Patents Represented by Attorney James McAleenan
  • Patent number: 7959864
    Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for detecting hydrogen sulfide in a formation fluid downhole. A detection mixture is combined with the formation fluid downhole. The detection mixture includes metal ions for reacting with hydrogen sulfide forming a metal sulfide, and charged nanoparticles sized so as to inhibit significant aggregation of the metal sulfide so as to enable spectroscopic detection of the metal sulfide downhole. The combined mixture and formation fluid is then spectroscopically interrogated so as to detect the presence of the metal sulfide thereby indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the formation fluid. The mixture also includes chelating ligands for sustaining thermal endurance of the mixture under downhole conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Li Jiang, Oliver C. Mullins, Gale H. Gustavson, Christopher Harrison, Bhavani Raghuraman, Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Jimmy Lawrence, Kosta Ladavac, A. Ballard Andrews, Timothy Gareth John Jones, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos
  • Patent number: 7946341
    Abstract: Acoustic monitoring of a conduit, a wellbore or a reservoir associated with hydrocarbon production or transportation and/or carbon dioxide sequestration is carried out using a fibre optic cable extending along or appurtenant to it as a distributed interferometer. Coherent Raleigh noise generated by the transmission of the coherent beam of radiation through the fiber optic is detected and processed to identify an acoustic occurrence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur H. Hartog, J. Ernest Brown, John Mervyn Cook, Jonathan Elphick, Paul S. Hammond, Ashley Bernard Johnson
  • Patent number: 7942202
    Abstract: Methods and related systems for use with a continuous fiber based system for use with well bore completions. Wherein a plurality of continuous fibers are deployable into a portion of a well bore completion, such that a fiber management module is adapted and positioned within the borehole to facilitate deployment of and communication with the plurality of continuous fibers. Further, the number of deployable continuous fibers of the continuous fiber based system can provide for sufficient redundancy to make at least a target measurement relating to the completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Martin E. Poitzsch, Pabitra N. Sen, Karen Wiemer, Guillemette Picard, Muthusamy Vembusubramanian
  • Patent number: 7926562
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for use with hydraulic fracturing and other oilfield applications. A tool body is positioned in a wellbore at a location near a subterranean rock formation being fractured. The tool body contains a plurality of deployable continuous fibers. At least some of the deployable continuous fibers are deployed into fractures within a subterranean rock formation. Each deployed fiber is continuous from the tool body to the rock formation. The number of deployable continuous fibers provides sufficient redundancy to make at least a target measurement relating to the fracturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Martin E. Poitzsch, Pabitra N. Sen, Karen Wiemer, Guillemette Picard, Muthusamy Vembusubramanian
  • Patent number: 7928672
    Abstract: Described herein is a modulator circuit for generating discrete energy pulses in a device. The circuit includes a high voltage power source intermittently coupled to a saturable first inductor, a second inductor and a capacitor coupled in parallel between the high voltage power source and the saturable first inductor and second inductor. When the first inductor is unsaturated, its inductance is high and it isolates the capacitor from the second inductor. When the first inductor saturates, the inductance collapses and the capacitor discharges a high energy pulse into the second coil. By controlling the time to saturation, the timing of the pulses is controlled. The modulator circuit is effective to control pulses applied to a circular induction accelerator, such as a Betatron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Vincent Ernst
  • Patent number: 7916838
    Abstract: A Betatron having a toroidal passageway disposed in a cyclical magnetic field with a main electron orbit circumnavigating the toroidal passageway. Within the toroidal passageway is a first electrode that is spaced apart from a second electrode. The combination of the first electrode and the second electrode define a central space having a first opening and a second opening. A cathode is disposed within the central space. This cathode has a first electron emitter aligned to inject electrons through the first opening and a second electron emitter aligned to inject electrons through the second opening. Electrons injected in a proper direction are accelerated in the main electron orbit. At a time of maximum electron acceleration, the electrons are deflected and impact a target that generates x-rays on impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Luke T. Perkins, Christian Stoller, Sicco Beekman
  • Patent number: 7913806
    Abstract: A measurement package for disposal on an apparatus such as a downhole tool or a tool like device. The measurement package including an enclosure, a first acoustic transducer housed within the enclosure, a second acoustic transducer housed within the enclosure and electronics housed within the enclosure that is in communication with the first and second transducers. Further, an acoustic transmitter and receivers can be disposed at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the enclosure. The enclosure can contain attenuative material surrounding the transmitter and receivers, and electronics for controlling the transmitter and receivers and communicating with the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Miguel F. Pabon, Fernando Garcia Osuna, David B. Ayers
  • Patent number: 7902496
    Abstract: Methods for density logging utilizes gamma-rays above a pair-production threshold so as to determine lithology information of formations whereby to correct a measured density data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tancredi Botto, Darwin Ellis
  • Patent number: 7894891
    Abstract: A method of in vitro or in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance and/or magnetic resonance imaging, to determine bone properties by measuring the effects of molecular diffusion inside the bone specimen to derive parameters that are related to the structure of the trabecular bones. The method is a non-invasive probe that provides topological information on trabecular bone without requiring a full high-resolution image of its structure, and is compatible with clinical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Qiao Song, Eric E. Sigmund, HyungJoon Cho
  • Patent number: 7891417
