Inorganic Component Contains Ti, Zr, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Or Ni Patents (Class 507/271)
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Publication number: 20130130948Abstract: A method for breaking the viscosity of an aqueous fluid gelled with a water soluble polymer or a VES is disclosed. The method includes providing an aqueous fluid. The method also includes adding to the aqueous fluid, in any order: a water soluble polymer in an amount sufficient to form a gelled aqueous fluid having a viscosity, a water soluble oxidizing agent configured to generate free radicals and a plurality of metallic particles to produce a mixture comprising dispersed metallic particles dispersed within the gelled aqueous fluid, the metallic particles configured to dissolve in the gelled aqueous fluid and provide a reducing agent to accelerate the generation of free radicals. The method further includes dissolving the metallic particles in the gelled aqueous fluid to provide a source of at least one transition metal ion in an amount effective accelerate the generation of free radicals and reduce the viscosity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: James B. Crews
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Patent number: 8445414Abstract: Alkaline earth metal compounds may be fluid loss control (FLC) agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids used for fluid loss control pills, lost circulation material pills and kill pills in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The FLC agents may include, but not be limited to oxides and hydroxides of alkaline earth metal, and in one case magnesium oxide where the particle size of the magnesium oxide is between 1 nanometer to 0.4 millimeter. The FLC agent may alternatively be transition metal oxides and/or transition metal hydroxides. The FLC agent appears to associate with the VES micelles and together form a novel pseudo-filter cake quasi-crosslinked viscous fluid layer that limits further VES fluid flow into the porous media. The FLC agent solid particles may be added along with VES fluids. The pills may also contain internal breakers to reduce the viscosity thereof so that the components of the pill may be recovered.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang
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Publication number: 20130123151Abstract: A method for breaking the viscosity of an aqueous fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is disclosed. The method includes providing an aqueous fluid and adding to the aqueous fluid, in any order: at least one VES comprising a non-ionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant or zwitterionic surfactant, or a combination thereof, in an amount sufficient to form a gelled aqueous fluid comprising a plurality of elongated micelles and having a viscosity, and a plurality of metallic particles to produce a mixture comprising dispersed metallic particles dispersed within the gelled aqueous fluid. The method also includes dissolving the metallic particles in the gelled aqueous fluid to provide a source of at least one transition metal ion in an amount effective to reduce the viscosity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: James B. Crews
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Patent number: 8420578Abstract: A low-density ceramic proppant is formed from a light aggregate of a natural mineral and a ceramic binding material in the form of a proppant granule. The light aggregate expands in volume when burnt so that the density of the aggregate is changed. A method of preparing a proppant material is carried out by pre-crushing and pre-mixing of raw components. This is followed by their granulation into proppant granules, drying and screening of the granules to a selected size. The raw components include at least a ceramic binding material and a light aggregate of a natural mineral that, when burnt, expands in volume so that the specific volume of the aggregate is changed. The burning of the light aggregate may be accomplished before or after the aggregate is mixed with the binding material.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Zinaida Yurievna Usova, Elena Mikhailovna Pershikova
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Patent number: 8415278Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Sanders, Jeffrey L. Mundy, Fong Fong Foo, Rajesh K. Saini
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Patent number: 8408301Abstract: A method comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising a gelling agent, an aqueous base fluid, a buffer composition comprising a plurality of salts, and a crosslinking agent; and contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid. The aqueous base fluid is preferably seawater and the buffer composition includes one or more salts present in the treatment fluid from about 1 to about 1000 pounds per gallon of treatment fluid.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Lord, Ivan Suleiman, John M. Terracina, Rajendra A. Kalgaonkar
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Patent number: 8399387Abstract: Embodiments disclose method and compositions that comprise cement kiln dust and rice husk ash. An embodiment comprises a method of cementing comprising: placing a settable composition into a subterranean formation, the settable composition comprising cement kiln dust, rice husk ash, and water; and allowing the settable composition to set. Another embodiment discloses a settable composition comprising cement kiln dust, rice husk ash, and water.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Craig W. Roddy, Jiten Chatterji, D. Chad Brenneis, Callie R. Jarratt
