Using Specific Materials Patents (Class 166/292)
  • Patent number: 11634967
    Abstract: Methods for more reliably cementing and remediating oil and gas wells by plastically expanding the diameter of the wellbore casing at select locations along the wellbore to control fluid flow in the micro-annular leak paths formed in the casing annulus between the casing and cement sheath, or between the casing and wellbore. Such methods do not require pre-placement of casing packers or prediction of potential leak points of the casing annulus. In cementing operations, casing expansion can be performed at strategic locations along the wellbore to eliminate annular leak paths that permit detrimental flow, direct the flow of cement to the desired portions of the wellbore, and prevent the flow of cement to oil producing formations. In instances of inter-zonal communication between subterranean formations, casing expansion can be performed at location(s) between the formations to mitigate or prevent inter-zonal communication via annular leak paths in the casing annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: WINTERHAWK WELL ABANDONMENT LTD.
    Inventor: Dale Kunz
  • Patent number: 11572761
    Abstract: A method for zonal isolation in a subterranean formation includes identifying a zone of interest within the subterranean formation, determining a static temperature of the zone of interest, determining a time duration for gelation of a treatment fluid, determining a concentration of an accelerator in the treatment fluid, determining a volume of the treatment fluid to be delivered to the zone of interest, determining a correlation between cooling of a wellbore near the zone of interest and a delivery rate of the treatment fluid, determining a target wellbore temperature, delivering a cooling stage until the target wellbore temperature is reached, and delivering a treatment stage. Delivering the cooling stage and the treatment stage results in forming, within the zone of interest, a gel that is impermeable to fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohamed Hassan Sherief, Ayman Mohammed Almohsin, Haider Jaffer Abdulal, Mohammed I. Alabdrabalnabi
  • Patent number: 11499085
    Abstract: A method of controlling lost circulation includes introducing into a wellbore a lost circulation fluid comprising: an external oil phase, an internal aqueous phase, an emulsifier, a wetting agent, a magnesia sealant, and a; retarder; contacting the lost circulation fluid with a lost circulation zone; and forming a plug adjacent the lost circulation zone by reacting the magnesia sealant with water at a wellbore temperature, thereby reducing fluid loss into the lost circulation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Shiv Shankar Sangaru, Pranjal Sarmah
  • Patent number: 11499086
    Abstract: A method for strengthening a subterranean formation is disclosed herein. A method of strengthening a subterranean formation includes: introducing a first fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein the first fluid includes polyvalent cations; and introducing a second fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein the second fluid includes a dissolved silicate in an aqueous-base fluid; wherein the dissolved silicate reacts with the polyvalent cations in the subterranean formation to form a reaction product including precipitated silicate in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Brian Alan Evans, William Walter Shumway, Denise Nicole Benoit
  • Patent number: 11466535
    Abstract: A casing segment comprising a cylinder, a downhole tool, a first channel in the cylinder, a degradable plug wherein the plug degrades when exposed to a degrading fluid, said degrading fluid concurrently not degrading to the cylinder or the downhole tool, and a fluid reservoir that stores the degrading fluid, wherein the fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the plug. A method comprising obtaining a casing segment having a cylinder, a downhole tool, and a fluid reservoir with degrading fluid, said degrading fluid concurrently not degrading to the cylinder or the downhole tool, wherein the cylinder includes a first channel, installing a degradable plug within the first channel, deploying the casing segment downhole, and exposing the degradable plug to the degrading fluid to cause the downhole tool to be in fluid communication with the interior surface of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zac Suresh Arackakudiyil, Gregory Scott Cunningham
  • Patent number: 11459849
    Abstract: A sealing method for a drilled hole in three zones of overburden comprises: blocking the fissure zone and the caving zone with at least one filling bag; and transporting prepared cement slurry to the drilled hole through a hollow drill pipe, so as to block the curved subsidence zone. The three zones of overburden comprise a fissure zone, a caving zone and a curved subsidence zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF MINING AND TECHNOLOGY, BEIJING, Shaanxi Coal Caojiatan Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yifan Zeng, Qiang Wu, Zhaolai Hua, Rui Wang, Zhenzhong Pang, Lu Wang, Yang Lv, Xin Du, Kai Pang, Aoshuang Mei
