Using A Chemical (epo) Patents (Class 166/308.2)
  • Patent number: 7712535
    Abstract: A fluid breaking composition which includes an effective amount of an alkali chlorite and/or hyperchlorite, where the composition reduces a viscosity of a polymer viscosified fluid to a desired low value at down hole conditions within a time period coincident with a formation stimulation time, generally between about 30 minutes and 195 minutes and to methods for making and using the breaking composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Venditto, Sarkis R. Kakadjian, Joseph E. Thompson, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20100101796
    Abstract: The invention describes improved fracturing compositions, methods of preparing fracturing compositions and methods of use. Importantly, the subject invention overcomes problems in the use of mists as an effective fracturing composition particularly having regard to the ability of a mist to transport an effective volume of proppant into a formation. As a result, the subject technologies provide an effective economic solution to using high ratio gas fracturing compositions that can be produced in a continuous (i.e. non-batch) process without the attendant capital and operating costs of current pure gas fracturing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Century Oilfield Services Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Tyler Leshchyshyn, Peter William Beaton, Thomas Michael Coolen
  • Patent number: 7704926
    Abstract: The present invention provides aqueous viscoelastic compositions comprising a cleavable surfactant and possibly also an electrolyte. The cleavable surfactants useful in the present invention comprise at least one weak chemical bond, which is capable of being broken under appropriate conditions, to produce oil soluble and water soluble products typically having no interfacial properties and surface activity compared with the original surfactant molecule. Further, the rheological properties of the aqueous viscolelastic composition are usually altered upon cleavage of the cleavable surfactant generally resulting in the elimination of the viscofying, viscoelastic and surfactant properties of the composition. Aqueous viscoelastic compositions in accordance with the present invention are suitable for use in oil-field applications, particularly for hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations. Thus, the present invention also relates to a wellbore service fluid and a method of fracturing a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jian Zhou, Trevor Hughes
  • Patent number: 7699106
    Abstract: A low viscosity fluid for reducing fluid loss in a relatively low permeability formation has a viscosity of less that 10 CP and contains a low molecular weight viscosifying agent The aqueous medium may be fresh water, salt water, brine or slickwater. The invention has particular applicability when an ultra lightweight (ULW) proppant or sand control particulate is employed. The fluid may be used in reservoirs having a relative permeability less than 10 mD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Harold Dean Brannon, D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Roger R. Myers, Brian Benedict Beall
  • Publication number: 20100089579
    Abstract: Treatments and compounds useful in subterranean formations are discussed, with particular attention to those 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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Enrique A. Reyes, Jimmie D. Weaver, Matt E. Blauch, David E. McMechan, Corine L. McMechan
  • Patent number: 7686081
    Abstract: A process for fracturing a subterraneous formation in the production of an oil well is described. The process steps include injecting an initial charge of a mixture, the mixture being formed from at least diatomaceous earth and at least one well treatment agent, into a well bore formed in the subterraneous formation so as to form a down-hole matrix within the formation; injecting a solution comprised of an additional amount of the well treatment agent into the formation after the initial charge of the at least one well treatment agent has been substantially depleted; and then pressurizing the well bore for a time and under conditions sufficient to reactivate the down-hole matrix in the formation, so that the treatment agent activity of the matrix is increased relative to the treatment agent activity of the matrix just prior to injecting the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventor: Harold L. Becker
  • Patent number: 7687441
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of increasing the viscosity of a treatment fluid comprising the steps of: adding a networking agent to the treatment fluid, wherein the networking agent is represented by the formula: Y—X—[B(OR)2]n, wherein: Y is at least partially capable of forming a crosslink between a gelling agent molecule, a second networking agent, and/or a combination thereof; X is at least partially capable of preventing or inhibiting a reaction represented by the formula: ROH+R?B(OR)2?R?OH+B(OR)3; R and R? are a hydrogen, an alkyl group, an aryl group, or a combination thereof; and n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; allowing at least one crosslink to form between the networking agent and a gelling agent molecule, a second networking agent, and/or a combination thereof; and allowing the viscosity of the treatment fluid to increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Jimmie D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh
