Graveling Or Filter Forming Patents (Class 166/278)
  • Patent number: 11149500
    Abstract: A system including a tool drill string having a downhole device. The system includes at least one external contact to be electrically coupled to the downhole device to communicate with the downhole device, one or more insulators that electrically insulate the at least once external contact from other parts of the system, and one or more seals situated between the one or more insulators and the at least one external contact to pressure seal the system from external fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignees: Black Diamond Oilfield Rentals, LLC, Erdos Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Miller, David Cramer
  • Patent number: 11143003
    Abstract: Methods to dehydrate a gravel pack and to temporarily increase a flow rate of fluid flowing from a wellbore into a conveyance are disclosed. A method to dehydrate gravel pack includes deploying a valve at a location proximate a gravel pack. The valve includes a rupture disk that ruptures in response to a threshold amount of pressure, and reactive fluid that actuates the valve to a closed position. The method also includes providing a fluid flow path from the gravel pack to the conveyance. The method further includes closing the valve after providing the fluid flow path from the gravel pack to the conveyance for a threshold period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Michael Novelen, Edmund Christopher Williamson, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11143001
    Abstract: A method and system for supporting unstable geologic materials surrounding a borehole after the borehole is drilled, while reducing the vertical migration in a sand pack behind a slotted screen in the casing. An annulus is defined between a drill casing and a continuous screened casing. Alternating sand fills and sealing layers are deposed in the annulus along a length of the borehole. The length of the sealed interval between the screened casing and the hole wall is reduced, allowing flow connection between the surrounding geologic formation and the interior of the casing over most of the casing length. The sand pack design between the screen and the borehole wall has a sufficient number of sealed barriers to vertical flow to approximate an ideal sand backpacking, which has a vertical conductivity no greater than that of the formation and a relatively low impedance to horizontal flow through the sand pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Carl E. Keller
  • Patent number: 11136858
    Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole gravel packing operations. The systems include a pressure activated fluid diverter and a plurality of inflow control devices attached to the pressure activated fluid diverter to form a section of a string. The pressure activated fluid diverter has a flow performance curve defined by: DP=AQ3+BQ2+CQ, where DP is the differential pressure across the pressure activated fluid diverter in psi and Q is the flow rate through the pressure activated fluid diverter in bpm, with a fluid passing therethrough being at room temperature, having a fluid density of 9.2 ppg, and a fluid viscosity of 1 cps, the flow performance curve of the pressure activated fluid diverter is equal to or below a maximum flow performance curve defined by A=0, B=313.43, C=?1.715.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Hang Nguyen, Christophe Malbrel
  • Patent number: 11118432
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid flow into a well includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member. The outer tubular member includes a screen configured to enable fluid flow therethrough between an exterior and an interior of the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member is configured to be positionable within the outer tubular member. The inner tubular member is a remotely activated flow control device configured to control fluid flow between an exterior and an interior of the inner tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jules Frosell, Stephen Michael Greci, Gary John Geoffroy
  • Patent number: 11078402
    Abstract: Methods include drilling at least one interval of a wellbore with a water-based wellbore fluid producing a filtercake in the at least one interval of the wellbore. The methods also include gravel packing an interval of a wellbore traversing a subterranean formation with a gravel pack that comprises polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, and hydrolyzing the polyhydroxycarboxylic acid to degrade at least a portion of the filtercake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Offenbacher, Balkrishna Gadiyar
  • Patent number: 11041357
    Abstract: A system for facilitating fluid flow to a wellbore includes a packer having a first conduit and a second conduit adjacent to the first conduit. A portion of the second conduit is formed by an outer surface of the first conduit. The packer also includes a swelling element that surrounds and radially encloses the first conduit and second conduit. The first end of the packer includes a bulkhead manifold having a transition section that forms a fluid coupling from at least one external bypass conduit to the second conduit, and the swelling element is operable to form a seal against a wellbore wall upon exposure to a swell fluid. The first end of the packer is fluidly coupled to the fluid supply source via an external bypass conduit, and the second conduit is fluidly coupled to the annulus of the wellbore at the second end of the annulus bypass packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Robert Pounds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11035208