  • Patent number: 11454082
    Abstract: An exemplary dissolvable assembly is provided. The dissolvable assembly includes a skeleton made from a first material, and a body made from a second material, wherein the first material and the second material dissolve at different rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Sakethraman Mahalingam, Graham Hitchcock, Daniele Colombo, Jianhui Xu
  • Patent number: 11447685
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting dissolution of carbonates in a subterranean formation are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a carbonate dissolution inhibiting additive; contacting a portion of a carbonate-bearing subterranean formation with the treatment fluid; and allowing the carbonate dissolution inhibiting additive to chemically interact with the portion of the carbonate-bearing subterranean formation to inhibit dissolution of one or more carbonate minerals in the formation, whereby the susceptibility of at least a portion of the carbonate-bearing subterranean formation to fluid-induced damage is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mallikarjuna Shroff Rama, Denise Nicole Benoit, Sumit Shivshankar Konale, Kristina Henkel Holan, Enrique Reyes
  • Patent number: 11414513
    Abstract: A method for producing a nanocomposite sorbent comprising carbon nanotube-grafted acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer which involves copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide in the presence of an aqueous dispersion of carbon nanotubes. The method yields a nanocomposite sorbent material having a reversible adsorption capacity phenol of 5 to 2500 ?g of phenol per mg of nanocomposite sorbent. Also disclosed is a method for removing organic pollutants from water using the nanocomposite sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
    Inventor: Asma Mohammed Zamil Elsharif
  • Patent number: 11365612
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon wellbore production apparatus includes a tailpipe and a control valve connected with the tailpipe. The tailpipe has a fluid inlet receiving well fluids entering the casing from a formation, and a fluid outlet above the fluid inlet to deliver well liquid to a connected pump inlet. The control valve is operable to (i) open when a lower fluid pressure below the flow control valve exceeds an upper fluid pressure above the flow control valve to allow upward flow through the flow control valve, (ii) close when the upper fluid pressure exceeds the lower fluid pressure by an amount which does not exceed a prescribed pressure limit value to hold fluid in the apparatus above the flow control valve, and (iii) open when the upper fluid pressure exceeds the lower fluid pressure by an amount which exceeds the pressure limit value to release excess fluid back down the tailpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Brian Ellithorp
  • Patent number: 11352546
    Abstract: A lost circulation material (LCM) is provided having an alkaline nanosilica dispersion and an ester activator. The alkaline nanosilica dispersion and the ester activator may form a gelled solid after interaction over a contact period. Methods of lost circulation control using the LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Vikrant Wagle, Rajendra Kalgaonkar, Abdullah Al-Yami, Zainab Alsaihati
  • Patent number: 11339626
    Abstract: A method for mitigating a fluid flow from a target wellbore using a relief wellbore includes receiving wellbore geometry information of the target wellbore, receiving an initial interception point of the target wellbore, simulating a change in a three-dimensional flow characteristic of a kill fluid flow from a simulated relief wellbore and a target fluid flow from a simulated target wellbore resulting from an interaction between the kill fluid flow and the target fluid flow at the initial interception point, the simulated target wellbore designed using the received wellbore geometry information, and determining a final interception point of the target wellbore based on the simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Madhusuden Agrawal, Paulo Jorge Da Cunha Gomes, James H. Knight, Satpreet Nanda, Lei Zhou, Eugene Sweeney
  • Patent number: 11313199
    Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure relate to a temporary seal within a wellbore. More specifically, embodiments include a temporary seal within casing that limits the flow of fluid through the casing until the temporary seal is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: VERTICE OIL TOOLS INC.
