Chemical Inter-reaction Of Two Or More Introduced Materials (e.g., Selective Plugging Or Surfactant) Patents (Class 166/300)
  • Patent number: 8813842
    Abstract: A plurality of solid particles including a thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature in a range from 50° C. to 180° C. and a blocked isocyanate resin; optionally at least some of the particles in the plurality of solid particles comprise both the thermoplastic composition and the blocked isocyanate resin. A composition comprising the plurality of particles dispersed in a fluid is also disclosed. A method of modifying a wellbore within a geological formation is also disclosed. The method includes introducing the fluid composition into the wellbore. A method of making a plurality of particles, for example, to use in the fluid composition, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Crandall, Ignatius A. Kadoma, Clara E. Mata, Yong K. Wu
  • Patent number: 8815785
    Abstract: Methods for creating a fluid diverting barrier in a zone of a subterranean formation are provided. Certain methods comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a viscoelastic surfactant, and a soap component; placing the treatment fluid in a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore; and allowing the soap component of the treatment fluid to interact with a metal ion present in the subterranean formation to form a precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Bobby J. Burns
  • Patent number: 8813874
    Abstract: Methods for sealing voids and cracks in subterranean-formation rock that contains carbonate minerals, thereby minimizing or stopping fluid flow between the formation rock and the wellbore of a subterranean well, comprise pumping a solution of one or more lattices that contains at least one carboxylated monomer down a well during drilling and allowing it to enter voids (e.g., pores, fractures, vugs and caverns) in the carbonate-containing formation. The solution reacts with divalent cations liberated by the carbonates and forms a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Simon Gareth James, Michel Michaux
  • Publication number: 20140231080
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that utilize bicarbonate and acid to form carbon dioxide in a well (e.g., an oil well) to increase pressure in the well to facilitate production of oil and other resources, such as hydrocarbons, from the well. The well can be a closed system that facilitates absorption of the carbon dioxide into the oil resource. After the carbon dioxide is absorbed within the oil, the oil containing the carbon dioxide can be produced by the well. The carbon dioxide can be recycled after the resource is mined from the well to create bicarbonate that subsequently can be used with acid to facilitate the production from the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: James Kenneth Sanders, Duck Joo Yang
  • Publication number: 20140224490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising: (a) providing a composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises water and an anionic surfactant which is an internal olefin sulfonate (IOS), which has a weight ratio of branched IOS molecules to linear IOS molecules N which is greater than 0 to smaller than 11:89; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with the hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation. Further, the invention relates to a hydrocarbon recovery composition which comprises the composition used in said method, and to a hydrocarbon containing composition produced from a hydrocarbon containing formation which in addition to hydrocarbons contains the composition used in said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.
    Inventors: Julian Richard Barnes, Michael Joseph Doll, Khrystyna Groen, Quoc An On, Thomas Carl Semple
  • Patent number: 8800657
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for use downhole comprising an expandable component; a support member that has a selected corrosion rate; wherein the support member is disposed on the expandable component; where the support member comprises a plurality of particles fused together; the particles comprising a core comprising a first metal; and a first layer disposed upon the core; the first layer comprising a second metal; the first metal having a different corrosion potential from the second metal; the first layer comprising a third metal having a different corrosion potential from the first metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Oleg Antonovych Mazyar, Michael H. Johnson, Casey L. Walls
  • Patent number: 8794325
    Abstract: This invention relates to oil and gas production, more specifically, to the methods of producing polymer emulsion for downhole operations and mixing degradable (hydrolysable) polymer emulsion with the treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Willberg, Christopher N Fredd, Vadim Kamilievich Khlestkin, Denis Olegovich Menshikov
  • Patent number: 8794322
    Abstract: Treatments and compounds can be useful in subterranean formations where particulates and/or surfaces may be subject to silica scale build-up. Certain embodiments pertain to utilizing silica scale control additives with particulate packs. Of these, certain methods may treat particulate packs in a subterranean formation with silica scale control additives, certain methods may combine silica scale control additives with particulates prior to formation of a particulate pack, and certain compounds may provide the features of both silica scale control additives and particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrique A. Reyes, Jimmie D. Weaver, Matt E. Blauch, Corine L. McMechan
