Liquid Introduced From Well Top Patents (Class 166/312)
  • Patent number: 8235120
    Abstract: Mesophase fluids may be pre-formed or formed in situ and may be used downhole for various treatments including, but not limited to, cleaning up and removing non-polar materials from reservoir production zones, removing wellbore damage, releasing stuck pipe, components in spacers and pills and the like in oil and gas wells. These treatments involve solubilization of the non-polar material into the emulsion when the treatment fluid contacts non-polar materials. These mesophase fluids use extended chain surfactants having propoxylated/ethoxylated spacer arms. The extended chain surfactants are intramolecular mixtures containing hydrophilic and lipophilic portions. They attain high solubilization in the mesophase fluids (e.g. single phase microemulsions), are in some instances insensitive to temperature and are useful for a wide variety of oil types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lirio Quintero, David E. Clark, Jean-Louis Salager, Ana Forgiarini
  • Patent number: 8225859
    Abstract: A debris cleanup tool uses a movable eductor to reconfigure the flow scheme through the tool. During the debris pickup mode, pressurized fluid is delivered to through the tubing to the eductor inlet. The outlet of the eductor is into the surrounding annulus where the flow splits with most going to the surface and the rest down and into a mill making cuttings. The flow into the mill takes the cuttings to a collection volume and then screens the internal flow stream before directing it into the eductor inlet. The eductor body can be repositioned to close the eductor outlet to the annulus and open the outlet into the housing to allow reverse flow. In one embodiment a ball is dropped and pressure is built to break a shear pin to shift the eductor body and to open a bypass around the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joe P. Moidel, Lee Brousasard, Gerald P. Comeaux, Ronald E. Burger, Ronald A. Moore
  • Patent number: 8227382
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a wellbore drilled with a drilling fluid that forms a filter cake that includes emplacing a breaker fluid into the wellbore, the breaker fluid comprising: an aqueous fluid; a fragmentation agent; and an amphoteric chemotrope; and shutting in the well for a period of time sufficient to initiate breaking of the filter cake is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Eugene Dakin, Andrey Reznichenko, Hui Zhang
  • Patent number: 8220548
    Abstract: Of the many methods and compositions provided herein, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising: providing an oil-wet well bore surface; providing a surfactant wash treatment fluid that comprises an acid-compatible surfactant, an acid and/or an acid-generating component, and an aqueous fluid; contacting the oil-wet well bore surface with the surfactant wash treatment fluid; allowing the oil-wet well bore surface to become water-wet; and producing fluids from the formation. In another embodiment, the invention provides a surfactant wash treatment fluid for use in a subterranean formation comprising an aqueous fluid, an acid-compatible surfactant, an acid and/or an acid-generating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carbajal, Kenneth W. Oyler, William Shumway, Ian Robb, Eric Davidson
  • Patent number: 8210263
    Abstract: Single-phase microemulsions (SPMEs) and in situ-formed microemulsions in water-wetting pills may be used to reverse the wettability of subterranean rock previously drilled with an oil-based mud or synthetic-based mud before pumping a high fluid loss squeeze pill or crosslink pill or other water-based pill. This wettability reversal occurs by solubilization of the non-polar material into the microemulsion when the water-wetting pill contacts the non-polar material. An in situ microemulsion may be formed when one or more surfactant and a polar phase (e.g. water or brine), and eventually some amount of organic phase, contacts the reservoir formation and reverses the wettability encountered in the porous media. The microemulsions are effective for reversing the wettability that occurs from non-polar materials which include, but are not necessarily limited to, oil-based mud, synthetic-based mud, paraffins, asphaltenes, emulsions, slugs, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lirio Quintero, David E. Clark, Thomas A. Jones
  • Patent number: 8205676
    Abstract: A method and system for cleaning the perforations of well casings employs a non-rotating tubing string attached to a hydraulic jet carrier body. The carrier body has outwardly extending arms which terminate in spray nozzles, each of the nozzles expelling a stream of fluid under pressure against the well casing with an inertial force. The nozzles are oriented on the carrier body such that the reactive force for each jet is directionally offset with respect to the central axis of the carrier, thereby creating a twisting moment tending to rotate the carrier body about its central axis. The nozzles are located a fixed distance from the carrier body which is between about ½ and 1½ inches from the well casing perforations in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Inventors: Dan Nelson, Robert Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120145402
