Specific Propping Feature (epo) Patents (Class 166/280.1)
  • Patent number: 10738584
    Abstract: Methods of increasing fracture complexity including introducing a solids-free high viscosity fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a pressure above the fracture gradient to create a dominate fracture, and thereafter introducing a low-viscosity pad fluid comprising micro-proppant and meso-proppant into the subterranean formation at a pressure above the fracture gradient to create a secondary branch fracture. The micro-proppant and meso-proppant are placed into the secondary branch fracture. A low-viscosity proppant slurry comprising macro-proppant and micro-proppant is introduced into the subterranean formation at a pressure above the fracture gradient, where the macro-proppant and micro-proppant are introduced into the dominate fracture. Fracture closure stress is applied and the meso-proppant transmits the closure stress to form tertiary branch fractures. The macro-proppant may also transmit the closure stress to form additional secondary branch fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Vladimir Nikolayevich Martysevich, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 10738237
    Abstract: The rapid reaction of hydrofluoric acid with siliceous materials can make it difficult to increase the permeability of subterranean formations containing siliceous minerals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron M. Beuterbaugh, Enrique Antonio Reyes
  • Patent number: 10683739
    Abstract: Methods including introducing a first high-viscosity treatment fluid (HVTF) into a subterranean formation through an opening and applying incrementally increased fracturing rate steps (IIFRSs) to the first HVTF to create or enhance a dominate fracture, wherein between each IIFRS applied to the first HVTF a downhole pressure slope over time will increase, decline, or stabilize at a first HVTF measured pressure slope. Evaluating the first HVTF measured pressure slope prior to applying a subsequent IIFRS to the first HVTF. Introducing a first low-viscosity treatment fluid (LVTF) through the opening to create or enhance a secondary azimuth fracture extending from the dominate fracture, and performing a first net pressure operation after the first LVTF is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Matthew Lewis Lahman, Jesse Clay Hampton, Vladimir Nikolayevich Martysevich, Stephen Byrne Persac
  • Patent number: 10619088
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: introducing a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation to create or enhance a fracture comprising a bottom and top portion; introducing a first treatment fluid into the fracture, wherein after introduction of the first treatment fluid, at least a portion of the first treatment fluid remains in the bottom portion; and simultaneously introducing a second and third treatment fluid into the fracture after introduction of the first treatment fluid, wherein after introduction of the second and third treatment fluids, at least a portion of the second treatment fluid remains in the top portion, wherein after introduction of the first, second, and third treatment fluids, the bottom portion of the fracture has a first permeability and the top portion of the fracture has a second permeability that is greater than the first permeability. The first treatment fluid can create or enhance the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Walter T. Stephens
  • Patent number: 10611949
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aqueous gelling systems comprising an encapsulated polymerization accelerator with water soluble or dispersable monomers comprising acrylated or methacrylated polyethylene and/or polyoxypropylene monomers and a polymerization initiator dispersed in said monomers, useful i.a. for sealing subterranean environments or consolidation of a soil or sealing of a subterranean structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: RHODIA OPERATIONS
    Inventors: Amaud Cadix, Rabih Rached, Pierre Ardaud
  • Patent number: 10550317
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including providing a sugar based hardenable resin, providing proppant particles, providing a hardening agent, combining the sugar based hardenable resin and the hardening agent to form a resin compound, coating the resin compound onto at least a portion of the proppant particles to create resin-coated proppant particles, and placing the coated proppant particles into a subterranean formation zone, wherein the resin compound does not substantially cure prior to placing the resin coated proppant particles into the subterranean formation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sairam Eluru, Rajender Salla
  • Patent number: 10508527
    Abstract: Methods for creating vertical mini-holes in a subterranean formation while creating multi-directional Bernoulli-induced fractures therein are provided. These methods are particularly useful in horizontal or deviated wells. In some embodiments, the method includes forming a mini-hole in the subterranean formation perpendicular to the deviated wellbore. The mini-hole is in fluid communication with the deviated wellbore at a proximal end and has a tip located at a distal end. The method further includes injecting fluid into the mini-hole with a maximum pressure forming at the tip so as to initiate a fracture along local formation stresses proximate the tip of the mini-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja
  • Patent number: 10479929
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation includes introducing into the formation a fracturing composition comprising a carrier and a substantially spherical polymeric particulate derived from a cashew nut shell liquid, the substantially spherical polymeric particulate having an apparent specific gravity of less than about 2.4. The fracturing composition is introduced at a pressure sufficient to create or enlarge a fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta
  • Patent number: 10465961
    Abstract: A detection system and method of detection directed towards the detection of refrigerant leaking from a refrigerant circuit in a heating, ventilation, air condition, and refrigeration (HVACR) system. The system including a refrigerant circuit utilizes a working fluid that also contains an additive fluid. The system also includes a detection device that can detect the additional fluid external to the refrigerant circuit. A method of detecting leaking refrigerant is includes adding a detectable fluid to a refrigerant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Stephen A. Kujak
  • Patent number: 10465468
    Abstract: Downhole tools for use in oil and gas production which degrade into non-toxic materials, a method of making them and methods of using them. A frac ball and a bridge plug comprised of polyglycolic acid which can be used in fracking a well and then left in the well bore to predictably, quickly, and safely disintegrate into environmentally friendly products without needing to be milled out or retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Magnum Oil Tools International, Ltd.
