Vibrating The Earth Or Material In Or Being Placed In The Earth Pores Patents (Class 166/249)
  • Patent number: 11959362
    Abstract: A technique facilitates controlled creation of pressure waves in a downhole environment. The technique enables creation of, for example, dynamic underbalance (DUB) pressure waves or dynamic overbalance (DOB) pressure waves which can be used to perform desired activities downhole. According to an embodiment, a pump is coupled with a pressure chamber and conveyed downhole into a borehole to a desired location. The pump may be operated downhole to change a pressure level in the pressure chamber until a sufficient pressure differential exists between an interior and an exterior of the pressure chamber. A release mechanism in communication with the pressure chamber is then rapidly opened to establish the desired pressure wave as the differing pressures equalize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Callister Oettli, Pierre Ramondenc, Charles Kearney
  • Patent number: 11840899
    Abstract: A method of recovering casing in a wellbore using a vibratory casing recovery bottom hole assembly. In a vibratory casing recovery bottom hole assembly having a casing spear, a flow modifier and one or more further elements including a shock sub. The flow modifier produces cyclic variations in fluid flow through the assembly at a first frequency and at least one of the elements is configured to have a natural or resonant frequency when vibrated to be near or at the first frequency. By tuning elements of the bottom hole assembly to be close or at the frequency of the output of the flow modifier, the dynamic amplification factor of the system is maximised and longer lengths of casing can be recovered. A method of recovering casing using the vibratory casing recovery bottom hole assembly is also described. Further embodiments include a casing cutter and a hydraulic jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ARDYNE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Hans Christian Karlsen, Eskild Storteig, Steffen Hansen, Michael Wardley, James Linklater
  • Patent number: 11624240
    Abstract: A fluidic agitator includes a seamless insert body having an outer enclosure wall defining an enclosed cavity and a plurality of inner channel walls arranged to define an inlet chamber, a vortex chamber, and a feedback chamber within the enclosed cavity. The inlet chamber, the vortex chamber, and the feedback chamber create a hydraulic pulse in a fluid stream received in the enclosed cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Abdulwahab S. Aljohar
  • Patent number: 11530597
    Abstract: A system includes a surface sub-system and a downhole sub-system. The surface subsystem includes a pump and a surface valve sub-assembly. The pump is configured to pump a fluid from a container, downhole into a wellbore. The surface valve sub-assembly is fluidically coupled to the pump and configured to receive a first portion of the fluid pumped by the pump. The surface valve sub-assembly includes a dump valve, a surface controller, and a return line. The surface controller is configured to adjust fluid flow through the dump valve, and the return line is configured to flow fluid from the dump valve to the container. The downhole sub-system includes a turbine-generator and a downhole controller coupled to the turbine-generator. The turbine-generator is configured to generate an output in response to receiving a second portion of the fluid pumped by the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, WIRELESS INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Abubaker Saeed, Jarl André Fellinghaug, Henrik Wanvik Clayborough, Vegard Fiksdal
  • Patent number: 11434738
    Abstract: A wellbore is formed within a rock formation. At least a portion of the wellbore is filled with pressurized fluid. A pressure of the pressurized fluid is cycled between 40% of an expected fracture pressure of the rock formation and 85% of the expected fracture pressure of the rock formation. The rock formation is fractured responsive to the cycling pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, MetaRock Laboratories, Rybkarock
    Inventors: Gang Han, Munir Aldin, Sau-Wai Wong
  • Patent number: 11428075
    Abstract: A system includes sensing modules positioned along a length of a drill string. Each sensing module includes a structure arrangement composed of an outer structure body having a cavity and an inner structure body rotatably supported within the cavity. The structure arrangement is coupled to the drill string such that rotation of the drill string produces a relative rotation between the structure bodies. Ball elements are disposed in a gap between the structure bodies and move along a predetermined path defined in the gap in response to relative rotation between the structure bodies. Movable elements are positioned to physically interact with the ball elements as the ball elements move along the predetermined path. Energy harvesters in the sensor modules generate electrical energy from the mechanical energy produced by physical interaction between the ball elements and movable elements. The sensing modules include sensors to measure parameters in the drill string environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Macquarie University
