| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7082995 |
Methods and compositions for reducing the viscosity of treatment fluids |
August 1, 2006 |
| Methods of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid are provided which comprise the steps of: providing a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises water, a crosslinked gelling agent, and a delinking composition capable of delinking at least a portion of the crosslinked |
| 7082821 |
Method and apparatus for detecting torsional vibration with a downhole pressure sensor |
August 1, 2006 |
| A method and apparatus for detecting torsional vibration, or stick-slip, in a drill string while drilling is described. The method comprises sampling a downhole pressure sensor and using embedded filter schemes and algorithms to determine, based on the pressure samples, whether torsional |
| 7082078 |
Magnetorheological fluid controlled mud pulser |
July 25, 2006 |
| A mud pulser controlled by a field applied to an electroactive fluid. The electroactive fluid is employed to act as a rapid-response brake to slow or interrupt the rotation of a mud motor or mud siren, thus creating pressure pulses in a circulating fluid. In certain embodiments, the |
| 7081831 |
Time-domain signal cancellation in downhole telemetry systems |
July 25, 2006 |
| A downhole telemetry system having a surface transceiver, a cable, and a downhole transceiver coupled to the surface transceiver via the cable. The surface transceiver isolates an uplink signal from a combined uplink/downlink signal on the cable using time-domain signal cancellation. |
| 7080688 |
Compositions and methods for degrading filter cake |
July 25, 2006 |
| Improved methods and compositions for degrading filter cake deposited in a subterranean formation are provided. These methods and compositions utilize particulates coated with acid-releasing degradable material wherein the released acid is used to degrade a filter cake. |
| 7080687 |
Anti-rotation method and apparatus for limiting rotation of cementing plugs |
July 25, 2006 |
| An apparatus for preventing or limiting the rotation of cementing plugs in a casing string during drillout. The apparatus includes an outer housing with a sleeve disposed therein. The sleeve has an inner surface configured to engage cementing plugs received therein to cause an interf |
| 7080552 |
Method and apparatus for MWD formation testing |
July 25, 2006 |
| A method and apparatus for formation testing is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a formation testing tool includes a longitudinal body with a flowbore; a plurality of extendable centralizing pistons coupled to the body; an extendable sample device coupled to the body; and a centrali |
| 7079952 |
System and method for real time reservoir management |
July 18, 2006 |
| A method of real time field wide reservoir management comprising the steps of processing collected field wide reservoir data in accordance with one or more predetermined algorithms to obtain a resultant desired field wide production/injection forecast, generating a signal to one or more |
| 7077219 |
Foamed treatment fluids and associated methods |
July 18, 2006 |
| Methods in which temperature is used to control the foaming and/or defoaming of foamed treatment fluids comprising an aqueous liquid, an ionic foaming surfactant, and a gas are provided. A method of treating at least a portion of a subterranean formation is provided, the method compr |
| 7077203 |
Methods of using settable compositions comprising cement kiln dust |
July 18, 2006 |
| The present invention provides settable compositions that comprise water and cement kiln dust. The settable compositions optionally may comprise an additive that comprises at least one of the following group: fly ash; shale; slag cement; zeolite; metakaolin; and combinations thereof. The |
| 7073611 |
Ion-beam assisted deposition of inorganic coatings for elastomeric seal wear resistance improvem |
July 11, 2006 |
| Elastomeric seals for use in drill bits on which an inorganic surface modification material has been deposited onto the surface of the elastomeric seals. Wear resistance of the seal at the dynamic surface is improved by providing support for the soft seal surface, by means of the ino |
| 7073600 |
Sealed multilateral junction system |
July 11, 2006 |
| A sealed multilateral junction system provides fluid isolation between intersecting wellbores in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a method of forming a wellbore junction includes the steps of sealing a tubular string in a branch wellbore to a tubular structure in a parent |
| 7073599 |
Monobore wellbore and method for completing same |
July 11, 2006 |
| A monobore wellbore (68) and method for completing the same are disclosed. The monobore wellbore (68) comprises a first casing (74) having an inner diameter (76) and a lap region (80). A second casing (90) is positioned within the wellbore (70) by passing through the first casing (74) su |
| 7073588 |
Esterquat acidic subterranean treatment fluids and methods of using esterquats acidic subterrane |
July 11, 2006 |
| The present invention relates to acidic treatment fluids that comprise an acid fluid and an ester-containing quaternary ammonium compound ("esterquat") and methods of their use. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of inhibiting metal corrosion during a subterran |
| 7073585 |
Cement compositions with improved fluid loss characteristics and methods of cementing in surface |
July 11, 2006 |
| Cement compositions comprising an improved fluid loss control additive, and methods for cementing using such cement compositions, are provided herein. Exemplary embodiments of the cement compositions comprise a hydraulic cement, water, and a fluid loss control additive comprising an |
| 7073584 |
Processes for incorporating inert gas in a cement composition containing spherical beads |
July 11, 2006 |
| The present invention provides a process for forming cement in a well bore. In this process, a cement composition is formed that comprises a cement and one or more beads mixed with the cement. The cement composition containing the beads is displaced into the well bore, and an inert g |
| 7073582 |
Method and apparatus for positioning a downhole tool |
July 11, 2006 |