  • Patent number: 7677311
    Abstract: A composition and method for improving the fluid efficiency of many oilfield treatments is given. The composition is a solid additive, in a viscosified fluid, in a size range small enough that it enters formation pores; it optionally bridges there to form an internal filter cake, and then decomposes to provide a breaker for the viscosifying system for the fluid. Examples of suitable additives include waxes, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacetals, polymelamines, polyvinyl chlorides, and polyvinyl acetates. Degradation of the additive may be accelerated or delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Carlos Abad, Jesse C. Lee, Philip F. Sullivan, Erik Nelson, Yiyan Chen, Belgin Baser, Lijun Lin
  • Patent number: 7677315
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating an acid downhole that comprise providing a degradable surfactant; introducing the degradable surfactant into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the degradable surfactant to degrade, thereby releasing an acid. Also provided are methods of degrading an acid-soluble component present within a subterranean formation, and methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Saini, Bradley L. Todd, Michael N. Mang
  • Patent number: 7677317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to clean a wellbore and the near wellbore area adjacent to the wellbore of a hydrocarbon bearing formation adjacent to the production zone of the wellbore. The invention includes a method to clean a casing inserted into a wellbore and a method for cleaning a wellbore of fracturing fluid, with or without proppant. Each of the methods includes the steps of injecting a treatment medium comprising liquid carbon dioxide into a wellbore where pressure within the wellbore is regulated to either maintain the treatment medium in the liquid state, or allow at least a portion of the treatment medium to vaporize upon introduction into the wellbore. The treatment medium vaporizes to loosen and/or entrain undesirable materials from within the wellbore or casing and escape through the wellhead, carrying with it the undesirable materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Dennis R. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20100059227
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for stimulating oil production from well by pumping reactive stimulation fluids from the well into the formation. The methods are particularly relevant to cold heavy oil production. This invention provides methods of stimulating production from a formation surrounding a well, comprising pumping a fluid from the well into the formation so as to create a hydraulic fracture, wherein the fluid contains one or more reactive species that destabilise cohesive forces in the formation matrix, and allowing the fluid to leak of into the formation and react with the formation matrix so as to produce a destabilised zone in the formation around the location of the fracture such that formation fluids and sand particles can be produced from the formation through the zone and into the well. The methods preferably comprise selecting the fluid so as to produce an at least partially unconsolidated formation matrix in the destabilised zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Dean Willberg
  • Patent number: 7665522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous oilfield treatment fluids containing a gas component and fibers, wherein the fluids may further include a viscosifying agent and/or proppant. The fluids have good proppant suspension and transport properties as well as excellent gas phase stability. Use of fluids comprising an aqueous medium, a gas component, viscosifying agent, and fibers for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation, cleanup operations, and gravel packing a wellbore, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philip F. Sullivan, Christopher N. Fredd
  • Publication number: 20100038086
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and production well system that utilize stimulus-responsive materials for “conformance control” and profile control along the fluid flow path in a well as part of a gravel pack or a coating on a well tool. The stimulus-responsive materials are also known as intelligent or smart polymers and are typically polymeric materials that reversibly or irreversibly swell or collapse in the presence of stimulus such as changes in concentration of a fluid media in contact with the stimulus-responsive material, pH or polarity of the media the stimulus-responsive material is in contact with, salinity, current; or temperature. The stimulus-responsive materials may swell upon contact with a rust stimulus and shrink or collapse upon contact with a second stimulus or vice-versa The changes between production and injection profiles may be automatic with the application of the stimulus-responsive materials and may occur without user intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY
    Inventors: Franz D. Bunnell, Scott R. Clingman, Pin Y. Huang, Donald L. Yeager, David H. Coe
  • Patent number: 7662756
