Patents Represented by Attorney Matthias Abrell
  • Patent number: 8065923
    Abstract: A flow rate measuring method for a multiphase fluid mixture flowing into a line is provided. The method comprises the steps of passing the fluid mixture through a Venturi tube having a pressure drop, measuring a differential pressure across the Venturi tube and a line pressure of the fluid mixture, measuring by a second measuring device, measured parameter(s) of the fluid mixture correlated to first and second phase relative quantities, determining estimated parameter(s) of the fluid mixture correlated to the first and second phase relative quantities based on the measured parameter and an extrapolating scheme, determining phase flow rate(s) based on the differential pressure, the line pressure and the measured parameter(s) of the fluid mixture, and determining flow rate(s) based on the differential pressure, the line pressure of the fluid mixture and the estimated parameter(s) of the fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nora Duhanyan, Gilles Roux
  • Patent number: 8061219
    Abstract: A flow rate device for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing through a wellbore is disclosed. The flow rate device includes a differential pressure conduit, a flow restrictor insert and a differential pressure measurement device. The differential pressure conduit is locatable in the wellbore, defines an internal bore, and is adapted to include a restriction having a cross-sectional area to increase the velocity of fluid flowing through the differential pressure conduit to create a differential pressure. The differential pressure conduit defining first and second pressure measuring stations axially spaced along the differential pressure conduit. The flow restrictor insert is located in the restriction to reduce the cross-sectional area of the restriction. The flow restrictor insert defines an internal bore having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the restriction. The flow restrictor insert also has a pressure measuring port aligned with the second pressure measuring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Fadhel Rezgui, Gilles Roux, Robert Ingham, Jim Filas, Yves Manin, Eric Donzier
  • Patent number: 8061053
    Abstract: A downhole tool for measuring a diameter of a borehole that includes a mandrel and a collet is disclosed. The collet is disposed about the mandrel that includes a tapered surface formed on an outside surface of the mandrel that increases in diameter across a portion of the mandrel. The collet includes deflectable arm portions with a borehole engagement portion that are adapted to engage the borehole. The borehole engagement portions in-turn may then engage the tapered surface or the steps of the mandrel, such that the collet can move with respect to the mandrel. With this movement of the collet, the outer diameter of the collet may progressively decrease, thereby also decreasing the outer diameter of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Gillan
  • Patent number: 7946360
    Abstract: A system for drilling a lateral hole departing from a main well. The system comprises a motor assembly (415) including a motor (412) to generate a rotating torque, an axial thruster (411) to generate an axial force, a blocking system (410) to fix the motor and the axial thruster downhole. The motor assembly further includes a drive shaft (414) to transmit the rotating torque. The system further comprises a first and second connector (402, 404) for transmitting the rotating torque and the axial force from the motor assembly to a drill string assembly. The first connector is connectable to the drill string assembly so as to transmit the axial force only to the drill pipe (401), and to transmit the rotating torque to a further drive (405) shaft positioned within the drill pipe. The second connector (402) is connectable to the drill string assembly so as to transmit both the axial force and the rotating torque to the drill pipe (401).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jacques Orban, Spyro Kotsonis, Jo Acquaviva
  • Patent number: 7891442
    Abstract: A drilling tool that has a flexible shaft so as to be able to make short radius curves while still being able to transmit torque and axial loads. The drilling tool includes a drill shaft for transmitting axial load, comprising a series of coaxial ring members connected together such that adjacent ring members are flexible in an axial plane relative to each other, each ring member being connected to an adjacent ring member by connecting member arranged to transmit torque therebetween; and axial supports extend between adjacent ring members so as to transmit axial loads therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Jacques Orban
  • Patent number: 7884951
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an internal dimension of a well-bore comprising a tool adapted to be positioned inside the well bore. The tool comprises an optical caliper comprising an optical sensor providing a response correlated to the internal dimension of the well bore, the optical sensor being coupled to an optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Laurent Prouvost, Frederique Kalb, Carolina Dautriche, Pierre Mouget, Christine Aussibal
  • Patent number: 7874199
    Abstract: A density and viscosity sensor for measuring density and viscosity of a fluid, and method for measuring, are presented herein. The sensor comprises a resonating element, and actuating/detecting element, a connector and a housing. The actuating/detecting element is positioned within a chamber defined by the housing so as to be isolated from the fluid. The resonating element is arranged to be immersed in the fluid, and has a shape defining a first resonance mode and a second resonance mode characterized by different resonance frequencies and different quality factors. The first resonance mode is adapted to move a volume of fluid, and the second resonance mode is adapted to shear a surrounding fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Francois Chaudoreille, Alfred Permuy, Eric Donzier
  • Patent number: 7873475
    Abstract: A method of measuring depth and/or azimuth of logging data, the logging data being related to at least one property of a zone GF, CS, CA surrounding a wellbore and being measured by at least a sensor array SA1D, SA2D, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring and storing a first logging data frame F11, F21 corresponding to a first position of the sensor array, acquiring and storing a second logging data frame F12, F22 corresponding to a second position of the sensor array, the first and second position are such that the second logging data frame F12, F22 overlaps at least partially the first logging data frame F11, F21, comparing the first F11, F21 and second F12, F22 logging data frame, and calculating a relative change in the depth ?DP and/or azimuth ?AZ of logging data measured by the sensor array SA1D, SA2D between the first F11, F21 and second F12, F22 logging data frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Roel Van Os, Dominique Dion, Philip Cheung
  • Patent number: 7868297
