Using A Chemical (epo) Patents (Class 166/308.2)
  • Publication number: 20140178325
    Abstract: An anti-settling additive, composition containing the anti-settling additive, and methods for use in coating compositions or formulations. A HASE thickener with improved resistance to surfactants and anti-sag properties, compositions containing the thickener and methods for use of the thickener in coating compositions or formulations and the like. The anti-settling additive and the thickener being a polymer synthesized using a specialized associative monomer that contains C1-C4 alkyl, propylene oxide, ethylene oxide and a polymerizable group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Nemesio Martinez-Castro, Jose P. Ruiz
  • Publication number: 20140174747
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus required for creating a mixture of dry proppant and liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) for fracturing oil and gas formations is presented. The operation includes making a mixture of dry proppant and liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) for use in a fracturing operation by supplying dry proppant that is pressurized to between 75 and 600 psia with a gas; further supplying a stream of sub-cooled LCO2 having a pressure substantially equal to that of the pressurized dry proppant; and adding dry, pressurized proppant to the stream of sub-cooled LCO2, thereby forming a mixed LCO2 and proppant fracturing slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventors: Richard M. Kelly, Nick Joseph Degenstein, Bernard Thomas Neu
  • Publication number: 20140178324
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pH responsive polymer made with mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]phthalate and/or mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl hexahydro]phthalate. Also disclosed is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer copolymerized or blended with alkali swellable acrylate copolymer. Also provided is an aqueous coating composition including at least one latex polymer derived from at least one monomer blended with alkali swellable acrylate copolymer, at least one pigment, and water. Also provided is a method of preparing an aqueous coating composition such as a latex paint including the above components. Also provided are methods of preparing mono-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]phthalate. Also provided are conpositions and methods using the polymer in hydraulic fracturing, personal care and or home and industrial cleaners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Nemesio Martinez-Castro, Jennie McGuire, Herve Adam, James Woods
  • 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
  • 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: 20140166294
    Abstract: The current application generally relates to the use of cysteine proteases in water pretreatment that reduce or eliminate premature enzymatic breakage of polysaccharide injection fluids. Plant enzymes can be used as a control method to interrupt bacterium capabilities to interact and destroy polysaccharidases and other enzymes that may prematurely break frack fluids and other biological thickening agents. Possible enzymes come from a group of proteins known as cystine endopeptidases such as bromelain, papain, calpain, and ficain, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daniel Denton Sorrells
  • Patent number: 8752627
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising at least in part shale formation, comprises providing a carrier fluid; providing a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 microns and a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size, such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.75; combining the carrier fluid and the particulate blend into a fracturing slurry; fracturing the formation with the fracturing slurry to create at least a fracture; and removing the second amount of particulates from the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Hartman, Mohan K. R. Panga, Bruno Drochon, John W. Still
  • 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: 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: 8714258
    Abstract: There is disclosed a process for transporting fracture fluid additives underground to oil and gas wells by attaching a fracture fluid additive to an ion exchange resin and flowing the ion exchange resin underground and thereafter releasing the frac fluid additives from the ion exchange resins and also there is provided the use of an ion exchange resin as a proppant and a frac fluid lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignees: Lanxess Sybron Chemicals Inc., LANXESS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Anthony P. Tirio, Phil Fatula, Michael Schelhaas
  • Patent number: 8701774
    Abstract: An improvement over known hydraulic fracturing fluids. Boundary layer kinetic mixing material is added to components of fracturing fluid wherein kinetic mixing material is a plurality of particles wherein at least 25% of particles are several types, i.e., having surface characteristics of thin walls, three dimensional wedge-like sharp blades, points, jagged bladelike surfaces, thin blade surfaces, three-dimensional blade shapes that may have shapes similar to a “Y”, “V” or “X” shape or other geometric shape, slightly curved thin walls having a shape similar to an egg shell shape, crushed hollow spheres, sharp bladelike features, 90° corners that are well defined, conglomerated protruding arms in various shapes, such as cylinders, rectangles, Y-shaped particles, X-shaped particles, octagons, pentagon, triangles, and diamonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ecopuro, LLC