    Inventors: W. Lynn Frazier, Garrett Frazier, Derrick Frazier
  • Patent number: 10457860
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a proppant coated with: at least one water-soluble and/or water-swellable polymers; and at least one composition comprising at least one sequestering agent; the sequestering agent being in the layer of water soluble and/or water-swellable polymer and/or in another layer. The invention also relates to the use of this proppant for hydraulic fracturing and especially when the hydraulic fracturing fluid comprises divalent cations in a proportion equal or greater to 0.1 weight %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: James H. Penland, W. Kurt Hammesfahr, Jordan Davis
  • Patent number: 10436004
    Abstract: Methods including isolating a first treatment zone comprising an opening into a subterranean formation. A high-viscosity treatment fluid (HVTF) is introduced through the opening and incrementally increased fracturing rate steps (IIFRSs) are applied to create or enhance a dominate fracture, wherein between each IIFRS a downhole pressure slope over time will increase, decline, or stabilize at a measured pressure slope. The measured pressure slope is evaluated to determine whether an increasing pressure slope, a stabilizing pressure slope, or a declining pressure slope exists to determine whether and when to apply a subsequent IIFRS. The result is increasing a volume of the dominate fracture due to efficient dominate fracturing with generated back pressure until a first maximum fracturing rate is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Matthew Lewis Lahman, Jesse Clay Hampton, Vladimir Nikolayevich Martysevich, Stephen Byrne Persac
  • Patent number: 10428264
    Abstract: Methods of preparing a viscosified treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, a gelling agent, and breaker coated particulates (“BCPs”). The BCPs comprise particulates at least partially coated with a first layer of a stabilization agent followed by a second layer of a breaker. The viscosified treatment fluid may be introduced into a subterranean formation, the breaker activated to reduce a viscosity thereof, and a particulate pack formed in the subterranean formation with the BCPs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant D. Chopade, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10428633
    Abstract: Methods including introducing a first high-viscosity treatment fluid (HVTF) into a subterranean formation through an opening and applying incrementally increased fracturing rate steps (IIFRSs) to the first HVTF to create or enhance a dominate fracture, wherein between each IIFRS applied to the first HVTF a downhole pressure slope over time will increase, decline, or stabilize at a first HVTF measured pressure slope. Evaluating the first HVTF measured pressure slope prior to applying a subsequent IIFRS to the first HVTF. Introducing a first low-viscosity treatment fluid (LVTF) through the opening to create or enhance a secondary azimuth fracture extending from the dominate fracture, and introducing a low-viscosity diversion fluid pill (LVDF) pill through the opening to create a fluidic seal therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Matthew Lewis Lahman, Jesse Clay Hampton, Vladimir Nikolayevich Martysevich, Stephen Byrne Persac, Shea Nicholas Evans
  • Patent number: 10400160
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation is disclosed. The method can include placing in the subterranean formation a crosslinked composition that includes proppant particles including polymer coatings thereon. The crosslinked composition includes inter-particle crosslinks between the polymer coatings of at least some of the proppant particles. The inter-particle crosslinks includes a crosslinker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Eric Maxey, Travis Hope Larsen, Walter T. Stephens, Antonio Recio, III
  • Patent number: 10401056
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hydrothermal geothermal development method of multilateral well closed circulation, comprises the steps of: dividing a geothermal reservoir into single layers according to geothermal reservoir geological conditions, wherein an upper single layer with a lower water temperature and a higher permeability is taken as a recharge layer, and a lower single layer with a higher water temperature is taken as a production layer; tripping a production casing, and injecting cement for well cementation; performing casing lateral windowing in a vertical hole corresponding to the recharge layer, and drilling several branch radial horizontal holes into the recharge layer; performing casing lateral windowing in the vertical hole corresponding to the production layer, and drilling several branch radial horizontal holes into the production layer; tripping a guiding pipe into the production casing of the vertical hole, with a depth thereof reaching a well section between the recharge layer and th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM-BEIJING
    Inventors: Xianzhi Song, Gensheng Li, Zhongwei Huang, Shouceng Tian, Haizhu Wang, Huaizhong Shi, Mao Sheng, Yiqun Zhang, Jingbin Li, Yu Shi
  • Patent number: 10364660