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Patent number: 8383557Abstract: Incorporating water-based polymer breakers, such as oxidizers, enzymes and/or acids, into a mixture of an oil and oil-soluble surfactants creates an emulsion that can then perform as a dual-functional breaker for reducing the viscosity of hybrid fluids gelled with both a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) and a polymer. The outer phase of the dual-functional breaker emulsion is oil, e.g. a mineral oil, containing an oil-soluble surfactant that will, over time and with heat, break the VES portion of the gel. As it does so, the polymer breaker in the internal aqueous phase will be released to then break the polymer portion of the gel. The polymer breaker will not start to break the polymer gel before the oil-soluble surfactant starts to break the VES gel. The overall breaking using the emulsion is slower as compared to introducing the polymer breaker and the oil-soluble surfactant in a non-emulsified form.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews
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Patent number: 8377855Abstract: Methods and compositions for breaking treatment fluids utilized in the stimulation of a subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Keith A. Frost, Bradley L. Todd, Richard W. Pauls, Ian Robb
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Patent number: 8372789Abstract: Methods that comprise selecting proppant for use in a fracturing fluid based on one or more factors, wherein the one or more factors comprise an interaction between the proppant and the fracturing fluid. Methods that comprise designing a treatment fluid that comprises a gelled base fluid and a particulate based on one or more factors, wherein the one or more factors comprise an interaction between the particulate and the gelled base fluid.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Phillip C. Harris, Stanley J. Heath, Harold G. Walters
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Patent number: 8367589Abstract: A treatment fluid for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore is formed from an aqueous medium, a diutan heteropolysaccharide having a tetrasaccharide repeating unit in the polymer backbone and a peroxide breaker. A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore may be carried out by introducing the treatment fluid into the formation through the wellbore. Breaking aids or catalysts may also be used with the treatment fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Leiming Li, Syed Ali, Oscar Bustos, Lijun Lin, Curtis L. Boney
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Patent number: 8367590Abstract: Gelled liquid hydrocarbons and methods for gelling hydrocarbons and treating subterranean wellbores employ a phosphorus compound of the formula: wherein, X is a straight chained alkyl or alkoxy group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms in combination with a polyvalent metal source.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Engenium Chemicals Corp.Inventors: Ioan Ghesner, David P. Horton
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Patent number: 8343896Abstract: Methods are provided comprising providing a sealant composition comprising an aqueous fluid, a diutan composition, at least one gel system, and a leak off prevention material; introducing the sealant composition into a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; and allowing the sealant composition to form a seal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Larry S. Eoff, Richard W. Pauls
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Patent number: 8338341Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a granule of a coated oxidizing compound which granule has good delayed release properties, said process comprising a) providing cores of an oxidizing compound produced by fluidized bed spray granulation, b) spraying on the oxidizing compound cores an aqueous solution of metal sili-cate in a fluidized bed, said aqueous solution comprising at least 15% by weight metal silicate, and c) drying to form a metal silicate coating layer on the oxidizing compound core, provided that the amount of metal silicate coating layer is at least 8%, preferably at least 10% by weight based on the total weight of the granule. The invention also provides such granule and well treatment fluids including such granule, and processes for use.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignees: Kemira Kemi AB, Kemira Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Mona Ezzelarab, Carl Aften, Carolina Andersson, Cecilia Johansson, Richard Lalama, Geoffrey Monteith, Lars-Inge Olsson, Ajse Sandqvist, Frank Schinkel, Markus Svensson, Walter Watson, Caroline Wegner
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Publication number: 20120322700Abstract: An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is stabilized and improved with an effective amount of 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, and post-transition metal hydroxides. These fluids are more stable and have a reduced or no tendency to precipitate, particularly at elevated temperatures. The additives may reduce the amount of VES required to maintain a given viscosity. These stabilized, enhanced, aqueous viscoelastic fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale, which scale may provide unique particle charges that use chemisorption, crosslinking and/or other chemistries to associate and stabilize the VES fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang, James H. Treadway, JR., John R. Willingham