    Inventor: William L. Johnson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8695707
    Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods of removing an organic deposit including introducing a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises at least two non-polar organic solvents and at least two polar organic solvents; allowing the fluid to dissolve at least a portion of the organic deposit; and removing at least a portion of the fluid. This invention relates to compositions and methods of removing an organic deposit including introducing a fluid, wherein the fluid comprises at least two non-polar organic solvents and at least two polar organic solvents, wherein the non-polar organic solvents comprise aromatic naphtha, terpenes, kerosene, and combination thereof, and wherein the polar solvents comprise heavy aromatic naphtha, cyclohexanone, N-2-methyl pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, and combination thereof, allowing the fluid to dissolve at least a portion of the organic deposit, and removing at least a portion of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jack Li, Syed A. Ali, Oscar Bustos, Matthew J. Miller
  • Publication number: 20140096971
    Abstract: A method of rapidly and essentially simultaneously creating and feeding a dispersion into a hydrocarbon process stream. This method allows for the effective use of chemical additives in a hydrocarbon process line that are highly unstable or that are very difficult to disperse. This is especially helpful in hydrofracturing operations as the very rapid flow rates require very fast dispersion formations. As a result the method allows greater fracking pressures which can be obtained with lower energy inputs and by using lessor amounts of chemical additives. As a result hydrocarbon extraction can be accomplished in a manner which is both more environmentally friendly as well as less expensive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy S. Keizer, Tommy Jacobson
  • Patent number: 8689876
    Abstract: A fracturing system for a well, in which a stream of LPG, a mixture of propane and butane, is injected into the well at frac pressure. Proppant is supplied into the LPG stream, and carried by the LPG mix into the formation. Inert gas such as nitrogen is used for purging system components of LPG, and to help protect against risk of explosion. Nitrogen may also be added to the LPG mix during a frac of shale gas or coal gas formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: GASFRAC Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight N. Loree, Shaun T. Mesher
  • Publication number: 20140090849
    Abstract: A plurality of first VES micelles may be converted into second VES micelles for subsequent formation of an in situ microemulsion downhole. The in situ microemulsion may include at least a portion of second VES micelles, e.g. spherical micelles, and a first oil-based internal breaker to initially aid in breaking the VES gelled aqueous fluid. The in situ microemulsion may increase the rate of flowback of an internally broken VES treatment fluid, increase the volume of treatment fluid recovered, increase the relative permeability or decrease water saturation of a hydrocarbon stream, e.g. oil, gas, and the like; reduce capillary pressure and water-block in the reservoir; enhance the solubilization and dispersion of VES molecules, internal breakers, and/or internal breaker by-products produced when breaking a VES gel; reduce the interfacial tension and/or the contact angle at the fluid-rock interface, reduce the water/oil interfacial tension, keep the reservoir surfaces water-wet, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang
  • Publication number: 20140090850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved chemical additives for use in hydraulic fracturing fluids for the recovery of oil or natural gas entrained in deep-layer shale formations. Many chemical agents currently in use in such water/sand (or other proppants) mixtures could pose human and animal health risks if these chemicals migrate from the shale beds into the environment contaminating the water table, rivers, streams and lakes. The fracturing fluid chemical additives of this invention are designed to be retained or anchored in or near the deep shale layers and are prevented, or greatly delayed from upward migration. Specifically, many chemical additives required for proper fracturing fluid performance can be chemically bonded to inert particulate materials before incorporation into said fluids. The fracturing fluid chemical additives are able to perform their function in the shale fracturing process, and then become nearly permanently trapped in the shale layers protecting the environment above.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Battelion Energy LLC
    Inventors: Brian C. BENICEWICZ, Gordon W. Calundann