| A tool positioning assembly for positioning downhole tools at desired locations within a wellbore. The current invention further provides methods for using a tool positioning assembly. The tool positioning assembly and methods for using the same reduce the number of downhole trips re |
| 7073581 |
Electroconductive proppant compositions and related methods |
July 11, 2006 |
| Some embodiments provide methods of obtaining data from a portion of a subterranean formation comprising providing proppant particulates wherein at least a portion of the proppant particulates are coated with an electroconductive resin that comprises a resin and a conductive material; |
| 7073579 |
Methods of downhole testing subterranean formations and associated apparatus therefor |
July 11, 2006 |
| Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were |
| 7072588 |
Multiplexed distribution of optical power |
July 4, 2006 |
| An optical power distribution system and method permits multiple power consuming devices to be selectively supplied with power using a single fiber optic line. In a described embodiment, multiple electrical power consuming well tools are interconnected to a fiber optic line extending |
| 7070000 |
Sealed multilateral junction system |
July 4, 2006 |
| A sealed multilateral junction system provides fluid isolation between intersecting wellbores in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a method of forming a wellbore junction includes the steps of sealing a tubular string in a branch wellbore to a tubular structure in a parent |
| 7068183 |
Drill string incorporating an acoustic telemetry system employing one or more low frequency acou |
June 27, 2006 |
| A drill pipe forms an acoustic transmission channel for data to be transmitted from a downhole transceiver to a surface transceiver. By positioning a first low frequency acoustic attenuator between a drill bit and the downhole transceiver, acoustic noise generated by the drill bit is |
| 7068182 |
Method and apparatus for mud pulse telemetry |
June 27, 2006 |
| A method and related apparatus for telemetry between downhole devices and surface devices. In particular, the methods and related apparatus may send a first datum of a first parameter in an uncompressed form, and send a second datum of the first parameter in compressed form. |
| 7067004 |
Grout compositions having high thermal conductivities and methods of using the same |
June 27, 2006 |
| Grout slurries are provided that have high thermal conductivities of greater than about 1.4 Btu/hr-ft-.degree. F. and low hydraulic conductivities ranging from about 5.times.10-9 cm/s to about 1.times.10-8 cm/s. Such grout slurries comprise water and a grout composition that is avail |
| 7067000 |
Methods of cementing using a fluid loss control additive |
June 27, 2006 |
| A method of cementing, comprising displacing a cement composition into a workspace, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, water, and a fluid loss control additive comprising a polymer and a sugar connected by a pH-sensitive crosslink, and allowing the cement composition to set |
| 7066285 |
Method and composition for preventing or treating lost circulation |
June 27, 2006 |
| An improved composition and method is provided for preventing or alleviating lost circulation during the drilling of wellbores in subterranean formations, and particularly during the drilling of oil and gas wells. The method is suited for horizontal and directional wells as well as m |
| 7066284 |
Method and apparatus for a monodiameter wellbore, monodiameter casing, monobore, and/or monowell |
June 27, 2006 |
| An assembly and methods for constructing a MONOWELL includes a monodiameter casing disposed in a monodiameter wellbore having diametric efficiency with a monobore production delivery system disposed within the monodiameter casing. An assembly for constructing a monodiameter wellbore |
| 7066272 |
Sealed multilateral junction system |
June 27, 2006 |
| A sealed multilateral junction system provides fluid isolation between intersecting wellbores in a subterranean well. In a described embodiment, a method of forming a wellbore junction includes the steps of sealing a tubular string in a branch wellbore to a tubular structure in a parent |
| 7066271 |
Expanded downhole screen systems and method |
June 27, 2006 |
| An improved system and method is disclosed for expanding a fluid permeable tubular downhole in an open hole completion. A high quality borehole is first drilled using a bottomhole assembly having a long gauge bit and a short bit-to-bend ratio. A fluid-permeable tubular is then inserted i |
| 7066265 |
System and method of production enhancement and completion of a well |
June 27, 2006 |
| A method of treating and completing a well includes positioning a downhole tool within a well. The downhole tool includes an elongated body defining a central passageway and including a plurality of production openings and at least one frac opening, a frac mandrel disposed within the cen |
| 7066262 |
Gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluids having reduced phosphorus volatility and their associ |
June 27, 2006 |
| This invention relates to reduced volatility gelled liquid hydrocarbon treatment fluids and methods of their use and preparation. In one embodiment, this invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a reduced volatility gelled li |
| 7066261 |
Perforating system and method |
June 27, 2006 |
| A system for perforating a well includes a plurality of perforating guns suspended in the well from the wireline or coiled tubing. A downhole electronic command circuit is provided for firing each of the guns in response to a command signal from the surface. A conductor cable, which |
| 7066258 |
Reduced-density proppants and methods of using reduced-density proppants to enhance their transp |
June 27, 2006 |
| The present invention provides reduced-density coated particulates and methods for enhancing the transport of such particulates into well bores and fractures, and for enhancing the conductivity and permeability of subterranean formations using such particulates, and for sand control |
| 7063804 |
Compositions for treating phosphate in water |
June 20, 2006 |