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Publication number: 20120283155Abstract: The migration of coal fines within a bed is reduced, inhibited or constrained by contacting the fines with nanoparticles, such as magnesium oxide crystals having an average particle size of about 30 nm. These nanoparticles may coat a proppant during the fracturing of a subterranean formation to produce methane from a coal bed therein. The nanoparticles may also treat a proppant pack in a fractured coal bed. The nanoparticles cause the coal fines to thus bind to or associate with the proppants. Thus, most of the coal fines entering fractures away from the near-wellbore region will be restrained or controlled near their origin or source and the production of methane at a desired level will be maintained much longer than a similar situation than where the nanoparticles are not used.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Tianping Huang, James B. Crews, Allen D. Gabrysch, Rick M. Jeffrey
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Publication number: 20120279712Abstract: Magnetic composite particles can be used as proppants and allow for deliberate heating by applying an alternating magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Peter Rogin, Peter William de Oliveira, Christian Wühr, Michael Veith, Douglas Espin
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Patent number: 8298996Abstract: A low toxicity composition and method of reducing the swelling of clay in well comprising circulating in the well a water-based fluid comprising a functionally effective concentration of the additive formed from the following reaction of a tertiary amine of the following general formula: wherein R1 and R2 are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups with one to three carbon atoms or combinations thereof, and R3 is a hydroxyalkyl group with one to three carbon atoms, with an alkylating agent of the following general formula: R-A wherein R is an alkyl radical with one to three carbon atoms, and A is an organic or inorganic anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate, phosphate, carbonate, and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: M-I L.L.C.Inventor: Arvind D. Patel
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Patent number: 8286705Abstract: Apparatus and methods comprising a plurality of particles which are magnetically attracted to one another in response to exposure to an magnetic field, and which maintain attraction to one another after removal of the magnetic field, the attraction being disabled when the particles are demagnetized, whereby the particles operate to alter the rheological properties of a fluid in which the particles are mixed when the attraction is enabled or disabled is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Murat Ocalan, Francois Auzerais, Partha Ganguly, Agathe Robisson, Jahir Pabon
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Publication number: 20120247765Abstract: Disintegrative particles are designed to be blended with and pumped with typical proppant materials, e.g. sand, ceramics, bauxite, etc, into the fractures of a subterranean formation. With time and/or change in wellbore or environmental condition, these particles will either disintegrate partially or completely, in non-limiting examples, by contact with downhole fracturing fluid, formation water, or a stimulation fluid such as an acid or brine. Once disintegrated, the proppant pack within the fractures will lead to greater open space enabling higher conductivity and flow rates. The disintegrative particles may be made by compacting and/or sintering metal powder particles, for instance magnesium or other reactive metal or their alloys. Alternatively, particles coated with compacted and/or sintered nanometer-sized or micrometer sized coatings could also be designed where the coatings disintegrate faster or slower than the core in a changed downhole environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Gaurav Agrawal, James B. Crews, Zhiyue Xu
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Publication number: 20120247774Abstract: A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid, a viscosifying agent, a breaker, and a breaker aid wherein the breaker aid slowly releases a catalyst, wherein the viscosifying agent and the breaker in the carrier fluid have an initial viscosity and the catalyst and the breaker cooperate to decrease the viscosity of the treatment fluid below half of the initial viscosity after at least 30 minutes; and treating the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: LEIMING LI, LIJUN LIN