  • Patent number: 8672027
    Abstract: A method for stimulating a hydrocarbon-containing formation that includes the steps of: introducing a heat source in the formation; heating a portion of liquid hydrocarbons in the formation to expand hydrocarbon volume, thereby rejuvenating fractures in the formation; passing at least some of the heated liquid hydrocarbons through the rejuvenated fractures; and producing at least a portion of the liquid hydrocarbons that passed through the rejuvenated fractures. The methods and processes provide for in-situ stimulation of hydrocarbon-containing formations using energy to expand in-situ liquid hydrocarbons, thus rejuvenating naturally occurring fractures. In some embodiments, the energy is supplied as heat from injection of an oxygen-containing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: EOG Resources Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Billman
  • Publication number: 20140069643
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method is provided including the steps of: (A) introducing a well fluid comprising an electron-poor orthoester into a well; and (B) allowing or causing the electron-poor orthoester to hydrolyze to produce an acid and an alcohol in the well. In another embodiment, a water-based well fluid is provided, the well fluid including: (A) a continuous aqueous phase having a pH of a least 6; (B) an electron-poor orthoester; and (C) a viscosity-increasing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James William Ogle, Rajesh Kumar Saini, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20140054042
    Abstract: Compact and transportable preparation centre which can be used for fracturing operations on gas or oil fields, capable of metering out and dissolving two different polymers in the powder form, and including: two pneumatic means respectively supplying two storage hoppers for two separate polymers; two means for supplying and metering the polymer originating respectively from the two storage hoppers to a device for dispersing by grinding, also denoted PSU; two series of tanks for hydration and dissolution of the polymers connected to the dispersing and grinding device; two positive displacement vacuum pumps for metering the two solutions each originating from the two series of hydration and dissolution tanks and intended to supply a mixer itself connected to a high-pressure injection pump. Fracturing process employing the preparation centre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Rene Pich, Peter Nichols
  • Patent number: 8657002
    Abstract: A method for minimizing the amount of metal crosslinked viscosifier necessary for treating a wellbore with proppant or gravel is given. The method includes using fibers to aid in transporting, suspending and placing proppant or gravel in viscous carrier fluids otherwise having insufficient viscosity to prevent particulate settling. Fibers are given that have properties optimized for proppant transport but degrade after the treatment into degradation products that do not precipitate in the presence of ions in the water such as calcium and magnesium. Crosslinked polymer carrier fluids are identified that are not damaged by contaminants present in the fibers or by degradation products released by premature degradation of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dean M. Willberg, Christopher N. Fredd, Marina Bulova
  • Publication number: 20140051610
    Abstract: Processes are provided for reducing the hydrodynamic friction of a turbulent brine stream including, for example, the step of injecting a mixture of a finely divided free flowing friction reducing powder into the turbulent brine stream, wherein the particles of the powder have a primary particle size between 10 and 100 microns in average particle diameter, and the brine stream comprises water with at least 90,000 ppm total dissolved solids, wherein the total dissolved solids includes at least 30,000 ppm sodium cations, 10,000 ppm calcium cations, and 1,000 ppm magnesium cations, and wherein the brine has an electrical conductivity of greater than 100.0 mS/cm at 25° C. For use with a harsher brine, the particles preferably have a primary particle size between 10 and 53 microns in average particle diameter. The friction reducing powder may, for example, be a polyacrylamide polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: CORSICANA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Houston P. Perry, Brian L. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20140027121
    Abstract: A method for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean reservoir. A fracturing fluid comprising a clay stabilizer is provided at an uphole temperature. The uphole temperature allows the fracturing fluid to be for provided at a downhole temperature in the reservoir greater than a cloud point of hydrocarbons in the reservoir. The fracturing fluid is injected into the reservoir at a controlled injection rate to propagate a fracture in the reservoir and mitigate vertical height growth of the fracture. Proppant is introduced into the fracturing fluid to provide a fracturing slurry. The fracturing slurry is injected into the reservoir at the controlled injection rate to prop the fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: WestFire Energy Ltd.