  • Patent number: 8794327
    Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery method using injection of aqueous polymer solutions into the reservoir rock, includes the stages of: injecting a first aqueous solution of non-associative hydrophilic polymers into the reservoir in a predetermined proportion so that they adsorb on the reservoir rock; and then injecting a second aqueous solution of associative polymers into the reservoir for oil recovery, with limited adsorption considering the adsorption of the non-associative polymers of the first solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: David Rousseau, René Tabary
  • Publication number: 20140209309
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore within a subterranean formation comprising providing a first wellbore tubular positioned within a second wellbore tubular creating a tubular flowpath and an annular flowpath, wherein the tubular flowpath and the annular flowpath converge in a mixing zone within the wellbore, placing an annular fluid through the annular flowpath, placing a tubular fluid through the tubular flowpath, and contacting the annular fluid and the tubular fluid in the mixing zone to form a composite fluid, wherein the composite fluid comprises a base fluid component, a proppant component, a crosslinkable polymer component, a crosslinking agent component, and an optional buffering agent component and wherein the components of the composite fluid are apportioned between the annular fluid and the tubular fluid such that reaction of the components to form the composite fluid is inhibited until the components of the composite fluid mix within the mixing zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Neil Joseph MODELAND
  • Publication number: 20140196903
    Abstract: The method begins drilling a borehole from the surface to an underground shale matrix. A pipe is inserted into the borehole. Openings are created in the pipe in fluid communication with fractures in the shale matrix. The interior surface of at least one section of pipe is coated with a contaminant-capturing substance. Fracturing fluid including water, proppants and various chemicals is pumped through the pipe and into the fractures in the shale matrix. The fluid re-enters the pipe from the shale matrix and moves toward the surface through the coated pipe section where contaminants are sequestered by the coating. Natural gas or oil from the fractured shale then enters the pipe and moves to the surface to be collected. The coated pipe section remains in the ground permanently such that the necessity of disposing of the captured contaminants is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Donald Nevin
  • Publication number: 20140196896
    Abstract: Enhanced oil recovery techniques include introduction of alkali metal silicides into subterranean reservoirs to generate hydrogen gas, heat, and alkali metal silicate solutions in situ upon contact with water. The alkali metal silicides, such as sodium silicide, are used to recover hydrocarbons, including heavier crudes where viscosity and low reservoir pressure are limiting factors. Hydrogen, which is miscible with the crude oil and can beneficiate the heavier fractions into lighter fractions naturally or with addition of catalytic materials, is generated in-situ. It. Heat is also generated at the reaction site to reduce viscosity and promote crude beneficiation. The resulting alkaline silicate solution saponifies acidic crude components to form surfactants which emulsify the crude to improve mobility toward a production well. The silicate promotes profile modification passively via consumptive reactions or actively via addition of acidic gelling agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SIGNA CHEMISTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Paul H. Krumrine, James S. Falcone, Michael Lefenfeld
  • Publication number: 20140196902
    Abstract: A method, system, and composition for producing oil from a formation utilizing an oil recovery formulation comprising a surfactant, an ammonia liquid, an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, a polymer, and water are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey George SOUTHWICK, Yi SVEC, Gordon Thomas SHAHIN
  • Patent number: 8763698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing mineral oil from underground formations, wherein, in one process step, permeable regions of the underground formation are blocked by injecting aqueous formulations of hydrophobically associating copolymers into the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: BASF SE, BASF Canada
    Inventors: Roland Reichenbach-Klinke, Andrea Aβmann, Björn Langlotz, Christian Spindler, Russell Giesbrecht