    Abstract: A method of removing debris from a well is disclosed, comprising RIH to required depth with coiled tubing having at least one closed check valve, moving a sleeve through the check valve to hold it open, opening a flow control valve located on the coiled tubing below the check valve; then reverse circulating a fluid to entrain debris in the wellbore and bring it to surface through the coiled tubing, before releasing the sleeve from the check valve; and POOH with the at least one check valve returned to the closed configuration. By holding the check valves open, reverse circulation can be performed in the well using coiled tubing, so sufficient lift can be achieved to bring the debris to surface even in underbalanced or low pressure wells. Safety measures can be maintained by having at least one check valve in the conventional closed configuration on RIH and POOH.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Hilliard
  • Patent number: 8186438
    Abstract: The current application discloses a method of removing debris from a wellbore including contacting debris in a wellbore with a treatment fluid, wherein the fluid contains degradable fibers, collecting at least a portion of the treatment fluid, and allowing the degradable fibers to degrade. The current application also discloses a method of removing debris from a wellbore including contacting debris in a wellbore with a treatment fluid, wherein the fluid contains degradable fibers, collecting the treatment fluid, and exposing the fluid to a composition to encourage the degradable fibers to degrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Syed Ali, Peter J. Photos, Francois M. Auzerais, Douglas Pipchuk
  • Patent number: 8181700
    Abstract: The method of displacing fluids in the annulus between pressurized casing strings inside an active oil or gas well by providing a controlled turndown insert and guides then inserting and retrieving a flexible hose without it folding or buckling while being pushed or pulled through a wellhead system orifice with relatively sharp edges at the annulus opening where the hose must make a 90 degree turn from horizontal to vertical within a short radius without cutting, crimping or tearing the hose then seating and holding the hose while fluids are injected, all the while providing protection against well blow out or other pressure problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Benton F. Baugh
  • Publication number: 20120118578
    Abstract: Purging of fiber optic conduits in subterranean wells. A downhole optical sensing system includes an optical line, at least two tubular conduits, one conduit being positioned within the other conduit, and the optical line being positioned within at least one of the conduits, and a purging medium flowed in one direction through one conduit, and flowed in an opposite direction between the conduits. A method of purging a downhole optical sensing system includes the steps of: installing at least two conduits and an optical line in a well as part of the sensing system, one conduit being positioned within the other conduit, and the optical line being positioned within at least one of the conduits; and flowing a purging medium through the conduits in the well, so that the purging medium flows in one direction through one conduit and in an opposite direction between the conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Neal G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8176981
    Abstract: A composition comprising a nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant having a weight average molecular weight of least 100,000 grams per mole, the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant comprising: divalent units independently represented by formula (I): in a range from 30% to 65% by weight, based on the total weight of the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant; and divalent units independently represented by formula (II): in a range from 70% to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant. Rf is a perfluoroalkyl group having from 3 to 4 carbon atoms; R and R2 are each independently hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R1 is alkyl of 16 to 24 carbon atoms; and n is an integer from 2 to 11. Foams comprising the nonionic fluorinated polymeric surfactant and a liquid hydrocarbon and methods of making and using the foams are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Patricia M. Savu, Michael J. Sierakowski
  • Patent number: 8118103
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for drawing down a fluid level in a well bore. The apparatus and method includes a first tubular disposed within the well bore forming a well bore annulus therein, an annular nozzle connected to an end of the first tubular, and a second tubular concentrically disposed within the first tubular forming a micro annulus. The annular nozzle includes an annular adapter and a suction tube having an internal section and an external section with an outer diameter less than the outer diameter of the first tubular. The external section of the suction tube may be positioned within a restricted section of the well bore, for example, within a restricted well bore section containing a casing liner to drawn down the fluids and solids within the well bore to produce hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventor: Danny T. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120018163
