Patents by Inventor Sophany Thach

Sophany Thach 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: 20240067865
    Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the neutralizer is sufficiently upstream of any surface fluid processing equipment to allow for complete neutralization of the excess viscosity reducer such that excess neutralizer is present in the fluid prior to the fluid reaching any of the surface fluid processing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Sumitra SUBRAHMANYAN, Gayani W. PINNAWALA, Sophany THACH, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Dennis A. ALEXIS, Harold C. LINNEMEYER, Timothy P. THERIOT, Les Leszek JACKOWSKI, Francesca CIBOTTI
  • Patent number: 11834606
    Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the neutralizer is sufficiently upstream of any surface fluid processing equipment to allow for complete neutralization of the excess viscosity reducer such that excess neutralizer is present in the fluid prior to the fluid reaching any of the surface fluid processing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Sumitra Subrahmanyan, Gayani W. Pinnawala, Sophany Thach, Gregory A. Winslow, Dennis A. Alexis, Harold C. Linnemeyer, Timothy P. Theriot, Les Leszek Jackowski, Francesca Cibotti
  • Publication number: 20230323193
    Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The viscosity reducer is buffered at a pH of 7 or less (e.g., at a pH of from 2 to 7, such as at a pH of from 3.5 to 7, or at a pH of from 5 to 7). The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Sujeewa S. PALAYANGODA, Kerry Kennedy SPILKER, Sumitra SUBRAHMANYAN, Gayani W. PINNAWALA, Sophany THACH, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Dennis Arun ALEXIS, Harold Charles LINNEMEYER, Timothy P. THERIOT, Les Leszek JACKOWSKI, Francesca CIBOTTI
  • Patent number: 11591893
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. The method can include adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The viscosity reducer is buffered at a pH of 7 or less (e.g., at a pH of from 2 to 7, such as at a pH of from 3.5 to 7, or at a pH of from 5 to 7). The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Sujeewa S. Palayangoda, Kerry Kennedy Spilker, Sumitra Subrahmanyan, Gayani W. Pinnawala, Sophany Thach, Gregory A. Winslow, Dennis Arun Alexis, Harold Charles Linnemeyer, Timothy P. Theriot, Les Leszek Jackowski, Francesca Cibotti
  • Publication number: 20220290031
    Abstract: Described herein are aqueous based foams for use in drilling operations. The foams can be used in below bubble point drilling operations to control the migration of reservoir gases (e.g., hydrogen sulfide) to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Ruth Ellen HAHN, Varadarajan DWARAKANATH, Kerry SPILKER, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Sophany THACH, Gayani W. PINNAWALA, Christopher GRIFFITH, Harold Charles LINNEMEYER, Robert Neil TROTTER
  • Publication number: 20220162499
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. Embodiments relate to an aqueous stream and the use thereof. The aqueous stream includes a compound having the chemical formula: R1—R2—R3, wherein R1 includes a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 includes an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 includes a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. R3 includes 2-12 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Robert George Shong, Varadarajab Dwarakanath, Gregory A. Winslow, Sophany Thach
  • Publication number: 20220145157
    Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the neutralizer is sufficiently upstream of any surface fluid processing equipment to allow for complete neutralization of the excess viscosity reducer such that excess neutralizer is present in the fluid prior to the fluid reaching any of the surface fluid processing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Sumitra Subrahmanyan, Gayani W. Pinnawala, Sophany Thach, Gregory A. Winslow, Dennis A. Alexis, Harold C. Linnemeyer, Timothy P. Theriot, Les Leszek Jackowski, Francesca Cibotti
  • Patent number: 11248159
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. Embodiments relate to an aqueous stream and the use thereof. The aqueous stream includes a compound having the chemical formula: R1-R2-R3, wherein R1 includes a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 includes an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 includes a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. R3 includes 2-12 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Robert George Shong, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Gregory A. Winslow, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 11242739
    Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the neutralizer is sufficiently upstream of any surface fluid processing equipment to allow for complete neutralization of the excess viscosity reducer such that excess neutralizer is present in the fluid prior to the fluid reaching any of the surface fluid processing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Sumitra Subrahmanyan, Gayani W. Pinnawala, Sophany Thach, Gregory A. Winslow, Dennis Arun Alexis, Harold Charles Linnemeyer, Timothy Peter Theriot, Les Leszek Jackowski, Francesca Cibotti
  • Publication number: 20210395602
    Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The viscosity reducer is buffered at a pH of 7 or less (e.g., at a pH of from 2 to 7, such as at a pH of from 3.5 to 7, or at a pH of from 5 to 7). The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Sujeewa S. PALAYANGODA, Kerry Kennedy SPILKER, Sumitra SUBRAHMANYAN, Gayani W. PINNAWALA, Sophany THACH, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Dennis Arun ALEXIS, Harold Charles LINNEMEYER, Timothy P. THERIOT, Les Leszek JACKOWSKI, Francesca CIBOTTI
  • Publication number: 20200123889
    Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid. The addition of the concentration of the neutralizer is sufficiently upstream of any surface fluid processing equipment to allow for complete neutralization of the excess viscosity reducer such that excess neutralizer is present in the fluid prior to the fluid reaching any of the surface fluid processing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Sumitra Subrahmanyan, Gayani W. Pinnawala, Sophany Thach, Gregory A. Winslow, Dennis Arun Alexis, Harold Charles Linnemeyer, Timothy Peter Theriot, Les Leszek Jackowski, Francesca Cibotti
  • Publication number: 20190323324