    Inventor: Mohamed Ibrahim Saraya
  • Patent number: 11306574
    Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticle-based stimulation fluids and methods of use for acid diversion from high permeability zones into low permeability zones to achieve deep penetration of wormholes in subterranean formations, such as carbonate formations. Certain embodiments include a gel precursor composition comprising metal oxide nanoparticles, such as silicon dioxide nanoparticles as a gelling agent, and magnesium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Sangho Bang, Bor Jier Shiau, Jeffrey H. Harwell, Elsayed R. Abdelfatah, Maysam Pournik
  • Patent number: 11299662
    Abstract: Provided is a lost circulation material that may consist essentially of an alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a sodium bicarbonate activator. Further provided are methods that may control lost circulation in a lost circulation zone in a wellbore by introducing the lost circulation material such that it contacts the lost circulation zone and forms a gelled solid in the lost circulation zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Vikrant Wagle, Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Abdullah Al-Yami, Sara Alkhalaf
  • Patent number: 11293252
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses of the present disclosure generally relate to dissolvable plugs for separating fluids in a wellbore. A dissolvable plug includes a first end comprising a first fluid barrier. The first fluid barrier includes a polymer film. The dissolvable plug also includes a second end opposite to the first end. The second end comprises a second fluid barrier. The second fluid barrier comprises a polymer film. The dissolvable plug includes a solid structure made of a sand and salt mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Jason Lewis, Paul Joseph Jones, Lonnie Carl Helms
  • Patent number: 11293262
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a well tool device (1) comprising a housing (10) having an axial through bore (11). A sleeve section (20) is releasably connected to the housing (10) in the through bore (11). The sleeve section (20) comprises an axial bore (21) and a frangible disc (30) provided in the bore (21) of the sleeve section (20) in sealing engagement with the sleeve section (20). The sleeve section (20) is axially displaceable within the bore (11) between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2). The housing (10) comprises an axial bypass fluid passage (12) provided axially between a first location (L1) above the sleeve section (20) to a second location (L2) below the sleeve section (20) when the sleeve section (20) is in the first position (P1). The axial bypass fluid passage (12) is provided radially between the sleeve section (20) and the housing (10) when the sleeve section (20) is in the first position (P1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Interwell Norway AS
    Inventors: Espen Hiorth, Stig Ove Bjørgum
  • Patent number: 11255155
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a casing string with a fluid barrier connected therein defining a lower end of a buoyancy chamber. A plug assembly connected in the casing string defines an upper end of the buoyancy chamber. The plug assembly has an outer case with a rupture disc positioned therein configured to block flow and to burst at a predetermined pressure. The rupture disk is removable from a flow path through the outer case upon the flow of fluid therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Lonnie Helms, Rajesh Parameshwaraiah
  • Patent number: 11219888
    Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a solution B comprising at least one catalyst in at least one second solvent, comprising at least the following steps of (A) providing a solution A comprising the at least one catalyst in at least one first solvent, (B) treating the solution A from step (A) with activated carbon, (C) removing the activated carbon from the solution A, and (D) exchanging the at least one first solvent in solution A for at least one second solvent in order to obtain the solution B comprising the at least one catalyst in at least one second solvent, to a solution of at least one catalyst in at least one second solvent, obtainable by the method according to the invention, to the use of this solution for preparing a composition comprising the at least one catalyst, the at least one second solvent, at least one polyisocyanate and at least one NCO-reactive compound, to the use of this composition for producing a single-layered or multi-layered coating system and a corresponding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Covestro Intellectual Property GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Traving, Holger Rosellen, Salvatore Manzelli, Cosimo Calandrelli, Stephan Reimer, Frank Richter, Joerg Kolle
  • Patent number: 11214725
