Patents by Inventor Zuhair AlYousif

Zuhair AlYousif 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: 20240052726
    Abstract: Described is a method for enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration in geological formations. The method includes dissolving CO2 in a low salinity fluid to form a CO2-brine solution. The low salinity fluid includes sodium (Na+) ions and sulfate (SO42?) ions. The CO2-brine solution is injected into a geological formation, and the CO2 reacts with the geological formation to produce solid carbonate minerals for CO2 sequestration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Subhash C. Ayirala, Muhammad M. Almajid, Moataz Abu AlSaud
  • Patent number: 11814577
    Abstract: An aqueous wellbore fluid may include a surface active agent package in an amount ranging from 1 to 20 gpt, a thickener in an amount ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 wt. %, and an aqueous base fluid. The surface active agent package may include an ?-olefin sulfonate, a terpenoid, and isopropyl alcohol. The thickener may include a biopolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Mohammed Alabbad, Hana Almatouq
  • Patent number: 11760919
    Abstract: A foam for hydrocarbon recovery includes a gas phase and a liquid phase. The liquid phase includes a foaming mixture, and the foaming mixture includes an aqueous solution, one or more surfactants, and an oil mixture. At least 2 wt. % of the liquid phase includes the oil mixture. Also described are methods of recovering hydrocarbons from a deposit reservoir using such a foam, as well as a hydrocarbon well including such a foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Zuhair AlYousif, Abdulkarem Algadrah
  • Patent number: 11718785
    Abstract: Foaming fluid composition and methods for enhanced oil recovery are provided with enhanced foaming properties. The foaming composition may include a surfactant and Allium sativum oil where Allium sativum oil may be included in an amount ranging from 20 to 75 vol % in respect to the total volume of the surfactant and the Allium sativum oil. Methods of enhancing recovery of oil from an oil containing formation are also provided. Methods may include injecting a foaming composition into the oil containing formation, where the foaming composition may include a surfactant and Allium sativum oil. Methods may also include the foaming composition that includes Allium sativum oil in an amount ranging from 20 to 75 vol % in respect to the total volume of the surfactant and the Allium sativum oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Deena Tayyib, Zuhair AlYousif, Abdulaziz AlQasim
  • Patent number: 11708750
    Abstract: A method for enhanced oil recovery from a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation includes withdrawing hydrocarbons from a production well extending into the formation, identifying a high permeability streak in the formation, and injecting a dense CO2 composition from an injection well into the high permeability streak. The dense CO2 composition includes dense CO2 and a thickener soluble in the dense CO2. The thickener includes copolymer. The method includes, after injecting the dense carbon dioxide composition into the high permeability streak, injecting an aqueous treatment fluid into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Muhammad Majid Almajid
  • Patent number: 11613968
    Abstract: A method for increasing CO2 sequestration efficiency in depleted reservoirs by increasing injectivity is provided. This method includes the steps of introducing a surfactant solution into an upper portion of the reservoir through an injection well and introducing CO2 to a lower portion through another injection well such that the CO2 and surfactant solution migrate away from the wells and intimately intermingle to form CO2-based foam in situ. The surfactant solution and CO2 may also be introduced through the same injection well, where the surfactant solution is introduced to an upper portion of the reservoir and the CO2 is introduced into a lower portion. The pressure may be maintained at a value less than the fracture pressure of the reservoir utilizing a pressure relief well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Muhammad M. Almajid, Zuhair AlYousif
  • Publication number: 20230062001
    Abstract: A method for increasing CO2 sequestration efficiency in depleted reservoirs by increasing injectivity is provided. This method includes the steps of introducing a surfactant solution into an upper portion of the reservoir through an injection well and introducing CO2 to a lower portion through another injection well such that the CO2 and surfactant solution migrate away from the wells and intimately intermingle to form CO2-based foam in situ. The surfactant solution and CO2 may also be introduced through the same injection well, where the surfactant solution is introduced to an upper portion of the reservoir and the CO2 is introduced into a lower portion. The pressure may be maintained at a value less than the fracture pressure of the reservoir utilizing a pressure relief well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Muhammad M. Almajid, Zuhair AlYousif