    Abstract: A fluid for use in a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the fluid comprising: (a) water; (b) an orthoester; and (c) a surfactant comprising a tertiary alkyl amine ethoxylate generally represented by the following formula: (CH2—CH2—O)XH R—N< (CH2—CH2—O)YH wherein R is an alkyl group or aryl group, and wherein X and Y are each independently at least one. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising the step of forming a foamed fracturing fluid comprising water; an orthoester; a surfactant comprising a tertiary alkyl amine ethoxylate generally represented by the formula above; and a gas. The method also provides the step of introducing the foamed fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create a fracture in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Bradley L. Todd, David McMechan
  • Patent number: 7662753
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for treating subterranean formations. A treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous liquid, and a degradable surfactant derived from a degradable polymer is provided. Also provided are emulsified treatment fluids and foamed treatment fluids that comprise degradable surfactants derived from degradable polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh K. Saini
  • Patent number: 7655604
    Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir is carried out using an aqueous wellbore fluid which is an aqueous solution of a surfactant which has the formula (R1—X)nZ, where R1 is an aliphatic group comprising a C10-C25 principal straight chain bonded at a terminal carbon atom thereof to X, and comprising at least one C1-C6 side chain. X is a charged head group, Z is a counterion, and n is an integer which ensures that the surfactant is charge neutral. The surfactant reversibly thickens the aqueous solution such that the wellbore fluid is a viscoelastic gel. The viscoelastic gel breaks and undergoes a reduction in viscosity within the reservoir and surfactant from the broken gel mixes with hydrocarbon in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Gareth John Jones, Gary J Tustin
  • Publication number: 20100006293
    Abstract: A method of creating multiple fractures in a well traversing a formation is described using pressurized fluids in a highly deviated or horizontal section of the well at a pressure above the fracturing pressure of the formation, wherein for creating a fracture the pressurized fluid is alternated between an acid fracturing fluid and a proppant loaded fluid, such that the proppant blocks the flow of pressurized fluid into a fracture created during a previous step of the method and the subsequently pressurized acid fracturing fluid creates a new fracture at a location along the highly deviated or horizontal section different from the location of the previously created fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hongren Gu, J. Ernest Brown, Fakuen F. Chang
  • Patent number: 7645724
    Abstract: Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their viscosities reduced (gels broken) by the direct or indirect action of a composition that contains at least one unsaturated fatty acid, such as a monoenoic acid and/or polyenoic acid. The unsaturated fatty acid may be contained in an oil-soluble internal phase of the fluid. The breaking composition is believed to act possibly by rearranging, disaggregating or otherwise attacking the micellar structure of the VES-gelled fluid. In a specific, non-limiting instance, a brine fluid gelled with an amine oxide surfactant can have its viscosity broken with an oil such as flax (linseed) oil, soybean oil and/or fish oils containing relatively high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. The unsaturated fatty acids are thought to auto-oxidize into products such as aldehydes, ketones and saturated fatty acids that break the VES gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James B. Crews
  • Patent number: 7635028
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Acidic internal breakers such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Lijun Lin, Carlos Abad, Toan Bui
  • Publication number: 20090288825
    Abstract: A method to enhance oil recovery from a subterranean reservoir, the reservoir being accessible via a production well. The method includes injecting a surfactant solution that includes surfactants into the production well. The surfactant solution selected to increase an oil-to-water ratio of oil recovery from a porous matrix portion of the reservoir. The method also includes injecting a well-servicing volumetric solution into the production well to perform a second well treatment process. The second well treatment process is selected from the group consisting of a scale inhibition squeeze process, a well acidizing process, a chemical process to reduce water production rate, an acid fracturing process, and a hydraulic fracturing process. In the method, the surfactant solution and the second well treatment solution are injected into the production well within less than about six months of one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Hongxin Tang
  • Patent number: 7621335
    Abstract: A well treating fluid useful in slickwater fracturing processes contains polyacrylamide friction reducer and a viscosity breaker capable of reducing the viscosity of the well treating fluid to about the viscosity of water at ambient temperatures of typical underground formations. The viscosity breaker is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, calcium peroxide, magnesium peroxide, and zinc peroxide and is present in an amount above about 0.002% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Chemplex, Ltd.