    Abstract: Method comprising introducing a proppant-free fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation to create or enhance one or more fractures; providing binding agent-coated proppant comprising proppant coated with a binding agent; and introducing, in alternating order, a proppant-laden fluid and a spacer fluid into one or more of the fractures. The proppant-laden fluid comprises a base fluid and binding agent-coated proppant, and the spacer fluid comprises a base fluid and degradable ultra-low density particulates. And forming a proppant pack in the fracture, wherein the proppant pack comprises binding agent-coated proppant and degradable ultra-low density particulates; producing hydrocarbons through the proppant pack; wherein the hydrocarbons degrade the degradable ultra-low density particulates to leave behind particulate-free channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Loan K. Vo
  • Patent number: 10344206
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation by fracturing the subterranean formation is disclosed. The method may include injecting a fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein the fluid comprises a blend of a sintered ceramic rod-shaped proppant and a substantially spherical proppant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: US Ceramics LLC
    Inventors: Jean Andre Alary, Thomas Parias
  • Patent number: 10344204
    Abstract: The fracturing methods described in the present disclosure provide advantage over the current fracturing methods. The disclosed fracturing methods can change the fracture gradient of the downhole subterranean formation. For example, one or more of the fracture gradients of the low and high stress zones of the downhole subterranean formation can be changed. Furthermore, the methods of present disclosure, in relation to current practices, can decrease the extent and/or degree of fracturing within low stress downhole formations and increase the degree of fracturing within high stress formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: DIVERSION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, HIGHLANDS NATURAL RESOURCES, PLC
    Inventors: Paul E. Mendell, Stephen Miller
  • Patent number: 10337309
    Abstract: The present invention provides a methodology and compositions for re-fracturing a wellbore. By differentiating existing perforations that have been fractured from those that are not, applying a sealing composition to seal off the identified, fractured perforations, and performing re-fracturing to perforations that are not sealed, a wellbore can be re-fractured effectively and efficiently. The present invention for re-fracturing a wellbore has broad applications in the field of hydraulic fracturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: NewWell Tech, LLC
    Inventors: Zhijie Huang, Jiaher Tian
  • Patent number: 10310136
    Abstract: A method is performed for defining optimal landing location(s) of horizontal wells for hydraulic fracturing stimulation, for improved well performance of unconventional reservoirs. The method includes evaluating one or more planes of weakness, pinch-out points, or thin rock layering in the reservoir that may impede hydraulic fracture growth or may close fractured sections during production. The method can include conducting detailed analysis on core and open hole logs, and defining the presence, density, orientation, spacing, and mechanical properties of various thin interfaces and barriers in the rock mass. The method can include classifying the barriers or thin interfaces based on their effect on hydraulic fracture growth or fracture connectivity, and on uncertainty of their effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: W.D. Von Gonten Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Von Gonten, Roberto Suarez-Rivera, John Graham
  • Patent number: 10301523
    Abstract: A granular lost circulation material for use in a wellbore during drilling operations to minimize loss of drilling fluid at a lost circulation area is disclosed. The granular lost circulation material comprises a granular material and a non-hardening tackifying agent. The granular material is coated with the non-hardening tackifying agent. The granular lost circulation material forms agglomerated particles, which form a filter cake at the lost circulation area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharath Savari, B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 10266756
    Abstract: A treatment fluid and a plurality of proppant particles, which comprise a cross-linked polyimide aerogel, are provided for use in the fracking of subterranean formations. The cross-linked polyimide aerogel can have a porosity above about 80% and a compressive strength in the range from about 10,000 psi to about 50,000 psi. The cross-linked polyimide aerogel can be derived by cross-linking oligomers, wherein each oligomer comprises a base unit of one or more dianhydrides and one or more diamines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sairam Eluru, Mallikarjuna Shroff Rama, Sunil Garaje
  • Patent number: 10266754
    Abstract: Methods including preparing a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, degradable reticulated foam particulates, and non-degradable proppant particulates; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation comprising at least one fracture therein; placing the degradable reticulated foam particulates and the non-degradable proppant particulates into the at least one fracture, so as to form a stabilized proppant pack therein; and degrading the degradable reticulated foam particulates, thereby forming a high porosity propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver
  • Patent number: 10266757
    Abstract: A method for improving the performance of fracturing processes in oil production fields may rely on polymer coated particles carried in the fracturing fluid. The particles may include heavy substrates, such as sand, ceramic sand, or the like coated with polymers selected to absorb water, increasing the area and volume to travel more readily with the flow of fluid without settling out, or allowing the substrate to settle out. Ultimately, the substrate may become lodged in the fissures formed by the pressure or hydraulic fracturing, resulting in propping open of the fissures for improved productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: AQUASMART ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Calder Hendrickson, Tommy K. Thrash
  • Patent number: 10221669
    Abstract: Wellbore tubulars including a plurality of selective stimulation ports and methods of utilizing the same. The wellbore tubulars include a tubular body including an external surface and an internal surface that defines a tubular conduit. The wellbore tubulars also include a plurality of selective stimulation ports, and each selective stimulation port includes a SSP conduit and an isolation device that is configured to selectively transition from a closed state to an open state responsive to a shockwave having greater than a threshold shockwave intensity. The methods include methods of stimulating a subterranean formation utilizing the wellbore tubulars. The methods also include methods of re-stimulating the subterranean formation utilizing the wellbore tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, P. Matthew Spiecker, Steve Lonnes, Timothy J. Hall
  • Patent number: 10221649
    Abstract: The disclosure pertains to the design and implementation of a diversion procedure for geologic openings. Embodiments involve performing a screening analysis to determine if a well or formation is appropriate for stimulation. If a well is appropriate, a modeling analysis is performed to determine candidate parameters for a diversion procedure. The analysis is divided into two segments, a dry analysis of jamming and a wet and full-physics-based analysis of plugging. The jamming analysis provides candidates to the plugging analysis to reduce the work of the more intensive wet full-physics modeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Mojtaba Pordel Shahri, Clayton S. Smith, Francisco E. Fragachan, Ovunc Mutlu
  • Patent number: 10196888
    Abstract: Improving the flow of hydrocarbons from shale lateral wellbores in unconventional wellbores may be accomplished with various configurations of assisting lateral wellbores and/or kick-off wellbores from primary lateral wellbores and/or secondary or assisting lateral wellbores. By extending fracture networks from adjacent lateral wellbores and/or adjacent kick-off wellbores so that the fracture networks from different wellbores are in fluid communication with one another, the flow of various fluids between the adjacent wellbores provides another dimension of control over the wellbores and fracture networks used to recover hydrocarbons from the shale intervals of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Crews, Robert Samuel Hurt
  • Patent number: 10196554
    Abstract: Corrosion and/or calcium scale deposition on a surface in contact with corrosion forming components and/or scale forming components within a subterranean formation may be decreased, prevented, and/or inhibited by contacting the surface with at least one protein. The protein(s) may be or include, but is not limited to, at least one aspein protein, at least one aspolin protein, at least one dentine protein, at least one DRICH-1 protein, at least one nacrein protein, at least one SMDT-1 protein, derivatives thereof, fragments thereof, mimetics thereof, and combinations thereof. The surface may be or include, but is not limited to a metal surface, a plastic surface, a ceramic surface, a painted surface, a coated surface, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Prasad D. Dhulipala, Charles David Armstrong
  • Patent number: 10174568
    Abstract: A treatment fluid that comprises a carrier fluid and a degradable material in the form of particles, fibers or both is provided or prepared. The treatment fluid is placed in a borehole such that the treatment fluid contacts a liner, a downhole filter, perforations, natural fractures, induced fractures, or a subterranean formation or combinations thereof. The treatment fluid is allowed to flow into the liner, downhole filter, perforation, natural or induced fracture or subterranean formation such that the degradable material forms at least one plug or filter cake (or both), preventing or reducing further fluid movement between the wellbore and the subterranean formation. The degradable material is then allowed to dissolve after a period of time, causing the plug or filter cake (or both) to weaken, thereby allowing removal of the plug or filter cake (or both) and reestablishing fluid movement between formation and the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nikita Yurievich Silko, Anatoly Vladimirovich Medvedev, Daniel Anatolievitch Kalinin, Ashley Watling
  • Patent number: 10138414