  • Patent number: 8763724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an emulsion, consisting of an oil phase and an aqueous phase and comprising as emulsion components (?1) 15 to 40% by weight of at least one water-immiscible organic solvent as solvent of the oil phase, (?2) 15 to 40% by weight of water as solvent of the aqueous phase, (?3) 10 to 40% by weight of at least one surfactant, (?4) 10 to 40% by weight of an alkoxylated fatty alcohol and (?5) 0 to 25% by weight of at least one other additive, wherein the quantities by weight of the components (?1) to (?5) are each relative to the total weight of the emulsion, and together add up to 100% by weight. The invention further relates to a method for producing an emulsion, to the emulsion which can be obtained from said method, to the use of an emulsion, to a method for cleaning the surfaces of well holes, drilling devices or drillings, to a method for producing a well bore, and to a method for producing an oil or a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Emery Oleochemicals GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Müller, Diana Mäker
  • Publication number: 20140174724
    Abstract: The present invention relates to hollow hydrogel capsules. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation with a hollow hydrogel capsule including a hydrogel shell including a hydrolyzed and crosslinked polymerized composition. The hollow hydrogel capsule also includes a hollow interior including at least one component of a downhole composition for subterranean petroleum or water well drilling, stimulation, clean-up, production, completion, abandonment, or a combination thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides compositions comprising the hollow hydrogel capsules and methods of making the hollow hydrogel capsules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Wayne Livanec, Scott Anthony Klasner
  • Publication number: 20140174742
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating subterranean formations, in particular, oilfield stimulation compositions and methods using polymer viscosified fluid crosslinked with metal complexes with amino and/or phosphonic acids to provide an increased crosslinking temperature and a low pH sensitivity. The metal complexes can be used with borate crosslinkers to provide continuous viscosification as the temperature is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrey Mirakyan, Michael D. Parris, Carlos Abad, Yiyan Chen
  • Publication number: 20140174743
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for treating subterranean formations, in particular, oilfield stimulation compositions and methods using polymer viscosified fluid crosslinked with metal complexes with amino and/or phosphonic acids to provide an increased crosslinking temperature and a low pH sensitivity. The metal complexes can be used with borate crosslinkers to provide continuous viscosification as the temperature is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrey Mirakyan, Michael D. Parris, Carlos Abad, Yiyan Chen
  • Patent number: 8757264
    Abstract: A wellbore fluid contains a viscosifying polymer in which portions of the polymer are connected through formation of an inclusion complex involving cucurbituril 8 (i.e. CB[8]) as host molecule. The fluid contains guest molecules with first and second guest groups covalently attached wherein at least one of the guest molecules comprises a polymer chain. The CB[8] host and the guest molecules attach together through reception of first and second guest groups within CB[8] host cavities, thereby connecting polymer chains together as a larger, supramolecular polymer and enhancing viscosity of the fluid. Polymer molecules may be synthetic polymers and guest groups may be attached to monomers before polymerization. Alternatively guest groups may be attached to existing polymers which may be polysaccharide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Oren A. Scherman, Eric Appel, Trevor Hughes
  • Patent number: 8757261
    Abstract: Stabilizing a subterranean formation containing water-sensitive clays with methods including introducing a leading-edge fluid comprising a first base fluid and a first clay stabilizer solution wherein the first clay stabilizer is present in the first base fluid at a first concentration; and then introducing a treatment fluid comprising a second base fluid and a second clay stabilizer solution wherein the second clay stabilizer is present in the second base fluid at a second concentration, wherein the first concentration of clay stabilizer solution is higher than the second concentration of clay stabilizer solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140166286
    Abstract: Methods of treating subterranean formations comprising providing a wellbore in a subterranean formation having at least one fracture therein; providing a first treatment fluid comprising a base fluid and an acid generating inert agent; providing a second treatment fluid comprising a base fluid, and an acid generating activator; introducing the first treatment fluid into the at least one fracture; and introducing the second treatment fluid into the at least one fracture, wherein the acid generating inert agent in the first treatment fluid reacts with the acid generating activator in the second treatment fluid so as to generate an acid in the at least one fracture and create or enhance at least one microfracture therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Feng Liang, Thomas D. Welton, Christopher Parton
  • Patent number: 8752624
