Liquid Introduced From Well Top Patents (Class 166/312)
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8689874
    Abstract: A spacer for use in an oil well cementing operation comprises an aqueous solution of a visco-elastic surfactant. A method of treating a well in a cementing operation comprises pumping the spacer into a well ahead of a cement slurry, thereby minimizing or preventing commingling of drilling fluid and the cement slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse Lee, Bruno Drochon
  • Patent number: 8689879
    Abstract: The method for subsea well intervention includes creating a lubricator section within the production tubing of the well. The lubricator section can then be flushed of hydrocarbons facilitating further well intervention from the open water. An intervention device that facilitates flushing production tubing that has equipment, such as electric submersible pumps, is deployed in the wellhead, for example in the valve tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Jean-Luc Monnac, Christopher Taor
  • Patent number: 8689878
    Abstract: A downhole tool for removing debris from fluid flowing through the downhole tool uses a screen member and wiper member, the wiper member having at least one window disposed through the inner and outer wall surfaces of the wiper member. Either the screen member or the wiper member is rotatable such that rotation of the screen member or the wiper member causes debris disposed on the outer wall surface of the screen member to fall-off the screen member. At least one directional port disposed at either the upper end of the screen member or the upper end of the wiper member causes rotation of the screen member or wiper member when fluid flows through the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ying Qing Xu, Yang Xu
  • Publication number: 20140090848
    Abstract: A method for treating a well penetrating subterranean formations comprising injecting into the well a composition comprising a high temperature stabilizer composition which comprises at least one mineral-reactive compound; wherein at least a part of the well is at a temperature of at least 120° C. is provided. Also provided is a composition for treating a well comprising a mineral-reactive compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Bruno Drochon, Li Jiang
  • Patent number: 8684086
    Abstract: A downhole mixing tool and method for removing sand and other debris from a wellbore which combines the sand with a treatment fluid so that the sand is lifted to the surface of the well for removal. The tool includes a chamber into which the sand laden fluid is drawn and the treatment fluid is introduced. Ports into the chamber are arranged to provide a pressure drop to draw the sand laden fluid into the chamber and a mixing time within the chamber before sand laden fluid of lower viscosity exits the chamber to travel to the surface. Additional features include blades on the tool for breaking up obstructions prior to being drawn into the chamber and a lubricating line through the tool to introduce lubricating fluid to the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Servwell Engineering Limited
    Inventors: Ruairidh Andrew Cooper, Janet Armell
  • Publication number: 20140076573
    Abstract: A downhole tool cleans debris from a subsea well with nozzle assemblies that selectively deploy from the tool. The nozzle assemblies are in fluid communication with an annulus of a drill pipe on which the downhole tool is mounted, so that fluid pumped into the drill pipe discharges from nozzles provided with the nozzle assemblies. The nozzle assemblies are strategically situated so that when deployed, a stream discharged from nozzles on the assemblies clears debris from a surface between a casing hanger and wellhead housing. The nozzle assemblies are coupled to an annular piston coaxially set on the tool; and sliding the piston axially along the tool deploys the nozzle assemblies. Axially spaced apart ports extend radially through the tool to opposing faces on a head of the piston. Blocking one of the ports with a ball dropped down the drill pipe moves the piston and deploys the assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Peter Gette, Daniel Ralph Barnhart
  • Patent number: 8672033
    Abstract: Method of improving performance or efficiency of a wellbore pump associated with a wellbore and/or for increasing the rate of production of reservoir fluid from a reservoir, in which a wellbore pump is arranged to pump wellbore fluid within the wellbore to a surface. The method includes (a) selecting a wellbore which includes an associated wellbore pump associated with a production tube and arranged within a casing. An annulus is defined between the casing and the pump/production tube, the annulus including reservoir fluid which has a hydrostatic head which is at least 15 m above the level of an inlet of the wellbore pump, and (b) contacting a reservoir fluid in the annulus upstream of an inlet of the wellbore pump with a treatment formulation. The treatment formulation has a first polymeric material which includes —O— moieties pendent from a polymeric backbone thereof, and the first polymeric material is optionally cross-linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Oilflow Solutions Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Michael John Crabtree, Philip Fletcher, Jeffrey Forsyth
  • Patent number: 8672025