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Subhas Mukhopadhyay, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Arturo Magana-Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Patent number: 11319764
    Abstract: A downhole pulsing-shock reach extender apparatus for overcoming static friction resistance in coiled-tubing drilling-fluid-pressure driven downhole operations, generating pulsed hydraulic shocks at the workstring by creating a fluid-hammer condition by repeated sudden opening and closing of a valve controlling a diverted portion of the flow of drilling fluid, while maintaining a constant flow of a portion of drilling fluid sufficient to operate and prevent damage to other components of the workstring, thereby extending the depth limit of downhole operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: PETROSTAR SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Messa, Christopher Gasser, Brady Guilbeaux, Ashley Rochon
  • Patent number: 11053785
    Abstract: A method of increasing a permeability of a strata includes positioning an electromagnetic tool at a first location of the strata, generating a first time-varying magnetic field using the electromagnetic tool, and applying a first time-varying magnetic force to a first magnetic material of the strata using the first time-varying magnetic field, where the strata includes a first plurality of pores. The method further includes fracturing the strata to increase the permeability of the strata proximate the first location using the first time-varying magnetic force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: George W. Niemann
  • Patent number: 10914150
    Abstract: In a dual injection method for hydrocarbon reservoir management, a production well is formed from a surface of a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir to a hydrocarbon-bearing zone in the reservoir. A first injection well and a second injection well are formed from the surface to a first depth and a second depth, respectively, in a water-bearing zone below the hydrocarbon-bearing zone, the second depth shallower than the first depth. A first injectant of a first type and a second injectant of a second type injected into the water-bearing zone through the first injection well and the second injection well, respectively. The second injectant is injected to sweep hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon-bearing zone toward the production well. The first injectant is injected to sweep the second injectant toward the hydrocarbon-bearing zone. At least a portion of the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon-bearing zone are produced through the production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Amar Jaber M. Alshehri
  • Patent number: 10907456
    Abstract: An example tool for fracturing a formation includes a body having an elongated shape and fracturing devices arranged along the body. Each fracturing device includes an antenna to transmit electromagnetic radiation and one or more pads that are movable to contact the formation. Each pad includes an enabler that heats in response to the electromagnetic radiation to cause fractures in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sameeh Issa Batarseh, Haitham A. Othman
  • Patent number: 10890680
    Abstract: Disclosed are seismic sources that may utilize an external driver to energize the air in the seismic source for generation of acoustic energy. An apparatus for generating acoustic energy may comprise a seismic source comprising an internal cavity configured to contain a fluid. The apparatus may further comprise a piston external to the seismic source and in fluid communication with the internal cavity, wherein the piston operable to energize the fluid in the internal cavity of the seismic source. The apparatus may further comprise a linear motor coupled to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Bruce Allan Armstrong, Janis Breton Nams, Paul Stanley Yeatman, Dainis Logan Nams
  • Patent number: 10815766
    Abstract: A method for drilling and fracturing a subterranean formation includes drilling a substantially horizontal pilot well from a previously drilled vertical pilot well. A plurality of substantially vertical sidetracks is drilled from the horizontal pilot well. Fracturing fluid is pumped into the plurality of vertical sidetracks to hydraulically fracture the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitriy Potapenko, James Ernest Brown, Mathieu Vandermolen
  • Patent number: 10794164
    Abstract: An example tool for fracturing a formation includes a body having an elongated shape and fracturing devices arranged along the body. Each fracturing device includes an antenna to transmit electromagnetic radiation and one or more pads that are movable to contact the formation. Each pad includes an enabler that heats in response to the electromagnetic radiation to cause fractures in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sameeh Issa Batarseh, Haitham A. Othman
  • Patent number: 10711550
