Organic Component Contains An Alcohol Group Patents (Class 507/266)
  • Publication number: 20090131285
    Abstract: An oil or gas well penetrating a subterranean formation, such as a carbonate formation, is treated with a well treatment fluid which contains an organic ester. The fluid may be an oil-in-water emulsion of the organic ester and an emulsifier or a homogeneous solution of organic ester and a water/mutual solvent solution. Acid is produced in-situ by hydrolysis of the organic ester.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Qi Qu, Joel L. Boles
  • Publication number: 20090131287
    Abstract: A substantially nonaqueous composition comprising a polyol and potassium formate is made by removing water from a mixture while heating. The polyol beneficially contains 3-50 hydroxyl groups and may be polyglycerin. The water removed may originate from a solution of one or more of the ingredients, from a condensation reaction of hydroxyl groups, and/or from an esterification reaction of hydroxyl groups on the polyol(s) and the formate groups. The composition is effective for treating shale formations in well drilling to reduce hydration and sloughing of the shale. If, in the course of treating shale formations, the polyol/potassium formate composition mixes with connate or other water, the water may be removed on returning the composition to the surface, and recycled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Kevin W. Smith, Taylor C. Green
  • Publication number: 20090107673
    Abstract: A fracturing fluid, gravel pack fluid and/or frac pack fluid containing particles such as proppants, gravel and/or sand, may contain an effective amount of a nano-sized particulate additive to fixate or reduce fines migration, where the particulate additive is an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxides, alkali metal hydroxides, transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, post-transition metal oxides, post-transition metal hydroxides piezoelectric crystals and pyroelectric crystals. The nano-sized particulate additive is bound to the particles with a coating agent such as an oil. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale, which scale may provide unique particle charges that help fixate the formation fines. The carrier fluid used in the treating fluid may be aqueous, brine, alcoholic or hydrocarbon-based.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, John R. Willingham, James R. Pace, Christopher K. Belcher
  • Patent number: 7524796
    Abstract: Polymer suspensions prepared with non-aqueous, oil-free carrier fluids, for use in oil or gas well servicing. The polymer suspensions typically comprise a hydrophilic polymer, an organic clay, a stabilizer, and a carrier fluid selected from propylene glycol and butylene glycol. The addition of isopropyl alcohol, a polar activator, lowers the viscosity of the suspension. The further addition of neopentyl glycol further lowers viscosity and improves cross-linking of the polymer. The composition is both stable and environmentally acceptable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventors: William J. Heilman, Asoke K. Deysarkar
  • Patent number: 7517836
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to defoaming methods and compositions for well treatment fluids. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of defoaming a well treatment fluid, comprising combining a defoaming composition with the well treatment fluid, wherein the defoaming composition comprises an amide of a carboxylic acid, a polypropylene glycol, an ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohol, an ethoxylated alcohol comprising from 3 carbons to 6 carbons, and a hydrophobic silica in an amount of up to about 3% by weight of the defoaming composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiten Chatterji, Bobby J. King
  • Patent number: 7514391
    Abstract: A composition and method for removing a filter cake from a horizontal wellbore in a subterranean formation using a composition containing a inorganic or organic acidic material, a cationic fluorocarbon surfactant, an alkyl alcohol, water optionally containing ammonium chloride and at least one of an alkyl polyglycoside and a betaine surfactant to produce a stable foam used to remove filter cake from a horizontal wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventor: Albert F. Chan
  • Patent number: 7514390
    Abstract: A composition and method for removing a filter cake from a horizontal wellbore in a subterranean formation using a composition containing a inorganic or organic acidic material, a cationic fluorocarbon surfactant, an alkyl alcohol, water optionally containing ammonium chloride and at least one of an alkyl polyglycoside and a betaine surfactant to produce a stable foam used to remove filter cake from a horizontal wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Albert F. Chan
  • Patent number: 7514389