    Abstract: A downhole debris recovery tool including a ported sub coupled to a debris sub, a suction tube disposed in the debris sub, and an annular jet pump sub disposed in the ported sub and fluidly connected to the suction tube is disclosed. A method of removing debris from a wellbore including the steps of lowering a downhole debris removal tool into the wellbore, the downhole debris removal tool having an annular jet pump sub, a mixing tube, a diffuser, and a suction tube, flowing a fluid through a bore of the annular jet pump sub, jetting the fluid from the annular jet pump sub into the mixing tube, displacing an initially static fluid in the mixing tube through the diffuser, thereby creating a vacuum effect in the suction tube to draw a debris-laden fluid into the downhole debris removal tool, and removing the tool downhole debris removal tool from the wellbore after a predetermined time interval is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignees: M-I L.L.C., M-I Drilling Fluids U.K. Limited
    Inventors: John C. Wolf, George Telfer, James Atkins
  • Publication number: 20140060845
    Abstract: A fluid composition for cleanout of wellbores and pipe systems includes an effective amount of an amphiphilic chemical combined with an effective amount of a friction reducer in an aqueous solution of a base liquid. A remainder of the composition includes the base liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Nathan R. Hutchings, Stewart A. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8662178
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing apparatus comprising a housing substantially defining an axial flowbore and comprising one or more ports, an expandable seat, and a sliding sleeve slidably fitted within the housing, the sliding sleeve being transitional from a first position to a second position and from the second position to a third position, wherein, in the first position, the sliding sleeve does not permit fluid communication via the one or more ports and the expandable seat is retained in a narrower, non-expanded conformation, wherein, in the second position, the sliding sleeve permits fluid communication via the one or more ports and the expandable seat is retained in a narrower, non-expanded conformation, and wherein, in the third position, the sliding sleeve does not permit fluid communication via the one or more ports and the expandable seat is allowed to expand into a wider, expanded conformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Norrid, Benjamin Edward Deyo
  • 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: 20140014350
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool and method for cleaning a wellbore. The tool includes a tubing string comprising an upper end and a lower end, and defining a first bore for allowing passage of fluid from the wellbore to surface; a guide string disposed inside the tubing string and defining an internal bore to run coiled tubing therethrough, the coiled tubing carrying at least one jet nozzle; at least one seal disposed around the tubing string for sealing against a well casing; at least one port defined by the tubing string and positioned above the seal for allowing fluid to pass therethrough; and at least one valve positioned below the seal to allow fluid to pass upward through the valve but not downward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Morley SEBREE
  • Patent number: 8616284
    Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) gelled aqueous fluids containing water, a VES in an amount effective to increase the viscosity of the water, and an internal breaker may be useful in removing a residual polymer from a hydraulic fracture. Optionally, a pseudo-crosslinker may be present to further improve the properties related to treatment fluid placement and polymer clean-up. A plurality of aliquots of VES gelled fluid may be injected into a subterranean formation. A stop-start interval may exist between the injection of each aliquot. The VES gelled fluid may contact at least some of the residual polymer in the hydraulic fracture, and a broken fluid is formed once the viscosity of the VES gelled fluid is reduced with the internal breaker. At least a portion of the residual polymer and a majority of the broken fluid may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang
  • Publication number: 20130333893
    Abstract: In a rotary pump having a rotor and a stator in communication with hydrocarbon production tubing, a submersible pump driver assembly includes a drive motor having an output connected by a drive link to the rotor of the pump. A production housing of the drive assembly includes a production passage receiving the drive link in which the output axis of the drive motor is radially offset from the passage. A control line for providing a drive input to the motor is thus suited to extend alongside the production tubing. The driver assembly thus allows for flushing with only a coiled tubing unit as the coiled tubing can be readily inserted past the offset motor and the motor can be optionally run in reverse to improve flushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Collin Rickey Morris, Joseph Henry Reck, Adam Budenski
  • Patent number: 8607871
    Abstract: A downhole jetting tool is provided for cleaning the interior of one or more hydraulic rams (14, 18) and one or more annular blowout preventers (26, 28). A unitary jetting tool body (40) has a central throughbore (42) and a plurality of radially outward jets (42, 46). A tapered landing shoulder (50) on the tool body engages a frustoconical surface of a landing ring (22) to position the tool in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: William E. Coyle, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130306319
    Abstract: Hydraulic pulses are produced each time that a pulse valve interrupts the flow of a pressurized fluid through a conduit. The pulse valve includes an elongate housing having an inlet configured to couple to the conduit to receive the pressurized fluid, and an outlet configured to couple to one or more tools. In the housing, a valve assembly includes a poppet reciprocating between open and closed positions, and a poppet seat, in which the poppet closes to at least partially block the flow of pressurized fluid through the valve. A pilot within the poppet moves between disparate positions to modify fluid paths within the valve. When the valve is open, a relatively lower pressure is produced by a Venturi effect as the fluid flows through a throat in the poppet seat, to provide a differential pressure used to move the pilot and poppet. An optional bypass reduces the pulse amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Tempress Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack J. Kolle
