Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Welton

Thomas D. Welton 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: 20080207470
    Abstract: Many methods are provided herein including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a fluid that comprises an acid, crosslinked oxidized xanthan, and optionally, a base fluid; placing the fluid in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the fluid to acidize at least a portion of the formation or damage contained therein. In another embodiment, herein provided is a fluid for subterranean uses comprising an acid and crosslinked, oxidized xanthan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Welton
  • Publication number: 20080202759
    Abstract: Many methods are provided herein including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a fluid that comprises an acid, crosslinked oxidized xanthan, and optionally, a base fluid; placing the fluid in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation; and allowing the fluid to acidize at least a portion of the formation or damage contained therein. In another embodiment, herein provided is a fluid for subterranean uses comprising an acid and crosslinked, oxidized xanthan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Welton
  • Patent number: 7413010
    Abstract: Methods of remediating a subterranean formation comprising directing vibrational waves at a portion of the subterranean formation containing fines; allowing the vibrational waves to displace at least a portion of the fines; and introducing a consolidating agent into the portion of the subterranean formation through a well bore that penetrates the portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Blauch, Thomas D. Welton, Philip D. Nguyen, James J. Venditto
  • Patent number: 7413013
    Abstract: Of the many methods provided, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a first surfactant, and a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, David E. McMechan, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20080194428
    Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a gelling agent that comprises a clarified diutan; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid may be placed into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid may be introduced into a pipeline. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls, Lulu Song, Jason E. Bryant, Sean R. Beach, Ian D. Robb
  • Publication number: 20080194427
    Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising providing a acidic treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid, an acid composition, and a gelling agent that comprises clarified diutan; and introducing the acidic treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the acidic treatment fluid may be allowed to interact with a component of the subterranean formation so that the component is at least partially dissolved. In some embodiments, the acidic treatment fluid may be introduced into a pipeline. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls, Lulu Song, Jason E. Bryant, Sean R. Beach, Ian D. Robb
  • Publication number: 20080194430
    Abstract: Treatment fluids are provided that include a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and a gelling agent that comprises clarified diutan. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid is a subterranean treatment fluid. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid is a subterranean treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, a gelling agent that comprises clarified diutan, and at least a plurality of particulates. Additional treatment fluids are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls, Lulu Song, Jason E. Bryant, Sean R. Beach, Ian D. Robb
  • Publication number: 20080161207
    Abstract: Among many things, in some embodiments, improved viscoelastic surfactant gels that comprise non-aqueous tackifying agents, and their associated methods of use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a non-aqueous tackifying agent, and a viscoelastic surfactant; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20080161210
    Abstract: Among many things, in some embodiments, improved viscoelastic surfactant gels that comprise non-aqueous tackifying agents, and their associated methods of use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a non-aqueous tackifying agent, and a viscoelastic surfactant; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20080161212
    Abstract: Among many things, in some embodiments, dual-function additives that enhance fluid loss control and the stability of viscoelastic surfactant fluids, and their associated methods of use in subterranean formations, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a viscoelastic surfactant fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a dual-function additive that comprises a soap component; and introducing the viscoelastic surfactant fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, David E. McMechan, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20080115692
    Abstract: Methods are provided that include a method comprising: providing a foamed resin composition comprising a resin, a foaming agent, a compressible gas, and an aqueous fluid; and introducing the foamed resin composition into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. Additional methods are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080103070
    Abstract: Many methods are provided including a method comprising: providing a surfactant gel having a first viscosity that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a surfactant; placing the surfactant gel into a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance a fracture therein; providing an ortho ester breaker; contacting the surfactant gel with the ortho ester breaker; allowing the breaker to hydrolyze to produce an acid and an alcohol; and allowing the acid and/or the alcohol to interact with the surfactant gel so as to reduce the first viscosity of the surfactant gel to a second viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Welton
  • Publication number: 20080103069
    Abstract: Many methods are provided including a method comprising: providing a surfactant gel having a first viscosity that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a surfactant; providing an ortho ester breaker; contacting the surfactant gel with the ortho ester breaker; allowing the ortho ester breaker to hydrolyze to produce an acid and an alcohol; and allowing the acid and/or the alcohol to interact with the surfactant gel so as to reduce the first viscosity of the surfactant gel to a second viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas D. Welton
  • Patent number: 7363978
    Abstract: Novel uses of reactive surfactants in treating subterranean formations and/or proppant particulates are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a reactive surfactant; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the reactive surfactant to interact with a surface in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20080078548
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a production interval of a subterranean formation adjacent a wellbore that is open hole or has an uncemented liner is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) perforating a zone of the production interval by injecting a pressurized fluid through a hydrajetting tool into the subterranean formation, so as to form one or more perforation tunnels; and (b) injecting a fracturing fluid into the one or more perforation tunnels so as to create at least one fracture along each of the one or more perforation tunnels; wherein at least a portion of at least one of the pressurized fluid and the fracturing fluid comprises a viscoelastic surfactant fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Thomas D. Welton
  • Publication number: 20080078545
    Abstract: The present invention relates to viscosified treatment fluids used in well completion and stimulation operations for oil and gas production, and more particularly, to viscosified treatment fluids comprising xanthan gelling agents. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: providing a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises water and a gelling agent that comprises a modified xanthan; and treating the portion of the subterranean formation. The present invention also provides methods of fracturing, gravel packing, acidizing with the viscosified treatments fluids. Also provided are viscosified treatment fluid compositions and gelling agent compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls
  • Publication number: 20080078546
    Abstract: Of the many methods provided, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a first surfactant, and a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, David E. McMechan, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20080035338
    Abstract: Many methods and compositions are provided. One of the methods provided comprises the steps of: providing an aqueous treatment fluid that comprises a polysaccharide and a dual functional component, the aqueous treatment fluid having a first viscosity; allowing the dual functional component to interact with the polysaccharide such that the viscosity of the aqueous treatment fluid increases to a second viscosity, the second viscosity being greater than the first viscosity; placing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the dual functional component to interact with the polysaccharide so as to reduce the second viscosity of the aqueous treatment fluid to a third viscosity, the third viscosity being less than the second viscosity. An example of a composition is a viscosified treatment fluid for treating subterranean formations comprising: an aqueous base fluid and an apparent cross linked reaction product of a polysaccharide and a dual functional component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Richard W. Pauls, Thomas D. Welton, David E. McMechan, Jason Bryant
  • Publication number: 20080035341
    Abstract: Methods of acidizing subterranean formations or well bores, and more specifically, to acidizing systems involving acid-generating fluids that comprise acid-generating compounds and associated methods are provided. An example is a method that comprises: providing an acid-generating fluid that comprises an acid-generating compound; placing the acid-generating fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing an acid to generate from the acid-generating fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Saini, Bradley L. Todd, David E. McMechan, Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls
  • Publication number: 20080035340
    Abstract: Among many things, compositions and methods relating to the prevention and remediation of surfactant gel damage are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid; at least one component selected from the group consisting of a chelating agent and a scale control agent; at least one component selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, a glycol, a pH modifier, a hydrocarbon, a mutual solvent, an oxidizer, a reducer, an enzyme, a transition metal, a combination thereof, and a derivative thereof; and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a nonemulsifier, a demulsifier, a combination thereof, and a derivative thereof, and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Jason E. Bryant, David E. McMechan