    Abstract: A water based drilling fluid for use in drilling a subterranean well through a subterranean formation that swells in the presence of water, the drilling fluid is formulated to include: an aqueous based continuous phase; a weight material; an optional shale hydration inhibition agent and a shale encapsulator. The shale encapsulator has the formula: in which x and y have a value so that the molecular weight of the cation is in the range of about 10,000 to about 200,000 AMU; A is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 ether or C2-C6 amide; R, R? and R? are independently selectable C1-C3 alkyl; and B? is a charge balancing anion to the quatenary amine. The shale hydration inhibition agent and the shale encapsulator may be present in sufficient concentrations to reduce the swelling of the subterranean formation in the presence of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Arvind D. Patel, Emanuel Stamatakis, Steven Young
  • Patent number: 7497262
    Abstract: A method of forming a subterranean well and a method of reducing the swelling of shale clay during the drilling of the subterranean well. The method features the use of a water based drilling fluid, wherein the drilling fluid is formulated to include: an aqueous based continuous phase; a weight material; an optional shale hydration inhibition agent and a shale encapsulator. The shale encapsulator has the formula: in which x and y have a value so that the molecular weight of the cation is in the range of about 10,000 to about 200,000 AMU; A is selected from C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 ether or C2-C6 amide; R, R?and R?are independently selectable C1-C3 alkyl; and B?is a charge balancing anion to the quaternary amine. The shale hydration inhibition agent and the shale encapsulator may be present in sufficient concentrations to reduce the swelling of the subterranean formation in the presence of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Arvind D. Patel, Emanuel Stamatakis, Steve Young
  • Publication number: 20090054274
    Abstract: A process by which alkyl halides may be reacted (coupled) with nucleophilic materials in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst system. The process comprises reacting (coupling) alkyl halides with a nucleophilic material in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst system to produce derivatives of alkyl halides, wherein the homogeneous catalyst system comprises at least one metal or metal compound which has the ability to form metal-halogen bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Howard Lam-Ho Fong, Thomas Howard Johnson, Thomas Carl Semple
  • Patent number: 7470419
    Abstract: The present application relates to granules of powdery mineral particles produced by spray granulation of a liquid slurry comprising powdery minerals particles having particle size below 10 m, at least one water-reducing agent and/or at least one binder agent and/or at least one dispersing agent. The application further relates to a method for producing such granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Elkem AS
    Inventor: Tor Soyland Hansen
  • Patent number: 7448451
    Abstract: Methods of controlling particulate migration in a portion of a subterranean formation comprising placing a pre-flush fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation; and then, placing a low-viscosity adhesive substance diluted with an aqueous dissolvable solvent into the portion of the subterranean formation; wherein the portion of a subterranean formation being treated has a regain permeability of at least about 70%. Methods of creating a stabilized region around a portion of a subterranean formation around a well bore having a screen or liner in place in that portion of the subterranean formation comprising placing a pre-flush fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation; and then, placing a low-viscosity adhesive substance diluted with an aqueous dissolvable solvent into that portion of the subterranean formation; wherein the portion of a subterranean formation being treated has regain permeability of at least about 70%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Richard D. Rickman, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Johnny A. Barton
  • Patent number: 7435706
    Abstract: A method of reducing the viscosity of oil-based drilling fluids and well service fluids at low temperatures and a thinner compound for use in such drilling fluids and well service fluids is disclosed. The method comprises adding to said drilling fluids or well service fluids a thinner having the formula: R—(C2H4O)n(C3H6O)m(C4H8O)k-H where R is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl radical having about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, n is a number ranging from about 1 to about 10, m is a number ranging form about 0 to about 10, and k is a number ranging from about 0 to about 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Heinz Mueller, Jeff Kirsner, Kimberly Burrows
  • Publication number: 20080227667