  • Patent number: 8584760
    Abstract: A method of cleaning walls of a wellbore that includes contacting the walls with a cleaning fluid, the cleaning fluid comprising: a base fluid comprising a blend of a base oil and at least one of a mutual solvent or a terpene; and an alkyl glycoside is disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Morris Arvie, Jr., Shaohua Lu, Eugene Dakin
  • Patent number: 8567499
    Abstract: A method of forming a gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid is disclosed. The method comprises combining a liquid hydrocarbon, a phosphoric acid ester and a pre-mixed solution comprising water, ferrous ion (Fe2+) and an amine; and forming the gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation is also disclosed and comprises: providing a gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid, by combining a liquid hydrocarbon, a phosphoric acid ester and a pre-mixed solution comprising water, ferrous ion and an amine, and treating the portion of the subterranean formation with the gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Leiming Li, Lijun Lin, Syed A. Ali
  • Patent number: 8567503
    Abstract: Among many things, compositions and methods relating to the prevention and remediation of surfactant gel damage are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a chelating agent and a scale control agent, and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation that has been treated with a viscoelastic surfactant fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Jason E. Bryant, David E. McMechan
  • Patent number: 8567504
    Abstract: Among many things, compositions and methods relating to the prevention and remediation of surfactant gel damage are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid; at least one component selected from the group consisting of a chelating agent and a scale control agent; at least one component selected from the group consisting of an alcohol, a glycol, a pH modifier, a hydrocarbon, a mutual solvent, an oxidizer, a reducer, an enzyme, a transition metal, a combination thereof, and a derivative thereof; and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a nonemulsifier, a demulsifier, a combination thereof, and a derivative thereof, and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Jason E. Bryant, David E. McMechan
  • Patent number: 8550165
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of servicing a well. The method comprises providing a well servicing fluid. The well servicing fluid is formulated with the following components comprising, at least one friction reducer chosen from polychloroprenes, vinyl acetate polymers, polyalkylene oxides polyalphaolefins; and a nonaqueous carrier fluid. The well servicing fluid is introduced into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: D. V. Satyanarayana Gupta, Harpreet Singh Dinsa, Ronald Casey Plasier
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8534359
    Abstract: Oil sands and like host materials are leached with a selected leachant to render pumpable the oil (including heavy oil, bitumen or kerogen and asphaltenes) as leachate. In a preferred embodiment, natural deposits are in situ leached and the leachate recovered and removed for treatment. The leachant is separated and recycled. The leachant is selected to be biodegradable and to not precipate asphaltenes, and to comprise monoterpenes of the formula C10H16. The overall process allows environmentally acceptable resource development and contaminated site remediation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Robert Geisler
  • Patent number: 8522876
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon-containing organic matter is extracted from a hydrocarbon-containing material that is a viscous liquid, liquid or gaseous fossil fuel material. A turpentine liquid is contacted with a hydrocarbon-containing material in-situ in an underground formation containing the fossil fuel material to form an extraction mixture so as to extract hydrocarbon-containing organic matter into the turpentine liquid and form an extraction liquid. The extraction liquid is removed from the formation, the extraction liquid including the turpentine liquid containing the extracted hydrocarbon-containing organic matter. The extracted hydrocarbon-containing organic matter is separated from a residual material not extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Green Source Energy LLC
    Inventors: Liang-tseng Fan, Shahram Reza Shafie, Julius Michael Tollas, William Arthur Fitzhugh Lee
  • Publication number: 20130213659
    Abstract: A breaker fluid for breaking a filtercake in a wellbore. The fluid including a hydrolysable ester of carboxylic acid, and a chelant, an alkyl glycoside, or a combination thereof. The breaker fluid may be pre-mixed and include an amount of water less than required to completely hydrolyze the ester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Luyster, LaTosha Moore, Andrew Jones
  • Patent number: 8485258
    Abstract: A method for injecting a fluid into an oil and or gas reservoir or formation, in which the fluid flows into the reservoir or formation through a plurality of autonomous valves or flow control devices (2) provided along an injector (24), the valves (2) having a substantially constant flow-through volume above a given differential pressure for autonomously adjusting the flow of the fluid in order to ensure a substantially constant volume rate from the injector (24) to the reservoir or formation along an injector length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Statoil ASA