    Abstract: A process for mineral oil production, in which an aqueous formulation comprising at least one water-soluble, hydrophobically associating copolymer (A) and at least one nonionic and/or anionic surfactant (B) is injected through at least one injection borehole into a mineral oil deposit, and crude oil is withdrawn from the deposit through at least one production borehole, wherein the water-soluble, hydrophobically associating copolymer comprises at least acrylamide or derivatives thereof, a monomer having anionic groups and a monomer which can bring about the association of the copolymer, and aqueous formulation, which is suitable for execution of the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Roland Reichenbach-Klinke, Björn Langlotz
  • Patent number: 8752626
    Abstract: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, one method includes contacting tar resident in a well bore with a tar stabilizer comprising an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer; and allowing the tar stabilizer to interact with the tar to at least partially reduce the tendency of the tar to adhere to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Wayne Livanec, Greg P J Perez
  • Publication number: 20140158358
    Abstract: A reagent processing vessel is disclosed comprising: an outer container; a reaction chamber disposed in the outer container; a mixing chamber disposed in the outer container for allowing transfer of a substance between the reaction chamber and the mixing chamber; a delivery chamber disposed in the outer container for allowing transfer of a substance between the mixing chamber and the delivery chamber; and at least one of a mixing motor and a delivery pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: John Pantano
  • Patent number: 8746339
    Abstract: Methods for preventing or alleviating the loss of drilling fluids and other well treatment fluids into a subterranean formation during drilling or construction of boreholes therein include a drilling fluid including a lost circulation material. The lost circulation material includes a suspension of swelled particles of a pH sensitive polymeric material, the swelled particles capable of reversibly attaching to other swelled particles of the polymeric material. The pH of the aqueous solution is such that each particle of the swelled pH sensitive polymeric material is not attached to other swelled particles, and wherein upon lowering the pH of the suspension, the swelled particles attach to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Murphy, Matthew L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20140151042
    Abstract: A breaker fluid may include a base fluid; and an inactive chelating agent. A process may include pumping a first wellbore fluid comprising an inactive chelating agent into a wellbore through a subterranean formation; and activating the inactive chelating agent to release an active chelating agent into the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lee Faugerstrom, Robert L. Horton, Mark Luyster, Chris Shepherd, Bethicia B. Prasek, James Lepage
  • Patent number: 8739877
    Abstract: Methods for oil and/or gas production may employ mixed surfactants to treat a subterranean formation. The methods can comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a first surfactant having a charge, a second surfactant having an opposite charge, and a compatibilizer; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Richard D. Rickman, Jason E. Bryant
  • Patent number: 8739871
    Abstract: A particulate suspending agent may be useful for mitigating particulate settling in wellbore applications with high-temperature and/or at near-neutral and higher pH values. Methods of treating a wellbore may include providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous liquid, a plurality of particulates, and a particulate suspending agent, wherein the particulate suspending agent comprises a crosslinked polymer particulate formed by a reaction comprising a first monofunctional monomer and an orthoester crosslinker, the orthoester crosslinker comprising an orthoester linkage and at least two crosslinking moieties; and placing the treatment fluid in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20140144638
    Abstract: Methods of treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising unconsolidated particulates including providing a treatment fluid comprising a furan-based resin and a stimuli-delayed acid generator; wherein the stimuli-delayed acid generator generates acid upon encountering a wellbore stimulus and wherein at least a portion of the stimuli-delayed acid generator is a liquid; introducing the treatment fluid into the wellbore in the subterranean formation; and stimulating the stimuli-delayed acid generator so as to generate acid and at least partially cure the furan-based resin; wherein the at least partial curing of the furan-based resin at least partially consolidates the unconsolidated particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tingji Tang, Philip D. Nguyen, Michael W. Sanders, Thomas D. Welton, James Ogle
  • Publication number: 20140144639