    Abstract: Provided is method for gravel packing dual zones within a wellbore and integrating a zonal isolation system. The method, in one embodiment, includes creating an outer sub-assembly and an inner sub-assembly, wherein the inner sub-assembly is positioned within the outer sub-assembly. The method further includes running the outer sub-assembly proximate a bottom of a downhole portion of a wellbore, and setting an uphole packer in an uphole portion of the wellbore and a downhole packer in the downhole portion of the wellbore. The method further includes gravel packing an upper zone and a lower zone, pulling the gravel pack service tool assembly out of the wellbore thereby isolating the upper zone and the lower zone from each other and the wellbore, and running an upper completion into the wellbore to open one or both of the upper zone or the lower zone for production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Penno, Jean-Michel Alain Ranjeva, Simon White
  • Patent number: 11021927
    Abstract: The invention relates to a well tool assembly (1) comprising a setting tool (10) and a plugging tool (20). The plugging tool (20) comprises: an inner mandrel device (21) and an outer housing device (26), an upper sealing device (30), a slips device (40), a lower sealing device (50) and a centralizing device (60) connected to each other in an axial direction outside of the mandrel device 21. The slips device (40) is provided axially between the upper and lower sealing devices (30, 50). The centralizing device (60) is provided below the lower sealing device (50) or above the upper sealing device (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Interwell Norway AS
    Inventor: Espen Hiorth
  • Patent number: 11015102
    Abstract: A lost circulation material (LCM) is provided having an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, a polyester activator, and a formaldehyde resin. The alkaline nanosilica dispersion and the polyester activator may form a gelled solid after interaction over a contact period, such that the gelled solid incorporates the formaldehyde resin. Methods of lost circulation control using the LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Vikrant Wagle, Rajendra Kalgaonkar, Abdullah Al-Yami, Zainab Alsaihati
  • Patent number: 10982511
    Abstract: A downhole system includes a tubular having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a conduit. A terminal member is connected to the tubular. A first screen system including a first screen housing is mounted to the tubular adjacent the terminal member, and a second screen system including a second screen housing is mounted to the tubular and spaced from the first screen system. The second screen system includes a beta blaster valve operable to selectively open flow into the conduit based on a pressure differential between the first screen system and the second screen system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 10975292
    Abstract: An omniphobic emulsion comprising an aqueous continuous phase having dispersed therein a plurality of non-aqueous discontinuous phase droplets; wherein the non-aqueous discontinuous phase droplets are characterized by a droplet size of less than about 100 micrometers (?m); wherein each of the plurality of non-aqueous discontinuous phase droplets comprises a plurality of surfactant molecules and an omniphobic agent, wherein each surfactant molecule has a hydrophilic head portion and a hydrophobic tail portion; wherein each of the plurality of non-aqueous discontinuous phase droplets comprises the plurality surfactant molecules having the hydrophilic head portions disposed into a droplet outer layer with the hydrophobic tail portions extending inward from the droplet outer layer toward the omniphobic agent; and wherein the droplet outer layer encloses the omniphobic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Sendees, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Tatyana V. Khamatnurova
  • Patent number: 10975642
    Abstract: A shifting tool is provided for locating and actuating downhole tools in a downhole tubular string, such as sleeve valves spaced along a completion string. The shifting tool includes dogs at ends of two or more radially controllable, and circumferentially spaced support arms. The arms are manipulated with an axially movable arm-constrictor spider for engaging radially variable cams on the sides of the arms. The spider includes cam follower tabs to cam the arms radially inward for in and out of hole movement, and for releasing the arms for sleeve locating and sleeve profile engagement. The tabs are radially inset from the arms to minimize obstruction of a tool annulus and interference damage when travelling along the downhole string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: KOBOLD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Per Angman, Mark Andreychuk
  • Patent number: 10954139
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an oleophilic foam includes providing a foam comprising a base material. The base material is coated with an inorganic material using at least one of an atomic layer deposition (ALD), a molecular layer deposition (MLD) or sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS) process. The SIS process includes at least one cycle of exposing the foam to a first metal precursor for a first predetermined time and a first partial pressure. The first metal precursor infiltrates at least a portion of the base material and binds with the base material. The foam is exposed to a second co-reactant precursor for a second predetermined time and a second partial pressure. The second co-reactant precursor reacts with the first metal precursor, thereby forming the inorganic material on the base material. The inorganic material infiltrating at least the portion of the base material. The inorganic material is functionalized with an oleophilic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: Seth B. Darling, Jeffrey W. Elam, Anil U. Mane
