Separate Steps Of (1) Cementing, Plugging Or Consolidating And (2) Fracturing Or Attacking Formation Patents (Class 166/281)
  • Patent number: 11808145
    Abstract: A fluid signal generator configured to produce fluid pulses in a fluid column of a wellbore are described. The fluid pulses represent data and/or other information to be transmitted from a downhole device, such as a fluid plug apparatus located within the borehole of the wellbore, to one or more other devices located away from the downhole device, including devices located above a surface of the wellbore. The fluid plug may be configured to provide a fluid seal between a first portion of the wellbore and a second portion of the wellbore prior to and during a fluid treatment procedure being performed on the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Sean Christopher Canning, Daniel Keith Moeller
  • Patent number: 11713650
    Abstract: One illustrative diverter valve disclosed herein includes a body with a primary flow path therethrough, first and second fluid flow galleries, first and second fluid outlets, a first sliding sleeve element and a second sliding sleeve element. The first and second sliding sleeve elements, respectively, include first and second internal flow bores, respectively, wherein each of the first and second sliding sleeve elements are adapted to be moved from a first closed position to a second open position, and vice-versa. In the first and second positions, respectively, the first sliding sleeve element blocks or does not block, respectively, fluid flow between the first internal flow bore and the first fluid flow gallery. In the first and second positions, respectively, the second sliding sleeve element blocks or does not block, respectively, fluid flow between the second internal flow bore and the second fluid flow gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Partridge
  • Patent number: 11692417
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing fluids from a subterranean well include forming the subterranean well having at least one lateral wellbore. The lateral wellbore is completed with a lateral production tubular. The lateral wellbore is subdivided into subsequent lateral segments. Each lateral segment is defined by a downhole lateral packer and an uphole lateral packer that seal an annular lateral space defined by an outer diameter surface of the lateral production tubular and an inner diameter surface of the lateral wellbore. A main production tubular extends into the subterranean well, the main production tubular including a lateral access system that provides selective access to the lateral wellbore. A flow of a fluid within the lateral segment is controlled with an inflow control device of the lateral segment. The inflow control device is mechanically adjusted by a tool that is delivered to the inflow control device through the lateral access system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Feras Hamid Rowaihy, Suresh Jacob
  • Patent number: 11649390
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of sequential copolymers (P), comprising at least one chain (C) capable of being obtained by micellar polymerization, for keeping solid particles (p) in suspension in a fluid (F) where said chain (C) is soluble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Energy Solutions (US) LLC
    Inventors: Arnaud Cadix, David James Wilson, Lingjuan Shen
  • Patent number: 11421149
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations with treatment fluids comprising alkyl polyglycoside surfactants are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid; and a surfactant comprising an alkyl polyglycoside or derivative thereof; introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation; and producing fluids from the wellbore during or subsequent to introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai He, Yang Peng, Zhiwei Yue, Liang Xu
  • Patent number: 11390797
    Abstract: Compositions and methods of fracturing including a hydrophobic rendered proppant or a proppant slurry and a fracturing fluid including an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifying agent or mixture of viscosifying agents, and an enhancing proppant suspending composition including an aldehyde, a mixture of aldehydes, a ketone, a mixture of ketones, or mixtures thereof, and optionally a crosslinking agent or a mixture of crosslinking agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: NexTier Completion Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Sarkis Kakadjian, John Vu, Vidya Sagar Bammidi
  • Patent number: 11365346
    Abstract: A variety of systems, methods and compositions are disclosed, including, a method that may comprise providing a fracturing fluid comprising: a carrier fluid; a micro-proppant; and a degradable micro-fiber. The method further may comprise pumping the fracturing fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The method further may comprise creating or extending at least one fracture in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Janette Cortez Montalvo, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11365601
    Abstract: Metal material coated with a layer that is controllably activated can be positioned downhole in a wellbore prior to performing a wellbore operation. After the wellbore operation is performed, the layer can be activated to release the metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cecil Pearl, Jr., Samuel J. Lewis, Simon David Turton, Richard F. Vargo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11352547
    Abstract: Treatment material for a wellbore operation can be mixed with a metal material coated with a layer that is controllably activated to release the metal material downhole in a wellbore. The wellbore treatment material can be mixed with the metal material prior to being positioned downhole in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Hallburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Cecil Pearl, Jr., Samuel J. Lewis, Simon David Turton
  • Patent number: 11306241