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a scintillation detector 10 comprising a scintillation crystal 12 covered by an inner coating layer 14, said inner coating layer 14 being reflective to light spectrum, and said inner coating layer 14 being stuck directly to said crystal by a chemical and/or a physical binding. According to further aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed to measure radiation from an wellbore environment with the aforementioned scintillation detector 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Saenger
  • Patent number: 7862228
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for use in high temperature conditions, constituted of a downhole element and a master element connected together via a sealed connection; wherein the downhole element comprises a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor without any electronics and is embedded in a sealed housing resistant to high temperature; wherein the master element comprises electronics needed for function of the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor; and wherein the sealed connection is resistant to high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Constantin Popilian, Dimitri Cadere, Jacques Wiese, Jean-Claude Ostiz, Anthony Veneruso
  • Patent number: 7856715
    Abstract: A vessel system comprising a vessel. The vessel system further comprises at least one internal wall located within the vessel. The vessel system further comprises at least one inflatable seal allowing to create a seal between an outer periphery of the internal wall and an internal cavity wall of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Pays, Christophe Corailler
  • Patent number: 7764572
    Abstract: A technique for processing acoustic waveforms includes: (a) transforming at least a portion of the acoustic waveforms to produce frequency-domain signals; (b) obtaining a model dispersion curve based on a borehole-formation model having a set of borehole-formation parameters; (c) adjusting phases of the frequency-domain signals according to the model dispersion curve to produce back-propagated signals; (d) computing coherence of the back-propagated signals; (e) repeating steps (b)-(d) by varying values of the set of borehole-formation parameters until the coherence reaches a selected criterion; and (f) outputting at least a portion of the set of borehole-formation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Wu, Jahir Pabon
  • Patent number: 7746725
    Abstract: Method for identifying one or more fracture clusters in a formation surrounding a reservoir. In one implementation, the method may include generating a P to S image, comparing the P to S image to one or more images from a borehole, and identifying one or more fracture clusters using the P to S image and the borehole images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Azhar Akhtar
  • Patent number: 7720323
    Abstract: Subterranean oilfield high-temperature devices configured or designed to facilitate downhole monitoring and high data transmission rates with laser diodes that are configured for operation downhole, within a borehole, at temperatures in excess of 115 degrees centigrade without active cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yamate, Soon Seong Chee, Stephane Vannuffelen, Colin A. Wilson, Juei Igarashi, Khalid Ouaaba, Koichi Naito
  • Patent number: 7712223
    Abstract: An apparatus for azimuth measurements comprises an elongated housing, a plurality of gyro sensors, each of the gyro sensors having an input axis for angular velocity measurements, spherical sensor holders arranged along the longitudinal direction of the housing, at least one motor for driving the sensor holders, a transmission mechanism for transmitting a rotation force from the motor to each of the sensor holders and a controller for controlling a rotation of the motor. Each of the sensor holders has one of the gyro sensors and is rotatable about a rotation axis so as to change the orientation of the input axis of the gyro sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tsunehiko Imamura, Akira Kamiya, Shigeru Sato, Juei Igarashi, Tsutomu Yamate
  • Patent number: 7707878
    Abstract: A circulation pump for circulating downhole fluids is provided. The circulation pump includes a cylindrical pump housing, a shaft secured in the pump housing extending in a longitudinal direction thereof, an impeller rotating around the shaft in the pump housing, a cylindrical magnetic coupler rotating around the pump housing, the cylindrical magnetic coupler including a magnet, and a motor positioned outside of the pump housing and connected to the magnetic coupler to rotate the magnetic coupler around the pump housing. The impeller is provided with a magnetic piece, which is capable of being magnetically connected with the magnet of the cylindrical magnetic coupler to cause the impeller to rotate around the shaft by rotating the cylindrical magnetic coupler around the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kazumasa Kanayama, Ryuki Odashima, Shunetsu Onodera, Hitoshi Sugiyama, Hideki Kinjo
  • Patent number: 7703514
    Abstract: A system and method for optically determining the rate and/or direction of fluid flow in a conduit within wellholes, using the diffraction effect of Faraday crystals through which continuous light is transmitted within optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Soon Seong Chee, Colin Wilson
  • Patent number: 7694735
    Abstract: A sonde and an apparatus for the deployment thereof against a well casing is described, the sonde comprising a resilient C-shaped member and at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Svein Haheim, Robert Hughes Jones, Paul Steven Jaques, Will Wason, Tsutomu Yamate, Tatsuki Endo, James Edward Martin, Colin Wilson
  • Patent number: 7696901
    Abstract: Subterranean oilfield sensor systems and methods are provided. The subterranean oilfield sensor systems and methods facilitate downhole monitoring and high data transmission rates with power provided to at least one downhole device by a light source at the surface. In one embodiment, a system includes uphole light source, a downhole sensor, a photonic power converter at the downhole sensor, an optical fiber extending between the uphole light source and the photonic power converter, and downhole sensor electronics powered by the photonic power converter. The photonic power converter is contained in a high temperature resistant package. For example, the high temperature resistant package and photonic power converter may operate at temperatures of greater than approximately 100° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Wilson, Soon Seong Chee, Les Nutt, Tsutomu Yamate, Masahiro Kamata
  • Patent number: 7687770
    Abstract: Some principles described herein contemplate implementation of downhole imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for short term investigation, permanent, and/or long term installations. Various methods and apparatus described herein may facilitate downhole testing. For example, some embodiments facilitate multi-dimensional fluorescence spectrum measurement testing downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Indo, Albert Ballard Andrews, Stephane Vannuffelen, Tsutomu Yamate, Toru Terabayashi, Hideki Kinjo, Oliver C. Mullins