    Abstract: Methods including providing memory particulates having a compressed configuration and a decompressed configuration; providing a treatment fluid comprising a treatment base fluid and memory particulates in a configuration; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation comprising at least one fracture therein, so as to place the memory particulates in the at least one fracture in their compressed configuration; and expanding the memory particulates to the decompressed configuration, thereby mechanically interlocking the memory particulates and propping open at least a portion of the at least one fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James William Ogle, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10131833
    Abstract: Self-suspending proppants including proppant particles coated with a CO2-philic coating are provided. The CO2-philic coating may be lightly crosslinked and may have a physical structure that constrains CO2 molecules. Methods of making self-suspending proppants may include coating a proppant particle with a polymerizable precursor material of a CO2-philic material and polymerizing the polymerizable precursor material to form a self-suspending proppant are also provided. Additionally, hydraulic fracturing fluids that may include a CO2-based fluid and the self-suspending proppants and methods of treating subterranean formations by contacting a subterranean formation with hydraulic fracturing fluid and propagating at least one subterranean fracture are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: Aramco Services Company, Research Foundation of The City of New York
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri, Leiming Li, B. Raghava Reddy, George John, Vidyasagar Adiyala
  • Patent number: 10131832
    Abstract: Self-suspending proppants including proppant particles coated with a CO2-philic coating are provided. The CO2-philic coating may be lightly crosslinked and may have a physical structure that constrains CO2 molecules. Methods of making self-suspending proppants may include coating a proppant particle with a polymerizable precursor material of a CO2-philic material and polymerizing the polymerizable precursor material to form a self-suspending proppant are also provided. Additionally, hydraulic fracturing fluids that may include a CO2-based fluid and the self-suspending proppants and methods of treating subterranean formations by contacting a subterranean formation with hydraulic fracturing fluid and propagating at least one subterranean fracture are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignees: Aramco Services Company, Research Foundation of The City University of New York
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri, Leiming Li, B. Raghava Reddy, George John, Vidyasagar Adiyala
  • Patent number: 10119068
    Abstract: Viscosifying proppants including proppant particles coated with a CO2-philic coating in which the CO2-philic coating has a solvable portion that viscosifies a CO2-based fluid when the viscosifying proppant is added to the CO2-based fluid are provided. Methods of making viscosifying proppants are also provided that include coating proppant particles with a precursor material of a CO2-philic material, and polymerizing the precursor material to form a viscosifying proppant. Viscous hydraulic fracturing fluids include a CO2-based fluid and the viscosifying proppants and methods of treating subterranean formations that include contacting a subterranean formation with a viscous hydraulic fracturing fluid and propagating at least one subterranean fracture are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Feng Liang, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri, Leiming Li, B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 10113406
    Abstract: Fracturing a reservoir includes providing a pad fluid to the reservoir via a wellbore in a well to create fractures in the reservoir, providing a fracturing fluid to the fractures via the wellbore, providing a nanosilica carrier fluid to the fractures via the wellbore, activating the nanosilica particles with an activator to yield a nanosilica gel, and shutting in the wellbore at a wellbore pressure, thereby allowing the nanosilica gel to form proppant pillars in the fractures. The nanosilica carrier fluid includes nanosilica particles, and providing the nanosilica carrier fluid to the fractures comprises pulsing quantities of the nanosilica carrier fluid into a continuous flow of the fracturing fluid or alternately pulsing quantities of the nanosilica carrier fluid and the fracturing fluid. An elapsed time between pulsing the quantities of the nanosilica carrier fluid is between 2 seconds and 10 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed M. Gomaa, Khalid R. Noaimi, Ghaithan A. Al-Muntasheri, Noor Othman Bagader, Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Jin Huang
  • Patent number: 10017687