    Abstract: A method and system for cleaning the perforations of well casings employs a non-rotating tubing string attached to a hydraulic jet carrier body. The carrier body has outwardly extending arms which terminate in spray nozzles, each of the nozzles expelling a stream of fluid under pressure against the well casing with an inertial force. The nozzles are oriented on the carrier body such that the reactive force for each jet is directionally offset with respect to the central axis of the carrier, thereby creating a twisting moment tending to rotate the carrier body about its central axis. The nozzles are located a fixed distance from the carrier body which is between about ½ and 1½ inches from the well casing perforations in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Dan Nelson, Robert Nelson
  • Patent number: 8091645
    Abstract: Nanoemulsion, macroemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both (Winsor I, II or III phase behavior) or single phase microemulsions (Winsor IV) improve the removal of filter cakes formed during hydrocarbon reservoir wellbore drilling with OBM. The macroemulsion, nanoemulsion, miniemulsion, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both or single phase microemulsion removes oil and solids from the deposited filter cake. In one non-limiting embodiment, the emulsion system (e.g. single phase microemulsion, nanoemulsion, or other emulsions) may be formed in situ (downhole) rather than produced or prepared in advance and pumped downhole. Skin damage removal from internal and external filter cake deposition can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lirio Quintero, David E. Clark, Thomas A. Jones, Jean-Louis Salager, Ana Forgiarini
  • Patent number: 8091646
    Abstract: Single phase microemulsions (SPMEs) and in situ-formed microemulsions may be used to clean up and remove non-polar materials from reservoir production zones of oil and gas wells. This clean up occurs by solubilization of the non-polar material into the microemulsion when the treatment fluid contacts the non-polar material. An in situ microemulsion may be formed when one or more surfactant and a polar phase (e.g. water or brine), and eventually some small amount of organic phase, contacts the reservoir formation and solubilizes the non-polar material encountered in the porous media. The microemulsions are effective for removing the formation damage caused by non-polar materials which include, but are not necessarily limited to oil-based mud, synthetic-based mud, paraffins, asphaltenes, emulsions, slugs, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Lirio Quintero, Thomas A. Jones, David E. Clark, Allen D. Gabrysch, Ana Forgiarini, Jean-Louis Salager
  • Patent number: 8079415
    Abstract: The present invention provides a conveyance tool and a tool string having one or more sensors or cameras for detecting the performance of pre-existing perforations in a cased wellbore, and one or more perforation intervention tools mounted on the tool string and capable of performing remedial actions directed at most one perforation and its nearest neighbors or at a single perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: John Cook
  • Patent number: 8074717
    Abstract: A method for drilling a well with a drilling apparatus comprising a drill string and a bit, comprising attaching a cleaning tool comprising a coaxial pipe and at least one vortex spinner to a portion of the drill string above the bit, inserting the drill string into a wellbore, extending the wellbore while simultaneously pumping fluid through the cleaning tool to create a fluid flow, and loosening debris attached to the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Azra Nur Tutuncu
  • Patent number: 8020615
    Abstract: An efficient truck-mounted injection system for injecting a combined aqueous or hydrocarbon-based liquid stream and a liquid carbon dioxide stream via a well into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Randal L. Decker
  • Patent number: 8016035
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety valve with a chemical injection configuration. The device includes a hydraulic fluid pressure operated piston at the housing. The device further includes a flow tube in operable communication with the piston and a chemical injection configuration disposed within the housing. Further disclosed herein is a method of maintaining the operation of a safety valve by injecting chemical fluid through a configuration within the safety valve. Still further disclosed herein is check valve. The check valve includes a seal, a dart having a closed head and sealable against the seal, one or more flutes on the dart, and a spring applying a biasing force to the dart to a sealing position, that force being overcomeable by a fluid pressure acting in a direction opposing the spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott C. Strattan, Jeffrey K. Adams, Thomas S. Myerley, Jason Ives, Jeffrey C. Williams
  • Patent number: 8002038
    Abstract: The invention relates to cleaning wellbores and the near wellbore areas adjacent to a hydrocarbon bearing formations and coal bed methane formations. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to removing liquids such as water and/or oil from the formation near the wellbore. The cleaning and liquid removal is accomplished with liquid carbon dioxide or a treatment medium that includes liquid carbon dioxide. The treatment medium is injected into the wellbore through tubing in a controlled manner so that the treatment medium enters the formation in a liquid state, although a portion may be allowed to vaporize upon introduction into the wellbore. The treatment medium is then allowed to vaporize and loosen and entrain undesirable materials from the formation and from within the wellbore or casing, and mobilize water and oil present by effervescing and by dissolving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Dennis Ray Wilson