  • Patent number: 10947823
    Abstract: A downhole tool may comprise a body comprising an outer wall and a first passage that extends longitudinally in the body, wherein a fluid slurry traverses a flow path in the body of the downhole tool through the first passage. The downhole tool may further comprise a diverter disposed in the body, wherein the diverter comprises at least one channel and the diverter extends from the outside wall of the body into the flow path of the first passage operable to direct the fluid slurry from the first passage to a location outside the downhole tool. A gravel packing system may comprise a packer and a conveyance comprising a downhole tool. The downhole tool may comprise a body comprising an outer wall and a first passage that extends longitudinally in the body and a diverter disposed in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Michael Greci, Thomas Jules Frosell, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 10914133
    Abstract: Switchable crossover tools can include a tool body and a rotatable chamber. The tool body includes a main tool path separable into uphole and downhole tool paths and an auxiliary chamber containing uphole and downhole annular ports. The rotatable chamber is located and rotatable within the auxiliary chamber and forming first and second auxiliary flow paths through the auxiliary chamber. The rotatable chamber is positionable between a conventional circulation mode and a reverse circulation mode. In the conventional circulation mode, the uphole and downhole tool paths are in fluid communication and the uphole and downhole annular ports are in fluid communication through the auxiliary chamber. In the reverse circulation mode, the uphole tool path is in fluid communication with the downhole annular port via the first auxiliary flow path, and the downhole tool path is in fluid communication with the uphole annular port via the second auxiliary flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Gao, Lonnie Carl Helms, Aniruddha Gadre, Yuzhu Hu, Gary Makowiecki
  • Patent number: 10907086
    Abstract: A composition and method for treating a subterranean formation that includes preparing a treatment gel of aqueous fluid, a thickening agent soluble in the aqueous fluid, sand/gravel, and micro fibrous cellulose. Placing the treatment gel in at least a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chetan Prakash, Sairam Eluru, Monalisa Mallick
  • Patent number: 10907451
    Abstract: A single trip multi-zone completion system includes a plurality of completion sections operatively coupled together and extendable within a wellbore. Each completion section includes a base pipe providing an interior and defining one or more perforations at a single axial location to provide fluid communication between the interior and an annulus defined between the completion section and a wellbore wall. One or more sand screens are radially offset from the base pipe such that a flow annulus is defined therebetween, and a production sleeve is movably arranged within the interior of the base pipe between a closed position, where the production sleeve occludes the one or more perforations, and an open position, where the one or more perforations are exposed. A shunt system is positioned about the base pipe to receive and redirect a gravel slurry flowing in the annulus, and thereby provide an alternate flow path for the gravel slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxime Philippe Coffin, Patrick Patchi Bourgneuf, Andrew David Penno
  • Patent number: 10875984
    Abstract: An inorganic shell is ball-shaped and hollow, and includes silica and crystalline inorganic powder sintered together. A resin composition has the inorganic shells and the resin composition has certain dieletric characteristics. A method for making the inorganic shell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Zhen Ding Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Sheng Liang, Shou-Jui Hsiang, Mao-Feng Hsu, Hong-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 10858914
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a silty marine natural gas hydrate gravel stimulation mining method and a mining device. The mining method appropriately relaxes the sand retention accuracy of a wellbore, so that the fine sand and muddy components of the stratum can flow into the wellbore, and after a certain period of production, the coarse gravels are injected into the extra-pipe stratum of the production well to fill the deficit caused by the production of the fine components of the stratum and the hydrates, and then the well is opened for production. The method achieves the triple objectives of improving the productivity of the silty reservoir, preventing the large-area deficit in the stratum and extending the effective period of the sand retention of the wellbore, by way of the alternation of the rounds of the gravel injection and the hydrate reservoir fluid extraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: QINGDAO INSTITUTE OF MARINE GEOLOGY
    Inventors: Nengyou Wu, Yanlong Li, Qiang Chen, Changling Liu, Jianye Sun, Chengfeng Li, Gaowei Hu
  • Patent number: 10851617
    Abstract: A chemical packer composition having a polyurethane foam with nanoparticles or micron-sized particles for use as an annular chemical packer in openhole horizontal wells is provided. The chemical packer composition may be used in a horizontal well having a screen (for example, a gravel pack screen) and completed using an openhole completion. The chemical packer composition may include, for example, silica nanoparticles or sand micron-sized particles. The chemical packer composition may be placed in an annulus section defined by the wellbore and the screen that traverses one or more fluid producing zones. In some instances, a portion of the chemical packer composition may be selectively removed to open a fluid producing zone to the wellbore and form plugs blocking other fluid producing zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Prasad Baburao Karadkar, Mohammed Bataweel
  • Patent number: 10830030
    Abstract: A system for stimulating a well with an annulus formed by a string and a wellbore. The system includes an injection assembly with at least two zone isolation packers configured to set upstream and downstream of a target zone at pressures above a predetermined activation pressure, and unset at pressures below the activation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: COMITT WELL SOLUTIONS US HOLDINGS INC.
    Inventors: Roger Antonsen, Peter Kris Cleven
  • Patent number: 10822536
    Abstract: The rate of release of a well treatment agent into a well may be controlled by introducing into the well a screen containing a well treatment composite having a well treatment agent and a support for the well treatment agent. The diameter of the substrate is less than the diameter of the opening of the screen of the screen assembly. Over time, the well treatment agent is released from the substrate and passes from the interior of the screen into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventor: D.V. Satyanarayana Gupta
  • Patent number: 10815420
    Abstract: Proppants comprise crosslinked polymers for treatment of subterranean formations. The proppants may have a particle size less than or equal to 100 microns. A method of treating a subterranean formation includes placing a proppant including a crosslinked polymer in the subterranean formation. The placing may include placing the proppant in secondary fractures. Placing the proppant may avoid the closure of the secondary fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mallikarjuna Shroff Rama, Sairam Eluru, Monica Dandawate, Phillip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10794125
    Abstract: A system for providing downhole chemical injection to at least a first location while also providing power and/or communication between a tool or sensors located below the first location. The system includes a capillary tubing encasing an inner data cable or second capillary tubing while providing sufficient clearance between the data cable or second capillary tubing and the inner wall of the capillary tubing so that fluid may pass through the first capillary tubing to at least a first location while the data cable may pass through to at least the first location or may pass through and below the first location to a tool or sensor package below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Joseph D Clark
  • Patent number: 10767454
    Abstract: A method of controlling a flow of a fluid through an inflow control device comprising a tubular within which a sliding sleeve having a longitudinal fluid passageway extends, the method includes longitudinally shifting the sliding sleeve, relative to the tubular, into a first, second, or third position, with each position associated with a different pressure differential between an external pressure applied to an external surface of the tubular with an internal pressure within the longitudinal fluid passage, and selecting a first, second, or third flow setting that corresponds with the first, second, and third pressure differential, respectively, at a surface of a well in which the inflow control device is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Wright, Ryan Wesley McChesney
  • Patent number: 10767451
    Abstract: A tubular for reservoir fines control includes a body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a flow path. A plurality of openings are formed in the body connecting the outer surface and the flow path. A material mesh is overlaid onto the outer surface. The material mesh is formed from a material swellable upon exposure to a selected fluid. The material mesh has a selected porosity allowing methane to pass into the flow path while preventing passage of fines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John K. Wakefield, Michael H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10752828
    Abstract: A method for extracting natural gas or petroleum-based products, including: introducing shape memory alloy beads into a wellbore with hydraulic fracturing fluid to form a bridge comprising shape memory alloy beads in a tertiary path, where the shape memory alloy beads forming the bridge have a first phase, and the hydraulic fracturing fluid has an initial hydraulic fracturing fluid flow rate across the bridge; applying a pressure to transform the shape memory alloy beads to a second phase, where deforming the shape memory alloy beads causes the hydraulic fracturing fluid to have a second hydraulic fracturing fluid flow rate across the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed M. Gomaa, Khalid M. Alruwaili, Ghaithan A. Muntasheri
  • Patent number: 10731439