    Abstract: A fluid loss control additive comprising a crosslinked polymer and sugar and cement compositions comprising the same. In one embodiment, the fluid loss control additive comprises a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink. In some embodiments, the polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol, and the sugar is a sugar alcohol such as sorbitol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Szymanski, Samuel J. Lewis, Christian Spindler, Andrea Fenchl
  • Patent number: 7410934
    Abstract: The invention concerns an aqueous viscoelastic fluid for use in the recovery of hydrocarbons. According to the invention, the aqueous viscoelastic fluid comprises a monomer, a dimer or an oligomer of a viscoelastic surfactant able to form a viscoelastic gel under downhole conditions, said surfactant comprising a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head, and being of the following formulae: R—X—Y-Z where R is the hydrophobic tail of the surfactant, Z is the hydrophilic head of the surfactant, said hydrophilic head being charged, X is a stabilising group and Y chain is a linear, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon chain of 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms or a branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain wherein the main chain is of 1, 2 or 3 carbon atoms, possibly incorporating an aromatic ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor Hughes, Timothy Gareth John Jones, Gary John Tustin, Jian Zhou
  • Publication number: 20080176773
    Abstract: A well treatment fluid contains a viscoelastic surfactant and a viscosification activator. The viscosification activator enhances the viscosity of the well treatment fluid in contrast to a treatment fluid that does not contain a viscosification activator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Richard S. Wheeler, Kay E. Cawiezel
  • Publication number: 20080176770
    Abstract: A composition for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation is provided, the composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted to be within an appropriate range for the type of activator. A method for treating a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of: forming or providing a composition comprising: (a) water; (b) a source of hydrogen peroxide, and (c) an activator for the source of hydrogen peroxide; wherein the pH of the composition is adjusted within an appropriate range for the type of activator; and introducing the composition through a wellbore to treat a portion of a wellbore or a portion of a subterranean formation. The activator can be a water-soluble alkanoyl-donor compound or a chelated transition metal. Preferably, the composition further comprises an iron chelating agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Michael W. Sanders, Jeffrey L. Mundy, Fong Fong Foo, Rajesh K. Saini
  • Patent number: 7402549
    Abstract: A method for shortening the shear recovery time of cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of a rheology enhancer selected from partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl ester and partially hydrolyzed polyacrylates. The rheology enhancer also increases fluid viscosity and very low rheology enhancer concentration is needed. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse C. Lee, Philip F. Sullivan, Timothy L. Pope
  • Patent number: 7392845
    Abstract: A biodegradable water-in-synthetic oil base emulsion, effective in the removal of filter cakes, consists of an external phase of a surfactant emulsified in a paraffinic base oil. The emulsion is particularly effective in breaking-down the interfacial rheological properties of oil base mud and synthetic oil base mud filter cakes and acts as a demulsifier to break the water-in-oil emulsions present in such oil base and synthetic oil base muds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Sandra L. Berry, Brian Beall
  • Publication number: 20080142224
    Abstract: 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 is provided. A method to clean a casing inserted into a wellbore is also disclosed. A method for cleaning a wellbore of fracturing fluid, with or without proppant is also disclosed. Each of the methods includes the steps of injecting either liquid carbon dioxide or a treatment medium comprising liquid carbon dioxide into a wellbore through tubing such that the location at which the treatment medium is administered may be controlled. In some embodiments, pressure within the wellbore is regulated in order 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. Once the treatment medium has at least partially vaporized it will loosen and/or entrain undesirable materials from within the wellbore or casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Dennis Ray WILSON
  • Patent number: 7387986