    Inventors: Vidar Mathiesen, Haavard Aakre
  • Publication number: 20130146295
    Abstract: Disclosed is a filter cake removal composition, and method of use thereof, for use in a wellbore for controlled removal of a filter cake present in a target production zone. The filter cake removal composition includes hydrochloric acid and an organic acid. The filter cake removal composition, when a mixture of the hydrochloric acid and the organic acid is applied to the filter cake in the target production zone, is operable to dissolve the filter cake in the target production zone over an extended reaction time. The mixture includes the hydrochloric acid present in an amount of between about 0.1% and 5% by weight and the organic acid present in an amount of between about 0.1% and 10% by weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
  • Patent number: 8443893
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for mounting on a wellhead of a well to spray elements positioned in a central passage of the wellhead. The cleaning apparatus may comprise an annular body including an inner surface defining at least a portion of an aperture through the body, with the annular body defining a fluid channel therein. The apparatus may comprise an inlet fitting on the annular body and in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a plurality of orifices positioned on the annular body and oriented to direct fluid into the aperture. The orifices may be in fluid communication with the fluid channel such that fluid carried in the fluid channel is moved through the orifices into the aperture. A method is also disclosed, and a wellhead assembly including the cleaning apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: John W. Finger, Brad Hyronimus, Sandro Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8430162
    Abstract: A technique facilitates monitoring of conditions which are prone to cause scale precipitation around downhole equipment. The technique also enables a local, downhole reaction to the potential for precipitation of scale. A downhole scale monitoring and inhibition system may be provided with a measurement module and injection module. The measurement module monitors at least one downhole parameter indicative of the potential for scale formation. In response to data output from the measurement module, the injection module is operated to provide downhole, local injections of an inhibitor chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Spyro Kotsonis, Syed A. Ali, Ives Loretz
  • Patent number: 8413726
    Abstract: Apparatus, assembly and process for allowing gas lift operations to be conducted along a relatively long perforated interval below a packer in a generally vertical or a deviated subterranean well. An elongated segregation member may be lowered into locking engagement with a bypass mandrel secured to a tubing string above the packer. This segregation member may be configured and dimensioned to define two fluid flow paths. A first flow path extends from the surface of the earth through the annulus formed between the tubing string above the packer and casing secured in the well, the bypass mandrel, a bore through a portion of the segregation member and the interior of the tubing string below the packer. A second flow path extends from the subterranean region penetrated by the well through the annulus formed between the tubing string below the packer and casing secured in the well, the annulus between the segregation member and the packer, and the interior of the tubing string above the packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Pearl E. Stephenson, William D. Holmes, Steven A. Pohler
  • Patent number: 8413721
    Abstract: Of the many methods and compositions provided herein, one method includes a method comprising introducing a viscosified remedial fluid comprising a base fluid, a viscosifying agent, and an oxidizer into at least a portion of a subterranean formation having damage present therein so as to contact the damage with the viscosified remedial fluid; and allowing the viscosified remedial fluid to at least partially remediate the damage present in the subterranean formation. Another method provided herein includes introducing a viscosified remedial fluid comprising a base fluid, a first viscosifying agent, and an oxidizer into at least a portion of a subterranean formation before a treatment fluid comprising a second viscosifying agent is introduced therein, wherein the oxidizer is available to remediate damage in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Welton, Richard W. Pauls, David E. McMechan, John M. Terracina
  • Patent number: 8364421
    Abstract: Methods and devices for detecting particles in a fluid within a medium, such the analyzing device includes: a source adapted to transmit signals into the medium; at least one detector adapted to detect signals transmitted from the source such that the at least one detector and the source are structured and arranged on opposite sides of the medium; at least one processing unit in communication with the at least one detector and adapted to produce a plurality of output signals representative of one of at least one particle characteristic or one or more particle property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Felix Chen, Gary Corris
  • Publication number: 20130020079
