Attacking Formation Patents (Class 166/307)
  • Publication number: 20140338915
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cross-linked scale control agent particle comprising: a scale control agent and a cross-linker. The scale control agent is cross-linked by the cross-linker. The present invention is also directed to a cross-linked organic-based crystalline inhibitor particle comprising: an organic-based crystalline inhibitor and a cross-linker. The organic-based crystalline inhibitor is cross-linked by the cross-linker. The present invention is also directed to the use of cross-linkers which can also act as benefit agents and to the use of capping and extension agents which act as further benefit agents The present invention is further directed to a particle comprising more than one cross-linked active agents; the active agent may be a combination of a scale control agent and an organic-based crystalline inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Michael Ferm, Klin Aloysius Rodrigues, John Socrates Thomaides, Stuart Holt, Jian Zhou, Lei Zhang, Jannifer Sanders
  • Patent number: 8887805
    Abstract: Trivalent-ion chelating agents may be useful in mitigating the formation aluminum and ferric precipitates in subterranean formations during acidizing operations. An acidizing operation may include introducing an acidizing fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the acidizing fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, an acid source, and a trivalent-ion chelating agent, e.g., hydroxamates, 6,7-dihydroxyquinoline, 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinones, and any combination thereof. In some instances, trivalent-ion chelating agents with a pKa of less than about 7 may be particularly useful in acidizing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Enrique A. Reyes
  • Patent number: 8881811
    Abstract: Treatments and compounds for use in subterranean formations where surfaces may be subject to silica scale build-up. Certain embodiments pertain to utilizing silica scale control additives with remediation and stimulation treatments. One example of a suitable method of treatment includes providing an acidic treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid, an acid, and a silica scale control additive; contacting at least a portion of a subterranean formation with the acidic treatment fluid; and allowing the acidic treatment fluid to interact with silica scale buildup in the subterranean formation so that at least a portion of the silica scale buildup is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Enrique A. Reyes
  • Patent number: 8881823
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a method comprising: (a) providing a filter cake on a surface in a subterranean formation, the filter cake comprising a polymer and a bridging agent; (b) providing a filter cake clean-up fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid and L-glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid; and (c) contacting the filter cake with the filter cake clean-up fluid so that a portion of the subterranean formation neighboring the filter cake has a regain permeability of at least about 86%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Natalia Collins, Kingsley Nzeadibe, Stephen W. Almond, Carl Thaemlitz
  • Patent number: 8874376
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for inducing fractures in a subterranean formation and more particularly methods and apparatus to place a first fracture with a first orientation in a formation followed by a second fracture with a second angular orientation in the formation are disclosed. The first and second fractures are initiated at about a fracturing location. The initiation of the first fracture is characterized by a first orientation line. The first fracture temporarily alters a stress field in the subterranean formation. The initiation of the second fracture is characterized by a second orientation line. The first orientation line and the second orientation line have an angular disposition to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed Y. Soliman
  • Publication number: 20140311745
    Abstract: Embodiments including methods of treating a subterranean formation comprising providing a solvent-based treatment fluid comprising a liquid resin agent, wherein the liquid resin agent comprises the reaction product of a multifunctional electrophilic compound comprising at least two electrophilic reactive groups and at least one nucleophilic compound selected from the group consisting of a dimer acid; a dimer diamine; any derivative thereof; and any combination thereof, and wherein the multifunctional electrophilic compound comprises at least two electrophilic reactive groups; introducing the solvent-based treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; and curing the liquid resin agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Loan Vo, Feng Liang, Philip D. Nguyen, Tingji Tang
  • Patent number: 8863841
    Abstract: Alkanesulfonic acid microcapsules and the use thereof as an additive for acidizing applications in carbonatic rock formations, especially for increasing the permeability of underground carbonatic mineral oil- and/or natural gas-bearing and/or hydrothermal rock formations and for dissolving carbonatic and/or carbonate-containing impurities in the production of mineral oil and/or natural gas or geothermal power generation are described. Additionally described is an acidic formulation comprising the inventive microcapsules and the use thereof for the aforementioned purpose, and a corresponding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Walter Bertkau, Norbert Steidl