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Patent number: 8278252Abstract: An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is stabilized and improved with an effective amount of 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, and post-transition metal hydroxides. These fluids are more stable and have a reduced or no tendency to precipitate, particularly at elevated temperatures. The additives may reduce the amount of VES required to maintain a given viscosity. These stabilized, enhanced, aqueous viscoelastic fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale, which scale may provide unique particle charges that use chemisorption, crosslinking and/or other chemistries to associate and stabilize the VES fluids.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2007Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang, James H. Treadway, John R. Willingham
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Publication number: 20120241157Abstract: Sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material and a metal oxide sintering aid. The alumina-containing raw material contains from about 40% to about 55% alumina. Methods for using such sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2011Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: CARBO CERAMICS INC.Inventors: William H. Pope, Chad Cannan, Jimmy C. Wood
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Patent number: 8263533Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating porous and permeable underground formations or cavities of reservoir rock or sand foundation type. The method consists in injecting a liquid composition comprising microgels into the formations in order to reduce the production of water, gas or sands, and/or for zone abandonment.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignees: IFP, Ste Exploit. de Produits pour Industries ChimiquesInventors: René Tabary, Guy Chauveteau, Paul Mallo, Olivier Braun, Eric Vilain, Alain Zaitoun
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Patent number: 8252731Abstract: A solid zirconium cross-linking agent is prepared comprising zirconium and hydroxyalkylated ethylene diamine ligand. Use of the cross-linking agent in compositions for oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Dorf Ketal Speciality Catalysts, LLCInventor: Donald Edward Putzig
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Patent number: 8247356Abstract: A cross-linking composition comprising (a) an aqueous liquid; (b) a pH buffer; (c) a cross-linkable organic polymer; and (d) a solution of a zirconium cross-linking agent comprising the product of contacting a zirconium complex with an alkanolamine and ethylene glycol wherein the mole ratio of alkanolamine to zirconium is 2:1 to 4:1 and the mole ratio of ethylene glycol to zirconium is 1:1 to 10:1. Optionally, water, hydroxyalkylated ethylenediamine, or both are added to the zirconium complex. The cross-linking composition of this invention is useful in oil field applications, for example, for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation and for plugging permeable zones or leaks in a subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Dorf Ketal Speciality Catalysts, LLCInventor: Donald Edward Putzig
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Stable solutions of zirconium hydroxyalkylethylene diamine complex and use in oil field applications
Patent number: 8242060Abstract: A clear, stable, salt-free solution of a 1:1 molar complex of zirconium and N,N,N?,N?-tetrakis-(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylene diamine. The solution can be used in a cross-linking composition comprising a cross-linkable organic polymer for oil field applications such as fluid fracturing and plugging permeable zones in subterranean formations.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Dorf Ketal Specialty Catalysts, LLCInventor: Donald Edward Putzig -
Patent number: 8236739Abstract: A cross-linking composition which comprises (a) an aqueous liquid, (b) a cross-linkable organic polymer, and (c) a solution comprising a zirconium cross-linking agent which comprises a zirconium complex having a molar ratio of 1:2 to 1:4 of zirconium to triethanolamine and a molar ratio of 1:0.1 to 1:1 of zirconium to N,N,N?,N?-tetrakis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-ethylene diamine. The composition can be used in oil field applications for hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones and leaks in subterranean formations.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Dork Ketal Speciality Catalysts, LLCInventor: Donald Edward Putzig
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Publication number: 20120178651Abstract: A treating fluid may contain an effective amount of a particulate additive to stabilize clays, such as clays in a subterranean formation, by inhibiting or preventing them from swelling and/or migrating, where the particulate additive is an alkaline earth metal oxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxide, alkali metal oxide, alkali metal hydroxide, transition metal oxide, transition metal hydroxide, post-transition metal oxide, post-transition metal hydroxide, piezoelectric crystal, and/or pyroelectric crystal. The particle size of the magnesium oxide or other agent may be nanometer scale, which scale may provide unique particle charges that help stabilize the clays. These treating fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing, completion fluids, gravel packing fluids and fluid loss pills. The carrier fluid used in the treating fluid may be aqueous, brine, alcoholic or hydrocarbon-based.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Tianping Huang