  • Patent number: 7997343
    Abstract: A scale removal tool with adjustably positionable fluid dispensing arms. The scale removal tool may be configured for delivery to within a hydrocarbon well via coiled tubing. Thus, fluid may be driven through the coiled tubing and through the tool at the fluid dispensing arms. The fluid may thereby be jetted at high pressure toward scale at the wall of the well in order to achieve its removal. In the case of a well having scale of varying thicknesses, the fluid dispensing arms may be dynamically positioned and repositioned while downhole in the well, depending on scale thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Zafer Erkol, Gokturk Tunc
  • Patent number: 7992636
    Abstract: A device for use in retrieving debris from a well, including an elongate body; a main bore extending part way along a length of the body; an opening towards a lower end of the body; a main fluid chamber in the body in fluid communication with the main bore; a flow restriction provided in the main bore, through which fluid flows from the main bore and into the main fluid chamber; at least one chamber outlet for directing fluid from the main fluid chamber into an annulus defined between the device and a well borehole wall; a return flow passage extending between the body opening and the main fluid chamber, for return flow of fluid from the annulus to the main fluid chamber, to facilitate retrieval of debris from the well; and at least one fluid exit, for flow of fluid out of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Specialised Petroleum Services Group Limited
    Inventor: George Telfer
  • Publication number: 20110168397
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus (100) for use in top filling of tubulars, the apparatus (100) comprising an inlet (200) for fluid communication with a top drive for providing top filling fluid, and an outlet (300) for fluid communication with a tubular, wherein the apparatus (100) comprises a filter configuration (120), in fluid communication with the inlet (200) and the outlet (300) and configured to remove debris from a top filling fluid flow flowing from the inlet (200) to the outlet (300) during top filling of a tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: CHURCHILL DRILLING TOOLS LIMITED
    Inventor: Andrew Churchill
  • Patent number: 7975765
    Abstract: An enclosed circulation tool for a well including a tubular body having a top end, a bottom end and an interior cavity. A progressive cavity pump positioned at the bottom end of the body, the pump having a rotor mounted within a stator. The rotor has an upper end and a lower end, with the upper end extending into the interior cavity. A drive is coupled to and adapted to rotate the rotor in order to draw sand into the interior cavity. A first fluid passage is provided along which fluids from pumped from surface pass to fluidize solids within the interior cavity. A second fluid passage is provided along which fluidized solids from within the interior cavity pass to surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Logan Completion Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Manson
  • Patent number: 7975766
    Abstract: A method of top-filling a drill pipe string comprises injecting fluid into the upper end of the string. Apparatus for use in top-filling a drill pipe string comprises an injector adapted to co-operate with the upper end of a drill pipe string, whereby fluid may be pumped through the injector and into the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Churchill Drilling Tools Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Phillip Churchill
  • Publication number: 20110139457
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore is provided. The method comprises running a toolstring into a wellbore to a first depth, actuating a controllably rotating sub-assembly of the toolstring to rotate, and activating a pressure activated bendable sub-assembly of the toolstring to bend, wherein actuating the controllably rotating sub-assembly to rotate and activating the pressure activate bendable sub-assembly are performed in any sequence or concurrently. The method also comprises running the toolstring into the wellbore beyond the first depth and stabbing the toolstring into a window in a wall of the wellbore to enter a lateral wellbore, wherein no whipstock is used to facilitate stabbing into the window. The method further includes running the toolstring into the lateral wellbore and performing a wellbore servicing operation in the lateral wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Jim B. Surjaatmadja
  • Patent number: 7950459
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming a fluid for use within in a subterranean formation including combining a partitioning agent and viscosifying polymer into a fluid, introducing the fluid into the subterranean formation, and recovering at least a portion of the fluid at a uppermost surface of the subterranean formation. Methods and apparatus of forming a fluid for use within in a subterranean formation including combining a partitioning agent and viscosifying polymer into a fluid, introducing the fluid into the subterranean formation at a temperature of about 45° C. or higher, and recovering at least a portion of the fluid at a uppermost surface of the subterranean formation at a temperature of about 45° C. or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philip F. Sullivan, Gary John Tustin, Yiyan Chen, Lijun Lin