    Inventors: Lowell E. JACKSON, Frank P. MULLER, Darrin R. DRALL, Arvil C. MOGENSEN, Kevin J. GOULET
  • Publication number: 20140014348
    Abstract: The invention provides for modified proppants, comprising a proppant particle and a hydrogel coating, wherein the hydrogel coating localizes on the surface of the proppant particle to produce the modified proppant, methods of manufacturing such proppants and methods of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SELF-SUSPENDING PROPPANT LLC
    Inventors: Robert P. Mahoney, David S. Soane, Marie K. Hering, Kevin K. Kincaid, Rosa Casado Portilla, Philip Wuthridge
  • Publication number: 20140014349
    Abstract: A method includes introducing a treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid including a polymer gel having a water-soluble polymer, a proppant, and a polymer gel-preserving amount of chlorine dioxide, the placing step includes applying the treatment fluid at a sufficient pressure and at a sufficient rate to fracture the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: SABRE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventor: John Mason
  • Publication number: 20130341030
    Abstract: The complexity of a fracture network may be enhanced during a hydraulic fracturing operation by monitoring operational parameters of the fracturing job and altering stress conditions in the well in response to the monitoring of the operational parameters. The operational parameters monitored may include the injection rate of the pumped fluid, the density of the pumped fluid or the bottomhole pressure of the well after the fluid is pumped. The method provides an increase to the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Harold Dean Brannon, Thomas Ray Starks, II, Scott Gregory Nelson, Charles Elmer Bell, Tom N. Royce, D.V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Jimie Devon Lemons, Curtis David Huff, John Gottschling, Angel F. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8607884
    Abstract: Methods and systems relate to recovering petroleum products from an underground reservoir. Injection of steam along with carbon dioxide into the reservoir facilitates the recovering, which is further influenced by operating pressure for the injection. Absorption of the carbon dioxide by the products and heat transfer from the steam to the products act to reduce viscosity of the products in order to aid flowing of the products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Thomas James Wheeler, Windsong Fang
  • Patent number: 8607870
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method of treating a subterranean formation of a well bore, that provides a first treatment fluid; subsequently, pumps the first treatment fluid to initiate a network of low conductivity fractures in the subterranean formation; provides a second treatment fluid comprising a second carrier fluid, a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 ?m and a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size, such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.74; and subsequently, pumps the second treatment fluid to initiate at least one high conductivity fracture in the subterranean formation, wherein the high conductivity fracture has a conductivity higher than the average of the conductivity of the low conductivity fractures and connects the network of the low conductivity fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hongren Gu, Yiyan Chen, Xiaowei Weng
  • Publication number: 20130327531
    Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant based aqueous fluid systems useful as thickening agents in various applications, e.g. to suspend particles produced during the excavation of geologic formations. The surfactants are zwitterionic/amphoteric surfactants such as dihydroxyl alkyl glycinate, alkyl ampho acetate or propionate, alkyl betaine, alkyl amidopropyl betaine and alkylimino mono- or di-propionates derived from certain waxes, fats and oils. The thickening agent is used in conjunction with an inorganic water-soluble salt or organic additive such as phthalic acid, salicylic acid or their salts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Manilal S. Dahayanake, Jiang Yang, Joseph H. Y. Niu, Paul-Joel Derian, Ruoxin Li, David Dino
  • Publication number: 20130324443
    Abstract: A salt-tolerant, thermally-stable rheology modifier and, in particular, a rheology modifier for applications in oil-field well-bore fluids. In accordance with one aspect, the rheology modifier comprises a terpolymer of acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS) and a long-chain alkyl acrylate wherein the terpolymer is prepared by dispersion polymerization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: ISP Investments Inc.
    Inventors: Janice Jianzhao Wang, Jun Zheng, David Farrar, OSama M. Musa
  • Publication number: 20130312975
    Abstract: Process for water-wetting oil-wet surfaces by applying an aqueous formulation comprising at least one wettability modifier which is a water-soluble ester of an alkoxylated saccharide to the oil-wet surface. The oil-wet surfaces may be any hydrophobic surfaces such as the rocks of subterranean oil-bearing formations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Vandana Kurkal-Siebert, Oetter Günter, Hans Georg Mainx, Sandra Mack
  • Patent number: 8590621
    Abstract: A method comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, and a low-leakoff particulate, contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid, and allowing the low-leakoff particulate to de-link so that at least a portion of the low-leakoff particulate enters the liquid phase. In some cases the treatment fluid comprises from about 5 to about 120 pounds of low-leakoff particulates per thousand gallons of treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Lord, Jimmie D. Weaver, Ivan M. Suleiman
  • Patent number: 8579029