    Abstract: A well treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a sugar-based surfactant is provided. The sugar-based surfactant includes at least one betaine functionalized alkyl polyglucoside. Also provided is a method of treating an oil and gas well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sairam Eluru, Chetan Prakash, Shreya Mohan
  • Patent number: 11186759
    Abstract: A lost-circulation material including a mixture of an aqueous colloidal dispersion and fatty acid. The aqueous colloidal dispersion includes silica nanoparticles and has a pH of at least 8. Combining the colloidal dispersion and the fatty acid initiates gelation of the lost-circulation material when the pH of the lost-circulation material is less than 8 and a temperature of the lost-circulation material is in a range of 5° C. to 300° C. Sealing an opening in a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation in which the wellbore is formed may include providing the aqueous colloidal dispersion and the fatty acid to the wellbore, mixing the colloidal dispersion and the fatty acid to yield the lost-circulation material, initiating gelation of the lost-circulation material, and solidifying the lost-circulation material in the wellbore to yield a set gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Vikrant Bhavanishankar Wagle, Abdullah Saleh Hussain Al-Yami, Ayman Mohammed Almohsin
  • Patent number: 11180958
    Abstract: A rupture disc assembly and a float tool incorporating the rupture disc assembly is disclosed. The rupture disc assembly may include a rupture disc assembly comprising a rupture disc, an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular portion, and a securing mechanism for holding the rupture disc between the upper and lower tubular portions. A float tool for creating a buoyant chamber in a casing string may include the rupture disc assembly and a sealing device for sealing the lower end of the casing string, the buoyant, sealed chamber may be created there between. In operation, applied fluid pressure causes the rupture disc to move downward. The rupture disc may be shattered by contact with a surface on the lower tubular portion. Full casing internal diameter may be restored in the region where the rupture disc formerly sealed the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Donald Getzlaf, Marty Stromquist, John Ravensbergen, David Devlin, Douglas Braden, Travis Harris
  • Patent number: 11168243
    Abstract: A cement composition is disclosed that includes a cement slurry and an epoxy resin system that includes at least one epoxy resin and a curing agent. The cement slurry has a density in a range of from 65 pcf to 180 pcf and includes a cement precursor material, silica sand, silica flour, a weighting agent, and manganese tetraoxide. The epoxy resin system includes at least one of 2,3-epoxypropyl o-tolyl ether, alkyl glycidyl ethers having from 12 to 14 carbon atoms, bisphenol-A-epichlorohydrin epoxy resin, or a compound having formula (I): (OC2H3)—CH2—O—R1—O—CH2—(C2H3O) where R1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbyl having from 4 to 24 carbon atoms; and a curing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abdullah Al-Yami, Vikrant Wagle, Zainab Alsaihati, Tushar Mukherjee, Ali BinAli, Ali Alqahtani
  • Patent number: 11158434
    Abstract: A hazardous material repository includes a drillhole formed from a terranean surface into a subterranean zone that includes a geologic formation, where the drillhole includes a vertical portion and a non-vertical portion coupled to the vertical portion by a transition portion, the non-vertical portion includes a storage volume for hazardous waste; a casing installed between the geologic formation and the drillhole, the casing including one or more metallic tubular sections; at least one canister positioned in the storage volume of the non-vertical portion of the drillhole, the at least one canister sized to enclose a portion of hazardous material and including an outer housing formed from a non-corrosive metallic material; and a backfill material inserted into the non-vertical portion of the drillhole to fill at least a portion of the storage volume between the at least one canister and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Deep Isolation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe H. Payer, Stefan Finsterle, John Apps, Richard A. Muller
  • Patent number: 11149190
    Abstract: Treatment fluids for acid diversion during acid stimulation of a subterranean formation may include at least an acidizing fluid, a nanoparticle dispersion, and an activator. The treatment fluid may include from 40 weight percent to 70 weight percent acidizing fluid based on the total weight of the treatment fluid. The treatment fluid may include from 20 weight percent to 40 weight percent nanoparticle dispersion based on the total weight of the treatment fluid. The treatment fluid may include from 5 weight percent to 15 percent activator based on the total weight of the treatment fluid. Methods of treating a subterranean formation with the treatment fluids are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Qasim Sahu