  • Patent number: 8851177
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface shale formations. The methods utilize in-situ reactions of kerogen involving liquid phase chemistry at formation temperatures and pressures. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen to render it mobile, using chemical oxidants. In one embodiment, an oxidant is provided to the subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen in an inorganic matrix, the oxidant converting the kerogen to form organic acids, and forming a mobile kerogen-based product. The spent oxidant is regenerated in-situ to restore at least some of the original oxidation activity. At least a portion of the mobile kerogen-based product is recovered. The kerogen-derived product can be upgraded to provide commercial products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus Oliver Wigand
  • Patent number: 8839860
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations. These methods rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen using a chemical oxidant so as to render it mobile. The oxidant is provided to a formation fluid in contact with the kerogen in the subsurface shale. A mobile kerogen-based product which includes the organic acids is withdrawn from the subsurface shale formation and processed to isolate the organic acids contained therein. In one embodiment, the mobile kerogen-based product is treated such that at least a portion of the organic acids form a separate phase from the mobile kerogen-based product to isolate the acids. The organic acids may further be extracted from the mobile kerogen-based product using an organic extraction fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Oliver Wigand, Robert Martin Carlson, Mark Dean Looney
  • Publication number: 20140262288
    Abstract: A well treatment additive includes a siloxane surfactant, a solvent and an aqueous phase. The solvent is preferably a terpene hydrocarbon. Also disclosed is a method for using the well treatment additive to form and enhance the properties of terpene solvent based additives useful for the treatment of oil and gas wells. Methods of using the novel well treatment additives include using the additives in a variety of well treatment processes including, but not limited to, acidizing operations, hydraulic fracturing operations, well remediation operations and water removal operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Glenn S. Penny, Keith Dismuke, Richard Fox, Andrei Zelenev, Randal M. Hill
  • Publication number: 20140262289
    Abstract: Acidizing fluids may be formulated to minimize the detrimental effects of precipitation during an acidizing operation by promoting production of precipitates from a subterranean formation. Methods for acidizing a subterranean formation can comprise: providing an acidizing fluid comprising a stabilized microemulsion carrier fluid, a chelating agent, and an acid source; introducing the acidizing fluid into a subterranean formation; at least partially dissolving a surface in the subterranean formation with the acidizing fluid, thereby forming a spent fluid; and producing the spent fluid from the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrique A. Reyes, Alyssa L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140251622
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of reversibly altering the rock hydrology in systems, such as oil reservoirs, by inducing authigenic mineral-precipitating bacteria to produce authigenic rock mineral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventor: John D. Coates
  • Publication number: 20140209311
    Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: GREEN SOURCE ENERGY LLC
    Inventors: Liang-tseng FAN, Shahram Reza SHAFIE, Julius Michael TOLLAS, William Arthur Fitzhugh LEE
  • Patent number: 8789596
    Abstract: Multiple zones of a subterranean formation penetrated by a multi-zoned completed well may be fractured by pumping into one or more zones an acidizing solution at or above the fracturing pressure of the subterranean formation. After fractures are created or enhanced in the formation, a displacement fluid is pumped into the formation to farther advance the acidizing solution into the fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James Andrew Curtis, Julio Rodolfo Gomez Casanova
  • Publication number: 20140202692
    Abstract: A method for extracting bitumen from a subterranean oil sand deposit including: drilling a portion of the deposit; fragmenting the drilled deposit; drilling of the fragmented deposit to allow for flooding, wherein one or more wells are drilled to provide access to the deposit and retrieval of extracted bitumen, to form a drilled fragmented deposit; flooding the drilled fragmented deposit with a first flood volume of fluid to permit the first flood volume of fluid to admix with the fragmented first portion, to re lease heavy oil from any inert material so that the heavy oil floats within the first flood volume of fluid in the drilled fragmented deposit to form a flooded first portion; recovering the heavy oil; and repeating the above for each additional portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Howard Keele
  • Publication number: 20140202702