    Abstract: A method for shortening the shear recovery time of cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of an amphiphilic polymeric rheology enhancer containing at least one portion that is a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl ester or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylate. The rheology enhancer also increases fluid viscosity and very low rheology enhancer concentration is needed. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Carlos Abad
  • Patent number: 7387987
    Abstract: A method for increasing the rate of shear rehealing of fluids made with cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of a polymeric rheology enhancer selected from polypropylene glycols and block copolymers of polypropylene glycol and polyethylene glycol. For applications in which rapid shear rehealing is required, the rheology enhancer allows fluids to be made and used at lower viscoelastic surfactant concentrations. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse C. Lee, Mathew Samuel
  • Patent number: 7380606
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microemulsion well treatment microemulsion that is formed by combining a solvent-surfactant blend with a carrier fluid. In preferred embodiments, the solvent-surfactant blend includes a surfactant and a solvent selected from the group consisting of terpenes and alkyl or aryl esters of short chain alcohols. The disclosed well treatment microemulsion can be used in well remediation, stimulation and hydrogen sulfide mitigation operations. Additionally, the well treatment microemulsion can be used in the production of benzothiophenes through interaction with hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: CESI Chemical, a Flotek Company
    Inventors: John T. Pursley, David L. Holcomb, Glenn S. Penny
  • Patent number: 7360593
    Abstract: Coatings for well screens that protect the screens from damage as they are inserted into the wellbore and once in the well, release reactive materials to react with and degrade potentially plugging materials such as drill solids, fluid filtercakes, fluid loss additives, and drilling fluids. The coatings can be specifically designed for individual well conditions and are comprised of a binder that either melts or dissolves within the wellbore and one or more reactive materials such as acids, enzymes, surfactants, chelants, oxidizers or free radical generators and the like which are released into the screen and the near wellbore area and which are effective in degrading or dissolving materials which could potentially plug the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Vernon George Constien
  • Patent number: 7345012
    Abstract: A method for increasing the foam stability of foams made with cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of an amphiphilic polymeric foam stabilizer containing at least one portion that is a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl ester or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylate. The foam stabilizer allows foams to be used at temperatures at which the unfoamed fluids would not have stable viscosity, and allows use of lower viscoelastic surfactant concentrations in the liquid phase. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse C. Lee
  • Patent number: 7345011
    Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment operations in subterranean zones, and more particularly, to consolidation compositions and methods of using these consolidation compositions to mitigate water production from subterranean formations. The present invention provides methods for mitigating the production of water from a subterranean formation by injecting consolidation compositions comprising a furan-based resin into an interval in the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, David L. Brown, Bhadra D. Desai
  • Patent number: 7341980
    Abstract: A method for shortening the shear recovery time of zwitterionic viscoelastic surfactant fluids by adding a rheology enhancer having the structure: R-(EO)x(PO)y—R?—OH in which R is an alkyl group that is straight chained or branched, saturated or unsaturated, and contains from 3 to about 18 carbon atoms, x is from 0 to about 14, y is from 0 to about 7, R? is an alkyl group that contains from 0 to about 14 carbon atoms and is straight chained, branched if having more than 3 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated if having more than one carbon atom, the total number of carbon atoms in R plus R? is from 3 to about 21, and the EO and PO groups, if present, may be in any order. The rheology enhancer also increases fluid viscosity and thermal stability. Preferred surfactants are betaines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jesse Lee, Yiyan Chen, Timothy Pope, Eric Hanson, Samuel Cozzens, Taner Batmaz
  • Patent number: 7341106
    Abstract: A sealant composition and methods for using the same are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of servicing a wellbore in contact with a subterranean formation is disclosed. The method comprises placing a sealing agent and a nonaqueous carrier fluid in the wellbore. The method further comprises placing a nonaqueous activating fluid in the wellbore. In addition, the method comprises contacting the sealing agent with the nonaqueous activating fluid to form a sealant composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: B. Raghava Reddy, Mark R. Savery
