Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110252781 | Prevention, Actuation and Control of Deployment of Memory-Shape Polymer Foam-Based Expandables - Actuation and control of the deployment of a polymeric memory-shape material on a wellbore device on a downhole tool may be accomplished by treating a compacted or compressed polymeric memory-shape material with a deployment fluid to lower its T | 10-20-2011 |
20110297617 | SEPARATOR AND METHOD - A separator includes a separation arrangement having a roller; and a belt disposed about the roller. Feed material introduced to the separator such as tar sand, is separated into sand and oil so that discharge from the separator will be substantially separate material streams of sand and oil. A method and system are included. | 12-08-2011 |
20120043072 | DOWNHOLE WATER-OIL SEPARATION ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD - Disclosed herein is a downhole water-oil separation arrangement which includes a body having one or more portions thereof configured to have an affinity to a selected fluid. The body further will include one or more portions thereof that are configured to have an affinity to another fluid. | 02-23-2012 |
20120168977 | PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF CONFORMABLE MATERIALS FOR DOWNHOLE SCREENS - A process of making a foamed conformable material by reaction injection molding comprises providing a first component from a first feed tank at a first flow rate, via a first conduit, to a mixing device; providing a second component from a second feed tank at a second flow rate, via a second conduit, to the mixing device, the second component reactive with the first component in the presence of a foaming agent; mixing the first component and the second component in the mixing device to form a reaction mixture; introducing the reaction mixture into an injection molding device; molding the reaction mixture to form a foamed conformable material; wherein the mixing of the reaction mixture is adjusted to achieve a desired average cell size of the foamed conformable material. The process can produce wellbore-conforming materials that can function to filter out sand or other undesirable fines from a formation. | 07-05-2012 |
20120285696 | Cement Wiper Plug with Size Changing Feature - Wiper plugs or other shapes are made from shape memory foam in a size large enough to wipe or clean a tubular of a predetermined size. The plug or other shape is then reformed to a smaller dimension above its transition temperature and allowed to cool while holding that shape. The smaller shape allows delivery through a running string that is smaller than the tubular string to be wiped. Preferably before reaching the string to be wiped, the trigger is applied to get the wiper or other shape above its transition temperature where it then reverts to the prior larger dimension for effective wiping of the string that it will next pass through. The trigger can be well fluid temperature or composition, applied heat from the tubular, generated heat within the wiper or other shape, or heat released from agents introduced into the well acting alone or in conjunction with well fluids. | 11-15-2012 |
20120318513 | CORRODIBLE DOWNHOLE ARTICLE AND METHOD OF REMOVING THE ARTICLE FROM DOWNHOLE ENVIRONMENT - A method of removing a corrodible downhole article having a surface coating includes eroding the surface coating by physical abrasion, chemical etching, or a combination of physical abrasion and chemical etching, the surface coating comprising a metallic layer of a metal resistant to corrosion by a corrosive material. | 12-20-2012 |
20130014944 | CELLULAR PUMP - A downhole fluid separation assembly, including a body having greater affinity to a first fluid than a second fluid. The body is operatively arranged with openings for enabling fluid flow therethrough. A member is included that is movable with respect to the body and operatively arranged to compress a section of the body adjacent to the member for urging fluid out of the body and toward a target location. The body is configured to expand when not adjacent to the member for enabling fluid to reenter the body. A method of separating fluids is also included. | 01-17-2013 |
20130029886 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE CORROSION RATE OF ALLOY PARTICLES, ALLOY PARTICLE WITH CONTROLLED CORROSION RATE, AND ARTICLES COMPRISING THE PARTICLE - A composite particle comprises a core, a shielding layer deposited on the core, and further comprising an interlayer region formed at an interface of the shielding layer and the core, the interlayer region having a reactivity less than that of the core, and the shielding layer having a reactivity less than that of the interlayer region, a metallic layer not identical to the shielding layer and deposited on the shielding layer, the metallic layer having a reactivity less than that of the core, and optionally, an adhesion metal layer deposited on the metallic layer. | 01-31-2013 |