    Abstract: A mixing device has an elongate shell, an inlet, an outlet and at least one shear orifice between the inlet and the outlet. A hydration passage is located between the shear orifice and the outlet. The hydration passage has a flow area greater than a total shear flow area of the shear orifice, greater than an inlet flow area of the inlet and greater than an outlet flow area of the outlet. During operation, a polymer is mixed in a fluid flow flowing to the intake of a positive displacement pump, which pumps the fluid through the mixing device and into an injection conduit leading into a well. The shear orifice produces high shear separation of molecules of the polymer. The hydration passage causes hydration under pressure of the various polymer molecules in addition to blending the various chemicals and/or gases with other components of the fluid flow stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ChemRight, LLC
    Inventor: Don B. Cobb
  • Publication number: 20140202701
    Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to iron control during subterranean operations, and more specifically, to reducing iron precipitation during subterranean operations to avoid formation damage; a method includes providing an acidizing treatment fluid that includes a polyepoxysuccinic acid and an acidizing agent, and placing the acidizing treatment fluid in a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prajakta Ratnakar Patil, Yogesh Kumar Choudhary
  • Patent number: 8776884
    Abstract: A formation treatment system includes an annulus spanning member having one or more openings therein, the one or more openings incorporating a degradable material. A tubular having one or more ports therein in fluid communication with the one or more openings. A sleeve capable of isolating or communicating the one or more ports with an ID of the tubular. A method for effecting precision formation treatment is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard YingQing Xu, Michael H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8776901
    Abstract: Recovering oil and gas from subterranean oil and gas reservoirs using gas injection can serve an additional purpose of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide. This can be accomplished where the feed gas for the gas injection is, at least in part, carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide capture and sequestration process. Corrosion of steel in a gas transportation system due to the presence of carbon dioxide and water and oxygen may be prevented or at least mitigated by employing a corrosion inhibitor effective at preventing or mitigating steel corrosion in the presence of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The corrosion inhibitors may incorporate alkyl succinic acids, alkyl succinic anhydrides, and trimer acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sunder Ramachandran, Vladimir Jovancicevic, Ksenija Babic-Samardzija, Ha M. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140190700
    Abstract: Stabilizers that include hydrophobically modified amine-containing polymers may be utilized as compositions or in methods for controlling particulate migration in a subterranean formation. For example, a method may include providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a hydrophobically modified amine-containing polymer (HMAP), the HMAP comprising a plurality of hydrophobic modifications on an amine-containing polymer; introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the subterranean formation comprising a plurality of particulates; and allowing the HMAP to coat at least some of the particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Tingji Tang, Feng Liang, Loan Vo, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140174737
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising placing a first wellbore servicing fluid comprising a diverter material into a wellbore, allowing the 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 contacting the diverter plug with a third wellbore servicing fluid comprising a degradation accelerator and a phase transfer catalyst under conditions sufficient to form one or more degradation products. A method comprising contacting a diverter material with a phase transfer catalyst under conditions suitable to produce a composite material placing downhole a first wellbore servicing fluid comprising the composite material, and placing downhole a second wellbore servicing fluid comprising a degradation accelerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: B. Raghava REDDY, Janette CORTEZ
  • Patent number: 8757260
    Abstract: Methods and compositions that include a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of providing a carrier fluid comprising degradable balls that comprise a carboxylic acid, a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid salt, a fatty ester, a fatty acid salt, or a combination thereof, and introducing the carrier fluid to the subterranean formation during a treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongyu Luo, Dwight D. Fulton
  • Publication number: 20140166291
    Abstract: A composition for acid stimulation of a subterranean formation, which is an acidizing fluid including a sulfobetaine surfactant, a polymeric associative thickener, and a short chain alcohol. The acidizing fluid comprises sufficient acid so as to be non-viscous when pumped into a wellbore and becomes viscous as acid is consumed by reaction with formation components and pH of the fluid rises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SANJEL CANADA LTD.