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Publication number: 20120172263Abstract: Composition comprising a plurality of particulates wherein at least some particulates are at least partially covered with a coating that impedes the intrusion of water into the particulates; and, a silica scale control additive, wherein the silica scale control additive is capable of suppressing silica scale build-up proximate the plurality of particulates. Some compositions further include a treatment fluid wherein and the silica scale control additive are present in the treatment fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Enrique A. Reyes, Jimmie D. Weaver, Matt E. Blauch, Corine L. McMechan
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Patent number: 8207094Abstract: This invention relates to fluid compositions used in treating a subterranean formation. In particular, the invention is aqueous wellbore treatment compositions which are foams containing a viscosifying agent, a foam extender, a gas component, and a surfactant, as well as methods of forming such fluids, and uses thereof. The viscosifying agent may be a hydratable polymer, viscoelastic surfactant, or heteropolysaccharide. The foam extender may be a material such as a polyoxyalkyleneamines, ethylenepolyamines, tertiary polyamines, bicarbonate, carbonate, phosphate, or sesquicarbonate.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Richard D. Hutchins, Ann M. W. Hoefer, Stanley B. McConnell, Alejandro Pena
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Publication number: 20120138296Abstract: A slurry and method are disclosed for low damage gravel packing. The slurry comprises a solids mixture comprising a plurality of volume-averaged particle size distribution (PSD) modes such that a packed volume fraction (PVF) exceeds 0.75; a carrier fluid in an amount to provide a solids volume fraction (SVF) less than the PVF of the solids mixture; and a stability additive to inhibit settling of the solids mixture. The method comprises circulating the slurry into a wellbore to deposit the slurry downhole; terminating the slurry circulation for a period of time, wherein the stability additive inhibits settling of the solids mixture; and thereafter circulating the deposited slurry in contact with a surface of a screen. Stability additives disclosed include colloidal particles, hydratable polymer particles, and particles having an aspect ratio above 6.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2012Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Mohan K.R. Panga, Philip F. Sullivan, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Ryan Hartman, Bruno Drochon, John W. Still, Bryan Stamm
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Publication number: 20120135896Abstract: Alkaline earth metal compounds may be fluid loss control (FLC) agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids used for fluid loss control pills, lost circulation material pills and kill pills in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The FLC agents may include, but not be limited to oxides and hydroxides of alkaline earth metal, and in one case magnesium oxide where the particle size of the magnesium oxide is between 1 nanometer to 0.4 millimeter. The FLC agent may alternatively be transition metal oxides and/or transition metal hydroxides. The FLC agent appears to associate with the VES micelles and together form a novel pseudo-filter cake quasi-crosslinked viscous fluid layer that limits further VES fluid flow into the porous media. The FLC agent solid particles may be added along with VES fluids. The pills may also contain internal breakers to reduce the viscosity thereof so that the components of the pill may be recovered.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang
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Patent number: 8188015Abstract: Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) gelled aqueous fluids containing water, a VES, an internal breaker, a VES stabilizer, a fluid loss control agent and a viscosity enhancer are useful as treating fluids and particularly as fracturing fluids for subterranean formations. These VES-based fluids have faster and more complete clean-up than polymer-based fracturing fluids. The use of an internal breaker permits ready removal of the unique VES micelle based pseudo-filter cake with several advantages including reducing the typical VES loading and total fluid volume since more VES fluid stays within the fracture, generating a more optimum fracture geometry for enhanced reservoir productivity, and treating reservoirs with permeability above the present VES limit of approximately 400 md to at least 2000 md.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang, Allen D. Gabrysch, James H. Treadway, John R. Willingham, Patrick A. Kelly, William R. Wood
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Publication number: 20120118574Abstract: An ultra-lightweight, high strength ceramic proppant made from mixture of naturally occurring clays, preferably porcelain clay, kaolin and/or flint-clay, earthenware clay or other naturally occurring clays having an alumina content between about 5.5% and about 35%. The proppant has an apparent specific gravity from about 2.10 to about 2.55 g/cc, and a bulk density of from about 1.30 to about 1.50 g/cc. This ultra-lightweight proppant is useful in hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells, and has greater conductivity than sand at pressures up to 8,000 psi as measured by Stim-Lab after 50 hours and 275° F. on Ohio Sandstone, in the presence of deoxygenated aqueous 2% solution of KCI.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: PROP SUPPLY AND SERVICE, LLCInventors: Ying Li, Zhijie Huang, Shengming Lin, Wenzhong Wu