    Abstract: A method includes providing a treatment fluid that is a viscous fluid. The viscous fluid may be greater than 0.01 Pa-s, greater than 0.1 Pa-s, and/or a cross-linked polymer based fluid. The method further includes determining a fines migration composition soluble in an aqueous phase of the treatment fluid that is compatible with the treatment fluid, and that interacts to secure fines in an earth formation intersecting a wellbore within a fines reaction time. The method further includes adding an amount of the fines migration composition to the treatment fluid, and treating the earth formation with the treatment fluid. The method includes leaking off a portion of the treatment fluid into the earth formation, and providing a residence time of the leaked off portion of the treatment fluid in the earth formation, where the residence time meets or exceeds the fines reaction time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Abad, Yenny Christanti, Syed Ali, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Brent Busby
  • 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: 8573302
    Abstract: Improved treatment fluids and methods for use in subterranean operations including the treatment of low permeability shale formations. In one embodiment the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and a controlled wetting system that comprises: a water soluble polymer having a charge, a surfactant having an opposite charge, and a compatibilizer; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Jason E. Bryant, Richard D. Rickman
  • Publication number: 20130288935
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising a plant material, and methods for using the same in extracting or removing a hydrocarbon-containing substance from a substrate or remediating a substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: GreenStract, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130274170
    Abstract: An aqueous viscoelastic composition is provided comprising at least one viscoelastic surfactant, and at least one hydrophobically modified polymer, which is formed from polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers; has a number average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 100,000 Da; and to a level of at least 0.1 mole %, based on the amount of monomer units in the polymer, contains monomeric units each covalently bonded to a pendant, optionally alkoxylated, hydrocarbyl group having from 6 to 40 carbon atoms, said pendant, optionally alkoxylated, hydrocarbyl group being connected to the backbone of said hydrophobically modified polymer via a non-ester containing linking group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Qingwen Wendy Yuan-Huffman, Klin Aloysius Rodrigues, Jian Zhou, Stuart Peter Robert Holt, Elliot Isaac Band
  • Publication number: 20130264061
    Abstract: A method of modifying a surface of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is disclosed. The method includes contacting the surface of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation with a fluorinated amine, and the surface of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation includes a carbonate. The method can typically include introducing a treatment composition comprising solvent and at least one of the fluorinated amine or a salt thereof into the carbonate hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Hydrocarbon-bearing formations treated according to the method are also disclosed. Certain fluorinated amines useful for treating carbonate hydrocarbon-bearing formations and methods of making them are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Jimmie R. Baran, JR., George G.I. Moore, Nathan E. Schultz, Dean M. Moren, Yu Yang, Rudolf J. Dams
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130255954
    Abstract: Fracturing fluid comprising, in solution in water, a proppant and an associative amphoteric polymer, the said polymer having a molecular weight of at least 1 000 000 g/mol and comprising: 0.01 to 10 mol % of at least one cationic monomer derived from acrylamide, from 0.09 to 89.99 mol % of at least one anionic monomer, and from 10 to 99 mol % of at least one nonionic water-soluble monomer. Fracturing process using the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventors: Cédrick FAVERO, Nicolas GAILLARD
  • Patent number: 8544546
    Abstract: A method including the steps of: (a) providing a dispersion comprising: a water-soluble polysaccharide and a carrier fluid, wherein the carrier fluid comprises: (i) glycerol, and (ii) a mono-hydroxylic alcohol having 1-3 carbons, wherein the mono-hydroxylic alcohol is present in at least 0.1% by weight of the glycerol, wherein the polysaccharide is insoluble in the carrier fluid; (b) mixing the dispersion with at least water to form an aqueous well treatment fluid, wherein the polysaccharide is soluble in the aqueous phase of the aqueous wellbore treatment fluid; and (c) introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian D. Robb, Jason E. Bryant
  • Publication number: 20130228334
    Abstract: Methods for reducing a viscosity of a viscosified fluid include reacting, such as by depolymerizing and/or decomposing, a polymeric material of the viscosified fluid with a breaking agent including one or more organic peroxide breakers having a structural feature selected from a cyclic peroxide segment and/or multiple linear peroxide moieties per molecule. The methods of treating the subterranean are provided that include reacting, such as by depolymerizing and/or decomposing, a polymeric material of a viscosified treatment fluid with one or more organic peroxide breakers having a structural feature selected from cyclic peroxide segment and/or multiple linear peroxide moieties per molecule to facilitate breaking of the viscosified treatment fluid after the fracturing or treatment is finished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Li Jiang, Syed A. Ali, Michael D. Parris, Richard D. Hutchins, Gbenga Ogunlaja
  • Patent number: 8511381