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using one or more electrolyzed aqueous solutions to treat subterranean reservoirs containing hydrocarbons are disclosed herein. In some cases, the methods include using an electrochemical cell to produce electrolyzed acidic water, electrolyzed alkaline water, and/or stabilized acidic water. In such cases, the electrolyzed acidic water, the electrolyzed alkaline water, and/or the stabilized acidic water is introduced to the well. While the electrolyzed water can be used for a variety of purposes, in some cases, it is used to improve hydraulic fracturing, water flooding, and well stimulation techniques. In some cases, the electrolyzed water is mixed with one or more other materials, such as a proppant, a hydraulic fracturing fluid, a polymer, or another additive. Additional implementations are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Zerorez Texas, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Hopkins, James K. Stone, William R. Shupe
  • Publication number: 20130014950
    Abstract: A thermal convertor is formed from a controlled combustion chamber selectively supplied by an appropriate fuel, preferably diesel, and compressed air. The control over the temperature of the combustion chamber is provided by regulating the flow of fuel, air and pressure into and out of the combustion chamber. Flow control valves open or close the inputs of fuel and water to, and the output of the superheated vapors from, the combustion chamber to specifically control the behavior of the combustion chamber and the composition and quality of the output from the combustion chamber. This assembly is then used to inject superheated nearly oxygen-free vapors including well treatment chemicals into a well bore cleaning the well, including the annulus and rathole, near-well bore and perforations of fines and asphaltenic particles, then stimulating an existing but newly cleaned well to produce additional oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: Theodore Elliot DICKINSON
  • Publication number: 20130000916
    Abstract: A method for treating a wellbore or a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore includes preparing a gelled oil at the surface, introducing the gelled oil into the wellbore, recovering the gelled oil at the surface, adding a base to the gelled oil to reduce the viscosity, allowing entrained solids to settle out, adding an acid to increase the viscosity, and re-injecting the gelled oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventor: Leiming Li
  • Publication number: 20120325485
    Abstract: The productivity of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-bearing calcareous or siliceous formations is enhanced by contacting the formation with a well treatment composition which contains a hydrofluoric acid source, a phosphonate acid, ester or salt thereof, a quaternary ammonium salt and an organosilane and, optionally, a boron-containing compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamed Gomaa
  • Publication number: 20120312539
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a water well is presented. The apparatus utilizes a tool body having a plurality of discharge nozzles for jetting streams of filtered water at high pressure on to the inside wall surface of a casing across a water zone having slots or perforations. The nozzle streams are offset from the tool body imparting a rotational force. A rotary coupling is also utilized to limit the maximum rotation. The apparatus is lowered by a pre-determined length of coiled tubing to cleaning depth after which it is raised at a slow rate across the water zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: HYDROPRESSURE CLEANING, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Glass
  • Patent number: 8322419
    Abstract: A method of gravel packing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The wellbore has a cased section and an uncased section and contains synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids containing drilled solids. To carry out the method, fresh synthetic or oil-based displacement fluid that is free of drilled solids is introduced into the wellbore to displace the synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids from the uncased section of the wellbore. A water-based displacement fluid is introduced into the wellbore to displace fluids within the cased section of the wellbore. A sand control screen assembly is run to a selected depth within the uncased section of the wellbore. A gravel pack slurry containing gravel and a water-based carrier fluid is then introduced into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mehmet Parlar, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Geovannys Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8316939
    Abstract: A method of installing a sand control screen assembly in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is carried out in a wellbore having a cased section and an uncased section. The wellbore contains synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids containing drilled solids. A first water-based displacement fluid that contains a shale inhibitor is introduced into the wellbore to displace the synthetic or oil-based drilling fluids from the uncased section of the wellbore. A second water-based displacement fluid is introduced into the wellbore to displace fluids within the cased section of the wellbore. The sand control screen assembly is then run to a selected depth within the uncased section of the wellbore to facilitate a gravel packing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mehmet Parlar, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Sudhir Shenoy, Shawn McCleskey Rimassa
  • Patent number: 8312930
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a water well is presented. The apparatus utilizes a tool body having a plurality of discharge nozzles for jetting streams of filtered water at high pressure on to the inside wall surface of a casing across a water zone having slots or perforations. The nozzle streams are offset from the tool body imparting a rotational force. A rotary coupling is also utilized to limit the maximum rotation. The apparatus is lowered by a pre-determined length of coiled tubing to cleaning depth after which it is raised at a slow rate across the water zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Hydropressure Cleaning, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Glass