  • Patent number: 7906462
    Abstract: A method of acidizing and cleaning up a formation is disclosed, the formation being above 150 degrees C. The formation is treated with a mutual solvent system comprising a mutual solvent of oil and water, an aqueous acid, a corrosion inhibitor, and an iron control agent. In some embodiments, the iron control agent is present in an amount of less than 1% by weight of the mutual solvent system. In some embodiments, the corrosion inhibitor may be present in an amount of less than 10% by weight of the mutual solvent system. In some embodiments, the mutual solvent system further comprises an intensifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: SynOil Fluids Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun T. Mesher, David L. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20110056694
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for removing heavy oil, bitumen and/or paraffinic materials in oil production or storage wells including onshore and offshore petroleum wells, petroleum residual disposal wells and Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) or Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) producing wells used in the oil sands industry. This process helps restore the operating efficiency of organically contaminated hydrocarbon producing wells in a safe, fast and effective manner without the need to insert any equipment to mechanically remove organic contaminants. Used is a heated terpene-based chemical injected with or without steam following a hot water or steam pre-heat to create a very effective cleaning process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Sean E. Sears, Kevin L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7902124
    Abstract: A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore of a well having iron-containing components is carried out by introducing a treatment fluid into the wellbore of the well. The treatment fluid is formed from an aqueous solution, a mineral acid, a viscoelastic surfactant gelling agent and corrosion inhibitor system containing at least one of an alkyl, alkenyl, alicyclic or aromatic substituted aliphatic ketone and aliphatic or aromatic aldehyde. The treatment fluid is substantially free of any formic acid or precursor formic acid. In certain embodiments, the corrosion inhibitor system comprises a mixture of at least one of an alkenyl phenone or ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde, an unsaturated ketone or unsaturated aldehyde other than the alkenyl phenone and ?,?-unsaturated aldehyde, a dispersing agent, an extender and an alcohol solvent. A corrosion inhibitor intensifier may also be used in certain embodiments, which may include a mixture of cuprous iodide and cuprous chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Syed Ali, Javier Sanchez Reyes, Mathew M. Samuel, Francois M. Auzerais
  • Patent number: 7896080
    Abstract: This invention relates to enhancing hydrocarbon production from a subterranean formation via a well completed with a gravel pack. Gravel packs suffer plugging and damage over time from produced particles and other plugging materials brought into the pack as production continues. This invention relates to a chemical treatment for the gravel pack designed to remove damaging particulate matter from the pack via dissolution or displacement. Damaging material is forced sufficiently far into the producing reservoir to prevent its remigration back into the pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventors: Larry Watters, Jeff Watters, Mahadev Ammachathram
  • Patent number: 7878246
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for perforating a well with a perforating fluid comprising a viscoelastic surfactant that essentially stops fluid leak-off after perforation in an overbalanced condition. Another aspect of the invention provides the perforating fluid in itself. The well has a wellbore defined by a generally cylindrical casing in at least a portion of the wellbore (i.e., the wellbore is cased, although it is not necessary cased in its entire length). The wellbore passes through a subterranean formation that comprises hydrocarbon formation fluids (such as oil and/or gas), at least in certain strata. The method comprises placing a perforating device in a wellbore which includes at least one explosive perforating charge that can be detonated in order to perforate the casing and allow the formation fluids to enter the wellbore. The casing is located between the subterranean formation and the perforating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mathew M. Samuel, Yerik Balabatyrov, Frank F. Chang, Martin Griffith, Liz Morris
  • Patent number: 7878247
    Abstract: Methods for cleaning out horizontal wellbores using coiled tubing are provided for use during downhole operations. A coiled tubing having a bottom hole assembly is deployed into a horizontal wellbore. Fluid is circulated down the annulus of the wellbore and up the bottom hole assembly while the bottom hole assembly is moved upward at a selected rate and distance. This method may be used to remove downhole solids, such as formation sands and proppant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John Gordon Misselbrook, William Arthur Hutton Aitken, Jeff Li
