Patents by Inventor Sunil Kokal

Sunil Kokal 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: 20230323755
    Abstract: A illustrative process for quantifying CO2 sequestration within a reservoir includes, among other things, measuring a cumulative amount of CO2 injected into a reservoir via injection wells and at a CO2 storage plant, measuring the cumulative amount of CO2 produced via production wells and at a processing plant, estimating a cumulative amount of CO2 migrated from a reservoir based on measured CO2 via observations wells, and calculating a net amount of CO2 remaining in the reservoir based on the cumulative amount of CO2 injected, CO2 produced, and the CO2 that has migrated. An illustrative CO2 quantifying and sequestration system includes, among other things, injection wells, production wells, observation wells, measurement devices for measuring an amount of CO2 injected, observed and produced, and a measurement collection and analysis system for receiving signals from the measurement devices and for estimating an amount of CO2 sequestered within the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Sunil Kokal
  • Publication number: 20230257202
    Abstract: A method of storing hydrogen gas in a subsurface formation may include compressing hydrogen gas by utilizing a compressor. This may create pressurized hydrogen gas that may be introduced into a subsurface formation through a wellhead to store as reserved hydrogen gas. The reserved hydrogen gas may be stored and maintained in the subsurface formations for a period. Another method in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure relates to recovering previously stored hydrogen gas from a subsurface storage for energy production. The method may include extracting reserved hydrogen gas from a subsurface formation. The extracted hydrogen gas may be purified by using at least a dehydrator, a pressure swing adsorption unit (PSA) and at least a temperature swing adsorption unit (TSA). The purified hydrogen gas may then be pressurized and used as a fuel for combustion in a turbine-generator unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Sunil Kokal, Yuguo Wang
  • Publication number: 20230242399
    Abstract: The present disclosure details methods and systems for generating and recovering hydrogen from a depleted reservoir. The methods comprise several steps. Oxygen is introduced into a depleted reservoir. A fire flood is initiated, increasing temperature in the depleted reservoir and generating a gas mixture. The gas mixture is removed and transported to the surface. Energy is recovered from the gas mixture. Hydrogen is separated from the gas mixture, producing a depleted gas mixture and a hydrogen-rich gas mixture. The hydrogen-rich gas mixture is introduced into a subterranean storage formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Yuguo Wang, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 11448016
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing friction between a casing string and a bore of a subterranean well when moving the casing string within the bore of a subterranean well include a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly has a bearing body and a plurality of spherical bearings spaced around an outer diameter of the bearing body. The bearing body is secured in line with the casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdulaziz Al-Qasim, Mohammed Al-Arfaj, Mohammad Saud Al-Badran, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 11299664
    Abstract: Fluids injected into a carbonate reservoir formation during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) may include a foaming mixture that includes a zwitterionic surfactant, an omega-3-acid ethyl ester, and aqueous salt solution. The omega-3-acid ethyl ester may include eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester, docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester, or combinations thereof. The foaming mixtures may be incorporated into methods for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in a carbonate reservoir formation. The methods may include introducing the foaming mixture to the carbonate reservoir formation such that any hydrocarbon present in the carbonate reservoir formation is displaced by the foaming mixture and is recoverable from the carbonate reservoir formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa Alkhowaildi, Zuhair Yousef, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 11262281
    Abstract: Certain implementations of the subject matter can be implemented as a method of screening demulsifiers for live crude oil-water emulsions. A live emulsion of a hydrocarbon sample and a water sample is flowed through a capillary viscometer. The live emulsion includes dissolved gases retrieved from a hydrocarbon-carrying reservoir. While flowing the live emulsion through the capillary viscometer, a demulsifier sample is flowed through the capillary viscometer. The demulsifier sample causes breakdown of the live emulsion. Using the capillary viscometer, change in a viscosity of the live emulsion over time resulting from the breakdown of the live emulsion due to the demulsifier sample is measured. Multiple images of the breakdown of the live emulsion over time are captured. A strength of the live emulsion is classified based, in part, on the change in the viscosity of the live emulsion over time and on the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sunil Kokal, Zuhair Al-Yousif, Modiu Sanni
  • Patent number: 11105722