    Abstract: An energy-saving environment-friendly paraffin-control scale preventing ultra-strong viscosity reduction device comprises: a hydrocyclone, a first-stage jet ultrasonic signal generator, a second-stage jet ultrasonic oscillator and an ultrasonic cavitation cavity which are butted in sequence; the hydrocyclone serves as an inlet end, the outer end of the ultrasonic cavitation cavity serves as an outlet, a section of oscillation cavity is additionally arranged behind the second-stage jet ultrasonic oscillator and before the ultrasonic cavitation cavity, the tail part of the oscillation cavity is provided with a third-stage jet ultrasonic oscillator, and the ultrasonic cavitation cavity is then connected behind the third-stage jet ultrasonic oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Shandong Qunfeng Petroleum Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Biqi Wang, Bozhi Yang, Changhai Wang
  • Patent number: 10557951
    Abstract: Method and seismic source for generating seismic waves in a borehole. The seismic source includes a housing; an actuator mechanism located inside the housing and configured to generate a fluctuating pressure; a flexible membrane attached to the housing and configured to hold a fluid; and a coupling device covered by the flexible membrane and configured to generate a static pressure on the flexible membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: John James Sallas, Peter Maxwell, Ludovic Leblanc
  • Patent number: 10408956
    Abstract: A microseismic array includes a series of sensors that are arranged in combinations of various sensor formations that collectively provide an improved radial anti-azimuthal aliasing function for microseismic mapping a wellbore. The sensors may be organized into one or more formations that resemble arms that extend radially outward from a central region around the wellbore, patches distributed in a field around the wellbore, ovals that are centered around the wellbore and concentric rings within the sensor ovals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Devon Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Teff, David Langton, Dan Kahn, Scott Saltus
  • Patent number: 10378314
    Abstract: A method for cleaning pipes using shock wave generating devices (i) within an interior of a pipe and focusing shock waves therein to remove accumulated material and (ii) from the exterior of a pipe by sending shock waves into the pipe from the exterior to remove accumulated material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SANUWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Iulian Cioanta, Cary McGhin
  • Patent number: 10309206
    Abstract: An electrical tool for well stimulation includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode being at the level of a first segment and a second segment of the tool. A peripheral electrode insulated electrically from the first electrode. The first segment and the second segment are linked by an articulated link inside which is arranged a coaxial cable running from the first segment to the second segment. The coaxial cable includes an electrically conducting outer envelope insulated electrically from an electrically conducting central core. The tool includes a first electrical contact between the central core of the coaxial cable and the first electrode, and a second electrical contact between the outer envelope of the coaxial cable and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ENE29 S.ÀR.L.
    Inventors: Michael Delchambre, Laurent Feriol, Guillaume Onquiert
  • Patent number: 10267128
    Abstract: A method and system are shown that conditions an underground reservoir to cause oil and gas to increase flow, excites the conditioned underground reservoir with pressure waves to further increase flow, and recovers the oil and gas with the increased flow. The excitation may be done via one or more production wells in synchronism with excitation done via one or more conditioning wells so as to cause constructive interference of the pressure waves and further increase flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: GTherm Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Parrella
  • Patent number: 10221665
    Abstract: A method and system are shown that conditions an underground reservoir to cause oil and gas to increase flow, excites the conditioned underground reservoir with pressure waves to further increase flow, and recovers the oil and gas with the increased flow. The excitation may be done via one or more production wells in synchronism with excitation done via one or more conditioning wells so as to cause constructive interference of the pressure waves and further increase flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: GTherm Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Parrella
  • Patent number: 10060242
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the use of traceable metal-organic frameworks in subterranean formations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: introducing a fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, the fluid comprising a base fluid and a solid particle comprising a metal-organic framework comprising at least one detectable component, wherein the metal-organic framework further comprises at least one metal ion and an organic ligand that is at least bidentate and that is bonded to the metal ion; and detecting one or more signals from the at least one detectable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Denise Nicole Benoit, Nathan Carl Schultheiss, Zheng Lu, Humberto Almeida Oliveira, Chandra Sekhar Palla-Venkata