  • Patent number: 8286704
    Abstract: Methods and systems of hydrocarbon production where wellbore stimulation and production is achieved in a single wellbore run-in, and inflow control devices are installed in an existing wellbore completion. A coiled tubing string is conveyed into a substantially horizontal portion of a wellbore, where the coiled tubing string has a production tubular configured to execute both stimulation and recovery operations. The production tubular can include an inflow control device to be installed in an existing wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Keng Seng Chan, Kim Fah Goh, Bipin Jain
  • Patent number: 8281859
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed that comprise cement kiln dust having a mean particle size that has been altered. An embodiment discloses a subterranean treatment method comprising: introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises cement kiln dust having a mean particle size that has been altered from its original size by grinding, separating, or a combination thereof. Another embodiment discloses a subterranean treatment method comprising: introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises cement kiln dust having a mean particle size that has been reduced from its original size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Roddy, Jiten Chatterji, Chad Brenneis, Callie R. Jarratt
  • Patent number: 8276668
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cleaning and possibly sealing a subsurface well. According to the method a multichannel tool string comprising an adapter on a first end of the tool string, a guide device at the second end of the tool string are run into the well, whereupon the guide device is activated in order to permit the well to be flushed by the supply of fluid through at least one of the channels in connection with the tool string and fluids and particles from the well are transported back to the surface through at least one other of the channels in connection with the tool string. The invention also relates to a device for cleaning and possibly sealing a subsurface well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Reelwell AS
    Inventor: Ola M. Vestavik
  • Patent number: 8272442
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon-containing organic matter is extracted from a hydrocarbon-containing material that is a viscous liquid, liquid or gaseous fossil fuel material. A turpentine liquid is contacted with a hydrocarbon-containing material in-situ in an underground formation containing the fossil fuel material to form an extraction mixture so as to extract hydrocarbon-containing organic matter into the turpentine liquid and form an extraction liquid. The extraction liquid is removed from the formation, the extraction liquid including the turpentine liquid containing the extracted hydrocarbon-containing organic matter. The extracted hydrocarbon-containing organic matter is separated from a residual material not extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Green Source Energy LLC
    Inventors: Liang-tseng Fan, Mohammad Reza Shafie, Julius Michael Tollas, William Arthur Fitzhugh Lee
  • Patent number: 8267176
    Abstract: Of the methods provided herein, is a method comprising: providing a clean-up fluid comprising a peroxide-generating compound and an aqueous base fluid; placing the clean-up fluid in a subterranean formation; removing contaminants from at least a portion of the subterranean formation to form a cleaned portion of the formation; providing a consolidation agent; placing the consolidation agent on at least a portion of the cleaned portion of the formation; and allowing the consolidation agent to adhere to at least a plurality of unconsolidated particulates in the cleaned portion of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Bhadra Desai
  • Patent number: 8257585
    Abstract: A debris catcher uses induced circulation from a venturi to urge debris laden flow into the lower end of a housing. An inlet tube maintains velocity so as to keep the debris moving with the fluid stream as it goes up the inlet tube. A screen fits over the open end of the inlet tube and runs down around the inlet tube toward the entrance of the debris laden fluid into the lower end of the housing. There is a clearance around the cylindrical portion of the screen so some flow can exit that way. There is also an open exit through the top of the screen that can be reached after the fluid stream makes two hairpin turns. Many modules can be stacked. Each module has a large screen area for flow to exit and progressive modules can have smaller screen openings in an uphole flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John P. Davis, Paul L. Connell
  • Publication number: 20120205108
    Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and a method of performing a plurality of operations in a wellbore with one direction of flow. In an illustrative example, a multicycle open/close valve (MCOCV) responsive to a plurality of flow rates is placed in a bottom hole assembly (BHA) and is used to perform abrasive perforating of a wellbore or cleanout of the wellbore using one direction of flow. At one or more first flow rates, the MCOCV is configured to operate in a first operating mode to abrasive perforate the wellbore. At one or more second flow rates, the MCOCV is configured to operate in a second operating mode to cleanout the wellbore. In an embodiment, the MCOCV includes a J-slot sequencing mechanism responsive to a sequence of flow rates to cycle the MCOCV through a plurality of operating modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan Michael STANG
  • Patent number: 8240379
    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: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Oscar Bustos, Philip F. Sullivan