    Abstract: Certain implementations of the subject matter can be implemented to screen demulsifiers. A live emulsion of a live hydrocarbon sample and a water sample is flowed through a capillary viscometer. The live hydrocarbon sample includes dissolved gases retrieved from a hydrocarbon-carrying reservoir. While flowing the live emulsion through the capillary viscometer, a demulsifier sample is flowed through the capillary viscometer. The demulsifier sample is capable of causing breakdown of the live emulsion. Using the capillary viscometer, change in a viscosity of the live emulsion over time resulting from the breakdown of the live emulsion due to the demulsifier sample is measured. Multiple images of the breakdown of the live emulsion over time are captured. A strength of the live emulsion is classified based, in part, on the change in the viscosity of the live emulsion over time and on the plurality of images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sunil Kokal, Zuhair Al-Yousif
  • Patent number: 11060014
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Fawaz Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal, Howard Schmidt, Yun Chang
  • Publication number: 20210131196
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing friction between a casing string and a bore of a subterranean well when moving the casing string within the bore of a subterranean well include a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly has a bearing body and a plurality of spherical bearings spaced around an outer diameter of the bearing body. The bearing body is secured in line with the casing string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulaziz Al-Qasim, Mohammed Al-Arfaj, Mohammad Saud Al-Badran, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 10976296
    Abstract: A dual core flooding apparatus and process are disclosed that provide for testing of two core plugs using different orientations and multiple fluids. The dual core flooding apparatus includes at least two core holders each configured to contain a core plug. The dual core flooding apparatus includes a fluids delivery system configured to inject one or more fluids into the core holders and core plugs. The dual core flooding apparatus includes an image capture system, a density and viscosity measurement system, and at least two oil/water separators. The dual core flooding apparatus also includes at least two back pressure regulators and an automated confining pressure system. A dual core flooding process may include introducing at least one fluid into the core holders, maintaining confining pressure and back pressure, and measuring density and viscosity of existing fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz Al-Otaibi, Xianmin Zhou, Ahmed A. Eidan, Sunil Kokal, Almohannad A. Alhashboul
  • Patent number: 10961435
    Abstract: In one aspect, a secondary or tertiary hydrocarbon recovery method includes flowing a complex emulsion into a subterranean zone. The complex emulsion includes an internal fluid-in-gas emulsion configured to increase a density and a viscosity of a gas in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion emulsifying a fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. The complex emulsion includes an external fluid emulsifying the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion, and the external fluid is configured to carry corrosion inhibitors into the subterranean zone. The complex emulsion includes hydrophobic particles encapsulating an outer surface of droplets of the fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. A concentration of the hydrophobic particles is between about 0.1% and 0.5% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz M. Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 10961436
    Abstract: In one aspect, a complex emulsion includes an internal fluid-in-gas emulsion configured to increase a density and a viscosity of a gas in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion emulsifying a fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. The complex emulsion includes an external fluid emulsifying the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion, and the external fluid is configured to carry corrosion inhibitors into a subterranean zone. The complex emulsion includes hydrophobic particles encapsulating an outer surface of droplets of the fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. A concentration of the hydrophobic particles is between about 0.1% and 0.5% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz M. Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 10920502
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing friction between a casing string and a bore of a subterranean well when moving the casing string within the bore of a subterranean well include a roller bearing assembly. The roller bearing assembly has a bearing body and a plurality of spherical bearings spaced around an outer diameter of the bearing body. The bearing body is sized to be removably attached to an outer diameter of the casing string and to be stationary relative to the casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Mohammed K. Al-Arfaj, Mohammad Saud Al-Badran, Sunil Kokal
  • Patent number: 10889752
    Abstract: Fluids injected into a carbonate reservoir formation during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) may include a foaming mixture that includes a zwitterionic surfactant, an omega-3-acid ethyl ester, and aqueous salt solution. The omega-3-acid ethyl ester may include eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester, docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester, or combinations thereof. The foaming mixtures may be incorporated into methods for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in a carbonate reservoir formation. The methods may include introducing the foaming mixture to the carbonate reservoir formation such that any hydrocarbon present in the carbonate reservoir formation is displaced by the foaming mixture and is recoverable from the carbonate reservoir formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa Alkhowaildi, Zuhair Yousef, Sunil Kokal