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for low damage gravel packing. The system comprises a well bore; a gravel packing slurry comprising a carrier fluid and a solids mixture, wherein the solids mixture comprises a plurality of volume-averaged particle size distribution (PSD) modes such that a packed volume fraction (PVF) exceeds 0.75, wherein the solids mixture comprises at least a proppant PSD mode and a fines PSD mode; a pump to circulate the slurry in the wellbore and form a proppant pack; and a dispersant source effective to facilitate fines flowback from the pack. The method comprises circulating the slurry through a wellbore to form a proppant pack; contacting fines in the pack with a dispersant; and passing fluid through the pack to remove fines from the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mohan K. R. Panga, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Bruno Drochon, John W. Still
  • Publication number: 20130206416
    Abstract: Disclosed is an alkaline earth metal peroxide concentrate, or fluidized suspension, for addition to aqueous hydraulic fracturing fluids to efficiently decrease the viscosity of the hydrated, hydrophilic polysaccharide polymer in the system. The concentrate comprises a hydrophobic, water insoluble liquid, an organophilic clay suspension agent, a polar activator, a sparingly-soluble alkaline earth metal peroxide, and an anionic surfactant. Advantageously, these concentrations, or suspensions, exhibit high flash points, making them easier to transport using commercial transportation means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS UNITED CHEMICAL COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: TEXAS UNITED CHEMICAL COMPANY, LLC
  • Patent number: 8505631
    Abstract: A monomer compound that contains at least one polymerizable functional group per molecule, and at least one bicycloheptyl-, bicycloheptenyl-, or branched (C5-C42)alkyl-polyether radical per molecule, wherein the bicycloheptyl- or bicycloheptenyl-polyether radical may optionally be substituted on one or more of the ring carbon atoms by one or two (C1-C6)alkyl groups per ring carbon atom is useful in making polymers, particularly pH responsive polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Hui Shirley Yang, Derek Pakenham, Herve Adam, Pierre Hennaux, Brian Chung, Subramanian Kesavan, Seren Frantz
  • Patent number: 8499833
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an acid emulsion fluid for use in sealing target portions of a hydrocarbon producing formation penetrated by a wellbore and the method of use thereof for fluid loss control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Saleh Haif Al-Mutairi, Ali Dahmal Al-Aamri, Khalid A. Al-Dossary, Mubarak Auodah Al-Dhufairi
  • Publication number: 20130192839
    Abstract: A method is given for acid fracturing a subterranean formation for improving the flow of fluids. The principal source, optionally the sole source, of the acid is a solid acid-precursor, optionally injected with an additional solid that is inert and that masks a portion of the newly created fracture faces so that the fracture face etching by the acid is not uniform. The method ensures a good flow path for fluids between the fracture tip and the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: J. Ernest Brown, John W. Still
  • Patent number: 8496056
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising at least in part shale formation, comprises providing a carrier fluid; providing a particulate blend including a first amount of particulates having a first average particle size between about 100 and 2000 microns and a second amount of particulates having a second average particle size between about three and twenty times smaller than the first average particle size, such that a packed volume fraction of the particulate blend exceeds 0.75; combining the carrier fluid and the particulate blend into a fracturing slurry; fracturing the formation with the fracturing slurry to create at least a fracture; and removing the second amount of particulates from the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Hartman, Mohan K. R. Panga, Bruno Drochon, John W. Still
  • Publication number: 20130180723
    Abstract: An aqueous fracturing fluid comprises an environmentally friendly flowback aid. The flowback aid includes an amine oxide having the formula (CH3)NO(R1)(R2), where R1 and R2 are independently selected from linear or branched alkyl groups having from 8 to 16 carbon atoms. Optionally, the fracturing fluid may further comprise an alcohol ethoxylate of the formula R3—(OC2H4)x—OH, wherein R3 is a linear or branched alkyl group having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein x ranges from 3 to 25. One example of an amine oxide is didecylmethyl amine oxide, and one example of an alcohol ethoxylate is ethoxylated isodecylalcohol (also known as ethoxylated isodecanol). The fracturing fluid is introduced through a well bore into the subterranean formation and pressurized to fracture the subterranean formation. The fracturing fluid is then allowed to flow back into the well bore from the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: CORSICANA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Corsicana Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8485259
    Abstract: A stand-alone frac liner that allows for fracturing of multiple lateral legs of a multilateral well on a single call out and rig-up of fracturing equipment. Tools and techniques are provided that include setting multiple stand-alone frac liners in multiple lateral legs of the multilateral well. The liners may rest in the legs physically untethered to surface equipment. Thus, a single call out of a frac string tubular and associated equipment may be used to frac the lateral legs in sequence from one leg to the next. This may be achieved without the requirement of removal of the tubular from the well or disconnect of surface fracturing equipment between the lateral fracture applications. Thus, a considerable amount of expenses associated with time and manpower may be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Barton Sponchia, Craig Skeates, Gary Gill, Abbas Mahdi