Patents by Inventor Sabine C. Zeilinger

Sabine C. Zeilinger 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: 11814932
    Abstract: A method of attenuating annular pressure buildup within a wellbore. The method includes accessing a wellbore, with the wellbore having an annulus disposed between first and second strings of casing. The method also includes placing a column of cement around the second string of casing generally below the first string of casing. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture into the annulus, forming a fluid column. The fluid mixture comprises a carrier fluid, and a plurality of compressible particles dispersed in the carrier fluid. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to partially collapse in response to thermal expansion of the fluid mixture. The method also includes placing a wellhead over the wellbore, thereby forming a trapped annulus in the wellbore. The method additionally includes at least partially sealing the annular region along at least one depth above the column of cement to inhibit vertical migration of the compressible particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Spencer A. White, Thomas A. Petersen, Elizabeth L. Templeton-Barrett, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Catalin D. Ivan, Peter A. Gordon, Christian S. Mayer
  • Patent number: 11359129
    Abstract: A method of placing compressible particles within a wellbore. The method first comprises accessing a wellbore. The wellbore has a first string of casing and a second string of casing, wherein the first string of casing surrounds an upper portion of the second string of casing, forming a trapped annulus. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture down the second string of casing and back up the annulus. The fluid mixture comprises an aqueous carrier fluid having a plurality of compressible particles dispersed therein. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to collapse in response to fluid pressure within the trapped annulus. The method additionally includes pumping cement into at least a lower portion of the annulus behind the fluid mixture, forming a column of cement, and thereby placing the fluid mixture in the annulus above the column of cement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Ward E. Narhi, Sandeep A. Kibey, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Lillard E. Korn, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210310335
    Abstract: A method of attenuating annular pressure buildup within a wellbore. The method includes accessing a wellbore, with the wellbore having an annulus disposed between first and second strings of casing. The method also includes placing a column of cement around the second string of casing generally below the first string of casing. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture into the annulus, forming a fluid column. The fluid mixture comprises a carrier fluid, and a plurality of compressible particles dispersed in the carrier fluid. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to partially collapse in response to thermal expansion of the fluid mixture. The method also includes placing a wellhead over the wellbore, thereby forming a trapped annulus in the wellbore. The method additionally includes at least partially sealing the annular region along at least one depth above the column of cement to inhibit vertical migration of the compressible particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Spencer A. White, Thomas A. Petersen, Elizabeth L. Templeton-Barrett, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Catalin D. Ivan, Peter A. Gordon, Christian S. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20200148936
    Abstract: A method of placing compressible particles within a wellbore. The method first comprises accessing a wellbore. The wellbore has a first string of casing and a second string of casing, wherein the first string of casing surrounds an upper portion of the second string of casing, forming a trapped annulus. The method further includes pumping a fluid mixture down the second string of casing and back up the annulus. The fluid mixture comprises an aqueous carrier fluid having a plurality of compressible particles dispersed therein. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to collapse in response to fluid pressure within the trapped annulus. The method additionally includes pumping cement into at least a lower portion of the annulus behind the fluid mixture, forming a column of cement, and thereby placing the fluid mixture in the annulus above the column of cement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Ward E. Narhi, Sandeep A. Kibey, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Lillard E. Korn, JR.