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Patent number: 8178477Abstract: Proppants which can be used to prop open subterranean formation fractions are described. Proppant formulations which use one or more proppants of the present invention are described, as well as methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions, and other uses for the proppants and methods of making the proppants.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Skala, John R. Loscutova, Christopher E. Coker
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Patent number: 8168570Abstract: Proppants having added functional properties are provided, as are methods that use the proppants to track and trace the characteristics of a fracture in a geologic formation. Information obtained by the methods can be used to design a fracturing job, to increase conductivity in the fracture, and to enhance oil and gas recovery from the geologic formation. The functionalized proppants can be detected by a variety of methods utilizing, for example, an airborne magnetometer survey, ground penetrating radar, a high resolution accelerometer, a geophone, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultra-sound, impedance measurements, piezoelectric activity, radioactivity, and the like. Methods of mapping a subterranean formation are also provided and use the functionalized proppants to detect characteristics of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Oxane Materials, Inc.Inventors: Andrew R. Barron, Robert D. Skala, Christopher E. Coker, Dilip K. Chatterjee, Yuming Xie
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Patent number: 8153564Abstract: A cross-linking composition comprising (a) an aqueous liquid; (b) a pH buffer; (c) a cross-linkable organic polymer; and (d) a solution of a zirconium cross-linking agent comprising the product of contacting a zirconium complex with an alkanolamine and ethylene glycol wherein the mole ratio of alkanolamine to zirconium is 2:1 to 4:1 and the mole ratio of ethylene glycol to zirconium is 1:1 to 10:1. Optionally, water, hydroxyalkylated ethylenediamine, or both are added to the zirconium complex. The cross-linking composition of this invention is useful in oil field applications, for example, for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation and for plugging permeable zones or leaks in a subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Dorf Ketal Speciality Catalysts, LLCInventor: Donald Edward Putzig
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Patent number: 8143196Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing ceramic microspheres from industrial slag. The microspheres have a particle size of about 38 microns to about 150 microns. The microspheres are used to create a cement slurry having a density of at least about 11 lbs/g. The resultant cement slurry may then be used to treat subterranean wells.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Intevep, S.A.Inventors: George Quercia, Yibran Perera, Aiskely Blanco, Fedymar Pereira
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Patent number: 8129318Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc.Inventors: Robert R. McDaniel, Scott M. McCarthy, Michael Smith
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Patent number: 8119574Abstract: A slurry and method are disclosed for low damage gravel packing. The slurry comprises a solids mixture comprising a plurality of volume-averaged particle size distribution (PSD) modes such that a packed volume fraction (PVF) exceeds 0.75; a carrier fluid in an amount to provide a solids volume fraction (SVF) less than the PVF of the solids mixture; and a stability additive to inhibit settling of the solids mixture. The method comprises circulating the slurry into a wellbore to deposit the slurry downhole; terminating the slurry circulation for a period of time, wherein the stability additive inhibits settling of the solids mixture; and thereafter circulating the deposited slurry in contact with a surface of a screen. Stability additives disclosed include colloidal particles, hydratable polymer particles, and particles having an aspect ratio above 6.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mohan K. R. Panga, Philip F. Sullivan, Balkrishna Gadiyar, Ryan Hartman, Bruno Drochon, John W. Still, Bryan Stamm
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Patent number: 8119576Abstract: Treatments and compounds useful in subterranean formations are discussed, with particular attention to those utilizing ceramic coated particulates. Certain embodiments pertain to particulates and particulate packs with ceramic coatings of subatomic thickness. Of these, certain methods may utilize ceramic coatings on particulates in a subterranean formation, certain methods may utilize ceramic coatings on particulate packs in a subatomic formation, and certain compounds may provide the features of both ceramic coatings and particulates.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: February 21, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Enrique A. Reyes, Jimmie D. Weaver, Hongyu Luo