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include a method comprising proving a treatment fluid comprising an activator and providing gas-forming particulates comprising coating particulates with a binding agent, wherein the binding agent holds a gas-generating chemical onto the particulates. The gas-forming particulates are suspended in the treatment fluid and the treatment fluid comprising the gas-forming particulates is introduced into a subterranean formation. The gas-generating chemical and the activator then react to generate gas-formed particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Loan K. Vo, Tingji Tang, B. Raghava Reddy
  • Publication number: 20140144637
    Abstract: A method of treating an earthen formation that includes introducing a first amount of a first blocked isocyanate in a liquid phase into the earthen formation; introducing a second amount of a second blocked isocyanate in a liquid phase into the earthen formation; the second blocked isocyanate group having a lower unblocking temperature than the first blocked isocyanate group; introducing at least one active hydrogen compound into the earthen formation; and contacting the first and second blocked isocyanates and the active hydrogen compound to form an elastomeric gel. The combination of two blocked isocyanates provides a synergistic effect so that the curing time can be optimised in a manner unexpected from the properties of the individual blocked isocyanates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Donna Gerrard
  • Patent number: 8733441
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively sealing a thief zone in a hydrocarbon reservoir located in a calcium-rich formation and penetrated by a borehole comprising injecting into the thief zone a sealing fluid comprising a mixture of and hydronium ions (H+) and a source of sulfate ions (SO42?) which mixture can provide precipitation of a designated calcium sulfate compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Maersk Olie OG Gas A/S
    Inventor: Michael Jensen
  • Publication number: 20140138092
    Abstract: Methods of servicing a wellbore comprising: providing a degradable polymer within a portion of a wellbore and/or a subterranean formation; providing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a particulate salt degradation accelerator and a neutralizer activator, wherein the particulate salt degradation accelerator is formed by reacting a degradation accelerator solution selected from the group consisting of an alkanolamine; an oligomer of aziridine; a polymer of aziridine; a diamine; and any combination thereof, with an acid, and wherein the neutralizer activator is capable of dissociating the acid by neutralization from the particulate salt degradation accelerator so as to form a neutralized degradation accelerator; introducing the wellbore servicing fluid into a wellbore and/or a subterranean formation; contacting the degradable polymer with the neutralized degradation accelerator; and degrading the degradable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Janette Cortez, Andrea Ontiveros
  • Publication number: 20140138087
    Abstract: A well treatment fluid containing borated galactomannan may be used to isolate a productive zone in a well having multiple productive zones. The fluid is particularly useful in treatment of wells containing a mechanical zonal isolation system in the productive zone of interest. The fluid is pumped into the well in a substantially non-hydrated form. The well treatment fluid is therefore highly effective in preferentially sealing or blocking productive zones in the formation since delayed hydration of the fluid may be controlled for up to several hours. The seal may be degraded and a productive zone subjected to re-fracturing by introducing a viscosity reducing agent into the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: D.V. Satyanarayana Gupta
  • Patent number: 8726990
    Abstract: A composition comprises: a treatment fluid comprising a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material comprises a ceramic, and wherein the lost-circulation material has a median particle size in the range from about 0.001 millimeters to about 25.4 millimeters. According to another embodiment, a composition comprises: the treatment fluid comprising a lost-circulation material, wherein the lost-circulation material comprises a ceramic, and wherein the median particle size and the concentration of the lost-circulation material is selected such that the treatment fluid has a sealing pressure of at least 50 psi (0.3 MPa). A method of eliminating or reducing lost circulation from a well comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffery D. Karcher, Rickey Lynn Morgan, James R. Benkley, Chad Brenneis
  • Patent number: 8726999
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a thermothickening composition comprising: a surfactant; and a thermothickening polymer that is the product of at least the following monomers: a non-ionic hydrosoluble unsaturated amide monomer; an ionic monomer; and an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid half ester having a heat sensitive functional group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Madhukar Chetty
  • Publication number: 20140131043