  • Patent number: 7332459
    Abstract: A method of inhibiting scale formation in a subterranean formation comprising: (a) injecting a suspension comprising particles of a controlled release scale inhibitor suspended in an aqueous medium into a formation through an injection well wherein the particles have a mean diameter of less than 10 microns, preferably less than 5 microns, more preferably less than 1 micron; (b) allowing the suspension to percolate through the subterranean formation towards a production well; and (c) controllably releasing the scale inhibitor from the particles in the near well bore region of the production well. Suitably, the particles of the controlled release scale inhibitor comprise an esterifiable scale inhibitor cross-linked with a polyol via ester cross-links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited
    Inventors: Ian Ralph Collins, Simon Neil Duncum
  • Patent number: 7320952
    Abstract: Composition and method for shortening the shear recovery time of cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of a co-gelling agent selected from triblock oligomeric compounds having hydrophilic (for example polyether) and hydrophobic (for example alkyl) portions. The co-gelling agent also increases fluid viscosity and very low co-gelling agent concentration is needed. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse C. Lee
  • Patent number: 7316275
    Abstract: A well treating composition containing a polysaccharide-based water-superabsorbent material has particularly applicability as a thermal insulating, fracturing or acid stimulation fluid. The water-superabsorbent material is capable of absorbing, at a minimum, its own weight. Particularly effective are biodegradable materials containing guar gum and carrageenan. The composition may further contain a crosslinking agent, brine and/or a viscosifying polymer or a gelling agent. As an oil-based fluid, the crosslinking agent is absorbed onto the water-superabsorbent material and serves to effectively delay crosslinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Qi Qu
  • Patent number: 7306039
    Abstract: A thermal insulating packer fluid contains water and/or brine, a crosslinkable viscosifying polymer, a crosslinking agent and an optional set retarder. The composition is capable of inhibiting unwanted heat loss from production tubing or uncontrolled heat transfer to outer annuli. The viscosity of the composition is such as to reduce the convection flow velocity within the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Xiaolan Wang, Paul H. Javora
  • Patent number: 7300973
    Abstract: A composition comprising expandable cross linked polymeric microparticles having an unexpanded volume average particle size diameter of from about 0.05 to about 10 microns and a cross linking agent content of about 6,000 to less than about 9,000 ppm of labile cross linkers and from 0 to about 300 ppm of non-labile cross linkers, useful for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations and increasing the mobilization and/or recovery rate of hydrocarbon fluids present in the formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventors: Kin-Tai Chang, Harry Frampton, James C. Morgan
  • Patent number: 7291651
    Abstract: An aqueous viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluid foamed or energized with carbon dioxide, in which the VES is more compatible with the carbon dioxide, is made by the addition of one or more than one synergistic co-surfactant. The synergist co-surfactant includes quaternary amines and ethoxylated carboxylates having a hydrophobic chain shorter than the hydrophobic chain of the VES. Improved compatibility is evidenced for a given surfactant concentration either by formation and maintenance of a foam under conditions at which the foam could not otherwise have been formed or maintained, or by either higher viscosity of the foamed fluid at a given temperature or longer foam life at a given temperature or a higher temperature at which useful fluid viscosity can be generated or maintained for a useful time. The aqueous carbon dioxide foamed fluids may be used in acidizing, acid fracturing, gravel packing, diversion, and well cleanout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yiyan Chen, Jesse Lee, Timothy L. Pope
  • Patent number: 7288505
    Abstract: This Invention relates to methods of treating a subterranean hydrocarbons reservoir comprising contacting the formation with a treating fluid comprising an aqueous solution, an acid, a surfactant acting as gelling agent essentially consisting of erucylamidopropyl betaine (or a protonated/deprotonated homolog or salt thereof). The treating fluid may further comprise a lower n-alcohol for improved temperature stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank F. Chang, Diankui Fu