  • Patent number: 11578572
    Abstract: A method for reducing water production from a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation includes identifying a high permeability zone in the formation and injecting a dense CO2 composition from a production well into the high permeability zone. The dense CO2 composition includes dense CO2 and a thickener soluble in the dense CO2. The thickener includes a copolymer that is the polymerized reaction product of monomers that include at least one alkenyl ether or dialkenyl ether monomer, at least one acrylate or methacrylate monomer, at least one structural monomer, and at least one allyl ester monomer. After injecting the dense CO2 composition into the high permeability zone, the method includes withdrawing hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation through the production well. The dense CO2 composition blocks pores in the high permeability zone to reduce or prevent flow of water from the high permeability zone into the production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Muhammad Majid Almajid
  • Patent number: 11447687
    Abstract: A surfactant foam for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) gas injection that includes a surfactant and Aloe vera gel. The surfactant may be a methanol surface active agent foamer. The surfactant foam may be generated in-situ from an injected gas (such as air or nitrogen), water (such as seawater), a surfactant, and Aloe vera gel. A process for enhancing oil recovery in a hydrocarbon reservoir using the surfactant foam and for manufacturing the foam are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hana AlMatouq, Zuhair AlYousif, Amin Alabdulwahab
  • Patent number: 11441069
    Abstract: A method of remediation of a water-bearing formation is disclosed. A first solution containing a nitrogen-containing compound and a second solution containing a nitrite-containing compound are introduced into the water-bearing formation. The two solutions intermix within the formation such that a foam is generated within the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Ali Abdullah Al-Taq
  • Patent number: 11359134
    Abstract: Treatment fluids of the present disclosure may comprise an aqueous base fluid and a surfactant composition. The surfactant composition may comprise a sulfonate surfactant in an amount of from 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % based on the total weight of the treatment fluid composition, a plant-based oil in an amount of from 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % based on the total weight of the treatment fluid composition, and a zwitterionic co-surfactant in an amount of from 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % based on the total weight of the treatment fluid composition. The plant-based oil may comprise from 65 mol. % to 85 mol. % species comprising one or more gondoic acid moieties. Methods for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Afnan Mashat, Zuhair AlYousif, Deena Tayyib, Mustafa Alsaffar
  • Publication number: 20220169918
    Abstract: Foaming fluid composition and methods for enhanced oil recovery are provided with enhanced foaming properties. The foaming composition may include a surfactant and Allium sativum oil where Allium sativum oil may be included in an amount ranging from 20 to 75 vol % in respect to the total volume of the surfactant and the Allium sativum oil. Methods of enhancing recovery of oil from an oil containing formation are also provided. Methods may include injecting a foaming composition into the oil containing formation, where the foaming composition may include a surfactant and Allium sativum oil. Methods may also include the foaming composition that includes Allium sativum oil in an amount ranging from 20 to 75 vol % in respect to the total volume of the surfactant and the Allium sativum oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Deena Tayyib, Zuhair AlYousif, Abdulaziz AlQasim
  • Publication number: 20220154562
    Abstract: A method for enhanced oil recovery from a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation includes withdrawing hydrocarbons from a production well extending into the formation, identifying a high permeability streak in the formation, and injecting a dense CO2 composition from an injection well into the high permeability streak. The dense CO2 composition includes dense CO2 and a thickener soluble in the dense CO2. The thickener includes copolymer. The method includes, after injecting the dense carbon dioxide composition into the high permeability streak, injecting an aqueous treatment fluid into the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Muhammad Majid Almajid
  • Publication number: 20220154563