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers and methods for making same. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having anionic sites and labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid and a cationic crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the particle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and exposure of the anionic sites so as to form a gel. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into target zone and when the heat and/or suitable pH of the target zone cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and the particle expands, the cationic crosslinker crosslinks the polymer to form a gel, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: University of Kansas, ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, James H. HEDGES, David R. ZORNES, Riley B. NEEDHAM, Huili GUAN, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Cory BERKLAND, James P. JOHNSON, Min CHENG, Faye Lynn SCULLY
  • Patent number: 8720568
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are swellable and degradable sand plug systems used in wellbores and methods for using the systems in treating wellbores. The slurry composition includes a carrier fluid and a granular borate source material, where the borate source material is at least partially dehydrated or anhydrous. The carrier fluid may be non-aqueous fluid or, in some compositions, an aqueous fluid. The slurry composition is allowed to settle in a horizontal wellbore and at least partially fill at least a portion of the wellbore in a direction vertical to the wellbore, and is exposed to a sufficient amount of aqueous fluid to expand and substantially fill at least a portion of the wellbore, thereby plugging the wellbore. The slurry composition may be exposed to a sufficient amount of aqueous liquid to at least partially dissolve the expanded slurry composition, thereby at least partially removing the plug from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley L. Todd, Stanley J. Heath
  • Patent number: 8720569
    Abstract: A composition of a treatment fluid and method for treating a zone of well. In an embodiment, the composition includes at least: (i) an aqueous phase; (ii) at least 5 ppm iron ion in the aqueous phase; (iii) a source of at least 5 ppm iodide ion to be dissolved in the aqueous phase; (iv) a water-soluble viscosity-increasing agent dissolved in the aqueous phase; and (v) a source of an oxidative breaker to be dissolved in the aqueous phase. In an embodiment, a method of treating a zone of a subterranean formation of a well includes at least the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid according to the composition; and (b) introducing the treatment fluid into the zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David Michael Loveless, Lucas Kurtis Fontenelle, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Patent number: 8720556
    Abstract: Fracturing operations can be problematic in completed wellbores containing at least one existing fracture, since it can be difficult to seal an existing fracture and initiate a new fracture within a reasonable timeframe due to the presence of particulate materials in the wellbore. Methods for fracturing a completed wellbore can comprise introducing a treatment fluid comprising a plurality of degradable sealing particulates into a completed wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having an existing fracture therein; sealing the existing fracture with at least a portion of the degradable sealing particulates, thereby forming a degradable particulate seal; after sealing, allowing any degradable sealing particulates remaining in the treatment fluid to degrade, such that the treatment fluid becomes substantially particulate free; and after the treatment fluid becomes substantially particulate free, fracturing the subterranean formation so as to introduce at least one new fracture therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley L. Todd
  • Patent number: 8720557
    Abstract: A method of treating a zone of a subterranean carbonate formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided. The method includes the steps of: According to an embodiment, a method of treating a zone of a subterranean carbonate formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided, the method including the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a water-soluble polymer having at least one functional group that can be crosslinked with aluminum(III); and (iii) a water-soluble aluminum carboxylate; wherein the pH of the treatment fluid is less than 1; (b) introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore into the zone; and (c) allowing time for the strong acid in the treatment fluid to spend in the formation such that the pH of the fluid increases sufficiently for the aluminum of the aluminum carboxylate to crosslink the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prajakta R. Patil, Anjali R. Sarda, Shoy C. George, Yogesh K Choudhary, Rajendra Kaigankar
  • Patent number: 8714249
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a first wellbore servicing fluid comprising a self-degrading diverter material into the wellbore wherein the self-degrading diverter materials comprises (i) a diverting material and (ii) a degradation accelerator; allowing the self-degrading diverter material to form a diverter plug at a first location in the wellbore or subterranean formation; diverting the flow of a second wellbore servicing fluid to a second location in the wellbore or subterranean formation; and removing the diverter plug, wherein the first and second wellbore servicing fluids may be the same or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Tingji Tang
  • Patent number: 8714248