20130032357 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING CORROSION RATE IN DOWNHOLE ARTICLE, AND DOWNHOLE ARTICLE HAVING CONTROLLED CORROSION RATE - A method of removing a downhole assembly comprises contacting, in the presence of an electrolyte, a first article comprising a first material and acting as an anode, and a second article comprising a second material having a lower reactivity than the first material and acting as a cathode, the downhole assembly comprising the first article in electrical contact with the second article, wherein at least a portion of the first article is corroded in the electrolyte. | 02-07-2013 |
20130043028 | METHOD OF COOLING DOWNHOLE ELEMENT USING NANOENHANCED DOWNHOLE FLUID - A method of transferring heat to or from a downhole element comprising contacting a downhole fluid comprising a fluid medium, and a nanoparticle, the nanoparticle being uniformly dispersed in the downhole fluid, to a downhole element inserted in a downhole environment. A method of cooling a downhole element, and a method of drilling a borehole are also disclosed. | 02-21-2013 |
20130056209 | Swelling Acceleration Using Inductively Heated and Embedded Particles in a Subterranean Tool - The swelling rate of a swelling packer element or a conforming foam screen material is accelerated with heat. In another technique ferromagnetic particles or electrically conductive resins or polymers are interspersed in the swelling material and heat is generated at the particles by an inductive heater. A dielectric mandrel or base pipe can be used to focus the heating effect on the ferromagnetic particles or the electrically conductive resins or polymers in the sealing element or swelling foam screen element to focus the heating there without heating the base pipe. The heat accelerates the swelling process and cuts the time to when the next operation can commence downhole. | 03-07-2013 |
20130081335 | GRAPHITE COATED METAL NANOPARTICLES FOR POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND COMPACT SYNTHESIS - A method of forming polycrystalline diamond includes forming metal nanoparticles having a carbon coating from an organometallic material; combining a diamond material with the metal nanoparticles having the carbon coating; and processing the diamond material and the metal nanoparticles having the carbon coating to form the polycrystalline diamond. Processing includes catalyzing formation of the polycrystalline diamond by the metal nanoparticles; and forming interparticle bonds that bridge the diamond material by carbon from the carbon coating. | 04-04-2013 |
20130081815 | Enhancing Swelling Rate for Subterranean Packers and Screens - The swelling rate of a swelling packer element or a conforming foam screen material is accelerated with heat. In one variation reactants that create an exothermic reaction plus a catalyst, if needed, are allowed to come into contact upon placement at the desired location. The heat accelerates the swelling process and cuts the time to when the next operation can commence downhole. | 04-04-2013 |
20130112911 | MAGNETIC NANOPARTICLES AND MAGNETORHEOLOGICAL FLUID COMPRISING SAME - A nanoparticle composition comprises a ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic metal nanoparticle, and a functionalized carbonaceous coating on a surface of the ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic metal nanoparticle. A magnetorheological fluid comprises the nanoparticle composition. | 05-09-2013 |
20130115462 | POLARIZABLE NANOPARTICLES AND ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL FLUID COMPRISING SAME - A nanoparticle composition includes a metal nanoparticle, and a continuous dielectric coating on a surface of the metal nanoparticle, the nanoparticle composition being a dielectric material. A nanoparticle is in addition the reaction product of an organometallic compound. An electrorheological fluid comprises the nanoparticle composition and a dielectric fluid, and a method of making an electrorheological fluid is also disclosed. | 05-09-2013 |
20130126170 | Prevention, Actuation and Control of Deployment of Memory-Shape Polymer Foam-Based Expandables - Actuation and control of the deployment of a polymeric memory-shape material on a wellbore device on a downhole tool may be accomplished by treating a compacted or compressed polymeric memory-shape material with an optional deployment fluid to lower its T | 05-23-2013 |
20130126185 | SYSTEM FOR INCREASING SWELLING EFFICIENCY - A swellable system reactive to a flow of fluid including an article having a swellable material operatively arranged to swell upon exposure to a flow of fluid containing ions therein. A filter material is disposed with the swellable material and operatively arranged to remove the ions from the flow of fluid before exposure to the swellable material. | 05-23-2013 |