  • Patent number: 10047587
    Abstract: Embodiments including methods comprising providing a wellbore in a subterranean formation having a wellbore length; providing a proposed cement slurry formulation; calculating a normalized pressure at a point along the wellbore length based on properties of the proposed cement slurry formulation and properties of the wellbore in the subterranean formation; manipulating the proposed cement slurry formulation based on the normalized pressure so as to produce a fluid invasion resistant cement slurry; introducing the fluid invasion resistant cement slurry into the wellbore; and cementing the fluid invasion resistant cement slurry in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Flavio H. Marchesini, Rafael Menezes De Oliveira, Merouane Khammar, Ashok K. Santra, Maria das Dores M. Paiva
  • Patent number: 10030456
    Abstract: A method for extending reach of a coiled tubing string in a deviated wellbore includes determining a frequency of vibration of the tubing string based on a function of the bending resonance of the tubing string and vibrating the tubing string at the determined frequency while the tubing string is inside the wellbore. Embodiments may also include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to execute the foregoing method and a system for extending reach of a coiled tubing string in a deviated wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Miller, Nathan Wicks, Jahir A. Pabon, Pedro Reis
  • Patent number: 10024149
    Abstract: A method of Enhanced Oil Recovery from oil zones in a subterranean geological formation, and from oil zones. The method including: a first injecting step of injecting a first composition including CO2 into the subterranean geological formation for a period of time; a second injecting step of injecting a second composition including CO2 and a hydrocarbon into the subterranean geological formation for a period of time, wherein the first composition and the second composition are different; and extracting oil from the subterranean geological formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Bamshad Nazarian, Philip Sefton Ringrose
  • Patent number: 9879507
    Abstract: Adaptive stimulation systems combine impulse-generated swept-frequency stimulation vibration with cyclically-varying hydraulic pressure to provide adaptive down-hole stimulation. Swept-frequency stimulation vibration arises from cyclical shifts of the power spectral density (PSD) of each stimulator's fluid interface vibration (via closed-loop control of the rebound cycle time and/or the fluid interface's effective elastic modulus). PSD's are adjusted for resonance excitation and fracturing of geologic materials at varying distances from a wellbore, closed-loop control incorporating backscatter vibration from stimulated geologic material. One or more stimulators generate vibration in bursts comprising a plurality of vibration frequencies. Timed signals from a programmable controller affect directional propagation of combined vibration wave fronts from a stimulator array. As fracturing proceeds to smaller (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: Dennis W. Gilstad, Barbara C. Gilstad
  • Patent number: 9714560
    Abstract: Treatment fluids suitable for use in subterranean operations may include a base fluid; a protected scale inhibitor; and at least one selected from the group consisting of (1) a metal crosslinker and a gelling agent, (2) an amine-based resin curing agent and an epoxy-based composition, and (3) any combination thereof, wherein the protected scale inhibitor is a scale inhibitor with at least one chelating group functionalized with a protecting group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Donovan Welton
  • Patent number: 9644466
    Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons includes forming a first electrode by creating a first hydraulic fracture within the subsurface formation and pumping a first electrically conductive material into the first hydraulic fracture; forming a second electrode by creating a second hydraulic fracture within the subsurface formation and pumping a second electrically conductive material into the second hydraulic fracture; electrically connecting a first power transmitting mechanism to the first electrode; electrically connecting a second power transmitting mechanism to the second electrode; and heating the subsurface formation between the first electrode and the second electrode by transmitting an electrical current via the first power transmitting mechanism to the first electrode and via the second power transmitting mechanism to the second electrode and by flowing the electrical current from the first electrode to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: William A. Symington, Erik H Clayton, Robert D. Kaminsky, Larry J Manak, James S. Burns
  • Patent number: 9581004