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for avoiding fluid loss during installation of a lower completion in an open hole oil, gas or water well. A lower completion assembly 3, 33 comprising tubing with production perforations, for example in a sand screen, is run into the well on drill pipe 8, 38. The lower completion 3, 33 is hung from a packer 4, 34, together with a wash pipe 9, 39 which extends through the inner of the lower completion 3, 33. At the proximal end of the lower completion is a seal 15, 45 through which the wash pipe 9, 39 extends. An aggressive breaker fluid is circulated through the wash pipe, through a float shoe 11, 41 at the end of the completion. Once circulation is completed, the aggressive breaker removes all filter cake from the formation in 30 minutes. The wash pipe 9 is withdrawn but, because the wash pipe 9 seals against the seal 14 as it is withdrawn, fluid is not lost into the formation via the lower completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Ian Milne, Alistair Bone
  • Patent number: 10704356
    Abstract: Method is provided for preventing fluid from entering a well, such as a producing well, during a hydraulic fracturing treatment in another well completed in the same reservoir. Degradable ball sealers or degradable particulate material is injected into the well and pressure is maintained in the well during the fracturing treatment to prevent influx of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ely and Associates, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Ely
  • Patent number: 10689565
    Abstract: Methods for fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore are provided, the method comprising the step of injecting a well treatment fluid into the well bore at a pressure and flow rate sufficient to fracture the subterranean formation, wherein the well treatment fluid comprises one or more iron-containing compounds and one or more booster compounds. The methods can be used to reduce viscosity and to facilitate the decomposition of acrylamide-containing polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Kemira OYJ
    Inventors: Jiang Li, Roopa Tellakula
  • Patent number: 10683729
    Abstract: A multi-function tool is connected to an inner string to selectively align a port or ports in the inner string with ports in the outer string at various locations. The tool is locked from functioning at some locations where a locating collet will not selectively engage with an unlocking profile. In this more the tool will pass through the location unhindered. If an unlock profile is engaged the tool is enabled to be unlocked so that manipulation allows a support mandrel to align with collets that have an external V-shaped profile. Setting down weight allows the supported V-shaped profile on the collets engage a similar profile on the outer tubular to rotate, if needed, and to find support on a V-shaped profile on the surrounding tubular for performance of the borehole operation. Thereafter the locating collet engages a locking profile to disable the tool again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Zachary S. Silva
  • Patent number: 10662762
    Abstract: An example method includes connecting a casing liner device to a polished bore receptacle (PBR) of a liner hanger outside of a wellbore. The PBR includes a first connection mechanism. The casing liner device includes second connection mechanism that connects to the first connection mechanism. The casing liner device connected to the PBR is run into the wellbore in tandem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Faisal N. Alnughaimish, Jonathan Mosquera Jimenez, Ossama R. Sehsah
  • Patent number: 10655051
    Abstract: Methods include drilling at least one interval of a wellbore with a water-based wellbore fluid producing a filtercake in the at least one interval of the wellbore. The methods also include gravel packing an interval of a wellbore traversing a subterranean formation with a gravel pack that comprises polyhydroxycarboxylic acid, and hydrolyzing the polyhydroxycarboxylic acid to degrade at least a portion of the filtercake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew Offenbacher, Balkrishna Gadiyar
  • Patent number: 10641068
    Abstract: A perforating gun system having gun sections coupled together with adapters. Each of the gun sections are adjustable to be offset relative to one another and each gun section is also decentralized with respect to the inside diameter of the wellbore casing. Each of the gun sections are movable in succession to an interval in the wellbore casing to create perforations such that the percentage of the casing openings is large for substantial fluid flow. The alignment and diameters of the gun sections are chosen to occupy the entire inner diameter of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: John T. Hardesty, Wenbo Yang, Dennis E. Roessler
  • Patent number: 10641074
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a rock formation includes delivering particles to a wellbore disposed within the rock formation along a first section of the rock formation, flowing the particles into multiple gaps formed between the formation and a sealing element disposed within the wellbore at an intermediate position between the first section and a second section of the rock formation located downstream of the first section to fluidically isolate the first section from the second section, delivering treatment fluid to the wellbore along the first section of the rock formation, and reacting the treatment fluid with the rock formation along the first section to fracture the rock formation along the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ali H. Alabdulmuhsin, Jon E. Hansen, Hamad F. Al-Kulaib
  • Patent number: 10640701
    Abstract: A method may comprise providing a concentrated proppant slurry comprising a slurry fluid and a proppant, preparing a fracturing fluid by combining components comprising the concentrated proppant slurry, a carrier fluid, and a dispersing agent, and introducing the fracturing fluid through a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation at an injection rate and pressure that is at or above the fracture gradient of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Janette Cortez Montalvo, Loan Vo, Travis Hope Larsen, Dipti Singh, Philip D Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10633571
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein provide a method comprising method comprising providing an oil-in-water emulsified spacer fluid comprising a binary surfactant mixture, solvent non-aqueous base fluid, and an aqueous base fluid, wherein the binary surfactant mixture comprises a surfactant and an amphiphilic co-surfactant, wherein the surfactant is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 30% by weight of the oil-in-water emulsified spacer fluid and wherein the amphiphilic co-surfactant is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 30% by weight of the oil-in-water emulsified spacer fluid, and introducing the oil-in-water emulsified spacer fluid into a subterranean formation comprising a residual non-aqueous fluid therein, wherein the binary surfactant mixture in the oil-in-water emulsified spacer fluid emulsifies at least a portion of the residual non-aqueous fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Krishna Ravi, Sam Lewis, Kyriacos Agapiou
  • Patent number: 10626688
    Abstract: A downhole system includes a first tubular having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion having an inner surface defining an interior. The second end includes one of a screen liner and a casing shoe. A second tubular is coupled to the first end of the first tubular. The second tubular includes a terminal end portion, a second end portion and a ported zone arranged between the terminal end portion and the second end portion. The terminal end portion and the ported zone extend into the interior of the first tubular. A packer member is arranged on the second tubular between the terminal end portion and the ported zone. The packer member is selectively expandable to seal against the inner surface to fluidically isolate the one of the screen liner and casing shoe from the ported zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Vasily G. Eliseev
  • Patent number: 10598160
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing energy from a geothermal formation. A heat exchanger can be disposed within a well to absorb heat from a geothermal formation. The heat exchanger can be supported within the well using a high thermal conductivity material. The heat exchanger is connected to an organic Rankine cycle engine including a secondary heat exchanger and a turbine. The primary and secondary heat transfer fluids are chosen to maximize efficiency of the organic Rankine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HMFSF IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Theodore S. Sumrall
  • Patent number: 10563486
    Abstract: A method of passing downhole fluids through a screen assembly mounted to a tubular run into a well bore. The screen assembly has a plurality of screen sections arranged at a resource production zone between a first swellable member and a second swellable member. The method includes passing a fluid through an annular screen of the plurality of screen sections into the tubular. At least a portion of the fluid includes particulate matter. Particulate matter is accumulated at the annular screen. Particulate matter is detected in the fluid. The fluid passes into one or more of a plurality of inner screen compartments provided on an inner tubular member radially inwardly spaced from the tubular, and the fluid is filtered through an erosion resistant annular screen of one or more of the plurality of inner screen compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Christophe Malbrel
  • Patent number: 10563481
    Abstract: A system for controlling flow in a wellbore can include a down-hole control module that is hydraulically coupled to multiple components of the system. The control module can include a computer, which can be preprogrammed to operate the various components in a particular sequence, and communicate confirmation or error signals to a surface location. The control module can also include a micro-hydraulic motor and pump that can that can be instructed by the computer to selectively deliver hydraulic fluid to one or more of the components of the system. The system can include isolation members such as packers, hydraulic pressure maintenance devices (PMDs), hydraulic sheer joints, inflow control devices or valves (ICDs or ICVs) and a multi-position valve that can be actuated by the control module without necessitating communication with a surface location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: William M. Richards
  • Patent number: 10544644
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a well includes an inner tubular member with a flow path formed therethrough and an outer tubular member configured to be positionable about the inner tubular member to define an annulus between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member. The apparatus further includes a crossover assembly coupled to the inner tubular member and the outer tubular member and configured to enable fluid flow between the flow path of the inner tubular member and an exterior of the outer tubular member, and a flow control device coupled to the crossover assembly and configured to control fluid flow through the crossover assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Robert Pounds, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10508231