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and compositions that provide an energized natural gas (ENG) fracturing fluid including a complexing agent. A fracturing fluid may include: methane; water; a complexing agent; a surfactant; and wherein the fracturing fluid is an emulsion, the water is in a continuous phase of the emulsion, and methane is in a discrete phase of the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrique Antonio Reyes, Denise Nicole Benoit, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 11186762
    Abstract: A method of enhanced oil recovery may comprise placing into a subterranean formation a production enhancement fluid comprising a short chain hydrocarbon phase and a silane based wettability modifier, wherein the short chain hydrocarbon phase comprises hydrocarbons having 5 or less carbon atoms; allowing the production enhancement fluid to remain in the subterranean formation for a shut-in period; and producing hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mallikarjuana Shroff Rama, Rajender Salla, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 11156743
    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 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: W.D. Von Gonten Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: William D. Von Gonten, Roberto Suarez-Rivera, John Graham
  • Patent number: 11156070
    Abstract: The present application describes compositions and methods for the controlled delivery of acid to a desired location, for example to a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammed Sayed, Katherine L. Hull, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Patent number: 11098567
    Abstract: A method for fracturing a well casing includes forming plural perforation clusters into a stage N associated with the well casing; fracturing the plural perforation clusters; forming a current stage N+1 by placing a plug within the stage N, to isolate a first subset of the plural perforation clusters from a second subset of the plural perforation clusters; and fracturing a second time the second subset, but not the first subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: GEODYNAMICS, INC.
    Inventors: Philip M. Snider, David S. Wesson, Steve Baumgartner, John T. Hardesty
  • Patent number: 11091964
    Abstract: A method of sealing a lost circulation zone (LCZ) during a drilling operation by: positioning a bottom hole assembly (BHA) at an initial position proximate a LCZ in a wellbore, wherein the BHA includes a drill bit fluidly connected with a surface of the wellbore via a drill string; and pumping first and second reactant pills and a spacer into the LCZ via the drill string and the drill bit, wherein the first reactant pill includes one or more first reactants, wherein the second reactant pill includes one or more second reactants, wherein the first reactant pill is pumped into the LCZ prior to the second reactant pill due to introducing of the spacer into the drill string between the first and second reactant pills, and wherein, after a reaction time, reactants comprising the one or more first and second reactants react within and provide a seal of the LCZ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Lee Whitfill, Dale E. Jamison, Vitor Lopes Pereira
  • Patent number: 10947447
    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: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: AQUASMART ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Calder Hendrickson, Tommy K. Thrash, Todd Naff
  • Patent number: 10947442
    Abstract: A water-free slurry may include a non-aqueous carrier fluid; a suspension agent including a mineral clay mixture; a crosslinking agent; and a hydratable polymer. A method of treating a subterranean formation may include injecting a water-free slurry into a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, the water-free slurry including: a non-aqueous carrier fluid; a suspension agent comprising a mineral clay mixture; a crosslinking agent; and a hydratable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Syed Afaq Ali, Arthur Milne, Emilio Jose Miquilena, Yenny Christanti
  • Patent number: 10941638
    Abstract: Methods and systems for restimulating a previously fractured subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore are described. The methods include plugging existing perforations in an outer casing and existing fractures in the formation with a diverting agent, placing an inner casing in the wellbore while the existing perforations and existing fractures are plugged with the diverting agent, perforating the inner casing and the outer casing to form new perforations, and pumping a fluid through the new perforations to create new fractures in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: James Eldon Calvin, III
  • Patent number: 10907457
    Abstract: System, methods, and devices for simultaneously fracturing a target formation and an adjacent secondary formation are disclosed. The simultaneous fracturing operations interfere with each other to form in-situ dynamic barriers. The in-situ barriers prevent acid from the fracturing treatment in the target formation from invading the secondary formation and, in some instances, sealing formation rock at the location of the in-situ barrier to prevent or reduce water movement from the secondary formation into the primary formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Moataz Mohammad Alharbi
  • Patent number: 10895126
    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: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Ely and Associates, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Ely
  • Patent number: 10808166
    Abstract: A composition and method for treating a fracturing fluid comprising produced water with high levels of dissolved solids using a polymer crosslinked with a boron compound and a high pH alkylamine buffer. The composition improves the viscosity stability of the fracturing fluid at elevated bottom-hole temperatures, particularly when the fluid has high levels of calcium and magnesium. The composition is particularly useful with polysaccharides, including galactomannan gums, such as guar gum, locust bean gum, and karaya gum, and allows for the use of the preferred boron compound crosslinkers in high total dissolved solids fracturing fluids without the pH destabilization problems encountered with the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SOLVAY USA INC.