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system and method for enhancing effective permeability of earth formations to increase hydrocarbon production, enhance operation efficiency by reducing fluid entry friction due to tortuosity and perforation, and to open perforations that are either unopened or not effective using traditional techniques, by varying a pump rate and/or a flow rate to a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Gas Technology Insitute
    Inventors: Jordan Ciezobka, Iraj Salehi
  • Patent number: 9567819
    Abstract: A well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to excite a formation with acoustic waves transmitted from the acoustic generator. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can transmit acoustic waves into cement surrounding a casing. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to transmit acoustic waves into an annulus surrounding a well screen during or after a gravel packing operation. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be connected in a drill string in close proximity to a drill bit, with the acoustic generator transmitting acoustic waves into a formation ahead of the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis W. Cavender, Roger L. Schultz, Daniel D. Gleitman
  • Patent number: 9546547
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for monitoring of fractured wells and conventional wells to detect leaks. The method comprises interrogating a plurality of resonant tags using a modulated RF signal transmitted from an interrogator, wherein the plurality of resonant tags are dispersed within a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Farrokh Mohamadi
  • Patent number: 9500069
    Abstract: Methods for determining distribution, orientation and dimensions of networks of hydraulically-induced fractures within a subterranean formation containing fluids. Micro-seismic events are generated by particles introduced into the fractures which are capable of explosive or chemical reaction. In one method, treated proppant having a reactive coating is positioned in the formation during fracturing and reactive particles are introduced. In another method, reactive particles having a reactive core and a non-reactive coating are positioned in the fractures and react upon removal of the non-reactive coating, such as by dissolving, and reaction with a reactive particle. The waves generated by the micro-seismic events are used to map fracture space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Haluk Vefa Ersoz, Lee J. Hall, David Loveless
  • Patent number: 9488037
    Abstract: A sonic oil recovery apparatus for use in a well having a casing therein, has an injector tubing adapted to extend within an interior of the casing and a resonator tube affixed to or within the injector tubing. The resonator tube having an interior flow pathway so as to allow a fluid to flow therethrough from the injector tubing. The resonator tube is suitable for transmitting an acoustic signal of greater than 30 Hz therefrom. The resonator tube has at least two orifice plates formed therein. The orifice plates include an upper orifice plate and a lower orifice plate. The orifice of the upper orifice plate has a diameter greater than a diameter of the lower orifice plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventors: Rick Alan McGee, Michael Fraim
  • Patent number: 9458676
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a wellbore electrical isolation system and method. The system may comprise an electrically conductive tube, an insulating layer covering at least a portion of the tube, an electrically conductive centralizer, electrically insulating confinement devices, and/or other components. In some implementations, the system may be configured to electrically isolate one or more sections of an electrically conductive well tubing string from an electrically conductive wellbore casing. In some implementations, a well may include one or more wellbore electrical isolation systems. Electrical isolation of the tubing string from the casing may facilitate powering one or more electrical loads disposed within the wellbore via a coaxial transmission line formed by the casing and the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Cole Thomas Brinkley, Jacobo Rogelio Archuleta
  • Patent number: 9448320
    Abstract: A downhole tool for acoustically imaging a subterranean formation having a transmitter and receiver and which includes an acoustic isolator between the transmitter and receiver. The acoustic isolator includes attenuation elements with rounded ends and that are connected in series by compression fittings. The compression fittings include sleeves that threadingly engage lock nuts and compressively engage the rounded ends. The contact interfaces between the compression fittings extend along a curved path thereby limiting acoustic transmission along the series of attenuation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS LOGGING SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Gill
  • Patent number: 9429004
    Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons in situ from a fixed-bed hydrocarbon formation disposed below a ground surface and having a higher permeability zone substantially parallel to, and between a top lower permeability zone and a bottom lower permeability zone. The steps include providing at least one injection well and first and second production wells in the higher permeability zone, injecting a heated thermal-energy carrier fluid (TECF) into the injection well, circulating the carrier fluid through the zone and creating a substantially horizontal situ heating element (ISHE) between the injection well and the production wells for mobilizing the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph A. Affholter, Gilman A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9388678
    Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons and a selected metal in situ from a fixed-bed hydrocarbon formation disposed below a ground surface and having a higher permeability zone substantially parallel to, and between a top lower permeability zone and a bottom lower permeability zone. The steps include providing at least one injection well and first and second production wells in the higher permeability zone, injecting a heated thermal-energy carrier fluid (TECF) into the injection well, circulating the carrier fluid through the zone and creating a substantially horizontal situ heating element (ISHE) between the injection well and the production wells for mobilizing the hydrocarbons and the selected metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph A. Affholter, Gilman A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9309756
    Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons in situ from a fixed-bed hydrocarbon formation disposed below a ground surface and having a higher permeability zone substantially parallel to, and between a top lower permeability zone and a bottom lower permeability zone. The steps include providing at least one injection well and first and second production wells in the higher permeability zone, injecting a heated thermal-energy carrier fluid (TECF) into the injection well, circulating the carrier fluid through the zone and creating a substantially horizontal situ heating element (ISHE) between the injection well and the production wells for mobilizing the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph A Affholter, Gilman A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9291043
    Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbons in situ from a fixed-bed hydrocarbon formation disposed below a ground surface and having a higher permeability zone substantially parallel to, and between a top lower permeability zone and a bottom lower permeability zone. The steps include providing at least one injection well and first and second production wells in the higher permeability zone, injecting a heated thermal-energy carrier fluid (TECF) into the injection well, circulating the carrier fluid through the zone and creating a substantially horizontal situ heating element (ISHE) between the injection well and the production wells for mobilizing the hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph A. Affholter, Gilman A. Hill
  • Patent number: 9273529
    Abstract: A pulse generator comprises a stator coupled to a housing and a rotor that is rotatably disposed within the housing. An annulus is formed between the rotor and the stator. An inner bore is formed through the rotor. One or more outer flow ports provide fluid communication between the annulus and the inner bore. A retrievable valve assembly is rotationally coupled to the rotor and at least partially disposed within the inner bore. The retrievable valve assembly includes a rotary valve member having one or more primary flow ports. A fluid flow path is periodically formed by the one or more outer flow ports, the annulus, and the one or more primary flow ports as the rotor rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Alan Martyn Eddison, Alan Kitching, Derek Stuart
  • Patent number: 9243477
    Abstract: A treatment device for treating liquids in oil, gas or water wells comprises an ultrasonic treatment device (1). The ultrasonic treatment device (1) includes a resonator (2), a transducer (9) and a matching transformer (10) for transferring a maximum of power from an ultrasonic generator to the transducer (9) through a long cable (11). The cable (11) has a considerable length of at least 3 km and is attached to a generator (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Progress Ultrasonics AG
    Inventor: Peter Solenthaler
  • Patent number: 9228419
    Abstract: A method for improving and maintaining well productivity is disclosed. The method comprises placing at least two acoustic devices within key wells of a geological formation, measuring parameters for initial acoustic impact, and continuing to measure parameters in order to change impact parameters during production and optimize the acoustic effect. The method may be used to restore, maintain, or increase the productivity of an entire geological formation (oil or gas), and to reduce the water cut in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: WELL-SMART TECHNOLOGIES—GLOBAL, INC
    Inventors: Isaak Orentlikherman, Yevgeny B. Levitov, Ernest Orentlikherman
  • Patent number: 9206646
    Abstract: A well fluid additive having a heavier first bead and a lighter second bead, with the first bead having a specific gravity that exceeds the specific gravity of the second bead by at least 1 percent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: BULLDOG CHEMICALS, LLC