    Inventors: Oscar L. Valeriano, Richard J. Dyer
  • Patent number: 7608567
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating subterranean formations. A method, that comprises providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid, and a degradable surfactant derived from a degradable polymer; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajesh K. Saini
  • Patent number: 7591313
    Abstract: Provided are methods of modifying the surface stress-activated reactivity of proppant particulates used in subterranean operations. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a plurality of particulates, at least one of which comprises a mineral surface; providing a surface-treating reagent capable of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of a mineral surface of a particulate; and allowing the surface-treating reagent modify the stress-activated reactivity of at least a portion of the mineral surface of at least one particulate. In other embodiments, the methods comprise the use of particulates comprising a modified mineral surface in fluids introduced into subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Diederik van Batenburg, Mark A. Parker, Matthew E. Blauch, Neil A. Stegent, Philip D. Nguyen, Thomas D. Welton
  • Patent number: 7588085
    Abstract: A method of improving injectivity of fluid, particularly produced water, in enhanced hydrocarbon recovery is disclosed. The method includes introducing a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation to create a fracture, and introducing proppant into the fracturing fluid to form a single layer of proppant in the fracture. The fracturing fluid can be formed from produced water. Alternatively, the produced water is introduced after a fracturing fluid, other than the produced water, has been introduced to create a fracture. By reducing the amount of proppant and by using much larger proppant, a larger flow path through the fracture is created, thereby increasing the injectivity of produced water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Acock, Hassan Chaabouni, Mark Norris
  • Patent number: 7581594
    Abstract: A method to enhance oil recovery from a fractured carbonate reservoir, the reservoir being accessible via a production well. The method includes injecting a surfactant solution including surfactants into the production well, and injecting a second well treatment process into the production well. The second well treatment process includes a second well treatment solution. The second well treatment solution is selected from the group consisting of a scale inhibition squeeze process, a well acidizing process, a chemical process to reduce water production rate, carbon dioxide injection for stimulation of a production or injection well, an acid fracturing process, and a hydraulic fracturing process. The surfactant solution and the second well treatment solution are injected into the production well within less than about six months from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: ChemEOR, Inc.
    Inventor: Hongxin Tang
  • Patent number: 7579302
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to improving the performance of anionic friction reducing polymers in water containing multivalent ions. Exemplary embodiments relate to methods of improving the performance of anionic friction reducing polymers in a subterranean treatment, wherein the method comprises adding a complexing agent to water comprising multivalent ions. The method comprises adding the anionic friction reducing polymer to the water comprising the multivalent ions, wherein the anionic friction reducing polymer is added in an amount less than or equal to about 0.15% by weight of the water. The method comprises introducing the water comprising the multivalent ions, the complexing agent and the anionic friction reducing polymer into at least a portion of the subterranean formation such that the friction reducing polymer reduces energy loss due to turbulence in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. McMechan, Rob E. Hanes, Jr., Ian D. Robb, Thomas D. Welton, Karen L. King, Bobby J. King, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7578968
    Abstract: Processes for effecting biocidal activity in subterranean oil and gas wells being drilled, completed, worked over or produced are described. In general the process comprises blending with aqueous well fluid a biocidally-effective amount of a sulfamate stabilized, bromine-based biocide. Compositions comprised of aqueous well fluid blended with such aqueous biocides are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nalepa, Joel F. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7575057
    Abstract: Coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties are made with anionic or cationic polymers, a smaller amount of a surfactant having a charge opposite that of the polymer, and a hydrophobic alcohol. The Zeta Potential of the gel is maintained at an absolute value of at least 20. Optional gel promoting additives include betaines and amine oxides. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. The gels are particularly useful in well drilling fluids and well fracturing fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Clearwater International, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kevin N. Schwartz, Kevin W. Smith, Shih-Ruey T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20090200033
