardenable resin composition that comprises a hardenable resin component and a hardening agent component, wherein the hardenable resin component comprises a hardenable resin and wherein the hardening agent component comprises a hardening agent, a silane coupling agent, and a surfactant; introducing the fracturing fluid into at least one fracture within the subterranean formation; depositing at least a portion of the proppant particulates in the fracture; allowing at least a portion of the proppant particulates in the fracture to form a proppant pack; and, allowing at least a portion of the hardenable resin composition to migrate from the proppant particulates to a fracture face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Harvey Fitzpatrick, David Adams, Walter F. Glover, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7204316
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Bradley L. Todd
  • Patent number: 7181380
    Abstract: A process to determine optimal completion type and design prior to drilling of a hydrocarbon producing well utilizing information from hydrocarbon recovery modeling such as reservoir, geo-mechanical, and material modeling over the production life of the well. An embodiment of the process includes obtaining information regarding pore pressure depletion, stress magnitudes and orientations, and strength of rock formation from hydrocarbon recovery modeling to determine optimum well completion design including the selection of a completion type, trajectory, and location. Additionally, the process may also consider probable failure mechanisms and identified completion requirements, and their corresponding effect on completion options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignees: Geomechanics International, Inc., Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Daniel Moos, Mark David Zoback, Donald Ritter, Martin Brudy
  • Patent number: 7168490
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Taylor, Robert S. Lestz, Audis Byrd, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, David Attaway, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Patent number: 7114560
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for controlling the migration of unconsolidated particulates in a portion of a subterranean formation, and more particularly, to the using a pressure pulse to enhance the effectiveness of placement of a consolidation fluid in a portion of a subterranean formation. Some methods of the present invention provide methods of treating a subterranean formation comprising injecting a consolidation fluid into the subterranean formation while periodically applying a pressure pulse having a given amplitude and frequency to the consolidation fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald G. Dusterhoft
  • 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: 7025134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to petroleum recovery operations, and more particularly, to the use of pulse technology to enhance the effectiveness of waterflooding operations. The systems of the present invention generally comprise an injection means for continually injecting a fluid into the subterranean formation, and a pressure pulsing means for periodically applying a pressure pulse having a given amplitude and frequency to the fluid while the fluid is being injected into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Audis C. Byrd, David W. Ritter, Ronald G. Dusterhoft