    Abstract: A method for reducing water production from a hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation includes identifying a high permeability zone in the formation and injecting a dense CO2 composition from a production well into the high permeability zone. The dense CO2 composition includes dense CO2 and a thickener soluble in the dense CO2. The thickener includes a copolymer that is the polymerized reaction product of monomers that include at least one alkenyl ether or dialkenyl ether monomer, at least one acrylate or methacrylate monomer, at least one structural monomer, and at least one allyl ester monomer. After injecting the dense CO2 composition into the high permeability zone, the method includes withdrawing hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formation through the production well. The dense CO2 composition blocks pores in the high permeability zone to reduce or prevent flow of water from the high permeability zone into the production well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Muhammad Majid Almajid
  • Publication number: 20220119700
    Abstract: Treatment fluids of the present disclosure may comprise an aqueous base fluid and a surfactant composition. The surfactant composition may comprise a sulfonate surfactant in an amount of from 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % based on the total weight of the treatment fluid composition, a plant-based oil in an amount of from 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % based on the total weight of the treatment fluid composition, and a zwitterionic co-surfactant in an amount of from 0.01 wt. % to 2 wt. % based on the total weight of the treatment fluid composition. The plant-based oil may comprise from 65 mol. % to 85 mol. % species comprising one or more gondoic acid moieties. Methods for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulaziz S. Al-Qasim, Afnan Mashat, Zuhair AlYousif, Deena Tayyib, Mustafa Alsaffar
  • Patent number: 11299663
    Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon-containing formation includes injecting an aqueous solution that contains an alkali nitrite, an ammonium halide, and a foaming agent into the formation, injecting supercritical carbon dioxide into the formation, allowing a portion of the carbon dioxide to dissolve in the aqueous solutions, causing the alkali nitrite and ammonium halide to react and generate nitrogen gas, and allowing a foam to form by the interaction of the nitrogen gas with the foaming agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ali Abdullah Al-Taq, Zuhair AlYousif, Othman Alswaie
  • Publication number: 20220098471
    Abstract: A surfactant foam for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) gas injection that includes a surfactant and Aloe vera gel. The surfactant may be a methanol surface active agent foamer. The surfactant foam may be generated in-situ from an injected gas (such as air or nitrogen), water (such as seawater), a surfactant, and Aloe vera gel. A process for enhancing oil recovery in a hydrocarbon reservoir using the surfactant foam and for manufacturing the foam are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Hana AlMatouq, Zuhair AlYousif, Amin Alabdulwahab
  • Publication number: 20220081608
    Abstract: An aqueous wellbore fluid may include a surface active agent package in an amount ranging from 1 to 20 gpt, a thickener in an amount ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 wt. %, and an aqueous base fluid. The surface active agent package may include an ?-olefin sulfonate, a terpenoid, and isopropyl alcohol. The thickener may include a biopolymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Mohammed Alabbad, Hana Almatouq
  • Patent number: 11254858
    Abstract: The application discloses foam compositions, methods to produce foam compositions, and methods to increase hydrocarbon production by displacing a hydrocarbon product with a foam composition. The foam composition includes an aqueous phase that typically includes an amphoteric surfactant and inorganic ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Subhash Ayirala, Mustafa Alkhowaildi
  • Patent number: 11236580
    Abstract: A method for improving oil recovery within a subterranean formation that includes forming a barrier within the formation to isolate at least a portion of a first region from a proximate second region. The barrier is formed by introducing a first solution including an ammonium containing compound and a second solution including a nitrite containing compound into the formation. The first solution, the second solution, or both, further include a foaming agent. The compounds react to generate nitrogen gas in the presence of the foaming agent to generate a foam within a first region. The foam provides the barrier. Water is introduced into the formation. The barrier diverts the water away from the first region and into the second region. The water operates to displace at least a portion of a hydrocarbon present in the second region and discharge the hydrocarbon from the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Zuhair AlYousif, Ali Abdullah Al-Taq