    Inventors: Dawn FRIESEN, Sally LAWRENCE
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8733443
    Abstract: A method for treating an open-hole horizontal water injection well in a tight reservoir rock formation to remove undesirable materials such as formation-damaging polymers and chemical residues from pipe dope from the formation surface and adjacent formation pores prior to an acidizing treatment includes maintaining the drilling fluid pressure on the injection zone to induce flowback of formation fluid which is produced at the wellhead located at the earth's surface, where it is monitored for a reduction in the undesirable materials. In the event that the formation pressure is insufficient to produce formation fluid flowback, a nitrogen-lift is introduced at a predetermined location in the adjacent vertical well that will reduce the drilling fluid pressure to induce production of formation fluid at the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ali A. Al-Taq
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140124206
    Abstract: Methods and fluids are provided that include, but are not limited to, a drilling fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a fluid loss control additive that comprises at least one polymeric micro gel and a method comprising: providing an aqueous based treatment fluid comprising a fluid loss control additive that comprises at least one polymeric micro gel; placing the aqueous based treatment fluid in a subterranean formation via a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; allowing the fluid loss control additive to become incorporated into a filter cake located on a surface within the subterranean formation; allowing the filter cake to be degraded; and producing hydrocarbons from the formation. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan G. Ezell, Jun Jim Wu
  • Publication number: 20140124205
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for fracturing a subterranean formation comprising a step of fracturing the formation and a step of introducing a treatment fluid containing glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid or a salt thereof (GLDA), methylglycine N,N-diacetic acid or a salt thereof (MGDA) and/or N-hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine N,N?,N?-triacetic acid or a salt thereof (HEDTA) into the formation, wherein the fracturing step can take place before introducing the treatment fluid into the formation, while introducing the treatment fluid into the formation or subsequent to introducing the treatment fluid into the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: AKZO NOBEL CHEMICALS INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Hisham Nasr-El-Din, Mohamed Ahmed Nasr-El-Din Mahmoud, Cornelia Adriana De Wolf, Jia He
  • Publication number: 20140116707
    Abstract: A method of treating a zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method including the steps of: (a) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) water; (ii) a strong acid); (iii) a water-soluble polymer having at least one functional group that can be crosslinked with aluminum(III); (iv) a water-soluble aluminum carboxylate; and (v) a complexion agent for calcium ions; wherein the pH of the treatment fluid is less than the pH required for the aluminum to crosslink the polymer to form a crosslinked gel; (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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Anjali Ramesh Sarda, Soy George Chittattukara, Anupom Sabhapondit
  • Publication number: 20140116709
    Abstract: An illustrative method of reducing an amount of treatment water injected into a subterranean well may include providing an environmentally friendly polymer, such as a biodegradable polymer (e.g., an aspartic acid based polymer), to the subterranean well. In some cases, the aspartic acid based polymer may include one or more of a copolymer of the aspartic acid based polymer, a terpolymer of the aspartic acid based polymer, an aspartic acid based polymer derivative, an aspartic acid based polymer having an end cap, and a soluble salt of the aspartic acid based polymer. In some cases, the treatment water use may be reduced within the range of about five percent to about ninety five percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Larry P. Koskan, Abdul R. Meah
  • Publication number: 20140116708
    Abstract: Corrosion of steel is a major problem in acidizing operations in a well. A composition in the form of an emulsion is provided, the composition including: (i) a continuous oil phase; (ii) an internal aqueous acid phase adjacent the continuous oil phase; (iii) an emulsifier; (iv) a corrosion inhibitor; (v) a source of carboxylate ion selected from the group consisting of formic acid, oxalic acid, sodium formate, potassium formate, sodium oxalate, potassium oxalate, and any combination thereof; (vi) a source of iodide ion; and (vii) a source of cuprous ion. In addition, a method of acidizing a treatment zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore of a well is provided. The method includes the steps of: (A) forming a treatment fluid comprising a composition according to the invention; and (B) introducing the treatment fluid into the well, wherein the design temperature is at least 280° F.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Sushant Dattaram Wadekar, Nisha Kaustubh Pandya