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Patent number: 8114820Abstract: Alkaline earth metal compounds may be fluid loss control (FLC) agents for viscoelastic surfactant (VES) fluids used for fluid loss control pills, lost circulation material pills and kill pills in hydrocarbon recovery operations. The FLC agents may include, but not be limited to oxides and hydroxides of alkaline earth metal, and in one case magnesium oxide where the particle size of the magnesium oxide is between 1 nanometer to 0.4 millimeter. The FLC agent may alternatively be transition metal oxides and/or transition metal hydroxides. The FLC agent appears to associate with the VES micelles and together form a novel pseudo-filter cake quasi-crosslinked viscous fluid layer that limits further VES fluid flow into the porous media. The FLC agent solid particles may be added along with VES fluids. The pills may also contain internal breakers to reduce the viscosity thereof so that the components of the pill may be recovered.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James B. Crews, Tianping Huang
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Patent number: 8088719Abstract: Treatment fluids comprising gelling agents that comprise crosslinkable polymers and certain biopolymers, and methods of use in subterranean operations, are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid; a crosslinking agent; and a gelling agent comprising a polymer that is a crosslinkable polymer, and a polymer that is a biopolymer wherein a molecule of the biopolymer (1) consists only of glucose, or (2) has a backbone comprising one or more units that comprise at least (a) one glucose unit and (b) one linear or cyclic pyranose-type monosaccharide unit, wherein (a) and (b) have different molecular structures.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2005Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Harold G. Walters, Billy F. Slabaugh, Jason Bryant
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Publication number: 20110290491Abstract: A nano-dispersion well servicing fluid is disclosed. The well servicing fluid is formulated with components comprising: nanoparticles comprising at least one material chosen from aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, aluminum hydroxyoxides, zirconium oxides, zirconium hydroxides, zirconium hydroxyoxides, wherein the concentration of nanoparticles is greater than 0.5% by weight based on the total weight of the nano-dispersion well servicing fluid. The well servicing fluid also comprises an aqueous base continuous phase. Methods of employing the nano-dispersion to service a wellbore are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2010Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: D.V. SATYANARAYANA GUPTA, KAY ELAINE CAWIEZEL
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Publication number: 20110284225Abstract: A method comprises providing a treatment fluid comprising a gelling agent, an aqueous base fluid, a buffer composition comprising a plurality of salts, and a crosslinking agent; and contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment fluid. The method may be used in subterranean formation having a temperature greater than about 200° F., and the treatment fluid useful with the method may have a high shear recovery greater than 100%.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Paul D. Lord, Ivan Suleiman, John M. Terracina, Rajendra A. Kalgaonkar
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Patent number: 8044001Abstract: A solid zirconium cross-linking agent is prepared comprising zirconium and hydroxyalkylated ethylene diamine ligand. Use of the cross-linking agent in compositions for oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Dorf Ketal Speciality Catalysts, LLCInventor: Donald Edward Putzig
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Patent number: 8044002Abstract: A solid zirconium cross-linking agent and use in a cross-linking composition in oil field applications such as hydraulic fracturing and plugging of permeable zones. The zirconium cross-linking agent is prepared by a process comprising contacting a zirconium complex with an alkanolamine and water at particular mole ratios of alkanolamine and water to zirconium.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Dorf Ketal Speciality Catalysts, LLCInventor: Donald Edward Putzig
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Patent number: 8034750Abstract: A cross-linking system for hydratable polymers for using is formation fracturing applications is disclosed along with methods for using same, where the cross-linking system includes a reaction product of a transition metal alkoxide or alkanolate and a borate or borate generating reagent.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Clearwater International LLCInventors: Joseph Earl Thompson, Sarkis R. Kakadjian
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Patent number: 8030254Abstract: A method includes providing a wellbore treatment fluid having a divalent brine and an amount of polymer and lowering a pH value of the treatment fluid. The method further includes retaining the treatment fluid at the lower pH value until the polymer achieves a primary hydration value. The method further includes adding a cross-linking agent and a cross-linking delay agent to the treatment fluid. The cross-linking agent includes zirconium and/or titanium, and the cross-linking delay agent is a polyol. The method further includes performing a wellbore treatment with the treatment fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alhad Phatak, Yenny Christanti, Carlos Abad, Balkrishna Gadiyar