20130126190 | ION EXCHANGE METHOD OF SWELLABLE PACKER DEPLOYMENT - A downhole article includes an ion exchange polymer; and a composition that includes an elastomer and an absorbent material. A method of maintaining expandability of a downhole article includes disposing a downhole article comprising an elastomer, absorbent material, and an ion exchange material in a borehole, the ion exchange material comprising host ions; and exchanging fluid ions in a fluid with host ions from the ion exchange material to maintain the expandability of the downhole article. | 05-23-2013 |
20130140240 | MAGNETIC MICRO- OR NANOPARTICLE ASSISTED FLUID SEPARATION - A fluid separation system including a fluid mixture including a first fluid component dispersed in a second fluid component. A plurality of micro- or nanoparticles is operatively arranged in the fluid mixture to stabilize the fluid mixture by adhering to interfaces of the first fluid component. A magnetic element is operatively arranged for forming a magnetic field through the fluid mixture. The micro- or nanoparticles are magnetically responsive to the magnetic field for urging the first fluid component in a direction defined by the magnetic field. A method of separating fluids is also included. | 06-06-2013 |
20130149447 | METHOD OF FORMING CARBONACEOUS PARTICLES AND ARTICLES THEREFROM - A method of growing carbonaceous particles comprises depositing carbon from a carbon source, onto a particle nucleus, the particle nucleus being a carbon-containing material, an inorganic material, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and the carbon source comprising a saturated or unsaturated compound of C | 06-13-2013 |
20130165353 | STABLE SUSPENSIONS OF CARBON NANOPARTICLES FOR NANO-ENHANCED PDC, LBL COATINGS, AND COOLANTS - A nanocomposite comprises a matrix; and a nanoparticle comprising an ionic polymer disposed on the surface of the nanoparticle, the nanoparticle being dispersed in and/or disposed on the matrix. A method of making a nanocomposite, comprises combining a nanoparticle and an ionic liquid; polymerizing the ionic liquid to form an ionic polymer; disposing the ionic polymer on the nanoparticle; and combining the nanoparticle with the ionic polymer and a matrix to form the nanocomposite. | 06-27-2013 |
20130168257 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE CORROSION RATE OF ALLOY PARTICLES, ALLOY PARTICLE WITH CONTROLLED CORROSION RATE, AND ARTICLES COMPRISING THE PARTICLE - A composite particle comprises a core, a shielding layer deposited on the core, and further comprising an interlayer region formed at an interface of the shielding layer and the core, the interlayer region having a reactivity less than that of the core, and the shielding layer having a reactivity less than that of the interlayer region, a metallic layer not identical to the shielding layer and deposited on the shielding layer, the metallic layer having a reactivity less than that of the core, and optionally, an adhesion metal layer deposited on the metallic layer. | 07-04-2013 |
20130180725 | NON-BALLISTIC TUBULAR PERFORATING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A non-ballistic tubular perforating system includes a tubular having a wall with perforations therethrough, and plugs positioned within the perforations that are configured to dissolve in response to exposure to a first environment thereby creative of a second environment that can dissolve or increase porosity of cement. | 07-18-2013 |
20130192852 | VALVE ASSEMBLY - A downhole valve assembly including at least one membrane permeable to a flow of a downhole fluid, the at least one membrane defining a passage through a chamber. A quantity of particles is disposed in the chamber and the at least one membrane is impermeable to the particles. The particles are responsive to a magnetic field. At least one magnetic element is operatively arranged to produce the magnetic field for enabling the at least one magnetic element to selectively move the particles between a first position at which the particles impede the flow of the downhole fluid through the at least one membrane and a second position at which the particles do not impede the flow of the downhole fluid through the at least one membrane. A method of controlling a flow of fluid is also included. | 08-01-2013 |
20130200299 | THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE NANOCOMPOSITION AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A nanocomposite fluid includes a fluid medium; and a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles which are electrically insulating and thermally conductive. A method of making the nanocomposite fluid includes forming boron nitride nanoparticles; dispersing the boron nitride nanoparticles in a solvent; combining the boron nitride nanoparticles and a fluid medium; and removing the solvent. | 08-08-2013 |