    Inventors: Tommy Johnson, Dustin O'Neal
  • Patent number: 9133664
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for generating pressure pulses in a drilling fluid flowing within coiled tubing assembly is described that includes; a flow throttling device longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve actuator assembly that allows main exit flow fluid to flow past a drive shaft and motor such that the pilot fluid and the main exit flow fluid causes one or more flow throttling devices to generate large, rapid controllable pulses. The pulses generated by the flow throttling device thereby allow transmission of well-developed signals easily distinguished from any noise resulting from other vibrations due to nearby equipment within the borehole or exterior to the borehole, or within the coiled tubing assembly wherein the signals also provide predetermined height, width and shape of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Teledrill, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert MacDonald, Gabor Vecseri, Benjamin Jennings
  • Publication number: 20150136386
    Abstract: A system usable with a well includes a waveform generator for enhancing fluid recovery from a reservoir by controlling a production pump or an injection pump downhole in the well with waveform signals to create a pressure wave which propagates into the reservoir and enhances the recovery of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: David Eslinger
  • Patent number: 9010420
    Abstract: A sonic oil recovery apparatus for use in a well has an injector tubing extending interior of the casing of the well, and a resonator tube affixed to or within the injector tubing. The resonator tube has an interior flow pathway so as to allow a fluid to flow therethrough from the injector tubing. The resonator tube is suitable for transmitting an acoustic signal approximately equal to the resonate frequency of a formation in the well. The resonator tube can have a plurality of orifices plates formed therein such that the fluid flowing through the resonator tube generates the acoustic signal. The resonator tube can alternatively be a solid state acoustic resonator therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Rick Alan McGee, Michael Fraim
  • Patent number: 9004165
    Abstract: A method and assembly for recovering oil using elastic vibration energy involves placing a downhole apparatus in a well, which downhole apparatus is connected to aboveground power supply units and contains an ultrasonic transducer that provides for the generation of high frequency elastic vibrations, exciting elastic vibrations of different frequencies and then repeatedly applying the elastic vibrations to the oil formation, wherein both high and low frequency vibrations are applied to the formation. The low frequency vibrations are generated with the aid of an electric pulse device which is connected to an aboveground power supply and includes the following electrically interconnected components: a charger, a unit of energy storage capacitors, a discharge unit with electrodes, and two switching devices. The method and assembly make it possible to recover oil from depths of over 2000 meters and to act effectively on the formation being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Obschestvo S Ogranichennoi Otvetstvennostju “Sonovita”
    Inventors: Anna Vladimirovna Abramova, Vadim Muratovich Bayazitov, Andrei Andreevich Pechkov
  • Patent number: 8981586
    Abstract: A magnetostrictor assembly (100) includes a magnetostrictor element (105), a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictor element, and a bluff body (101) coupled to the magnetostrictor element via a transfer arm (103). The bluff body is to be placed in a fluid flow path to, at least in part, produce motion that, at least in part, causes strain in the magnetostrictor element. A preload mechanism comprising a control circuit (1100) may optimize a magnetostrictive generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Rodney, Michael Fripp
  • Publication number: 20150041369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating heavy crude oil on the surface or in situ. The methods of the present invention include: (a) mixing the heavy crude oil with a solvent; (b) subjecting the mixture to ultrasonic vibrations; and (c) subjecting mixture treated with ultrasonic vibrations to microwave energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Bruce ROUT
  • Patent number: 8939203
    Abstract: A system usable with a well includes a waveform generator for enhancing fluid recovery from a reservoir by controlling a production pump or an injection pump downhole in the well with waveform signals to create a pressure wave which propagates into the reservoir and enhances the recovery of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: David Eslinger
  • Patent number: 8931587
    Abstract: An impulse sound source for geophysical studies of the earth for oil, gas and other natural resource exploration and more specifically a streamlined design of a hydraulically controlled sound source that may be inserted into oil wells and bore holes for analysis of geological formations deep beneath the earth's surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen Chelminski