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing a proppant material by heating a reaction mixture comprising a plurality of oxides in a reactive atmosphere to a temperature above the melting point of the reaction mixture to form a melt, and then allowing the melt to solidify in a mold in the form of spherical particles. The present invention also provides a method of preparing a proppant material by heating a reaction mixture comprising a plurality of oxides and one or more additives in a reactive atmosphere to a temperature below the melting point of the reaction mixture to form a powder including one or more reaction products, and then processing the powder to form spherical particles. The present invention also provides a proppant material including spherical particles characterized by a specific gravity of about 1.0 to 3.0 and a crush strength of at least about 10,000 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Vilupanur A. Ravi, Samad A. Firdosy, Jean-Pierre Fleurial, Sabah K. Bux, Andrew Kindler
  • Patent number: 10012062
    Abstract: The production of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon bearing formation is enhanced by introduction into the formation a non-aqueous fluid containing a liquefied natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Harold Dean Brannon
  • Patent number: 10012064
    Abstract: The disclosure provides fracturing methods having advantage over current fracturing methods. The disclosed fracturing methods can change the fracture gradient of the downhole subterranean formation. For example, one or more of the fracture gradients of the low and high stress zones of the downhole subterranean formation can be changed. Furthermore, in relation to current practices, the methods can decrease the extent and/or degree of fracturing within low stress downhole formations and increase the degree of fracturing within high stress formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignees: HIGHLANDS NATURAL RESOURCES, PLC, DIVERSION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Paul E. Mendell
  • Patent number: 9994764
    Abstract: Methods and systems for infusing ceramic proppant and infused ceramic proppant obtained therefrom are provided. The method can include introducing ceramic proppant and a chemical treatment agent to a mixing vessel, mixing the ceramic proppant and the chemical treatment agent in the mixing vessel to provide a mixture, introducing microwave energy to the mixing vessel to heat the mixture to a temperature sufficient to produce infused ceramic proppant containing at least a portion of the chemical treatment agent, and withdrawing the infused ceramic proppant from the mixing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Howe, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper
  • Patent number: 9976073
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating heat and/or nitrogen gas in subterranean operations, pipelines, and other related operations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment composition comprising a carrier fluid, a delayed acid generating component, a first reactant, and a second reactant, wherein the first and second reactants are selected for being capable of reacting in an exothermic chemical reaction or a chemical reaction that produces nitrogen gas; and introducing the treatment composition into at least a portion of a conduit, container, or subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajender Salla, Mario Cyril Pinto, Snehalata Sachin Agashe, Neelam Deepak Raysoni, Mdmonsur Alam
  • Patent number: 9951266
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a resin-loaded expanded material into a wellbore wherein a resin is released from the resin-loaded expanded material in situ within the wellbore or subterranean formation. A wellbore treatment composition comprising a resin-loaded expanded material wherein the expanded material comprises polylactide and the resin material comprises a high-temperature epoxy-based resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Tingji Tang
  • Patent number: 9926487
    Abstract: The increased thermal strength polymer proppant and method for producing the same relate to the oil and gas production technology using materials of high-molecular compounds, especially to proppants of polymer materials with high requirements for the physical and mechanical characteristics, utilized as propping granules in the oil and gas production by a method of hydraulic fracturing. The proppant is made of a metathesis-radically cross-linked mixture of oligocyclopentadienes and methylcarboxy norbornene esters. The proppant represents microspheres having a roundness and sphericity of at least 0.9 for no less than 80% by weight, whose average size being in the range 0.25-1.1 mm and a bulk density being in the range of 0.5-0.7 g/cm3. The technical result is an increase in thermal strength of the proppant material, providing for a compressive strength of at least 150 MPa at a temperature of not less than 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: OTKRYTOE AKTSYONERNOE OBSCHESTVO “ROSNEFT OIL COMPANY”
    Inventors: Vladimir Vladimirovich Afanasiev, Sergey Anatolievich Alkhimov, Nataliya Borisovna Bespalova, Egor Vladimirovich Shutko, Tatyana Modestovna Yumasheva, Igor Alekseevich Kiselev, Olga Vasilievna Masloboyschikova
  • Patent number: 9879175
    Abstract: A capsule for carrying a proppant for emplaced in a formation containing formation fluid by a hydraulic fracture operation using a fracturing fluid. The capsule includes a capsule body. The capsule body includes a proppant. There is a surface layer on the capsule body that is permeable to the formation fluid or the fracturing fluid or is permeable to both the formation fluid and the fracturing fluid. The proppant material is dry cement that interacts with the formation fluid or the fracturing fluid or both the formation fluid and the fracturing fluid that migrate through the surface layer and is taken up by the dry cement causing the dry cement to harden.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier, Eric B. Duoss, Jeffery James Roberts, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Joshuah K. Stolaroff