20130206425 | Selectively Corrodible Downhole Article And Method Of Use - A selectively corrodible downhole article includes a movable cylindrical member comprising a first section and an axially separated second section, the first section comprising a first material having a first galvanic activity, the second section comprising a second material having a second galvanic activity, the first galvanic activity being greater than the second, the first section being electrically isolated from the second section; and a fixed member disposed on the cylindrical member and configured for electrical contact with the first or second section, the fixed member comprising an intermediate material having an intermediate galvanic activity, the intermediate galvanic activity being intermediate the first and second galvanic activity, the movable cylindrical member configured for movement from a first position where the first section is disposed and in electrical contact with the fixed member and a second position where the second section is disposed and in electrical contact with the fixed member. | 08-15-2013 |
20130209308 | METHOD OF MAKING A METALLIC POWDER AND POWDER COMPACT AND POWDER AND POWDER COMPACT MADE THEREBY - A method of making a nanoscale metallic powder is disclosed. The method includes providing a base material comprising a metallic compound, wherein the base material is configured for chemical reduction by a reductant to form a metallic material. The method also includes forming a powder of the base material, the powder comprising a plurality of powder particles, the powder particles having an average particle size that is less than about 1 micron. The method further includes disposing the powder particles into a reactor together with the reductant under an environmental condition that promotes the chemical reduction of the base material and formation of a plurality of particles of the metallic material. | 08-15-2013 |
20130220883 | EXFOLIATION OF ASPHALTENES FOR IMPROVED RECOVERY OF UNCONVENTIONAL OILS - A method for decomposing an asphaltene particle includes contacting the asphaltene particle with an intercalating agent and separating an asphaltene molecule from the asphaltene particle to decompose the asphaltene particle. Dispersing an asphaltene particle includes functionalizing the asphaltene particle and contacting the asphaltene particle with a solvent to disperse the asphaltene particle. Such asphaltene particle decomposition and dispersal can be used in a method for improving oil recovery that includes disposing a reagent in an oil environment; contacting an asphaltene particle with the reagent; decomposing the asphaltene particle to produce decomposed asphaltene; and displacing the decomposed asphaltene to improve oil recovery. | 08-29-2013 |
20130277273 | IN-SITU HYDROGENATION OF AROMATIC COMPOUNDS FOR HEAVY OIL UPGRADING - A method for upgrading a heavy oil includes: disposing a catalyst comprising rhodium and a support in a heavy oil environment, the heavy oil environment including a heavy oil comprising an aromatic compound; introducing hydrogen; and hydrogenating the aromatic compound with the catalyst and hydrogen to upgrade the heavy oil to upgraded oil. A method for converting an asphaltene includes: disposing a supported catalyst in a composition comprising an asphaltene, the supported catalyst being a low temperature catalyst; introducing hydrogen; and hydrogenating the asphaltene to convert the asphaltene into a hydrogenated asphaltene. | 10-24-2013 |
20130291447 | METHODS OF FORMING CUTTING ELEMENTS BY REMOVING METAL FROM INTERSTITIAL SPACES IN POLYCRYSTALLINE DIAMOND - Methods of forming a cutting element include immersing at least a portion of a volume of polycrystalline diamond in a liquid electrolytic solution, applying a voltage between the polycrystalline diamond and a cathode in contact with the liquid electrolytic solution, and removing at least a portion of metal catalyst from interstitial spaces between adjacent diamond grains. The polycrystalline diamond includes interbonded diamond grains and metal catalyst particles in the interstitial spaces between adjacent grains of polycrystalline diamond material. Some methods include forming a barrier over a portion of a volume of polycrystalline diamond and transferring at least a portion of the metal catalyst from a portion of the polycrystalline diamond not covered by the barrier to a liquid electrolyte. Some methods include encapsulating a volume of polycrystalline diamond in a barrier and selectively removing a portion of the barrier from a first portion of the volume of polycrystalline diamond. | 11-07-2013 |