| Compositions including alum and a smectite mineral material for the clarification of bodies of water by removal of dissolved solids, dissolved organic materials and other anions such as fluoride and chloride as well as the removal of total phosphorus from such bodies of water. |
| 7063163 |
Multi-layer deformable composite construction for use in a subterranean well |
June 20, 2006 |
| A multi-layer deformable composite construction. In a described embodiment, a method of expanding a structure in a wellbore includes the steps of: positioning the structure in an unexpanded configuration in the wellbore, the structure including a wall made up of multiple layers; expa |
| 7063154 |
Methods of treating subterranean zones and treating fluids therefor |
June 20, 2006 |
| Methods of treating subterranean zones and treating fluids are provided. The methods are basically comprised of preparing or providing a subterranean zone treating fluid comprising an aqueous fluid and an additive for preventing the swelling and migration of formation clays in the su |
| 7063151 |
Methods of preparing and using coated particulates |
June 20, 2006 |
| The present invention involves methods of preparing coated particulates and using such coated particulates in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and sand control. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of preparing coated particulates comprising |
| 7063150 |
Methods for preparing slurries of coated particulates |
June 20, 2006 |
| Methods of creating a stable slurry of coated particulates wherein the slurry is capable of being stored for at least 2 hours before use comprising the steps of: providing resin coated particulates wherein the resin comprises a resin that does not completely cure unless it is at leas |
| 7063146 |
System and method for processing signals in a well |
June 20, 2006 |
| A system and method for transferring data across a component in a well, according to which a first module receives the data and transmits the data, via electromagnetic waves, through the component, and a second module receives the transmitted data from the first module. |
| 7063141 |
Apparatus for agitated fluid discharge |
June 20, 2006 |
| The pressure reading tool includes a housing with an interior chamber and an orifice extending from the chamber to the exterior of the housing. A pulse member with a magnetostrictive ring and an excitation source are disposed within the chamber to produce a highly agitated fluid discharg |
| 7061932 |
Code-division multiple-access (CDMA) wireline telemetry system |
June 13, 2006 |
| A downhole telemetry system employing code division multiple access (CDMA) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the downhole telemetry system comprises one or more downhole transmitters and an uphole receiver. Each of the downhole transmitters transmits a corresponding uplink signal which is |
| 7060129 |
Process for controlling gas migration during well cementing |
June 13, 2006 |
| The present invention provides a cement composition and a process for using the cement composition to inhibit gas migration from a subterranean zone into the cement. The process comprises displacing a gelling additive, preferably comprised within a cement composition, into a well bor |
| 7059881 |
Spoolable composite coiled tubing connector |
June 13, 2006 |
| A connector providing methods and apparatus for connecting two lengths of composite coiled tubing whereby the connector can be spooled with the tubing onto a reel. Embodiments of the connector include female and male housings which join together to create the coiled tubing connection |
| 7059409 |
Methods of cementing and cement compositions containing a polymeric cement cohesion additive |
June 13, 2006 |
| A method and cementing composition is provided for sealing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore, wherein the cementing composition comprises a mixture of cementitious material, a polymeric cement cohesion additive, and sufficient water to form a slurry. The polymeric cement |
| 7059408 |
Methods of reducing the impact of a formate-based drilling fluid comprising an alkaline bufferin |
June 13, 2006 |
| A cement slurry comprising a base for reducing the impact of an alkaline solution may be displaced into a wellbore and allowed to set. The base may comprise a metal carbonate that is soluble in water such as potassium carbonate. The cement slurry may further include cement, water, and a |
| 7059406 |
Production-enhancing completion methods |
June 13, 2006 |
| The present invention relates to improved methods for completing well bores along producing zones while controlling formation sands and increasing surface area available for production. Some embodiments of the methods of the present invention provide methods of controlling the migrat |
| 7059405 |
Methods of treating subterranean formations using low-molecular-weight fluids |
June 13, 2006 |
| The present invention relates to systems and methods useful in subterranean treatment operations. Examples of methods of the present invention include methods for fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore; methods of enhancing production from multiple |
| 7059179 |
Multi-probe pressure transient analysis for determination of horizontal permeability, anisotropy |
June 13, 2006 |
| The specification discloses a downhole tool that determines hydraulic permeability of a downhole formation taking into account one or both of the dip angle of the borehole relative to the formation, and damage to the borehole wall and invasion of borehole fluid--collectively referred |
| 7055603 |
Cement compositions comprising strength-enhancing lost circulation materials and methods of ceme |
June 6, 2006 |
| Cement compositions comprising a strength-enhancing lost circulation material, and methods for cementing using such cement compositions are provided. Exemplary embodiments of the cement compositions comprise cement, water, and a strength-enhancing lost circulation material. Optionall |
| 7055598 |
Fluid flow control device and method for use of same |
June 6, 2006 |
| A fluid flow control device (60) for use in a wellbore to control the inflow of production fluids comprises a sand control screen (62) having a base pipe (64) with a first set of openings (66) that allows the production fluids to flow therethrough and a sleeve (74) coaxially disposed |