    Abstract: A microemulsion system is disclosed which comprises a solvent subsystem, a co-solvent subsystem and a surfactant subsystem comprises at least one monoalkyl branched propoxy sulfate anionic surfactant, where the microemulsion system are useful in drilling, producing, remediation, and fracturing application to reduce water blocks and water blocking in formation of a producing formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Sarkis R. Kakadjian, Frank Zamora, Tina Garza, Laura Márquez De Santis, Jean-Luis Salager
  • Patent number: 7571767
    Abstract: Methods of creating high porosity propped fractures in portions of subterranean formations, including methods of forming a high porosity propped fracture in a subterranean formation comprising providing a slurry comprising a fracturing fluid and proppant particulates substantially coated with an adhesive substance; introducing the slurry into a portion of a fracture within the subterranean formation; and, depositing the proppant particulates into the portion of the fracture within the subterranean formation so as to form a high porosity propped fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Parker, Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh, Michael Segura, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7568525
    Abstract: The method of wells production rate increase which includes lowering the hydroperforator equipped with hydromonitor nozzles into the well on the pipe string; pumping liquid with abrasive material under pressure into the pipe string and hydroperforator; impacting the well elements and the stratum with the liquid with abrasive material via hydroperforator hydromonitor nozzles. When liquid with abrasive material impacts the well elements and the stratum, pressure is changed in the pipe string delivering the liquid with abrasive material. The difference is that pressure is changed over time so that pressure oscillations always include components with different frequencies, and in doing so, peak values (amplitudes) for at least some pressure oscillation components vary within the time interval Td, where Td?Tv; Tv being the time of impact of the liquid with abrasive material on the well elements and the stratum via hydroperforator hydromonitor nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Nord Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Sergey Nikolayevich Veselkov
  • Patent number: 7569523
    Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing of wells by injecting a degradable polymer phase as a fracturing fluid is provided. Composition and degree of polymerization of the degradable polymer and the selection of additives may be varied to adjust the viscosity, degradation time and other properties of the fracturing fluid. Viscous degradable fluid or pellets of degradable polymer may be placed in a wellbore as an internal phase in a low viscosity carrier fluid. A polymer-continuous liquid phase may be formed at a selected location in the wellbore, usually near perforations, before the polymer phase is pressured into a formation to form a hydraulic fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Inventor: Claude E. Cooke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7562711
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising transporting at least two portable tanks to a well site to be serviced, and hydraulically injecting biocide into a first of the two tanks, wherein a second of the two tanks serves as a fluid source for conveying the biocide into the first tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Flemma, Jr., Mitch Mitchum
  • Patent number: 7543646
    Abstract: The handling, transport and delivery of particulate materials, particularly fine particles, may be difficult. Alkaline earth metal oxide particles such as magnesium oxide (MgO) may be suspended in glycerin and/or alkylene glycols such as propylene glycol up to loadings of 51 wt %. Such suspensions or slurries make it easier to deliver MgO and similar agents into fluids, such as aqueous fluids gelled with viscoelastic surfactants (VES). These concentrated suspensions or slurries may be improved in their stability by the inclusion of minor amounts of a vegetable oil and/or a fish oil. The MgO serves as stabilizers and/or fluid loss control agents for VES-gelled fluids used to treat subterranean formations, e.g. for well completion or stimulation in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be between 1 nanometer to 0.4 millimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews
  • Patent number: 7543644
    Abstract: The handling, transport and delivery of particulate materials, particularly fine particles, may be difficult. Alkaline earth metal oxide particles such as magnesium oxide (MgO) may be suspended in glycerin and/or alkylene glycols such as propylene glycol up to loadings of 51 wt %. Such suspensions or slurries make it easier to deliver MgO and similar agents into fluids, such as aqueous fluids gelled with viscoelastic surfactants (VES). The MgO serves as stabilizers and/or fluid loss control agents for VES-gelled fluids used to treat subterranean formations, e.g. for well completion or stimulation in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be between 1 nanometer to 0.4 millimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, John R. Willingham
  • Patent number: 7541318
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making proppants on-the-fly during subterranean treatment operations. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of preparing proppant on-the-fly comprising providing discrete amounts of a resin mixture that comprises a resinous material and a filler material; placing the discrete amounts of resin mixture into a well bore comprising a treatment fluid; and, allowing the discrete amounts of the resin mixture to substantially cure and form proppant particles while inside the treatment fluid. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation using proppant prepared on-the-fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie D. Weaver, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7533725