20130334098 | EXFOLIATION OF ASPHALTENES - A method for decomposing an asphaltene particle includes contacting the asphaltene particle with an intercalating agent; and reacting the intercalating agent to increase a distance between asphaltene molecules in the asphaltene particle to decompose the asphaltene particle. In a method for producing decomposed asphaltene, the method includes disposing an intercalating agent in an oil environment; contacting an asphaltene particle in the oil environment with the intercalating agent; reacting the intercalating agent to produce product molecules; and decomposing the asphaltene particle to produce decomposed asphaltene. | 12-19-2013 |
20130334100 | UPGRADING HEAVY OIL AND BITUMEN WITH AN INITIATOR - A method for upgrading a heavy oil includes: disposing an initiator in a heavy oil environment, the heavy oil environment including a heavy oil; producing a radical from the initiator; contacting the heavy oil with the radical; and converting the heavy oil to upgraded oil. | 12-19-2013 |
20140000898 | METHOD OF COOLING DOWNHOLE ELEMENT USING NANOENHANCED DOWNHOLE FLUID | 01-02-2014 |
20140045732 | MOBILIZATION OF HEAVY OIL - A process for increasing mobility of heavy oil includes: disposing a solvating composition comprising a paraffinic solvent and a multifunctional solvent in a heavy oil environment including a heavy oil, the heavy oil comprising asphaltene; contacting the heavy oil with the solvating composition; and stabilizing asphaltene in the heavy oil with the solvating composition to increase mobility of the heavy oil and to form a stabilized heavy oil which includes the heavy oil and solvating composition. A method for making stabilized heavy oil includes separating resin from an oil; combining the resin and a paraffinic solvent to form a solvating composition; disposing the solvating composition in a heavy oil environment which includes heavy oil comprising asphaltene; and contacting the asphaltene with the solvating composition to make stabilized heavy oil, wherein the stabilized heavy oil comprises the solvating composition and heavy oil. | 02-13-2014 |
20140051612 | SWELLABLE ARTICLE - A swellable article, including a matrix material and an exfoliatable graphene-based material disposed in the matrix material. The exfoliatable graphene-based material is operatively arranged to facilitate swelling of the swellable article upon exposure to a selected fluid by sorbing particles in the fluid. The swelling enables the swellable article to engage an adjacent structure. Methods of making and using a swellable article are also included. | 02-20-2014 |
20140060811 | DOWNHOLE ELASTOMERIC COMPONENTS INCLUDING BARRIER COATINGS - An apparatus for performing a downhole operation includes: a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation; and a deformable component configured to be disposed in the borehole, the deformable component including an elastomeric material and a barrier coating disposed on a surface of the elastomeric material, the barrier coating having properties configured to resist permeation of downhole gases into the elastomeric material at downhole temperatures. | 03-06-2014 |
20140339780 | THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE NANOCOMPOSITION AND METHOD OF MAIKING THE SAME - In an embodiment is a seal including an elastomer; and boron nitride nanoparticles disposed in the elastomer, wherein the seal is thermally conductive and electrically insulating. In another embodiment, is a method of making a seal, the method includes compounding an elastomer with boron nitride nanoparticles to provide a composition; and molding the composition into a shape. | 11-20-2014 |
20150047841 | Conformable Materials Containing Heat Transfer Nanoparticles and Devices Made Using Same - In one aspect, a method of forming a shape conforming material is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include: providing a base shape memory material having a glass transition temperature; and adding a selected amount of heat transfer nanoparticles to the base shape conforming material to provide the shape conforming material. In one aspect, the heat transfer nanoparticles include a core and a shell, wherein the core has a melting point below the glass transition temperature of the base shape memory material and the melting point of the shell. | 02-19-2015 |
20150047847 | Apparatus and Methods for Stimulating Reservoirs Using Fluids Containing Nano/Micro Heat Transfer Elements - In one aspect, a method of stimulating flow of a fluid present in a subsurface reservoir to a wellbore is provided, which method, in one non-limiting embodiment, may include providing a working fluid that includes a heated base fluid and heated nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticle have a core and a shell; supplying the working fluid into a selected section of the subsurface reservoir; allowing the heated nanoparticles to transfer heat to the fluid in the subsurface reservoir to stimulate flow of the fluid from the reservoir to the wellbore. | 02-19-2015 |