    Abstract: One embodiment includes generating a polymer partitioning model that determines a concentration of the polymer in a brine phase of the microemulsion system and a concentration of the polymer in an aqueous component of a microemulsion phase of the microemulsion system. The embodiment includes determining a viscosity of the brine phase of the microemulsion system using the concentration of the polymer in the brine phase of the microemulsion system, determining a viscosity of the aqueous component of the microemulsion phase of the microemulsion system using the concentration of the polymer in the aqueous component of the microemulsion phase of the microemulsion system, and determining a viscosity of the microemulsion phase of the microemulsion system using the viscosity of the aqueous component of the microemulsion phase of the microemulsion system. The embodiment includes using determined viscosities to determine performance of a chemical enhanced oil recovery process scenario.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Soumyadeep GHOSH, Nariman Fathi NAJAFABADI, Adwait CHAWATHE, Sophany THACH, Anil AMBASTHA
  • Publication number: 20190153299
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. Embodiments relate to an aqueous stream and the use thereof. The aqueous stream includes a compound having the chemical formula: R1-R2-R3, wherein R1 includes a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 includes an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 includes a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. R3 includes 2-12 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Robert George SHONG, Varadarajan DWARAKANATH, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Sophany THACH
  • Patent number: 10233382
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate, in enhanced oil recovery processes. A specific embodiment relates to the use of an aqueous stream including a compound having the chemical formula: R1—R2—R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Robert George Shong, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Gregory A. Winslow, Sophany Thach
  • Publication number: 20190079066
    Abstract: A method for predicting phase behavior includes determining a hydrophilic-lipophilic difference based on a ratio of salinity to optimum salinity in the microemulsion system. The method further includes determining a mean solubilization ratio as a direct function of the hydrophilic-lipophilic difference at a same state as an optimum solubilization. The method also includes predicting phase behavior based on the determined mean solubilization ratio. The method additionally includes injecting a surfactant into a reservoir according to the predicted phase behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Soumyadeep Ghosh, Adwait Chawathe, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 10011757
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to compositions and methods that are used for the remediation of near-wellbore damage in regions of formations near injection wells in communication with subterranean reservoirs. The damage is caused by previous injection of a polymer emulsion into the injection well. A specific aspect is a method of injecting into the subterranean reservoir a composition containing an olefin sulfonate, a sulfosuccinate, and a chemical selected from an alcohol alkoxylated sulfate, an alcohol alkoxylated carboxylate, or a combination thereof. The polymer emulsion is thereby dissolved, cleaned and/or flushed away from the region near the injection well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert Matthew Dean, Will S. Slaughter, Dustin Luke Walker, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 9976072
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a multicarboxylate, such as an alkyl alkoxy dicarboxylate a method of making the multicarboxylate, and methods to use the multicarboxylate. A specific embodiment of the disclosure is a compound comprising the chemical formula: R1-R2-R3, wherein R1 comprises a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, cyclic or non-cyclic, hydrophobic carbon chain having 7-150 carbon atoms; an oxygen atom linking R1 and R2; R2 comprises an alkoxylated chain comprising ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or a combination thereof; and R3 comprises a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain comprising 2-12 carbon atoms and 2-5 —COOH or —COOM groups wherein M is a monovalent, divalent, or trivalent cation. The composition has a variety of uses but in some embodiments may be used in enhanced oil recovery processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Robert George Shong, Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Gregory A. Winslow, Sophany Thach
  • Patent number: 9909053
    Abstract: Embodiments of a polymer composition are disclosed for use in enhancing the production of oil from a formation. In one embodiment, the composition includes a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from the group of surfactants, glycol ethers, alcohols, co-solvents, and mixtures thereof, at a weight ratio of powder polymer to water soluble solvent ranging from 20:80 to 80:20. The polymer composition is substantially anhydrous. The polymer composition is hydrated in an aqueous fluid for an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and having a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert M. Dean, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Sophany Thach, Taimur Malik, Anette Poulsen, Sumitra Subrahmanyan
  • Patent number: 9902894
    Abstract: A method for making a polymer suspension for use in enhancing the production of oil from a formation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises mixing a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons into a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 for less than or equal to 24 hours. The water soluble solvent is selected from a group, at a weight ratio from 20:80 to 80:20. The polymer suspension is stable, pumpable, and substantially anhydrous; and it is hydrated for an injection solution in less than or equal to 4 hours, containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm and having a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter, by mixing a sufficient amount of the polymer suspension in an aqueous fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert M. Dean, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Sophany Thach, Taimur Malik, Anette Poulsen, Sumitra Subrahmanyan
  • Patent number: 9902895
    Abstract: An injection solution for injecting into a subterranean reservoir to enhance production and recovery of oil from the reservoir is disclosed. In one embodiment, the injection solution is prepared by mixing a sufficient amount of a pumpable, stable and substantially anhydrous polymer suspension in an aqueous fluid for the polymer to be hydrated in less than or equal to 4 hours, resulting in the injection solution containing a polymer concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 50,000 ppm. The injection solution has a filter ratio of less than or equal to 1.5 at 15 psi using a 1.2 ?m filter. The polymer suspension comprises a powder polymer having an average molecular weight of 0.5 to 30 Million Daltons suspended in a water soluble solvent having an HLB of greater than or equal to 8 and selected from a group, at a weight ratio from 20:80 to 80:20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Varadarajan Dwarakanath, Robert M. Dean, Do Hoon Kim, Dennis Arun Alexis, Sophany Thach, Taimur Malik, Anette Poulsen, Sumitra Subrahmanyan