  • Publication number: 20200392396
    Abstract: Fluids injected into a carbonate reservoir formation during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) may include a foaming mixture that includes a zwitterionic surfactant, an omega-3-acid ethyl ester, and aqueous salt solution. The omega-3-acid ethyl ester may include eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester, docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester, or combinations thereof. The foaming mixtures may be incorporated into methods for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in a carbonate reservoir formation. The methods may include introducing the foaming mixture to the carbonate reservoir formation such that any hydrocarbon present in the carbonate reservoir formation is displaced by the foaming mixture and is recoverable from the carbonate reservoir formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa Alkhowaildi, Zuhair Yousef, Sunil Kokal
  • Publication number: 20200248065
    Abstract: Fluids injected into a carbonate reservoir formation during Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) may include a foaming mixture that includes a zwitterionic surfactant, an omega-3-acid ethyl ester, and aqueous salt solution. The omega-3-acid ethyl ester may include eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester, docosahexaenoic acid ethyl ester, or combinations thereof. The foaming mixtures may be incorporated into methods for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery in a carbonate reservoir formation. The methods may include introducing the foaming mixture to the carbonate reservoir formation such that any hydrocarbon present in the carbonate reservoir formation is displaced by the foaming mixture and is recoverable from the carbonate reservoir formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mustafa Alkhowaildi, Zuhair Yousef, Sunil Kokal
  • Publication number: 20200217767
    Abstract: Certain implementations of the subject matter can be implemented as a method of screening demulsifiers for live crude oil-water emulsions. A live emulsion of a hydrocarbon sample and a water sample is flowed through a capillary viscometer. The live emulsion includes dissolved gases retrieved from a hydrocarbon-carrying reservoir. While flowing the live emulsion through the capillary viscometer, a demulsifier sample is flowed through the capillary viscometer. The demulsifier sample causes breakdown of the live emulsion. Using the capillary viscometer, change in a viscosity of the live emulsion over time resulting from the breakdown of the live emulsion due to the demulsifier sample is measured. Multiple images of the breakdown of the live emulsion over time are captured. A strength of the live emulsion is classified based, in part, on the change in the viscosity of the live emulsion over time and on the plurality of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Sunil Kokal, Zuhair Al-Yousif, Modiu Sanni
  • Publication number: 20200217768
    Abstract: Certain implementations of the subject matter can be implemented to screen demulsifiers. A live emulsion of a live hydrocarbon sample and a water sample is flowed through a capillary viscometer. The live hydrocarbon sample includes dissolved gases retrieved from a hydrocarbon-carrying reservoir. While flowing the live emulsion through the capillary viscometer, a demulsifier sample is flowed through the capillary viscometer. The demulsifier sample is capable of causing breakdown of the live emulsion. Using the capillary viscometer, change in a viscosity of the live emulsion over time resulting from the breakdown of the live emulsion due to the demulsifier sample is measured. Multiple images of the breakdown of the live emulsion over time are captured. A strength of the live emulsion is classified based, in part, on the change in the viscosity of the live emulsion over time and on the plurality of images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Sunil Kokal, Zuhair Al-Yousif
  • Patent number: 10669798
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for freeing differentially stuck pipe via the in-situ release of fluids from fluid-releasing tanks coupled to a centralizer or stabilizer of a pipe. Fluid-releasing tanks may be coupled to a centralizer or stabilizer of a pipe and located around the circumference of the pipe. Nozzles may be connected to the fluid-releasing tanks to enable the in-situ release of fluid from the fluid-releasing tanks. Various mechanisms may be used to open the nozzles and release the fluid from the fluid-releasing tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Mohammed Al-Arfaj, Sunil Kokal
  • Publication number: 20200056089
    Abstract: In one aspect, a complex emulsion includes an internal fluid-in-gas emulsion configured to increase a density and a viscosity of a gas in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion emulsifying a fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. The complex emulsion includes an external fluid emulsifying the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion, and the external fluid is configured to carry corrosion inhibitors into a subterranean zone. The complex emulsion includes hydrophobic particles encapsulating an outer surface of droplets of the fluid in the internal fluid-in-gas emulsion. A concentration of the hydrophobic particles is between about 0.1% and 0.5% by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz M. Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal