Material Placed In Pores Of Formation To Treat Resident Fluid Flowing Into Well Patents (Class 166/279)
  • Patent number: 11932807
    Abstract: A wellbore treatment fluid is disclosed herein, the fluid comprising a butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymer. Also, a wellbore treatment fluid comprises a dissolvable material capable of forming a gel upon hydration, the dissolvable material having a cylindrical cross-sectional shape. Methods of treating a subterranean formation includes introducing a treatment fluid comprising a butenediol vinyl alcohol copolymer, and creating a plug with the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yenny Christanti, Konstantin Viktorovich Vidma, Changsheng Xiang, Samuel Danican, Valerie Gisele Helene Lafitte
  • Patent number: 11898098
    Abstract: A method for the stimulation of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, said method comprising the steps of: providing a wellbore in need of stimulation; inserting a plug in the wellbore at a location slightly beyond a predetermined location; inserting a perforating tool and a spearhead or breakdown acid into the wellbore; positioning the tool at said predetermined location; perforating the wellbore with the tool thereby creating a perforated area; allowing the spearhead acid to come into contact with the perforated area for a predetermined period of time sufficient to prepare the formation for stimulation; removing the tool form the wellbore; and initiating the stimulation of the perforated area using a stimulation fluid. Also disclosed is a corrosion inhibiting composition for us with the acid composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: DORF KETAL CHEMICALS FZE
    Inventors: Clay Purdy, Markus Weissenberger
  • Patent number: 11761295
    Abstract: A system for use with a subterranean well can include a deployment apparatus configured to deploy one or more plugging devices into a fluid flow. The plugging devices are conveyed into the well by the fluid flow. The deployment apparatus can include multiple queues, different numbers of the plugging devices being contained in respective different ones of the queues. A method of deploying plugging devices can include connecting multiple queues of the plugging devices to a conduit, and deploying the plugging devices from a selected combination of the queues into the conduit. In another system, each of the plugging devices may include a body, and lines or fibers extending outwardly from the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Brock W. Watson, Gary P. Funkhouser, Roger L. Schultz, Gregory A. Kliewer
  • Patent number: 11718776
    Abstract: Provided is a loss circulation material that may consist essentially of an acidic nanosilica dispersion and an activator. The acidic nanosilica dispersion may consist of acidic silica nanoparticles, stabilizer, and water, and may have a pH in a range of 3 to 6. The activator may be one or more from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, or an amine salt. A method is provided for controlling lost circulation in a lost circulation zone in a wellbore comprising introducing the loss circulation material and forming a gelled solid from the loss circulation material in the lost circulation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Vikrant Wagle, Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Abdullah AlYami
  • Patent number: 11668170
    Abstract: A method of producing natural resources from a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation with a Huff and Puff process comprising: (a) placing a recovery enhancing fluid system into the wellbore during an injection (Huff) period of time wherein placing the recovery enhancing fluid system comprises injecting under pressure; (b) ceasing injection of the recovery enhancing fluid system and allowing the composition to soak in the subterranean formation for a soak period of time; (c) producing fluids from the subterranean formation during a production (Puff) period of time; and (d) optionally repeating steps (a) to (c) for a plurality of Huff, soak, and Puff periods of time, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Travis Hope Larsen, Denise Nicole Benoit, Enrique Antonio Reyes, Antonio Recio, III, Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh, Tatyana Vladimirov Khamatnurova, Jun Su An
  • Patent number: 11618848
    Abstract: The present application concerns a water-in-oil inverse emulsion comprising: oil; water; at least one water-soluble anionic polymer of average molecular weight higher than 3 million daltons, containing between 4 and 14 mol % of sulfonated anionic monomers, between 0 and 17 mol % of carboxylated anionic monomers and between 69 and 94 mol of nonionic monomers; at least one inverting agent and at least one emulsifying agent, the weight ratio R between the total amount of inverting agent and the total amount of emulsifying agent being higher than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: Cédrick Favero, Bruno Tavernier
  • Patent number: 11598179
    Abstract: A system is provided for providing power and/or communication to/from a downhole device by inductively coupling a coupling conductor within a receiver to a core conductor of a tubing encased conductor (TEC). The receiver has an elongated housing arranged physically proximate or touching an outer surface of the TEC. A coupling conductor is disposed within the housing, extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and further extends longitudinally and in close proximity to a core conductor housed within the TEC when the housing is arranged physically proximate or touching the outer surface of the TEC. This exposes the coupling conductor to a magnetic field formed externally to the TEC to excite a current in the coupling conductor. In one or more embodiments, the receiver further includes a coupling to electrically couple the downhole device to the coupling conductor and deliver the current to the downhole device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glen P. Breerwood, Paul Gregory James
  • Patent number: 11585201
    Abstract: A method for fracking a hydrocarbon formation. An actuating member, flowable along a production string, is provided. A unique key portion thereon engages a desired sliding sleeve covering an associated port in the production string. Applying uphole fluid pressure causes the sliding sleeve and actuating member to move so as to uncover the associated port. After fracking and cessation of supply of pressurized fracturing fluid, a compressed spring on the actuating member decompresses so as to reposition a sand screen immediately beneath the port so as to prevent sand from flowing into the production string. Flowable insertion of additional “keyed” actuating members allows similar opening of additional successive uphole ports and fracking in the regions of such additional opened ports, with similar location of sand screens at each opened port. Plug members on each actuating member thereafter dissolve or are successively burst to thereby allow production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SC ASSET CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean P. Campbell, Daniel Rojas, David Speller
  • Patent number: 11572758
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an annular barrier to be expanded in an annulus between a well tubular metal structure and an inside wall of a borehole downhole for providing zone isolation between a first zone and a second zone of the borehole, comprising a tubular metal part for mounting as part of the well tubular metal structure, an expandable metal sleeve surrounding the tubular metal part, each end of the expandable metal sleeve being connected with the tubular metal part, an expandable space between the expandable metal sleeve and the tubular metal part, and an expansion opening in the tubular metal part through which fluid enters in order to expand the expandable metal sleeve, wherein the annular barrier further comprises a pressure-intensifying unit. The invention also relates to a downhole system comprising a well tubular metal structure and an annular barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Satish Kumar
  • Patent number: 11555391
    Abstract: A mixture of at least two shapes of a dissolvable diverter material. The shapes range from a flake having a high surface area to mass ratio to beads having a low surface area to mass ratio. The density of the various shapes may be manipulated by including voids or low-density materials within the shape. The density manipulation allows matching the transport properties of the at least two shapes to the transport fluid so that both shapes may arrive at the desired location at the desired time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: DPIP, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Moisson, Jr., Nicholas Koster
  • Patent number: 11530349
    Abstract: A method is described for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore including injecting into the formation a treatment fluid including a rheological modifier; at least one viscoelastic surfactant (VES) at a concentration of between about 0.1 and about 10 percent by weight; and a formation-dissolving agent selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, sulfamic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, methylsulfamic acid, chloroacetic acid, aminopolycarboxylic acids, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, polyaminopolycarboxylic acids, salts thereof and mixtures of said acids and salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mohan Kanaka Raju Panga, Philippe Enkababian, Christopher Daeffler, Tausif Khizar Ahmed, Kong Teng Ling
  • Patent number: 11505735
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for use in fracturing treatments using friction reducing additives that include nanoparticles are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: providing a treatment fluid that includes an aqueous base fluid and a friction reducing additive, the friction reducing additive including at least one polymer and a plurality of nanoparticles; and introducing the treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services. Inc.
    Inventors: Liang X. Xu, James W. Ogle
  • Patent number: 11492539
    Abstract: A variety of methods, systems, and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of servicing a borehole including providing a borehole servicing fluid in a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the borehole servicing fluid includes a nucleophilic organic molecule and an electrophile. The method further may include reacting the nucleophilic organic molecule and the electrophile to generate at least an acidic species. The method further may include contacting an acid-soluble component in the subterranean formation with the acidic species such that the acidic species degrades the acid-soluble component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay DeVille
  • Patent number: 11486242
    Abstract: A method for wellbore treatment. The method including preparing an encapsulated treatment agent via polymerization, feeding the encapsulated treatment agent into the wellbore, delivering the encapsulated treatment agent to a desired depth within a formation in the wellbore, activating an acoustic or an electromagnetic source at the desired depth within the formation, and generating an acoustic field or an electromagnetic field. The acoustic field or electromagnetic field activates the encapsulant thereby releasing the treatment agent into the wellbore and a desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Maxim Orlov, Timur Zharnikov, Vera Solovyeva, Tao Chen
  • Patent number: 11459867
    Abstract: A system and method for fracking a hydrocarbon formation. An actuating member, flowable along a production string, is provided. A unique key portion thereon engages a desired sliding sleeve covering an associated port in the production string. Applying uphole fluid pressure causes the sliding sleeve and actuating member to move so as to uncover the associated port. After fracking and cessation of supply of pressurized fracturing fluid, a compressed spring on the actuating member decompresses so as to reposition a sand screen immediately beneath the port so as to prevent sand from flowing into the production string. Flowable insertion of additional “keyed” actuating members allows similar opening of additional successive uphole ports and fracking in the regions of such additional opened ports, with similar location of sand screens at each opened port. Plug members on each actuating member thereafter dissolve or are successively burst to thereby allow production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SC ASSET CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sean P. Campbell, Daniel Rojas, David Speller
  • Patent number: 11434415
    Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions comprising solvents and surfactants, as well as their use in improving oil and/or gas production. In some embodiments, the compositions comprise chemical or synthetic solvents and/or surfactants. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise biological components, such as microorganisms and/or their growth by-products. The subject invention can be used to dissolve, disperse and/or emulsify paraffin precipitates and/or deposits; prevent and/or inhibit paraffin deposition; remove rust deposits and prevent corrosion associated therewith; inhibit bacterial growth and/or biofilm formation; and to enhance oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: LOCUS OIL IP COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Farmer, Ken Alibek, Anthony Nerris, Tyler Dixon, Karthik N. Karathur
  • Patent number: 11427748
    Abstract: A mussel bionic gel composition includes: a mussel bionic copolymer and/or a mussel bionic compound, a cross-linking agent and water, wherein the mussel bionic copolymer includes a structural unit A from a vinyl monomer and a structural unit B from a vinyl-containing mussel bionic catechol group monomer; and the mussel bionic compound includes polyacrylamide and a mussel bionic catechol compound. The self-growth gel particle profile control and water plugging agent prepared from the composition is low in initial apparent viscosity, easy to inject and far in migration, has good shear repairing performance and is particularly applicable to a low-permeability fractured reservoir, thereby adjusting a micro-fracture network, improving a fracture channel and increasing waterflood efficiency and recovery efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Caili Dai, Lin Li, Jiawei Liu, Zhongzheng Xu, Guang Zhao, Mingwei Zhao, Yining Wu, Yongpeng Sun
  • Patent number: 11391139
    Abstract: Creating a fracture network extending from a wellbore into a subterranean formation. The method includes introducing a series of fluids into the fracture network in a subterranean formation, thereby forming a proppant pack in the fracture network. The series of fluids comprise: a microproppant slurry comprising a microproppant having an average diameter less than about 25 microns; a proppant slurry comprising a proppant having an average diameter of about 75 microns to about 500 microns; and a sweep fluid having a microproppant weight percentage by weight of the sweep fluid that is from 0 to about the same of the microproppant weight percentage in the microproppant slurry by weight of the microproppant slurry. The introduction of the microproppant slurry is not immediately followed by introduction of the proppant slurry. The introduction of the proppant slurry is not immediately followed by introduction of the microproppant slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Janette Cortez Montalvo, Loan Vo, Ubong Akpan Inyang, James William Ogle, Aaron Gene Russell
  • Patent number: 11377944
    Abstract: Methods of suspending proppants in a hydraulic fracturing fluid including adding a quantity of precursor nanoparticles including carbon nanotubes supported by metal oxide catalyst nanoparticles to the hydraulic fracturing fluid. The metal oxide catalyst nanoparticles and the hydraulic fracturing fluid are selected such that the metal oxide catalyst nanoparticles are dissolvable in the hydraulic fracturing fluid. The metal oxide catalyst nanoparticles dissolve in the hydraulic fracturing fluid, resulting in an amount of carbon nanotubes dispersed within the hydraulic fracturing fluid. The carbon nanotube dispersion increases the value of at least one of a Newtonian viscosity, a yield point, a plastic viscosity, and a density of the hydraulic fracturing fluid with the dispersed carbon nanotubes versus a similar or equivalent hydraulic fracturing fluid without the carbon nanotube dispersion. The method may further include adding proppants to the hydraulic fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ashok Santra, Peter J. Boul
  • Patent number: 11319481
    Abstract: An aqueous caustic composition comprising: a caustic component; an additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the caustic composition when such is exposed to acid; and water. Methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: FLUID ENERGY GROUP LTD.
    Inventors: Clay Purdy, Markus Weissenberger
  • Patent number: 11261361
    Abstract: A friction reducing treatment solution that includes water, from 100 to 500,000 ppm of total dissolved solids, and from 0.5 to 3 gallons per thousand gallons of a water-in-oil emulsion containing a water soluble polymer. The total dissolved solids include at least 10 weight percent of a multivalent cation. The water-in-oil emulsion includes an oil phase and an aqueous phase, where the oil phase is a continuous phase containing an inert hydrophobic liquid and the aqueous phase is present as dispersed distinct particles in the oil phase and contains water, the water soluble polymer, and surfactants and an inverting surfactant. The water soluble polymer is made up of 30 to 60 weight percent of a non-ionic monomer, 5 to 50 weight percent of a sulfonic acid containing monomer, and 10 to 60 weight percent of a cationic monomer and makes up from 5 to 40 weight percent of the water-in-oil emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SOLVAY USA INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Frederick, Shih-Ruey Chen, Randy Loeffler
  • Patent number: 11261699
    Abstract: A polymetaphosphate composition and method for temporarily sealing a perforation in a wellbore to facilitate a treatment therein and a well tool which can include a flow path, and a flow blocking device which selectively prevents flow through the flow path. The well tool can include a polymetaphosphate composition. A method of constructing a downhole well tool can include forming a structure of a solid mass comprising a polymetaphosphate composition, and incorporating the structure into the well tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: LyondellBasell Advanced Polymers Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Todd, Stanley J. Heath
  • Patent number: 11136487
    Abstract: A lost circulation material (LCM) that includes chips formed from date palm seeds. The date palm seed-based chip LCM includes chips having lengths in the range of greater than 2.38 millimeters (mm) to less than 6.73 mm. Method of manufacturing the date palm seed-based chip LCM include washing and drying whole date tree seeds, such that the drying includes air-drying, hot rolling, and cooling. Methods of reducing lost circulation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Md Amanullah, Turki Al-Subaie
  • Patent number: 11130907
    Abstract: Methods of treating a subterranean formation include obtaining or providing compositions that include an alkenoate ester. The compositions also includes at least one of a dialkenyldihydrocarbylammonium halide and an N,N-dihydrocarbyl-substituted alkenamide. The methods also include placing the composition in a subterranean formation downhole. Methods of treating a subterranean formation include using a composition including a polymer that is a reaction product of a mixture including an alkenoate ester and at least one of a dialkenyldihydrocarbylammonium halide and an N,N-dihydrocarbyl-substituted alkenamide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Loan K. Vo
  • Patent number: 11124692
    Abstract: Methods of treating a petroleum hydrocarbon fluid are described wherein the petroleum hydrocarbon fluid is contacted with an asphaltene inhibitor composition having an ionic liquid and an asphaltene inhibitor. The ionic liquid has a cation of R1R2R3R4N+ or R1R2R3N+R8N+R5R6R7 and an anion, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from hydrogen, a straight or branched C1-30 alkyl group, benzyl, a C7-30 alkylbenzyl group, a C7-30 arylalkyl group, a straight or branched C3-30 alkenyl group, a C1-30 hydroxyalkyl group, a C7-30 hydroxyalkylbenzyl group, an oxyalkylene or a polyoxyalkylene group or a zwitterion; R8 is a straight or branched C1-30 alkylene, an alkylene oxyalkylene or an alkylene polyoxyalkylene; and the anion includes halides, hydroxyl, bicarbonate, carbonate, alkyl carbonates, alkoxides, carboxylates, hydroxycarboxylates or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER Hughes Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Jerry Weers, Henry Nguyen, David Jennings, Kung-Po Chao
  • Patent number: 11091984
    Abstract: A method may include: introducing a treatment fluid comprising a descaling agent and a carrier fluid into a wellbore, the descaling agent comprising an N-(phosphonoalkyl)iminodiacetic acid wherein the treatment fluid has a pH less than 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Michael Beuterbaugh, Enrique Antonio Reyes, Alyssa Lynn Lablanc
  • Patent number: 11001750
    Abstract: A fracturing fluid including a base fluid including salt water, a polymer, a crosslinker, and a nanomaterial. The crosslinker may include a Zr crosslinker, a Ti crosslinker, an Al crosslinker, a borate crosslinker, or a combination thereof. The nanomaterial may include ZrO2 nanoparticles, TiO2 nanoparticles, CeO2 nanoparticles; Zr nanoparticles, Ti nanoparticles, Ce nanoparticles, metal-organic polyhedra including Zr, Ti, Ce, or a combination thereof; carbon nanotubes, carbon nanorods, nano graphene, nano graphene oxide; or any combination thereof. The viscosity and viscosity lifetime of fracturing fluids with both crosslinkers and nanomaterials are greater than the sum of the effects of crosslinkers and nanomaterials taken separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Feng Liang, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri, Amy J. Cairns
  • Patent number: 10989040
    Abstract: Fluids produced from a fractured subterranean formation may be monitored by pumping into the well a fracturing fluid which contains a tracer. The method may be used to monitor produced hydrocarbons as well as produced water. The tracer may also be used in a sand control, frac pack or acid fracturing operation. The tracer is a component of a composite where it may be immobilized within a matrix (such as an emulsion) or porous particulate, onto a support or compressed with a binder into a solid particulate. The tracer may be slowly released from the composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, LLC
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Harold Dean Brannon
  • Patent number: 10982535
    Abstract: A method for determining surface area of a created hydraulic fracture that originated from a wellbore. Pressure in the wellbore is monitored after creation and extension of the created hydraulic fracture. Injection rate of an injection fluid to the created hydraulic fracture is regulated. This is done to maintain a constant pressure for a continuous period of time. The injection rate is regulated such that the created hydraulic fracture maintains its current dimensions and the injection rate of the injection fluid into the created hydraulic fracture equals the total fluid leak-off rate from the created hydraulic fracture. The constant fracture pressure is larger than a formation pore pressure and smaller than a fracture propagation pressure. Finally, a numerical simulation is performed to obtain the relationship between the total fluid leak-off rate and the surface area of the created hydraulic fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: HanYi Wang
  • Patent number: 10982519
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for fracturing a subterranean formation are presented. Also provided are compositions and methods for reducing friction-related losses in a well treatment fluid. In general, the compositions include a copolymer that includes one or more vinylphosphonic acid (“VPA”) monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: RHODIA OPERATIONS
    Inventors: Subramanian Kesavan, Genyao Lin, Jian Zhou, Hoang Van Le, Changmin Jung, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 10900330
    Abstract: A method includes creating a diffusion model for a simulation of hydrocarbon recovery from a reservoir having a plurality of fractures during injection of an injected gas into the plurality of fractures, wherein the reservoir is partitioned into a plurality of grid cells in the diffusion model. Creating the diffusion model for a grid cell of the plurality of grid cells comprises, determining a flux ratio of a convective flux to an estimated diffusive flux for the grid cell, determining whether the flux ratio is less than a threshold, and in response to determining that the flux ratio is less than the threshold, determining a full diffusive flux for the grid cell for inclusion in the diffusion model. The method also includes performing the simulation of the hydrocarbon recovery from the reservoir based on the diffusion model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Saeedeh Mohebbinia, Terry Wayne Wong
  • Patent number: 10894909
    Abstract: Inducibly degradable compositions comprising polyacetal and associated methods and systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Lawrence Blackbourn, Paul Richard Weider, Jonathan Joseph Brege, Allen Dale Gabrysch, Ryan Matthew Van Zanten
  • Patent number: 10844685
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Venkateshwaran Krishnan, John Stout, Patrick McMullen, Archie A. T. Andonian
  • Patent number: 10829684
    Abstract: A proppant suspension composition including a proppant, gelling agent, nanoparticles, at least one breaker, and a tackifying resin. The gelling agent may include cross-linkable polymers. The nanoparticles may be natural or synthetic clays. The at least one breaker may include oxidizers, monovalent salts and/or bis-quaternary ammonium compounds. The composition can be provided downhole during fracturing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Dipti Singh, Loan K. Vo
  • Patent number: 10816142
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting corrosion in pipelines for transporting oil and gas is described. A nano-machine is fed along with an inert gas to the pipeline to deliver a corrosion inhibitor which is chemically bonded to the nano-machine. The nano-machine is made by attaching a corrosion inhibitor to a nanoparticle by way of a covalent bond. When the nano-machine encounters a source of corrosion in the pipeline, the corrosion inhibitor is released to treat the corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Naveed Aslam
  • Patent number: 10808513
    Abstract: A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico J. Termine, Robert I. Richie
  • Patent number: 10745608
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for removing deposits in an oil or gas well by contacting the annular fluid in a batch-wise method with an effective amount of a composition comprising a water-soluble copolymer. These methods are advantageous because they can be used as needed to improve well operation. The methods use a water-soluble copolymer comprised of an acrylamide monomer and one or more cationic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus D. Faust, Jr., Tri T. Phan, Theophilus Edovia, Mathew Hancock