  • Patent number: 11142679
    Abstract: Methods and systems of reducing lost circulation in a wellbore are provided. An example method includes providing a pozzolan slurry comprising a pozzolanic material and water; and providing a calcium slurry comprising a calcium source, a high pH activator, and water. The method further comprises allowing the pozzolan slurry and the calcium slurry to remain separate; wherein at least one of the pozzolan slurry and the calcium slurry comprise a thixotropic material; wherein at least one of the pozzolan slurry and the calcium slurry comprise a dispersant; wherein at least one of the pozzolan slurry and the calcium slurry comprise a weighting agent. The method additionally comprises mixing the pozzolan slurry and the calcium slurry to form a two-part thixotropic lost circulation slurry after the allowing the pozzolan slurry and the calcium slurry to remain separate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Pisklak, Samuel J. Lewis, Paul J. Jones
  • Patent number: 11104839
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and compositions for mitigating water production for hydrocarbon recovery. According to an embodiment, the method involves a treatment fluid composition. The treatment fluid composition includes a base liquid, a gelling agent, and a crosslinking agent. The treatment fluid composition is introduced downhole where it is positioned in a high permeability streak adjacent to a wellbore. After crosslinking, the treatment fluid composition blocks water in the high permeability streak from penetrating into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Feng Liang
  • Patent number: 11098235
    Abstract: A method of converting a drilling fluid into a geopolymer cement slurry includes introducing the drilling fluid into a wellbore, in which the drilling fluid comprises Na2SiO3, NaCl, or both. The method further includes introducing Saudi Arabian volcanic ash into the wellbore. The Saudi Arabian volcanic ash comprises SO3, CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, and K2O. The method further includes allowing the Saudi Arabian volcanic ash to contact the drilling fluid in the wellbore, thereby converting the drilling fluid into the geopolymer cement slurry. A method of cementing a casing in a wellbore includes introducing a drilling fluid into a wellbore, in which the drilling fluid comprises Na2SiO3, NaCl, or both, and introducing Saudi Arabian volcanic ash into the wellbore to form the geopolymer cement slurry. The method further includes curing the geopolymer cement slurry to cement the casing in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Khawlah A. Alanqari, Abdullah S. Al-Yami
  • Patent number: 11078400
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, and systems for cementing. A method of cementing may comprise: providing a composite cement composition comprising a pozzolan, an accelerator, and water, wherein the accelerator comprises a chloride salt and a sulfate salt, wherein the composite cement composition is free of Portland cement or comprises Portland cement in an amount of about 50% by weight of cementitious components or less; and allowing the composite cement composition to set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jason Pisklak, Sean William Riggio, Ronnie Glen Morgan, Thomas Singh Sodhi, Simone E A Lumsden, Samuel J. Lewis
  • Patent number: 11053426
    Abstract: A lost-circulation material including a mixture of an aqueous colloidal dispersion and fatty acid. The aqueous colloidal dispersion includes silica nanoparticles and has a pH of at least 8. Combining the colloidal dispersion and the fatty acid initiates gelation of the lost-circulation material when the pH of the lost-circulation material is less than 8 and a temperature of the lost-circulation material is in a range of 5° C. to 300° C. Sealing an opening in a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation in which the wellbore is formed may include providing the aqueous colloidal dispersion and the fatty acid to the wellbore, mixing the colloidal dispersion and the fatty acid to yield the lost-circulation material, initiating gelation of the lost-circulation material, and solidifying the lost-circulation material in the wellbore to yield a set gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Vikrant Bhavanishankar Wagle, Abdullah Saleh Hussain Al-Yami, Ayman Mohammed Almohsin
  • Patent number: 11053428