  • Publication number: 20110017464
    Abstract: Embodiments of this invention relate to a method of removing debris from a wellbore including contacting debris in a wellbore with a treatment fluid, wherein the fluid contains degradable fibers, collecting at least a portion of the treatment fluid, and allowing the degradable fibers to degrade. Embodiments of this invention also relate to a method of removing debris from a wellbore including contacting debris in a wellbore with a treatment fluid, wherein the fluid contains degradable fibers, collecting the treatment fluid, and exposing the fluid to a composition to encourage the degradable fibers to degrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Syed Ali, Peter J. Photos, Francois M. Auzerais, Douglas Pipchuk
  • Publication number: 20100314110
    Abstract: Subterranean formation treatment methods incorporating a rheology model which enables prediction of fluid rheology properties during a treatment operation, where the foundation of the model is a description of the reaction chemistry which describes how the number of crosslinks and broken polymer linkages develops in time under the influence of crosslinkers, breakers, and/or thermally induced effects and pressure effects. In one aspect, when used as a tool for simulating the fluid viscosity, the model can help optimizing the fluid design and optional breaker schedule for a hydraulic fracturing treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Lindvig, Murtaza Ziauddin, Michael D. Parris
  • Patent number: 7833944
    Abstract: Methods and compositions including a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid and a solid particle comprising a crosslinked aliphatic polyester; and placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Trinidad Munoz, Larry S. Eoff, Rajesh K. Saini
  • Patent number: 7833946
    Abstract: A water based drilling fluid contains as additive one or more alkyl ethoxylates having the formula RO(CH2CH2O)nH; wherein: R is a C16-22alkyl group (preferably R is aliphatic and more preferably R is linear), and n is an integer in the range 2-30. The fluid further contains one or more viscosifying agents, and is substantially clay-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: M-I, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Louise Bailey
  • Publication number: 20100276143
    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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: REELWELL AS
    Inventor: Ola M. Vestavik
  • Patent number: 7789154
    Abstract: A jet bushing for a wellbore cleanup tool features a jet looking uphole to reduce turbulence at the outlet ports that look downhole to accommodate the recirculation flow around the tool that captures the cuttings. The uphole oriented port keeps the pumped fluid downhole from having to make a u-turn to get back uphole and reduces turbulence to allow a higher recirculation flow at the tool to pick up and capture cuttings within the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: John P. Davis
  • Patent number: 7776796
    Abstract: Methods for treating wellbores using fluids containing a sphingan heteropolysaccharide which contributes viscosity stability and a decrease in friction pressure. Some methods are clean-out operations using recyclable-viscosity fluids containing at least a sphingan heteropolysaccharide and an optional salt. Others include methods of pumping fluids incorporating sphingan heteropolysaccharides to reduce pumping frictional pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Shapovalov, Alejandro Pena, Bernhard Lungwitz, Rene Schuurman
  • Patent number: 7775285
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing apparatus, comprising a housing comprising a plurality of housing ports, a sleeve being movable with respect to the housing, the sleeve comprising a plurality of sleeve ports to selectively provide a fluid flow path between the plurality of housing ports and the plurality of sleeve ports, and a sacrificial nozzle in fluid communication with at least one of the plurality of the housing ports and the plurality of sleeve ports. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a stimulation assembly in the wellbore, the stimulation assembly comprising a housing comprising a plurality of housing ports, a selectively adjustable sleeve comprising a plurality of sleeve ports, and a sacrificial nozzle in fluid communication with one of the plurality of the housing ports and the plurality of sleeve ports, the sacrificial nozzle comprising an aperture, a fluid interface, and a housing interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Loyd East, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7770648
    Abstract: A completion method isolates a lower zone while circulation at high rates takes place above to clean debris out of the wellbore. Pressure fluctuation sensitive equipment in a lower completion is isolated with a tubing valve during circulation. This further prevents debris from clogging inlet pressure passages to equipment below the isolation valve during circulation to get the debris out. After circulation the packer is unset and the tubing valve is opened and a wellbore filter tool directs well fluids through a screen and captures the debris as the string is pulled toward the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Neil A. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7762334
    Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a tool and a shroud. The tool is to be disposed in a wellbore and includes an opening to inject fluid into the well. The shroud at least partially surrounds the tool to eccentrically dispose the tool with respect to a longitudinal axis of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew C. Posluszny, Bunker M. Hill
  • Patent number: 7757766
    Abstract: Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, an example method includes a method of treating a subterranean formation that comprises combining components comprising water and a density-matched suspension to prepare a treatment fluid, wherein the density-matched suspension comprises a suspending liquid and a solid particle suspended in the suspending liquid, and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore. An example composition includes a suspension that comprises a suspending liquid comprising a hydrophobic liquid, wherein the hydrophobic liquid hydrolyzes when placed in contact with an aqueous fluid to form hydrophilic products, and a solid particle suspended in the suspending liquid, wherein the suspension is a density-matched suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Lewis, Michael Szymanski, Christopher Gordon
  • Patent number: 7753125
    Abstract: A wellbore cleaning tool having a plurality of fluid jets arranged on one side of a tool body and brushes or other implements for applying an abrasion force arranged on a second side of the tool body. In operation, the fluid jets, when turned on, bias the tool body and the supported brushes toward the casing wall with a resilient jet-biasing effect. Furthermore, the tool body is intended to be rotated. Thereby, the resilient jet-biasing effect rotates accordingly so that the brushes remain biased toward the casing wall during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: Dennis J. Penisson
  • Publication number: 20100170676
    Abstract: Methods for cleaning out horizontal wellbores using coiled tubing are provided for use during downhole operations. A coiled tubing having a bottom hole assembly is deployed into a horizontal wellbore. Fluid is circulated down the annulus of the wellbore and up the bottom hole assembly while the bottom hole assembly is moved upward at a selected rate and distance. This method may be used to remove downhole solids, such as formation sands and proppant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: John Gordon Misselbrook, William Arthur Hutton Aitken, Jeff Li
  • Publication number: 20100132951
    Abstract: A method for the controlled de-functionalization of downhole polymers comprising contacting downhole, water-dispersible, polymeric material with a dehydrating agent until the water-dispersible polymeric material is sufficiently de-functionalized to be removed. The water-dispersible polymeric material can be found in the downhole formation of a filtercake on production walls, other downhole polysaccharide materials and in fluid loss pills. The contact between the dehydrating agent and the polymeric material is prolonged until the water-dispersible, polymeric material is sufficiently de-functionalized to allow the de-functionalized material to be removed by flushing the drilling fluid. The dehydrating agent is selected from concentrated inorganic salt solutions, concentrated organic salt solutions, acid anhydrides, esters, alcohols, ethers, ketones, aldehydes, amides, organic acids and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: TETRA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammed Hossaini, Jeffrey McKennis, Tom Carter
  • Patent number: 7712533
    Abstract: The permeability of a subterranean formation is improved by introducing into the formation a water-in-oil emulsion. Unwanted particulates deposited in the formation during the production of oil are dissolved or loosened by the outer phase of the emulsion and dispersed in the aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Richard F. Stevens, Jr., David Alleman
  • Patent number: 7712536
    Abstract: A treatment fluid and a method are disclosed for cleaning borehole filtercake using the treatment fluid, wherein the filtercake contains reservoir drilling fluid (RDF) solids. The method includes pumping the treatment fluid downhole in contact with the filtercake to be removed to establish a differential pressure between the treatment fluid and the formation adjacent the filtercake, and evenly propagating treatment of the filtercake during the differential pressure period to delay breakthrough by the treatment fluid for a period from 1 to 12 hours. The treatment fluid comprises a fluoride source providing a 1.2 to 5 molar fluoride concentration, and another acid or combination of acids to provide a pH between 1.8 and 5. The treatment fluid is balanced for a dissolving power high enough to have significant dissolution of the filtercake, but low enough for even propagation to avoid premature leak-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Pirolli, Mehmet Parlar
  • Patent number: 7712532
    Abstract: Method and system for use in a subsurface formation traversed by a wellbore. An energized fluid, which when subjected to a low pressure environment liberates or releases gas from solution, is disposed in the formation. Reduced pressure in a region of the wellbore below pressure in the surrounding formation liberates a gas in the energized fluid near a tunnel created in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Ian C. Walton