  • Patent number: 10745345
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for preventing or reducing polymer formation and polymer deposition in equipment used in petrochemical processes. An antifoulant composition includes a combination of one or more antioxidants; one or more antipolymerants; one or more dispersants; and one or more solvents. A method of preventing or reducing fouling of process equipment used in an industrial process is also described. The method includes introducing into the process equipment an antifoulant composition, the antifoulant composition comprising a combination of one or more antioxidants; one or more antipolymerants; one or more dispersants; and one or more solvents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Anahita Khanlari, Andrew R. Neilson
  • Patent number: 10723939
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a subterranean formation are provided. The method can include introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation containing an aqueous downhole fluid. The treatment fluid can contain one or more polymers, a particulate additive containing one or more additives, and one or more organic solvents. The polymer is at least partially dissolved in the organic solvent and the particulate additive is at least partially suspended in the organic solvent. The method can also include combining the treatment fluid with the aqueous downhole fluid to produce a polymeric additive composite and a fluid mixture within the subterranean formation. The polymeric additive composite contains the particulate additive at least partially embedded in the polymer to prevent an uncontrolled release of the particulate additive into the fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Beuterbaugh, Enrique A. Reyes
  • Patent number: 10711173
    Abstract: A friction reducing treatment solution that includes water, from 100 to 500,000 ppm of total dissolved solids, and from 0.5 to 3 gallons per thousand gallons of a water-in-oil emulsion containing a water soluble polymer. The total dissolved solids include at least 10 weight percent of a multivalent cation. The water-in-oil emulsion includes an oil phase and an aqueous phase, where the oil phase is a continuous phase containing an inert hydrophobic liquid and the aqueous phase is present as dispersed distinct particles in the oil phase and contains water, the water soluble polymer, and surfactants and an inverting surfactant. The water soluble polymer is made up of 30 to 60 weight percent of a non-ionic monomer, 0.5 to 25 weight percent of a carboxylic acid containing monomer, 0 to 10 weight percent of a sulfonic acid containing monomer, and 10 to 60 weight percent of a cationic monomer and makes up from 10 to 35 weight percent of the water-in-oil emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SOLVAY USA INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Frederick, Shih-Ruey Chen, Randy Loeffler, Kailas Sawant
  • Patent number: 10696893
    Abstract: Perforation balls and methods of using the same are described herein. The perforation balls include at least a portion that is water dissolvable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FracSolution Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kelvin T. Okamoto, Dwight Smith, Billy Bennett
  • Patent number: 10662748
    Abstract: The flow of a stimulation fluid may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability portion of a subterranean formation by use of an acid soluble or acid degradable solid particulate and a composite of an acid or an acid generating compound adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent. Conductive flow of hydrocarbons from an occluded fracture may be resumed by release of the acid from the adsorbent or the acid generating compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Dean Brannon, Stephen Jan Szymczak, D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Charles Elmer Bell
  • Patent number: 10655058
    Abstract: Method comprising introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising a pseudo-crosslinking agent and an acidic viscoelastic surfactant (AVS) base fluid, wherein the treatment fluid has a pH of less than 5. The AVS base fluid includes a zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant, an acidic constituent, and a polar solvent and the zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant is present in an amount in the range of from about 0.001% to about 15% by weight of active surfactant of the AVS base fluid. The treatment fluid performs a subterranean formation operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijaya Kumar Patnana, Sairam Eluru, Enrique Antonio Reyes
  • Patent number: 10647909
    Abstract: A fracturing fluid including a base fluid including salt water, a polymer, a crosslinker, and a nanomaterial. The crosslinker may include a Zr crosslinker, a Ti crosslinker, an Al crosslinker, a borate crosslinker, or a combination thereof. The nanomaterial may include ZrO2 nanoparticles, TiO2 nanoparticles, CeO2 nanoparticles; Zr nanoparticles, Ti nanoparticles, Ce nanoparticles, metal-organic polyhedra including Zr, Ti, Ce, or a combination thereof; carbon nanotubes, carbon nanorods, nano graphene, nano graphene oxide; or any combination thereof. The viscosity and viscosity lifetime of fracturing fluids with both crosslinkers and nanomaterials are greater than the sum of the effects of crosslinkers and nanomaterials taken separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Feng Liang, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri, Amy J. Cairns