    Abstract: A method for plugging and sealing subsurface formations using alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a delayed activation chemistry is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes introducing a mixture with a first pH into the subsurface formation. The mixture comprises an aqueous solution, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a water-insoluble hydrolyzable compound. The method further includes allowing the water-insoluble hydrolyzable compound to hydrolyze in the subsurface formation to form an acid at 70° C. or greater, thereby acidizing the mixture to a reduced second pH and causing the alkaline nanosilica dispersion to gel into a solid and seal the subsurface formation. A composition for sealing a subsurface formation is also disclosed. The composition includes an aqueous mixture including water, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, and a water-insoluble hydrolyzable compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Vikrant Wagle
  • Patent number: 11008499
    Abstract: The invention relates to the oil and gas industry, and more particularly to techniques for eliminating fluid loss during the drilling of oil and gas wells. The method includes successively pumping a blocking agent and a displacement fluid into a formation. The blocking agent is comprised of an emulsion-suspension system containing diesel fuel or processed oil from a central processing facility, an emulsifier, a colloidal solution of nanoparticles of silicon dioxide, dry amorphous silicon dioxide, microparticles of ilmenite or trimanganese tetraoxide, and an aqueous solution of calcium chloride or potassium chloride. The displacement fluid is comprised of an aqueous solution of calcium chloride or potassium chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY “GR PETROLEUM”
    Inventor: Vitalii Vyacheslavovich Sergeev
  • Patent number: 10968723
    Abstract: System and methods for cleaning debris or particulates from a wellbore using foam is provided, including predicting if a foam cleanout of a well is feasible by calculating foam properties at each of a number of segments in a well during a foam cleanout, comparing the foam properties to screening limits, providing an output to indicate if a foam cleanout is feasible. If feasible, the foam cleanout is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Sai S. Rao, Kaustubh S. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 10954427
    Abstract: A method for plugging and sealing subsurface formations using alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a delayed activation chemistry is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes introducing a mixture with a first pH into the subsurface formation. The mixture comprises an aqueous solution, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a water-soluble hydrolyzable compound. The method further includes allowing the water-soluble hydrolyzable compound to hydrolyze in the subsurface formation to form an acid at 70° C. or greater, thereby acidizing the mixture to a reduced second pH and causing the alkaline nanosilica dispersion to gel into a solid and seal the subsurface formation. A composition for sealing a subsurface formation is also disclosed. The composition includes an aqueous mixture including water, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, and a water-soluble hydrolyzable compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rajendra Arunkumar Kalgaonkar, Vikrant Wagle
  • Patent number: 10927674
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the extraction of a formation fluid sample using a fluid extraction tool including an elongated body and a sealing pad extending therefrom, the sealing pad having an opening for establishing fluidic communication between an earth formation and the elongated body. The sealing pad communicable with from a container holding a selective permeability agent (SPA) capable of modifying the permeability of one or more fluids within the formation. The container coupled with a device for injecting the SPA into the earth formation and extracting a formation fluid sample therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Songhua Chen
  • Patent number: 10920121
    Abstract: A method of reducing lost circulation includes introducing an activation solution comprising an aqueous solution, Na2SiO3, and NaOH into the wellbore and introducing Saudi Arabian volcanic ash into the wellbore. The Saudi Arabian volcanic ash comprises SO3, CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, and K2O. The method further includes allowing the Saudi Arabian volcanic ash to contact the activation solution in the wellbore, thereby forming a geopolymer barrier between the wellbore and a subsurface formation to reduce lost circulation in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Khawlah A. Alanqari, Abdullah S. Al-Yami
  • Patent number: 10889749
    Abstract: A composition including crosslinked expandable polymeric microparticles capable of hydrolysis at or below neutral pH and a method of modifying the permeability to water of a subterranean formation by introducing such compositions into the subterranean formation. This disclosure further relates to compositions and methods for the recovery of hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean reservoir or formation subjected to CO2 or CO2 Water Alternating Gas flooding at low pH and increases the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ChampionX USA Inc.