  • 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: 8697610
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrey Mirakyan, Michael D. Parris, Carlos Abad, Yiyan Chen
  • Patent number: 8684081
    Abstract: A silicate gel composition that is useful for sealing the face of a fracture of a formation. A method of sealing a face of a fracture of a formation with the silicate gel composition and diverting an acid treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Saleh Haif Al-Mutairi, Ali Dahmal Al-Aamri, Khalid A. Al-Dossary, Mubarak Auodah Al-Dhufairi
  • Publication number: 20140083707
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to highly-concentrated compositions of salts of alkyl polyalkoxy sulphates, whereby in total at least ? of all alkoxy unit of the alkyl polyalkoxy sulphates are propoxy units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Britta Jakobs-Sauter, Uwe Kaltwasser
  • Publication number: 20140076570
    Abstract: Methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, including providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a treating agent, a foaming agent, a gas source, and a self-degradable diverting agent; placing the treatment fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation; and degrading the self-degradable diverting agent within the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8672032
    Abstract: A split stream oilfield pumping system is provided which utilizes recycled high Reid vapor pressure production fluids. The oilfield system is made up of two separate fluid streams: a first recycled fluid stream and a second new fluid stream. The recycled fluid stream is enclosed to reduce or eliminate vaporization of the recycled fluid, which typically will have a Reid vapor pressure >14 kPa. Wellbore treatment additives are added to the new fluid stream, and the resultant treatment fluid is mixed with the recycled fluid in a common manifold to provide a final wellbore treatment fluid to be delivered to the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Calfrac Well Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Dwight M. Bobier, Donald Robert Battenfelder, Leslie M. Wise
  • Publication number: 20140054040
    Abstract: The subject disclosure relates to matrix acidizing. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to manipulating downhole pressure to promote in-situ mixing. In particular, downhole pressure is temporarily reduced to allow churning of the dissolved CO2 to facilitate mixing efficiency within the wormholes and the matrix around the wormholes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: WEISHU ZHAO, FRANK F. CHANG
  • Patent number: 8657008
    Abstract: A process for disrupting filter cake in an underground formation, which process comprises: (i) incorporating into a treatment fluid a solid polymer capable of being converted by hydrolysis into one or more organic acids; (ii) introducing the treatment fluid into the underground formation; and (iii) allowing the solid polymer to hydrolyse in the presence of water to produce organic acid such that acid soluble material within the filter cake or adjacent formation is dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cleansorb Limited
    Inventors: Ralph Edmund Harris, Ian Donald Mckay
  • Publication number: 20140014346
    Abstract: A method of increasing productivity of oil, gas or water wells, includes the steps of excavating of a horizontal or inclined well, forming in the horizontal or inclined well a plurality of cavities which extend transversely to the direction of elongation of the horizontal or inclined well and are spaced from one another in a direction of elongation of the horizontal or inclined well so as to form a plurality of partitions therebetween, providing packing in the horizontal or inclined well by packers, and executing hydrocracking by acting onto the partitions located between the cavities inside the horizontal or inclined well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Argosy Technologies
    Inventors: Leon Marmorshteyn, Peter Mouler
  • Publication number: 20130312971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery in an underground reservoir rock comprising injecting an aqueous conditioning solution containing an alkaline agent, wherein the in-situ effects of the injection are determined by means of a flow simulation on a reservoir model discretized in cells, by taking into account the transport of the alkaline agent and without taking into account the transport of species referred to as intermediate species that result from the injection of the principal agent in aqueous solution, the intermediate species concentrations being determined analytically in each cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Quang Long Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20130306320