  • Patent number: 10633575
    Abstract: Formulations and methods for stimulating the production from wells in nano-darcy shale formations are described. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a treatment mixture containing a metal complexing agent into a nano-darcy shale formation adjacent to a well at a pressure below the fracture pressure of the formation. A sufficient contact time is allowed and then the treatment mixture is pumped from the subsurface. This has been shown to stimulate well production in shale formations. Without being held to a particular theory it appears that the metal complexing agent is binding with naturally occurring metals in the shale formation, and particularly divalent metal ions, which are then extracted with the spent fluid. This removal of naturally occurring metals may be increasing the permeability of the formation in the contact region adjacent to the well, thereby causing the observed increased production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Flex-Chem Holding Company, LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Bryce Conway
  • Patent number: 10543448
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an agglomeration-resistant desulfurizing product for removing contaminants from a fluid stream. The agglomeration-resistant desulfurizing product comprising a metal oxide composition for reacting with contaminants and a polymeric crystallization inhibitor for reducing the agglomeration of the desulfurizing product resulting from using the desulfurizing product. A method to produce the agglomeration-resistant desulfurizing product and a method to treat a fluid stream is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Braga
  • Patent number: 10508185
    Abstract: A method of installing a downhole device comprises introducing a downhole device into a wellbore, the downhole device comprising a substrate and a shape memory polymer in a deformed state disposed on the substrate; combining a modified activation material in the form of a powder, a hydrogel, an xerogel, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing with a carrier to provide an activation fluid; introducing the activation fluid into the wellbore; releasing an activation agent in a liquid form from the modified activation material; and contacting the shape memory polymer in the deformed state with the released activation agent in an amount effective to deploy the shape memory polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Sankaran Murugesan, Oleg A. Mazyar, Valery N. Khabashesku
  • Patent number: 10415359
    Abstract: Well completion technology is disclosed for accounting for fracture surface roughness. A frack fluid is pumped into the wellbore to form a fracture in a formation surrounding a wellbore. In one example, a method for completing a wellbore comprises determining a fracture surface roughness for a given formation rock, and for a give fracture fluid or pumping schedule or both, prior to hydraulic fracturing. A fracture fluid and/or a pumping schedule is selected based on the determined fracture surface roughness and formation characteristics. The selected fracture fluid is pumped into the wellbore, with the selected pumping schedule, to create a desired fracture network in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Enhanced Production, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney J. Green
  • Patent number: 10414970
    Abstract: Design and preparation of a smart system, including a hydrophilic polymer nanoparticle as a core material and a hydrophilic-hydrophobic block copolymer as a coating nanolayer for use in a smart core-shell nanostructure flooding during enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process. The hydrophilic polymers are prepared by an inverse emulsion method. The central core of this nanostructure includes hydrophilic polymer. The nanolayer can be a surfmer. The binary properties of the shell and hydrophilic polymers increase the water viscosity in the water-oil interface and enhance oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventors: Yousef Tamsilian, Ahmad Ramazani Saadatabadi
  • Patent number: 10392552
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of petroleum drilling, and discloses a water-based drilling fluid for protecting fractured reservoirs and preparation method and use thereof. The drilling fluid includes: bentonite, a tackifier, a diluent, a filtrate reducer, an anti-collapse agent, a reservoir protectant composition, a lubricant, and water, wherein, the reservoir protectant composition comprises at least one of a polymer elastic granule, a synthetic fiber and a film former; the polymer elastic granule comprises an intermediate product, an alkali, a salt, and water in specific contents; the intermediate product is prepared from raw materials including acrylamide, a cationic monomer, a cross-linker, an initiator, a toughener, and water in specific contents. The drilling fluid provided in the present invention has a temperature-resistant property up to 200° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)
    Inventors: Jinsheng Sun, Kaihe Lv, Jingping Liu