  • Publication number: 20070244015
    Abstract: The increased viscosity of aqueous fluids gelled with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may be maintained or stabilized by one or more stabilizers added or introduced thereto. The stabilizers are glycols and/or polyols and may stabilize the increased viscosity of VES-gelled fluids effectively over an increased temperature range, e.g. up to 300° F. (149° C.). Even though some VESs used to increase the viscosity of aqueous fluids contain a glycol solvent, the use, addition or introduction of the same or different glycol or a polyol, possibly of increased purity, may improve the viscosity stability of the fluid as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 18, 2007
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James B. Crews, John R. Willingham
  • Patent number: 7279447
    Abstract: Compositions containing surfactant compounds according to formula (I) ROCH2CH(OH)CR1R2ZCR1R2CH(OH)CH2OR,??(I) wherein Z is S, SO, or SO2, can have a range of equilibrium and/or dynamic surface tensions and a range of foaming performance attributes, depending upon the particular values of Z, R, R1, and R2. The compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by a process that includes reaction of a sulfide source such as a metal sulfide or bisulfide with an alkyl glycidyl ether. The compounds may be useful in any of a broad range of applications requiring the use of a surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Gauri Sankar Lal, Williams Rene Edouard Raymond, Khalil Yacoub
  • Patent number: 7271134
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods comprising providing an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising water, an anionic salt, a water-based friction reducing polymer, a polyol, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant; mixing the aqueous polymer dispersion with additional water to form an aqueous treatment fluid; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation. Also disclosed are methods comprising providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising water, an anionic salt, a water-based friction reducing polymer in an amount sufficient to provide friction reduction without forming a gel, a polyol, an anionic surfactant, and a nonionic surfactant; and introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Karen L. King, David E. McMechan, Jiten Chatterji
  • Patent number: 7258170
    Abstract: Methods of increasing the permeability of a portion of a subterranean formation may comprise providing a remediation fluid capable of decreasing the tackiness of a tackifying agent, the remediation fluid comprising a surfactant; introducing the remediation fluid into the portion of the subterranean formation, wherein a plurality of tackified particulates at least partially coated with formation fines are located within the portion; and allowing at least a substantial portion of the formation fines to detach from the plurality of tackified particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Nguyen, Jimmie D. Weaver
  • Patent number: 7244694
    Abstract: The present invention relates to viscoelastic fluids that contain nanotube structures that may be used advantageously as oilfield stimulation fluids in many different applications, most particularly as a fracturing fluid. Viscoelastic fluid compositions of the present invention include an aqueous medium, a viscoelastic surfactant, an organic or inorganic acids, or salt thereof, organic acid salts, inorganic salts, and a nanotube component. The invention is also called to a methods of treating a subterranean well bores in which the viscoelastic fluid is injected into the wellbore to perform operations such as fracturing, drilling, acid fracturing, gravel placement, removing scale, matrix acidizing, and removing mud cake. Further, a method of preparing a nanotube viscoelastic fluid comprising the steps of effectively mixing a carbon nanotube component into a viscoelastic fluid, and sonicating the mixture in order to incorporate the carbon nanotube component is claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Diankui Fu, Keith Dismuke, Stephen Davies, Ann Wattana
  • Patent number: 7238647
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to a fluid for drilling or workover in a well running through a porous permeable formation, wherein a water-based well fluid circulates in said well. In the method, at most 3% by weight of a composition obtained from fat, or an oil, and an alcohol, is added to the fluid in addition to the conventional constituents for such a fluid, the chain lengths of the acid and alcohol parts being chosen such that the ester thus obtained has sufficient dispersion in water, compatibility with said constituents, does not form an emulsion with the reservoir oil and adsorbs sufficiently on the porous formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole, Oleon N.V.