    Inventors: Tyler Heath Nelson, Stephen Anthony Glover, Enrique Lopez
  • Patent number: 10767094
    Abstract: A well treatment fluid is provided having an acidic nanosilica dispersion and an alkanolamine. The nanosilica dispersion and the alkanolamine may form a gelled solid after interaction over a period. Methods of reducing water production using the well treatment fluids are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Vikrant Wagle, Abdullah Al-Yami
  • Patent number: 10689978
    Abstract: A method of determining gelation time is disclosed that includes placing a composite core plug into a core holder of a commercially-available vessel. The composite core plug includes a first core plug with second and third core plugs disposed on opposite sides of the first core plug. The second and third core plugs are saturated with polymer solution, and the first core plug is saturated with gel solution comprising polymer and crosslinker. The method further includes alternating polymer solution injections between a first injection area located on the second core plug and a second injection area located on the third core plug, while ensuring that the polymer solution is being continuously fed to the composite core plug. The pressure drop across the composite core plug is monitored during the alternating injection of polymer solution to determine the gelation time of the gel solution in the first core plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdulkareem M. Al-Sofi, Jinxun Wang, Hassan Wasel Al Hashim
  • Patent number: 10683708
    Abstract: Missile flow lines are incorporated into frac manifolds, especially trailered or skidded frac manifolds. The missiles manifold the discharge from a plurality of pumps and comprise at least two junction fittings joined by spooled pipe. The junction fittings comprise a body having a primary bore and at least two feed bores. The intersections of the feed bores with the primary bore are offset axially from each other along the primary bore. The junction fittings are joined by flange unions to at least one spooled pipe such a that the junction fittings and spooled pipe form a conduit including the primary bores. A discharge line from a pump may be joined to each feed union face of the junction fittings by a flange union. Thus, the discharge from the pumps may be manifolded into the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: KHOLLE Magnolia 2015, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Mitchel Hill, William Brent Stroebel, Scott Taylor Donaldson, E. Lee Colley, III
  • Patent number: 10472943
    Abstract: The invention provides for modified proppants, comprising a proppant particle and a hydrogel coating, wherein the hydrogel coating localizes on the surface of the proppant particle to produce the modified proppant, methods of manufacturing such proppants and methods of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SELF-SUSPENDING PROPPANT LLC
    Inventors: Robert P. Mahoney, David S. Soane, Marie K. Herring, Kevin P. Kincaid, Rosa Casado Portilla, Philip Wuthrich
  • Patent number: 10472568
    Abstract: An erosion control slurry is disclosed. The slurry includes water and a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises: mulch at a weight of x; bentonite clay at a weight of about 0.25x to about 0.495x; and cellulosic water dispersible polymer or starch at a weight of about 0.0025x to about 0.125x. Also disclosed are a substrate that can be mixed with liquid to provide an erosion control slurry, and methods of controlling or reducing erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: LSC ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Donze, Joel E. Lanz
  • Patent number: 10458219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole stimulation system for stimulating production. The system has first and second inflatable packers (6) for isolating a production zone (10), the packers being inflated through aperture (15), a sliding sleeve valve (17) arranged between the two packers, the sleeve having an opening (19) to provide fluid communication between the inside of the well tubular and the production zone. In operation the inflatable device is set downstream of the inflation aperture of the lower packer, the well is pressurized to move the tool downstream to open the sliding sleeve valve, whereafter fracturing fluid with proppants having a size which is smaller than that of the sliding sleeve opening (19) and larger than the packer inflation aperture (15), is pumped downhole using a displacement means such as a piston element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Welltec Oilfield Solutions AG
    Inventors: Paul Hazel, Ricardo Reves Vasques
  • Patent number: 10415358
    Abstract: Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bitao Lai, Feng Liang, Leiming Li, Jilin Zhang
  • Patent number: 10414969
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of profile control and flooding in oil fields, particularly to a colloidal nano-graphite-strengthened bulk gel system for dispersed particle gel, and composition thereof. The composition for bulk gel system, containing a polymeric matrix, a resin cross-linking agent, a coagulant, and colloidal nano-graphite, wherein, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polymeric matrix, a content of the resin cross-linking agent is 30-150 parts by weight, a content of the coagulant is 5-100 parts by weight, and a content of the colloidal nano-graphite is 3-30 parts by weight; wherein, the polymeric matrix is partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide with weight-average molecular weight within a range of 5,000,000-8,000,000 g/mol; the coagulant is one or more of chloride salt coagulant and alcohol amine coagulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: China University of Petroleum (East China), China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Oil and Gas Technology Research Institute, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Company