  • Patent number: 8672057
    Abstract: Methods for drilling and treating for lost returns continuously while drilling are provided. High fluid loss drilling fluid is used, along with particulate material that forms an immobile mass in hydraulic fractures to prevent their growth. The particulate material may be selected based on the predicted size of a hydraulic fracture, based on particle size to minimize fines, based on specific gravity to attain high solids content for a selected fluid density, and/or based on permeability of the particles to attain a high spurt loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Fred E. DuPriest, Martin V. Smith, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Chinar R. Aphale
  • Publication number: 20130146294
    Abstract: Methods for drilling and treating for lost returns continuously while drilling are provided. High fluid loss drilling fluid is used, along with particulate material that forms an immobile mass in hydraulic fractures to prevent their growth. The particulate material may be selected based on the predicted size of a hydraulic fracture, based on particle size to minimize fines, based on specific gravity to attain high solids content for a selected fluid density, and/or based on permeability of the particles to attain a high spurt loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Fred E. DuPriest, Martin V. Smith, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Chinar R. Aphale
  • Publication number: 20130112416
    Abstract: Guard bed compositions for protecting metal surfaces in a wellbore from corrosion may comprise a variety of constituent components. Exemplary guard bed compositions may include: one or more surfactants selected from the group comprising amine surfactants; one or more co-surfactants selected from the group comprising C3 to C15 alcohols; and one or more non-surfactant amines. Other exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid and an overbased detergent. Still other exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid; one or more surfactants; one or more co-surfactants; and one or more non-surfactant amines. The one or more surfactants may be selected from the group comprising alkyl alkoxylated surfactants. Still further, exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid and one or more associating surface active polymers selected from the group comprising amphiphilic polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Catalin Dragos Ivan
  • Publication number: 20130112418
    Abstract: Guard bed compositions for protecting metal surfaces in a wellbore from corrosion may comprise a variety of constituent components. Exemplary guard bed compositions may include: one or more surfactants selected from the group comprising amine surfactants; one or more co-surfactants selected from the group comprising C3 to C15 alcohols; and one or more non-surfactant amines. Other exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid and an overbased detergent. Still other exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid; one or more surfactants; one or more co-surfactants; and one or more non-surfactant amines. The one or more surfactants may be selected from the group comprising alkyl alkoxylated surfactants. Still further, exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid and one or more associating surface active polymers selected from the group comprising amphiphilic polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Catalin Dragos Ivan
  • Publication number: 20130112415
    Abstract: Guard bed compositions for protecting metal surfaces in a wellbore from corrosion may comprise a variety of constituent components. Exemplary guard bed compositions may include: one or more surfactants selected from the group comprising amine surfactants; one or more co-surfactants selected from the group comprising C3 to C15 alcohols; and one or more non-surfactant amines. Other exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid and an overbased detergent. Still other exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid; one or more surfactants; one or more co-surfactants; and one or more non-surfactant amines. The one or more surfactants may be selected from the group comprising alkyl alkoxylated surfactants. Still further, exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid and one or more associating surface active polymers selected from the group comprising amphiphilic polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Catalin Dragos Ivan
  • Publication number: 20130112417
    Abstract: Guard bed compositions for protecting metal surfaces in a wellbore from corrosion may comprise a variety of constituent components. Exemplary guard bed compositions may include: one or more surfactants selected from the group comprising amine surfactants; one or more co-surfactants selected from the group comprising C3 to C15 alcohols; and one or more non-surfactant amines. Other exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid and an overbased detergent. Still other exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid; one or more surfactants; one or more co-surfactants; and one or more non-surfactant amines. The one or more surfactants may be selected from the group comprising alkyl alkoxylated surfactants. Still further, exemplary guard bed compositions may comprise: a hydrocarbon fluid and one or more associating surface active polymers selected from the group comprising amphiphilic polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Catalin Dragos Ivan
  • Patent number: 8393411
    Abstract: Methods for drilling and treating for lost returns continuously while drilling are provided. High fluid loss drilling fluid is used, along with particulate material that forms an immobile mass in hydraulic fractures to prevent their growth. The particulate material may be selected based on the predicted size of a hydraulic fracture, based on particle size to minimize fines, based on specific gravity to attain high solids content for a selected fluid density, and/or based on permeability of the particles to attain a high spurt loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Fred E. Dupriest, Martin V. Smith, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Chinar R. Aphale
  • Publication number: 20120193095
    Abstract: Fluids for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations include a non-aqueous fluid and at least one organo-anionic surfactant. The fluids may be used in methods for conducting hydrocarbon recovery operations, such as drilling operations, completion operations, production operations, injection operations. The fluid may be adapted to remediate a NAF filter cake. Exemplary organo-anionic surfactants may include one or more of monoethanol ammonium alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid, monoethanol ammonium alkyl carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Fred Dupriest
  • Publication number: 20120160497
    Abstract: Fluids for use in hydrocarbon recovery operations include water and at least one organo-anionic surfactant. The fluids may be used in methods for conducting hydrocarbon recovery operations, such as drilling operations, completion operations, production operations, injection operations. The fluid may be adapted to remediate a NAF filter cake. Exemplary organo-anionic surfactants may include one or more of monoethanol ammonium alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid, monoethanol ammonium alkyl carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Ramesh Varadaraj, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Fred E. Dupriest
  • Publication number: 20100181073
    Abstract: Methods for drilling and treating for lost returns continuously while drilling are provided. High fluid loss drilling fluid is used, along with particulate material that forms an immobile mass in hydraulic fractures to prevent their growth. The particulate material may be selected based on the predicted size of a hydraulic fracture, based on particle size to minimize fines, based on specific gravity to attain high solids content for a selected fluid density, and/or based on permeability of the particles to a high spurt loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Fred E. Dupriest, Martin V. Smith, Sabine C. Zeilinger, Chinar R. Aphale