    Inventors: Pious V. Kurian, Mingli Wei, Kin-Tai Chang
  • Patent number: 10883328
    Abstract: Disclosed is a plug arrangement including glass arranged in one or more seats in a plug housing, the seat or seats forming support members supporting the glass or glasses in an axial direction. At least one of the support members includes an axially displaceable split sleeve which, in one direction, includes a support ring/face abutting against the glass, and in the other direction a number of split sleeve arms arranged to rest against an edge arranged in the plug housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: TCO AS
    Inventor: Viggo Brandsdal
  • Patent number: 10851279
    Abstract: A convertible composition comprising a nanosilica drilling fluid, the nanosilica drilling fluid comprising an aqueous based drilling mud, where the aqueous based drilling mud comprises water, and an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, where the alkaline nanosilica dispersion comprises nanosilica; and a chemical activator, the chemical activator operable to hydrolyze in the presence of water to produce an acid, where a weight ratio of the alkaline nanosilica dispersion to the chemical activator is between 1 to 0.001 and 1 to 0.25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventors: Vikrant Wagle, Abdullah Al-Yami, Rajendra A. Kalgaonkar, Zainab Alsaihati
  • Patent number: 10844265
    Abstract: A two-component lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The two-component LCM includes a polymer component and a sodium hydroxide component. The polymer component may include may include a drilling fluid, a fibrous material such as polypropylene fibers, and an acrylic polymer, such as a 30% acrylic polymer solution. The sodium hydroxide component may include water and sodium hydroxide. The sodium hydroxide component is introduced to contact the polymer component to form the two-component LCM. Methods of lost circulation control and manufacture of a two-component LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jothibasu Ramasamy, Md Amanullah
  • Patent number: 10844272
    Abstract: Cement slurries, cured cements, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cement slurries have, among other attributes, increased yield point, reduced density, improved mechanical properties, increased resistance to H2S, and may be used, for instance, in the oil and gas drilling industry. The cement slurry comprises cement precursor material, Saudi Arabian volcanic ash, and an aqueous solution. The Saudi Arabian volcanic ash comprises SO3, CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, and K2O and the cement slurry is free of any other SiO2 additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Zainab Alsaihati, Abdullah Al-Yami, Vikrant Wagle, Abdullah Al-Awadh, Abdulaziz Alhelal, Nasser Alhareth
  • Patent number: 10738230
    Abstract: A composition includes an oil phase; a water phase emulsified in the oil phase; a viscosifier including a carbon chain and a polar group disposed along the carbon chain; and a hydrophobic nanomaterial having an average particle size of less than about 1 ?m. The hydrophobic nanomaterial including a silane or siloxane molecule having a nonpolar chain disposed on a surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Vikrant Bhavanishankar Wagle, Abdullah Saleh Hussain Al-Yami
  • Patent number: 10704351
    Abstract: This invention relates to a collecting device (1) for loosening and collecting particulate material from a well. The device includes a first end portion and a second end portion; a feed pipe (6) in the first end portion; a collecting container (8) including at least one container section (10), between the feed pipe (6) and the second end portion. A conveyor (18), in the feed pipe (6), moves the particulate material in toward the collecting device (1). The device further includes a tool (20) at the leading end portion of the conveyor (18) and a fluid outlet (38) at the second end portion; a mono pump (12) driven by a motor (22); and at least one container section (10) in a flow path (40) on the pressure side of the mono pump (12). A method for loosening and collecting particulate materials from a well by means of the collecting device (1) is described as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: QINTERRA TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventor: Lasse Haugland
  • Patent number: 10703676
    Abstract: A method may comprise: mixing a water having hardness at about 300 ppm or greater with a plurality of particulates, a swellable clay, a chelating agent at about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the water (BWOW), and an alkali metal base at about 0.01% to about 5% BWOW to produce a treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandip Prabhakar Patil, Waseem Abdulrazzaq, Sheetal Singh, Vaishali Mishra, Reem Mohammed Alburaikan