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing proppant composite with protectant on the surface of the proppant and the composition matters of the protectant and proppant. The surface protectant reduces the generation of dust/fines from the proppant caused by abrasion and impingement during transportation and conveyance, particularly pneumatic transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Arr-Maz Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Frank Bor-Her Chen, Aaron Nelson, Michael Diaz, Rachel E. Mathis
  • Patent number: 10450843
    Abstract: A screen assembly includes a tubular having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion including an outer surface provided with a plurality of openings extending therebetween. At least one screen arranged at the plurality of openings. At least two deformable members are mounted to the tubular between the first end and the second end. The at least two deformable members are selectively radially outwardly expandable relative to the at least one screen forming a plurality of screen compartments on the tubular, the plurality of screen compartments being substantially fluidically isolated from one another externally of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Christophe Malbrel
  • Patent number: 10435623
    Abstract: A method of gravel packing a wellbore can include mixing an activator, a thickener, a crosslinker and a plurality of resin-coated proppant particulates to provide a gravel pack fluid and introducing the gravel pack fluid into a gravel pack region of the wellbore. At least a portion of the plurality of resin-coated proppant particulates can be consolidated in the gravel pack region of the wellbore to provide a consolidated gravel pack. The consolidated gravel pack can have a UCS of at least about 60 psi when formed under a pressure of about 0.01 psi to about 50 psi and a temperature of about 160° F. to about 250° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Thu Lieng, Daryl Erwin Johnson, Todd Roper, Chad Cannan
  • Patent number: 10428265
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods of acidizing subterranean formations and systems for performing the method. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of acidizing a subterranean formation including placing an acid-resisting treatment composition including a surface modification agent in a subterranean formation, such that part of the subterranean formation includes an at least partially acid-resistant coating including the acid-resisting treatment composition or a reaction product thereof. The method also includes placing an acidizing composition in the subterranean formation, wherein the acidizing composition at least one of etches and dissolves a part of the subterranean formation substantially free of the acid-resistant coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Loan K. Vo, Jessica L. Heeter
  • Patent number: 10428266
    Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation having a vertically oriented fracture with a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a gelling agent, proppant particulates, and swellable particulates having an unswelled form and a swelled form; placing the treatment fluid into the vertically oriented fracture; swelling the swellable particulates at a first location against walls of the vertically oriented fracture, thereby forming a first swelled particulates plug; swelling the swellable particulates at a second location above or below the first location against the walls of the vertically oriented fracture, thereby forming a second swelled particulates plug; and settling the proppant particulates atop the first swelled particulates plug and the second swelled particulates plug to form a proppant-free channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Tatyana V. Khamatnurova, Loan K. Vo
  • Patent number: 10400159
    Abstract: A composite used to slowly release well treatment agents and/or tracers into a well contains a calcined substrate comprising a metal oxide coated onto at least a portion of a core and a well treatment agent adsorbed onto or absorbed into the interstitial spaces of the metal oxide coating of the calcined substrate. The core contains a material sufficient in strength to prevent closure of a fracture created or enlarged within a subterranean formation penetrated by the well at in-situ reservoir conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventor: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta
  • Patent number: 10358897
    Abstract: A screen system formed of a first screen sub and a second screen sub joined by a connector sub. The connector sub includes (i) a pipe coupling assembly connecting the base pipes of the first and second screen subs; (ii) a substantially impermeable shroud formed around the pipe coupling assembly and creating a connector annulus between the shroud and pipe coupling assembly; and (iii) end rings including a substantially annular flow passage connecting the first and second screen annuluses to the connector annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Superior Energy Services, LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Glenn Bowen, Kevin Andrew Smith, Anthony Thomas