    Abstract: The composition and method for treating carbonate reservoirs provides a treatment fluid for the acid treatment of stratified subterranean formations. The treatment fluid is injected into a non-problematic or high permeability zone of a carbonate reservoir. The treatment fluid is formed from a zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant, which forms about 7.5 vol % of the treatment fluid, hydrochloric acid forming about 15.0 vol % of the treatment fluid, and a corrosion inhibitor forming about 0.6 vol % of the treatment fluid, the balance being brine. The treatment fluid gels as the hydrochloric acid reacts with carbonate of the carbonate reservoir, thus forming a diverting block in the non-problematic or high permeability zone. Following formation of the diverting block, a further volume of the treatment fluid is injected into the carbonate reservoir. The diverting block diverts the treatment fluid into a problematic or low permeability zone of the carbonate reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: MSALLI AWADH ALOTAIBI, IBNELWALEED A. HUSSEIN, GHAITHAN A. AL-MUNTASHERI, FRANK F. CHANG
  • Patent number: 8580047
    Abstract: A composition including HCl, urea, complex substituted keto-amine-hydrochloride, an alcohol, an ethoxylate, and a ketone is provided for performing hydraulic fracturing or oil or gas wells, solubilizing calcium carbonate, or lowering salt and bicarbonate levels in irrigation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Green Products & Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John T. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8579030
    Abstract: The invention provides a method comprising providing a composition comprising a pH trigger and a polymer able to be hydrated in a defined pH zone; injecting the composition with a pH outside the defined pH zone; triggering the pH trigger to adjust the pH of the composition within the defined pH zone; and allowing viscosity of the composition to increase and form a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Andrey Mirakyan
  • Patent number: 8567501
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively stimulating a plurality of producing zones in a wellbore in oil and gas wells. The system includes a plurality of modules connected in a string that may be selectively actuated to stimulate a producing zone. Each module may be adapted to engage a tubing run ball seat. After installation of the string within the wellbore, a ball seat may be run into the well and positioned to selectively engage a desired module. The ball seat may be used to open a sleeve of the module permitting the stimulation of the producing zone. After stimulation of the producing zone, the ball seat may be removed from the wellbore rather than needing to drill out the ball seat. The sleeve may include a profile adapted to engage a shifting tool permitting the selective closure of the sleeve after stimulation of the producing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Zimmerman, Blake Cox, John Hughes
  • Patent number: 8550161
    Abstract: A well treatment composition is formed from a fluid mixture of a viscoelastic surfactant and a liquid carrier fluid. The fluid mixture has rheological properties wherein the mixture exhibits shear-thickening behavior when the shear rate is increased from a first shear rate to a second higher shear rate. The fluid mixture may further include a shear activation additive that interacts with the viscoelastic surfactant to facilitate the shear-thickening behavior. The method is accomplished by introducing the fluid mixture into a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation. In certain applications, the fluid mixture may be recycled by bringing the fluid mixture to the surface and reintroducing the fluid into the same or a different wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Oscar Bustos, Philip F. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8551926
    Abstract: Emulsified acids have been used to increase production rates of oil and gas in carbonate reservoirs through acid fracturing and matrix acidizing operations. An emulsifier is used to emulsify the aqueous acid with an oil, usually diesel. Very small particles, such as colloidal clay particles and/or nanoparticles increase the stability of the emulsified acids over an elevated temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, John R. Willingham, Richard A. Mitchell, Kushal Seth
  • Patent number: 8541051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations, and more specifically, to improved methods and compositions for degrading filter cake deposited on a subterranean formation. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of creating particulates coated with acid-releasing degradable material on-the-fly comprising the step of: combining an acid-releasing degradable material with a solvent or a plasticizer to create a coating solution; and, coating the coating solution onto a particulate on-the-fly to create coated particulates. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a gravel pack comprising gravel particles coated on-the-fly with an acid-releasing degradable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Saini, Bradley L. Todd
  • Patent number: 8541347
    Abstract: Methods that include a method comprising providing a hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition that comprises an acid phase, a hydrocarbon blend phase, and an emulsifying agent; and placing the hydrocarbon-acid emulsion composition in a subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the hydrocarbon blend phase comprises at least about 65% hydrocarbons having from six carbons (C6) through eleven carbons (C11). In other embodiments, the hydrocarbon blend phase has a flash point greater than about 100° F. Additional methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Hunter Watkins, Robert S. Taylor, Mary van Domelen