    Inventors: Guang Zhao, Caili Dai, Qing You, Sen Wang, Hai'en Yang, Ping Yi, Lin Li
  • Patent number: 10316636
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation may include preparing a mortar slurry, injecting the mortar slurry into the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create a fracture in the subterranean formation, and allowing the mortar slurry to set, forming a mortar in the fracture. The mortar slurry may be designed to form a pervious mortar, to crack under fracture closure pressure, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ernesto Rafael Fonseca, Arthur Herman Hale, Mauricio Jose Farinas Moya, Guy Lode Magda Maria Verbist, Gerardus Johannes Leonardus Van Der Wegen, Henricus Van Selst
  • Patent number: 10287865
    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: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Harold Dean Brannon, Stephen Jan Szymzak, D.V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Charles Elmer Bell
  • Patent number: 10287479
    Abstract: Portland cement clinker LCMs that include Portland cement clinker to mitigate or prevent lost circulation in a well are provided. A Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker, Portland cement, a carrier fluid, and an inorganic consolidation activator. Another Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker and a crosslinked fluid, such as a polyuronide crosslinked via calcium ions or a polysaccharide crosslinked via divinyl sulfone. Yet another Portland cement clinker LCM may include Portland cement clinker and polymer fibers or particulate glass. Methods of lost circulation control using a Portland cement clinker LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 10233381
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation including introducing a preflush solution comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a surfactant onto the face of a fracture in a subterranean formation with particulates in the fracture; introducing a stabilizing composition onto the fracture face of the formation and onto the particulates proximate the fracture face, the composition including a second aqueous-based fluid; a silane-based resin; and a silane-based curing agent; allowing the stabilizing composition to consolidate the particulates proximate the fracture face, thereby stabilizing the fracture face and proximate particulates in the fracture. A method includes introducing a conformance treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation, said treatment fluid including: an aqueous-based fluid; a silane-based resin; and a silane-based curing agent; and allowing the conformance treatment fluid to at least partially seal the pores of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Shoy G. Chittattukara, Prajakta R. Patil, Vijay Patnana, Anjali R. Sarda-Mantri, Sumit S. Konale
  • Patent number: 10221643
    Abstract: A downhole assembly includes a downhole tool including a degradable-on-demand material, the degradable-on-demand material including a matrix material, and a unit in contact with the matrix material, the unit including a core comprising an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate degradation of the downhole tool and, an activator disposed in contact with the core, the activator having a triggering system including an electrical circuit, an igniter in the electrical circuit arranged to ignite the energetic material, a sensor configured to sense a target event or parameter within the borehole, and a control unit arranged to receive sensed signals from the sensor and to deliver a start signal to the electrical circuit in response to the sensed signals indicating an occurrence of the target event or parameter wherein, after the start signal is delivered from the control unit, the electrical circuit is closed and the igniter is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, Zhiyue Xu, Goang-Ding Shyu, Juan Carlos Flores Perez, James Doane, Yingqing Xu
  • Patent number: 10221642
    Abstract: A downhole assembly includes a downhole tool including a degradable-on-demand material including: a matrix material; and, a unit in contact with the matrix material. The unit includes a core including an energetic material configured to generate energy upon activation to facilitate degradation of the downhole tool; and, an activator disposed in contact with the core, the activator including a triggering system having an electrical circuit and an igniter within the electrical circuit, the electrical circuit having an open condition and a closed condition, the electrical circuit configured to be in the closed condition after movement of an object downhole that engages directly or indirectly with the triggering system, and the igniter arranged to ignite the energetic material in the closed condition of the electrical circuit. In the open condition of the electrical circuit the igniter is inactive, and in the closed condition of the electrical circuit the igniter is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, Zhiyue Xu, Goang-Ding Shyu, Juan Carlos Flores Perez, James Doane, Yingqing Xu
  • Patent number: 10221641