    Abstract: Earth formations are characterized by using an array of electrodes which can measure streaming potentials in the formation, and by interpreting the data obtained by the electrodes. The electrodes are placed on a wireline tool, a LWD tool, or in a fixed manner about a completed wellbore. The measured streaming potentials are generated by drilling with an overbearing pressure, slitting the mudcake in a borehole, acid injection, or any of various other manners which causes fluid movement. The data obtained is interpreted to locate fractures, measure formation permeability, estimate formation pressure, monitor drilling fluid loss, detect abnormal pressure, etc. Particularly, a streaming potential voltage transient having a double peak profile signifies the presence of a formation fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Min-Yi Chen, Bhavani Raghuraman, Ian Bryant, Michael G Supp, Jose Navarro
  • Patent number: 7886825
    Abstract: A formation fluid sampling tool is provided with reactants which are carried downhole and which are combined in order to generate heat energy which is applied to the formation adjacent the borehole. By applying heat energy to the formation, the formation fluids are heated, thereby increasing mobility, and fluid sampling is expedited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Anthony Goodwin, Oliver C. Mullins, Peter S. Hegeman, Bhavani Raghuraman, Soraya S. Betancourt, Cosan Ayan, Ricardo Vasques, Francois Xavier Dubost, Christopher Scott Del Campo
  • Patent number: 7858562
    Abstract: A powder composition comprising viscoelastic surfactant forms, in aqueous solution, a viscoelastic wellbore treatment fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Gareth John Jones, Gary John Tustin
  • Patent number: 7852077
    Abstract: Methods and pulse sequences for facilitating nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements in grossly inhomogeneous fields. Methods and pulse sequences according to the invention may be used to accurately measure variables such as transverse relaxation time, longitudinal relaxation time, and diffusion, without the need for data at long recovery time, thereby allowing for faster measurements. In addition, methods and pulse sequences according to embodiment of the invention may allow simultaneous encoding of information in both the amplitude and the shape of echoes, so as to allow a single-shot measurement of multiple variables, e.g., both transverse relaxation time (from the decay of echo amplitudes) and longitudinal relaxation time (from the echo shape). CPMG detection may be used to overcome the often limited signal-to-noise ratio in grossly inhomogeneous fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Qiao Song, Nicolas Caudal, Martin Hürlimann, Eric E. Sigmund
  • Patent number: 7852708
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for use with hydraulic fracturing and other oilfield applications. A tool body is positioned in a wellbore at a location near a subterranean rock formation being fractured. The tool body contains a plurality of deployable continuous fibers. At least some of the deployable continuous fibers are deployed into fractures within a subterranean rock formation. Each deployed fiber is continuous from the tool body to the rock formation. The number of deployable continuous fibers provides sufficient redundancy to make at least a target measurement relating to the fracturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Martin E. Poitzsch, Pabitra N. Sen, Karen Wiemer, Guillemette Picard, Muthusamy Vembusubramanian
  • Patent number: 7819191
    Abstract: A method for stimulation of gas production from coal seams is described using a permeability modifier, such as a coal swelling agent, injected into the coal seams via a wellbore to reduce the permeability of the coal seams prior to a fracturing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Miller, Michaela Nagl, Kevin England, Ernest Brown, Raymond Tibbles, Gary Tustin
  • Patent number: 7818128
    Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for predicting a response of a gamma ray measurement tool located in a borehole surrounded by a subterranean formation. A response of the tool is calculated according to one or more properties at a plurality of spatial locations in relation to the measurement tool using a forward model that assumes a non-linear relationship between the one or more properties at the plurality of spatial locations and the corresponding response of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tong Zhou, Jeffrey Robert Miles
  • Patent number: 7810559
    Abstract: A subpart of a drill string is described having an outer circumferential surface which is contoured and adapted to engage the wall of the borehole with a small angle of attack while exerting during rotary drilling operations an compacting pressure on mud cake and/or cuttings present in the annulus between the drill string and the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Iain Cooper, Claude Vercaemer, William Lesso, Benjamin Peter Jeffryes, Michael Charles Sheppard
  • Patent number: 7805979
    Abstract: A method of estimating contamination of oil based mud filtrate in a hydrocarbon sample. The method comprising the steps of obtaining a hydrocarbon sample contaminated with oil based mud filtrate, then analyzing the contaminated hydrocarbon sample using two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC). The method further comprises identifying one or more unique component or tracer in the oil based mud filtrate in the contaminated hydrocarbon sample. Finally, the method comprises of summing the peak volumes of the one or more unique component or tracer, relative to the peak volumes of a clean hydrocarbon sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Reddy, Oliver C. Mullins, Bhavani Raghuraman, Robert K. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7804598
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for integrating optical interfacial elements with a high power acoustic resonator. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, in certain embodiments of the present invention, one or more optical interfacial elements may be integrated with a high power acoustic resonator to provide a robust sensing device that may provide for acoustic cleaning of the optical interfacial elements and/or combining optical and acoustic measurements made by the integrated system for analysis purposes. In certain aspects, the high power acoustic resonator may include an acoustic horn for focusing acoustic energy and the optical interfacial elements may be integrated with the acoustic horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corportion
    Inventors: Clive E. Hall, Li Jiang, Timothy G. J. Jones, Gary J. Tustin
  • Patent number: 7799278
    Abstract: A microfluidic system for performing fluid analysis is described having: (a) a submersible housing having a fluid analysis means and a power supply to provide power to said system; and (b) a substrate for receiving a fluid sample, having embedded therein a fluid sample inlet, a reagent inlet, a fluid sample outlet, and a mixing region in fluid communication with the fluid sample inlet, the reagent inlet, and the fluid sample outlet, and wherein the substrate includes a fluid drive means for moving the fluid sample through the substrate, and wherein the substrate interconnects with the housing. At least a portion of the fluid analysis means may be embedded in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Salamitou, Joyce Wong, Bhavani Raghuraman, Jagdish Shah, Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Robert J. Schroeder, Patrick Jean René Tabeling