  • Patent number: 10655413
    Abstract: A sealing device relates to a plug that includes a crusher mechanism, where the sealing device includes one or more glass layers positionable in a wellbore. The glass in a barrier phase bears against at least one seat or support sleeve arranged axially displaceably in the wellbore, where the at least one seat or support sleeve bears against the glass by means of a supporting hydraulic fluid in a pressure support chamber, the seat or support sleeve being configured to be released, be displaced axially, and to crush the glass when the supporting hydraulic fluid is released from the pressure support chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: TCO AS
    Inventors: Viggo Brandsdal, Jan Tore Tveranger
  • Patent number: 10611684
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for enhancing the performance of concrete includes, providing a cementitious mixture comprising cement and processed high calcium fly ash; wherein a processing of the processed high calcium fly ash neutralizes a cementitious reactivity of a high calcium fly ash, wherein a pozzolanic reactivity of the processed high calcium fly ash is maintained during the processing of the high calcium fly ash. The processing of the high calcium fly ash includes hydrating and carbonating the high calcium fly ash. The processing further includes excavating the high calcium fly ash from a landfill or surface impoundment after the hydrating and carbonating. Also disclosed is a portland-pozzolan blended cement mixture with clinker, gypsum, and a pozzolanic material, such as processed high calcium fly ash. After processing, the cementitious reactivity of a high calcium fly ash is neutralized, while pozzolanic reactivity of the high calcium fly ash is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Headwaters Incorporated
    Inventors: Rafic Y. Minkara, Eleazar Ivan Diaz-Loya, Douglas S. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 10597575
    Abstract: A date tree trunk- and rachis-based lost circulation material (LCM) is provided. The date tree trunk and rachis LCM includes superfine date tree trunk fibers produced from date tree trunks and superfine date tree rachis fibers produced from date tree rachises. The date tree trunks and rachises may be obtained from the date tree waste produced by the processing of date trees in the production of date fruits. The date tree trunk and rachis LCM may include fibers having lengths in the range of about 20 microns to about 300 microns. Methods of lost circulation control using a date tree trunk and rachis LCM and manufacture of a date tree trunk and rachis LCM are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Md Amanullah, Jothibasu Ramasamy
  • Patent number: 10584548
    Abstract: An oil-swellable lost circulation material (LCM) formed from an elastomeric polymer and a crosslinker amine is provided. The LCM may be formed from elastomeric polymer particles, a crosslinker amine, an anti-agglomerating agent, and may also be formed using a cure accelerator. A mixture of the elastomeric polymer particles, the crosslinker amine, the anti-agglomerating agent, and in some mixtures the cure accelerator, may be hot rolled at a temperature of at least 120° F. for a duration. The resulting LCM may swell by absorbing about 20 to about 34 times its weight when introduced to a loss circulation zone in the presence of a non-aqueous fluid such as a drilling mud or component of a drilling mud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: B. Raghava Reddy
  • Patent number: 10584274
    Abstract: Systems and methods for forming a permanent plug in a subterranean formation include providing a solution of colloidal silica and pumping the colloidal silica into a bore of a subterranean well so that the colloidal silica penetrates pores of the subterranean formation. The colloidal silica within the pores of the subterranean formation is dehydrated to form a glass-like material within the pores of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohammed Bataweel, Prasad Baburao Karadkar, Ayman Al-Mohsin, Haitham A. Othman
  • Patent number: 10550695
    Abstract: A plug for a void in a mine to divert water having a rigid closed cell foam which fills the void. The rigid closed cell foam having a plurality of pipes disposed within the foam. The pipes distributed throughout the void. The pipes are positioned in the foam so the pipes are staggered in length vertically with respect to various heights in the void, and the pipes are positioned in the foam every 4? to 6? horizontally with respect to the void. A method for diverting water from a void in a mine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Strata Products Worldwide, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua Stephen Behling