    Abstract: A downhole assembly includes a matrix material and a unit in contact with the matrix material. The unit includes a core having an energetic material, an activator disposed in direct contact with the core, and at least one layer disposed on the core. The activator includes a triggering system having an igniter and a pre-set timer connected in an electrical circuit. The igniter is inactive in an open condition of the electrical circuit, and, after a pre-set time period, the pre-set timer closes the electrical circuit and the igniter is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zhihui Zhang, Zhiyue Xu, Goang-Ding Shyu, Juan Carlos Flores Perez, James Doane, Yingqing Xu
  • Patent number: 10190401
    Abstract: A wellbore (1) surrounded by a formation has a horizontal section provided with a non-cemented perforated liner (3), thereby forming an annular space (4) between the liner and the formation. The annular space is divided into zones (zone 1, zone 2, zone 3) isolated from each other by means of respective external packers (6, 7, 8) arranged externally on the liner. Selective access to the zones is provided by means of an internal pipe (9) arranged inside the liner and provided with internal packers (10, 11, 12) corresponding to the respective external packers. For each of the zones, the internal pipe is provided with a valve (14, 15, 16) providing access between the inside of the internal pipe and the corresponding zone. Stimulation of the near-wellbore is performed by pumping acid or the like reactive fluid through the internal pipe into the wellbore and is performed simultaneously in adjacent zones of the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Total E&P Danmark A/S
    Inventors: Jens Henrik Hansen, Sreejith Pulloor Kuttanikkad
  • Patent number: 10190040
    Abstract: A proppant composition includes: a volume of water; a self-suspending proppant, including a plurality of proppant granules each with a hydrophilic polymer coating, the hydrophilic polymer coatings of the self-suspending proppant together defining a total polymer volume; and an untreated proppant, where a concentration of the self-suspending proppant in the water is sufficient (i) to reduce the water to an unabsorbed volume of less than 25% of the volume of water and (ii) to hydrate at least 75% of the total polymer volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: STEP ENERGY SERVICES LTD.
    Inventors: Darren Michael Maley, Mark Errol Abesamis Manipon
  • Patent number: 10145194
    Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprises: a first composition, wherein the first composition comprises: (A) a first substance; and (B) a second substance, wherein the first composition has a solid-liquid phase transformation temperature less than the solid-liquid phase transformation temperatures of at least the first substance or the second substance at a specific pressure. A method of removing a wellbore isolation device comprises: increasing the temperature surrounding the wellbore isolation device; and allowing at least a portion of the first composition to undergo a phase transformation from a solid to a liquid. A method of inhibiting or preventing fluid flow in a wellbore comprises: decreasing the temperature of at least a portion of the wellbore; positioning the wellbore isolation device in the at least a portion of the wellbore; and increasing the temperature of the at least a portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Pete Dagenais, Michael Fripp, Syed Hamid
  • Patent number: 10119382
    Abstract: A burst plug assembly for use in the fluid port of tubular fracturing tools to provide erosion resistance. The assembly has a body with an annular side wall and a closing wall closing the central bore of the annular side wall. A choke insert is retained in the central bore of the body to line the inner surface of the central bore. A groove in a face of the closing wall circumscribes a core in the bottom wall, and is sized and located so that a largest dimension of the core is no greater than a diameter of the inner bore of the choke insert, such that when a prescribed threshold hydraulic pressure level of the treatment fluid is applied to the closing wall the core disengages from the closing wall along the groove in a bursting action and passes through the inner bore of the choke insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Tartan Completion Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Serhiy Arabskyy, Dwayne Dubourdieu, Ryan David McGillivray
  • Patent number: 10100243
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally preferable microemulsion composition that is suitable for formation stimulation, remediation, and drilling operations, and a method to make and use the same. Specifically, the environmentally preferable microemulsion composition of the present invention can comprise glycol ether, terpene, ethoxylated alcohol, polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester, and a carrier fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KMP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Sean R. Beach, Joel A. Hebert, Derek C. Mouton
  • Patent number: 10100612
    Abstract: A smart dart has a central bore and a collapsible annular protrusion extending radially outward from the dart body. The dart is deployed in a run-in configuration and actuated to a landing configuration to stop on a target seat identified by a control mechanism based on a seat count. The dart also includes a latch tool at a nose section and the central bore and the inner bore of the latch tool are aligned axially. A valve is installed in the central bore and a valve actuator closes the valve to seal the central bore for pressure isolating the wellbore downhole from the wellbore uphole the valve when the dart lands on the target seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Trevor Nicholas Stanley Lisowski, Brian Kenneth Stainthorpe