    Abstract: A method and a system for accessing a target fluid in a formation of an oilfield are provided. The method involves acquiring physicochemical property information of a portion of the formation, determining a type and a concentration of a chemical agent based on the physicochemical property information of the portion of the formation, and applying the chemical agent at the portion of the formation to provide a chemical action, where the target fluid is released at the portion of the formation responding to the chemical action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ali Mese, Colin M. Sayers, Donald Lee, Patrick J. Hooyman
  • Patent number: 7531483
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel aqueous wellbore treatment fluids containing a gas component, a heteropolysaccharide, an electrolyte, and a surfactant, wherein the fluids may further include an organoamino compound. The fluids exhibit good rheological properties at elevated temperatures. Methods of using fluids containing at least an aqueous medium, a gas component, a heteropolysaccharide and a surfactant for hydraulically fracturing, well cleanup and gravel packing operations, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alejandro Pena, Golchehreh Salamat, Lijun Lin
  • Patent number: 7530393
    Abstract: Adding relatively low molecular weight water-soluble friction loss reduction polymers to an aqueous fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) increases the critical generalized Reynold's number at which the Fanning friction factor increases and friction pressure starts to increase rapidly. The water-soluble polymeric friction loss reduction additives lower surface pumping pressure in VES-gelled fracturing fluids for a given pump rate, thus lowering hydraulic horsepower (HHP) requirements for pumping fluids downhole, e.g. for hydraulic fracturing or frac packing treatments of subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: William Russell Wood, James B. Crews
  • Patent number: 7521400
    Abstract: A viscoelastic gelled oil, for example gelled diesel or paraffin oil, is made with a gelling agent, for example a phosphate ester, a metal carboxylate, for example an aluminum carboxylate, and a gel-enhancing surfactant, for example a zwitterionic surfactant, for example erucylamidopropyl betaine. The gel-enhancing surfactant makes the gel viscoelastic, increases the stability and decreases the sensitivity to the concentrations of the gelling agent and the metal carboxylate. The enhanced viscoelastic gelled oils are used, as examples, in hydraulic fracturing, frac packing, gravel packing, diversion, fluid loss control, lost circulation control, sand control, wellbore cleanout, wellbore or pipeline sweeping, organic scale dissolution, organic scale removal, and drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Mathew Samuel
  • Publication number: 20090084554
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation while drilling a well includes the steps of preparing a fluid useful for drilling a wellbore into the formation; drilling the wellbore into the formation with the fluid; acidizing the fluid such that the acid soluble additive is degraded; and fracturing the formation with the fluid in the wellbore to create a channel in the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Don Williamson, Philip F. Sullivan, Marie Noelle Dessinges
  • Patent number: 7510009
    Abstract: A method of acidizing a subterranean formation with a diverting agent composed of a gelled or thickened viscoelastic foam or fluid generated from (i.) an amidoamine oxide gelling agent and (ii.) an acid or foam, water and/or brine. The gelled or thickened foam or fluid may be generated in-situ or introduced directly into the formation by mixing of the amidoamine oxide gelling agent and acid or foam, water and/or brine. As the acid spends, the acidizing fluid thickens. When the acid is further spent, the fluid viscosity declines eventually returning to a low viscosity state, allowing for easy cleanup. The process allows for selective acidizing of less permeable zones of the formation and more uniform stimulation of the hydrocarbon bearing formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Kay E. Cawiezel, Jeffrey C. Dawson
  • Patent number: 7507693
    Abstract: Methods of improving shear recovery time of viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems are described, one method involving providing a viscoelastic surfactant fluid system comprising a major portion of a surfactant and a rheology enhancer in a concentration sufficient to shorten shear recovery time of the fluid system compared to shear recovery time of the fluid system absent the rheology enhancer, the rheology enhancer selected from aromatic sulfonates having a molecular weight of at least 500; and injecting the fluid system down a well. The rheology enhancer may be a lignosulfonate derived from wood pulping. Viscoelastic surfactant systems including the rheology enhancer are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse C. Lee, Eric Hanson
  • Patent number: 7500522