  • Patent number: 9863240
    Abstract: Methods and software tools for determining wellbore-strengthening information for a drilling operation, the method including inputting wellbore parameters into a wellbore simulator, importing wellbore-strengthening options into the wellbore simulator, and performing a plurality of wellbore simulations to obtain fracture information, wherein the performing the plurality of wellbore simulations includes selecting at least one of the wellbore parameters and determining the affect of the selected wellbore parameter on the wellbore. The method further includes selecting a wellbore-strengthening option based on the fracture information and outputting the selected wellbore-strengthening option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Thomas Geehan, Quanxin Guo, Mario Zamora
  • Patent number: 9845670
    Abstract: Systems and methods for placing proppant in a portion of a subterranean formation (e.g., in a fracturing operation) using two or more immiscible fluids are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: introducing into a well bore penetrating a portion of a subterranean formation alternating stages of a first treatment fluid comprising one or more proppants, and a second treatment fluid comprising a lesser concentration of proppants than the first fluid, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are substantially immiscible in one another, and wherein the alternating stages of the first and second treatment fluids are introduced into the well bore at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Basuki Surjaatmadja, Stanley V. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9828843
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The method includes introducing a gas phase gas into fractures of the subterranean formation extending from the wellbore, followed by introducing a carrier fluid into the subterranean formation under sufficient pressure to fracture a portion of the subterranean formation and release hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation. The gas phase gas occupies the fractures at a sufficient pressure to cause the carrier fluid to be diverted to additional fractures of the subterranean formation defined by the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignees: HIGHLANDS NATURAL RESOURCES, PLC, DIVERSION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Paul E. Mendell
  • Patent number: 9816364
    Abstract: A well stimulation method includes using a well formation containing fractures and placing proppant in the fractures. A plurality of individual particles of the proppant includes a core containing a swellable material. The method includes swelling the core and increasing a size of the fractures using the swelling core. A proppant particle includes a core containing a swellable material and a dissolvable layer encapsulating the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: BJ SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Kruspe, Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 9816365
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing in the wellbore and/or subterranean formation a pad fluid and forming a fracture in the subterranean formation. Next, a first slurry fluid may be placed into the fracture in the subterranean formation. The first slurry fluid may comprise a reducible material and a first particulate material. Next, a second slurry fluid and a spacer fluid may be placed into the fracture in the subterranean formation in an alternating sequence. The second slurry fluid may comprise a second particulate material. Then, the fracture is allowed to close and the fluids are allowed to break. Finally, the reducible materials degrade, to form a particulate-laden proppant pack (PLPP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jason E. Bryant
  • Patent number: 9790763
    Abstract: Downhole tools including a body, wherein at least a portion of the body is degradable when exposed to a wellbore environment; and at least one degradable sealing element comprising a cast degradable elastomer, wherein at least a portion of the cast degradable sealing element degrades when exposed to the wellbore environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton
  • Patent number: 9759053
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore. The method includes introducing a gas phase gas into fractures of the subterranean formation extending from the wellbore, followed by introducing a carrier fluid into the subterranean formation under sufficient pressure to fracture a portion of the subterranean formation and release hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation. The gas phase gas occupies the fractures at a sufficient pressure to cause the carrier fluid to be diverted to additional fractures of the subterranean formation defined by the portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignees: HIGHLANDS NATURAL RESOURCES, PLC, DIVERSION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Paul E. Mendell