  • Patent number: 10061061
    Abstract: Methods of well treatment include modeling approaches that account for the effect of pore structure during well stimulation treatments. In one aspect, methods may include preparing a computer model of a porous medium; simulating an injection of a fluid into the computer model of the porous medium; measuring a pore-scale heterogeneity of the computer model of the porous medium, and designing a stimulating fluid treatment for the porous medium. Other aspects may include the development of a wellbore stimulation methodology that allows stimulation fluid breakthrough curves of differing formation samples to be plotted as a single curve that accounts for the varied pore structure of the respective samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Murtaza Ziauddin, Denis Klemin, Mark Andersen, Alexander Nadeev
  • Patent number: 10030472
    Abstract: A tubing string can include a plug blocking fluid flow through a port. The plug can be a frangible component or include a frangible component. When the frangible component is broken, fluid is allowed to flow through the port. An object is releasable from downwell and breaks the frangible component as the object travels towards the surface of the well, propelled by the production fluid. Fluid flow through the port can cause a sleeve to open or close additional ports. Fluid flow through the port can allow for optimized production from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 10000691
    Abstract: Methods of creating variably tacky proppants and providing such proppants into a subterranean formation are provided. The variably tacky proppants can be non-tacky at a first set of conditions and tacky at a second set of conditions. As such, the variably tacky proppants can be pumped into a subterranean formation and caused to enter fractures in the formation while the proppants are non-tacky. Subsequently, natural or induced conditions in the well bore can cause the proppants to become tacky. The tacky proppants inhibit the movement of proppants in the fractures when pressure is reduced in the formation and inhibit the migration of fines towards the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Lu, Denise Nicole Benoit, Ajish Potty
  • Patent number: 9938810
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method comprising a) introducing a delayed-release acid and a gelling agent into a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one fracture in a first treatment interval; b) contacting the delayed-release acid with a face of the fracture in the first treatment interval so as to etch one or more channels thereon; c) introducing a combination of non-degradable and degradable micro-proppant particulates into the subterranean formation so as to place them into the fracture in the first treatment interval, wherein they at least partially inhibit fluid flow therethrough; d) introducing a combination of non-degradable and degradable proppant particulates into the subterranean formation so as to place them into the fracture in the first treatment interval, wherein they at least partially inhibit fluid flow therethrough; e) repeating (a) through (d) at a second treatment interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Loan K. Vo, Thomas Zachary Vonk
  • Patent number: 9939088
    Abstract: A flexible pipe body configured for offshore use or a flexible pipe precursor, and a method of preparing a flexible pipe are disclosed. The pipe body or precursor includes a sacrificial layer which is, at least partially, removable on contact with a solvent medium such as an aqueous solvent, in particular water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventor: Richard Alasdair Clements
  • Patent number: 9932800
    Abstract: A fracturing system is provided. In one embodiment, the fracturing system includes a fracturing manifold for routing fracturing fluid to multiple wells. The fracturing manifold can be coupled via fluid conduits to fracturing trees installed at the wells. In some cases, each fracturing tree that is coupled to the fracturing manifold is coupled by at least one rigid fluid conduit. The fracturing manifold can include a trunk line that provides fracturing fluid to multiple outlet branches, which can include valves for controlling flow of fracturing fluid to wells downstream of the valves. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Kirk P. Guidry
  • Patent number: 9920600
    Abstract: An assembly for performing multiple downhole hydraulic stimulation applications in a well. The different applications may be performed without removal of the assembly from the well between the different applications. So, for example, even a hydraulic perforating application may be performed with prior or subsequent clean-out applications. Yet, there is no need to remove the assembly for manual surface adjustment of the hydraulic perforating tool in order to allow for such clean-outs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Barry McCallum, Jason Swaren, Bradley P. Malone, Kevin Mullen, Kevin Douglas Mauth
  • Patent number: 9890610
    Abstract: The finger or other protrusion allows downward movement of both fluid and balls, darts, or plugs through the tool or sliding sleeve until the ball, dart, or plug releases or actuates the gate. Once actuated the gate prevents further downward movement of any ball, dart, or plug past the gate while allowing fluid flow past both the gate and the ball, dart, or plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Frac Systems, LP
    Inventor: Joe Jordan