    Abstract: Asphaltene control additives are added to base fluids which are introduced directly or indirectly into a hydrocarbon-bearing formation to mitigate asphaltene deposition in the formation which results in improved permeability in the formation and production of hydrocarbons therefrom. The fluids to which the additive is added may be liquid CO2-based, aqueous-based or non-aqueous-based fluids. Further, the fluids are fracturing fluids, drilling fluids and wellbore treatment fluids such as acidizing fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Innovative Chemical Technologies Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan Skibinski, Clayton Smith
  • Patent number: 7500519
    Abstract: Provided are methods of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of subterranean fracture faces and other surfaces in subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a surface-treating reagent capable of modifying the stress-activated reactivity of a mineral surface in a subterranean formation; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and allowing the surface-treating reagent to modify the stress-activated reactivity of at least a portion of a mineral surface in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim D. Weaver, Billy F. Slabaugh, Robert E. Hanes, Jr., Diederik van Batenburg, Mark A. Parker, Matthew E. Blauch, Neil A. Stegent, Philip D. Nguyen, Thomas D. Welton
  • Patent number: 7500517
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for extracting a kerogen-based product from subsurface (oil) shale formations, wherein such methods rely on fracturing and/or rubblizing portions of said formations so as to enhance their fluid permeability, and wherein such methods further rely on chemically modifying the shale-bound kerogen so as to render it mobile. The present invention is also directed at systems for implementing at least some of the foregoing methods. Additionally, the present invention is also directed to methods of fracturing and/or rubblizing subsurface shale formations and to methods of chemically modifying kerogen in situ so as to render it mobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Dean Looney, Robert Steven Lestz, Kirk Hollis, Craig Taylor, Scott Kinkead, Marcus Wigand
  • Patent number: 7493955
    Abstract: A composite of a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent is useful in the treatment of oil and gas wells and may be introduced, as a well treatment fluid, with a carrier fluid. The water-insoluble adsorbent may be activated carbon, silica particulate, precipitated silica, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, ground walnut shells, fuller's earth and organic synthetic high molecular weight water-insoluble adsorbents. Suitable as the well treatment agent are scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, paraffin inhibitors, salt inhibitors, gas hydrate inhibitors, asphaltene inhibitors, oxygen scavengers, biocides, foaming agent, emulsion breakers and surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Joseph Walter Kirk
  • Patent number: 7481276
    Abstract: Corrosive effects arising during oilfield treatment applications are inhibited and/or prevented by introducing into an oil or gas well at least one compound of formula I: wherein: R1 is independently H, —[—CnH2nO—]a—H, or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms; R2 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]b—H, R3 is independently —[—CH2]c—, or —Cd2d—[—OCnH2n—]e—, R4 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]f—H, R5 is independently H or —[—CnH2nO—]g—H, a is from about 1 to about 8; b+f+g is between 0 to about 30; c is from about 1 to 6; d is from about 1 to 6; e is from about 1 to about 8; and n is 2 or 3. Such corrosive effects are especially inhibited in the treatment of sour wells where H2S corrosion is a potential problem as well as conduits used during the treatment of subterranean formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Ronald L. Hoppe, Richard L. Martin, Marek K. Pakulski, Thame D. Schaffer
  • Patent number: 7476644
    Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing of wells by injecting a degradable polymer phase as a fracturing fluid is provided. Composition and degree of polymerization of the degradable polymer and the selection of additives may be varied to adjust the viscosity, degradation time and other properties of the fracturing fluid. Viscous degradable fluid or pellets of degradable polymer may be placed in a wellbore as an internal phase in a low viscosity carrier fluid. A polymer-continuous liquid phase may be formed at a selected location in the wellbore, usually near perforations, before the polymer phase is pressured into a formation to form a hydraulic fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Claude E. Cooke, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090008094
    Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for subterranean formation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control that include porous materials. Such porous materials may be selectively configured porous material particles manufactured and/or treated with selected glazing materials, coating materials and/or penetrating materials to have desired strength and/or apparent density to fit particular downhole conditions for well treating such as hydraulic fracturing treatments and sand control treatments. Porous materials may also be employed in selected combinations to optimize fracture or sand control performance, and/or may be employed as relatively lightweight materials in liquid carbon dioxide-based well treatment systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher John Stephenson, Allan Ray Rickards, Harold Dean Brannon, D.V. Satyanarayana Gupta