    Inventors: Annie Audibert Hayet, Jean-Francois Argillier, Daniel Longeron, Carine Dewattines, Michel Janssen
  • Patent number: 7231976
    Abstract: A method of treating a well consists of introducing into the wellbore a biodegradable fluid system containing a blend of lactic acid ester, such as ethyl lactate, and a fatty acid ester, such as methyl soyate. The fluid system may be further in the form of a microemulsion that is formed by combining a blend with one or more emulsifiers, an alcohol, and water. The fluid system may be used in displacement, well remediation and stimulation as well as additional, alternative applications such as the cleaning of surface and/or downhole equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Sandra L. Berry, Kay E. Cawiezel
  • Patent number: 7220709
    Abstract: A process for stimulating a formation is disclosed wherein a diverting fluid is used to divert an acid treatment package from a high permeability or damaged portion of a formation to a low permeability or undamaged portion of a formation. The fluid preferably forms vesicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: BJ Services Company
    Inventors: Qi Qu, Scott McCarthy, Daniel Patrick Vollmer
  • Patent number: 7219735
    Abstract: A packer fluid is provided for use with a wellbore fluid in an annulus or casing bore, having an aqueous portion which contains additives for preventing corrosion, microbiological activity, salt and scale deposition, and an environmentally-acceptable capping fluid which resides at a top of the wellbore to act as freeze protection and as thermal insulation in a the frost penetration layer. The additives in the packer fluid are particularly selected to exist in the aqueous additive fluid and in the wellbore fluid and to be substantially immiscible with the capping fluid and thereby prevent significant migration of the additives into the capping fluid which would compromise its environmental acceptability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Innovative Chemical Technologies Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Clayton Smith, Dan Skibinski
  • Patent number: 7211549
    Abstract: A method for releasing a stuck drill string in the borehole of an underground formation employing an non-aqueous drilling fluid, the illustrative method including contacting the stuck drill string with a non-emulsion based, homogeneous additive composition effective in reducing the annular pressure exerted by the drilling fluid or mud cake against the stuck drill string and releasing the stuck drill string, the additive composition formulated to include a mutual solvent and a viscosifying agent. In one illustrative embodiment the mutual solvent is a C2 to C22 glycol or a C2 to C22 glycol ether or mixtures or combinations of these and similar compounds known to one of skill in the art. Alternatively and preferably, the mutual solvent may be selected from the group consisting of: diethylene glycol, propoxy propanol, butyl cellosolve, butyl carbitol and mixtures or combinations of these and similar compounds known to one of skill in the art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Arvind Patel, Emanuel Stamatakis
  • Patent number: 7205262
    Abstract: Water soluble nonionic friction reducers and added to coacervate gels having excellent shear viscosities and other properties. A preferred gel comprises poly diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, a lesser amount of sodium lauryl sulfonate, and lauryl alcohol. Excellent friction reducing properties are manifested; a particularly practical use for the compositions is in subterranean formation fracturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin N Schwartz, Kevin W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7199084
    Abstract: Suspensions are provided of water-soluble materials in non-aqueous carrier fluids using suspension agents that include thixotropic agents and, optionally, organophilic clays. Methods of forming such suspensions are provided. Methods are also provided for using such suspensions to prepare aqueous solutions, in particular thickened aqueous solutions, in particular for use in oilfield treatments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Parris, Geoff Robinson
  • Patent number: 7160842
    Abstract: It has been discovered that fracturing fluid breaker mechanisms are improved by the inclusion of a polyol alone that directly degrades the polysaccharide backbone, and optionally additionally by removing the crosslinking ion, if present. That is, viscosity reduction (breaking) occurs by breaking down the chemical bonds within the backbone directly, rather than by merely removing the crosslinking ion, if present. The gel does not have to be crosslinked for the method of the invention to be successful, although it may be crosslinked. In one non-limiting embodiment, the polyol has at least two hydroxyl groups on adjacent carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the polyols are monosaccharides such as glycerols and sugar alcohols, and may include mannitol, sorbitol, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose, lactose, maltose, allose, etc. and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James B. Crews
  • Patent number: 7150322
    Abstract: Cement compositions including environmentally compatible defoamers and methods of using such cement compositions are provided herein. An example of a method is a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method is a method of reducing foam generation in a cement composition. An example of a composition is a cement composition including water, hydraulic cement, and a defoamer. Another example of a composition is a defoamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Szymanski, Samuel J. Lewis, J. Michael Wilson, Arron L. Karcher
  • Patent number: 7119050
    Abstract: This Invention relates to methods of treating a subterranean hydrocarbons reservoir comprising contacting the formation with a treating fluid comprising an aqueous solution, an acid, a surfactant acting as gelling agent essentially consisting of erucylamidopropyl betaine (or a protonated/deprotonated homolog or salt thereof). The treating fluid may further comprise a lower n-alcohol for improved temperature stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Frank F Chang, Diankui Fu