    Abstract: Gravel packing a region of a wellbore is carried out using one or more hydrophobically-surfaced particulate materials as the gravel. Placing the gravel pack is carried out using an aqueous carrier liquid, with hydrophobic particulate material suspended in the liquid and a gas to wet the surface of the particles and bind them together as agglomerates. The presence of gas lowers the density of the agglomerates relative to the particulate material in them, so that transport of the particulates is improved. The invention enables the placing of longer, uniformly packed, gravel packs, especially in horizontal and near horizontal wellbores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor Hughes, Evgeny Barmatov, Jill Geddes, Michael Fuller, Bruno Drochon, Sergey Makarychev-Mikhailov
  • Publication number: 20140116704
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising providing a degradable polymer and a delayed action construct within a portion of a wellbore, a subterranean formation or both; wherein the delayed action construct comprises (i) a degradation accelerator comprising an alkanolamine, an oligomer of aziridine, a polymer of azridine, a diamine, or combinations thereof, (ii) a solid support, and (iii) an encapsulating material; and placing the wellbore servicing fluid comprising the degradable polymer and delayed action construct into the wellbore, the subterranean formation or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava REDDY, Janette CORTEZ, James William OGLE
  • Publication number: 20140116703
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising providing a degradable polymer within a portion of a wellbore, a subterranean formation or both; preparing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a degradation accelerator wherein the degradation accelerator comprises an alkanolamine, an oligomer of aziridine, a polymer of azridine, a diamine, or combinations thereof; and placing the wellbore servicing fluid comprising a degradation accelerator into the wellbore, the subterranean formation or both wherein the degradation accelerator contacts the degradable polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Brad TODD, Janette CORTEZ, Rajesh Kumar SAINI
  • Patent number: 8708045
    Abstract: Treatment of a subterranean formation can be conducted with viscosified treatment fluids that comprise a multifunctional boronic acid crosslinking agent. Methods for treating a subterranean formation can comprise providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a gelling agent, and a multifunctional boronic acid crosslinking agent that comprises a copolymer comprising at least one boronic acid monomer unit and at least one water-soluble monomer unit; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James William Ogle, Jeremy Holtsclaw, Rajesh Kumar Saini
  • Publication number: 20140110117
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include modified nonionic surfactant formulations having a nonionic surfactant and a pour point depressant, where the modified nonionic surfactant formulations have a pour point of ?3° C. to ?54° C. In one or more embodiments, the modified nonionic surfactant formulations can be introduced into a flow of carbon dioxide, where the flow of carbon dioxide and the modified nonionic surfactant formulation are injected into an oil containing reservoir. In one or more embodiments, an emulsion of the carbon dioxide and the nonionic surfactant form in the oil containing reservoir, where the use of the pour point depressant provides minimal interference in forming the emulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Sayeed Abbas, Aaron W. Sanders
  • Patent number: 8701766
    Abstract: The external surface of a tubular body such as well casing is coated with a substance that, upon exposure to cement, is unstable and degrades. After installation in a subterranean well and subsequent cementation, the coating degrades and forms a gap between the external surface of the tubular body and the cement sheath. Forming the gap is useful for obtaining optimal stimulation during the hydraulic fracturing of unconventional shale-gas formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Simon James
  • Patent number: 8701788
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for extracting an organics component from subsurface shale formations comprising kerogen and an extractible organics component in an inorganic matrix. Among other factors, these processes are based on the discovery that to more easily access the kerogen in oil shale, it is helpful to first remove the extractible organics component from the subsurface shale formation. The methods utilize a hydrocarbon solvent to at least partially solubilize the extractible organics component. The extractible organics component can be isolated and upgraded to produce useful products. The processes are more environmentally benign, more economical, and more efficient in producing commercial products and in providing access to kerogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus O. Wigand
  • Patent number: 8703659
    Abstract: A sealant composition for servicing a wellbore comprising at least one gel system, a leak off prevention material and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Eldon D. Dalrymple, Larry S. Eoff, Diederik W. van Batenburg, Jip van Eijden