Patents Represented by Attorney Rodney Warfford
  • Patent number: 7699124
    Abstract: A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer is designed with an outer layer that expands to create a seal with a surrounding wellbore wall. The drain is located in the outer layer between its axial ends for collecting formation fluid which is routed from the drain to an axial end of the outer layer via a fluid flow passage. Mechanical fittings are mounted at the axial ends of the outer layer, and at least one of the mechanical fittings comprises one or more flow members coupled to the flow passage to direct the collected fluid from the packer. The one or more flow members are designed to move in a manner that freely allows radial expansion and contraction of the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Stephane Metayer
  • Patent number: 7669652
    Abstract: A pumping system is disclosed for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea production well with at least one electrical submersible pumping (ESP) hydraulically connected to at least one multiphase pump to boost production fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Randall A. Shepler
  • Patent number: 7661475
    Abstract: A well logging instrument deployment device includes a housing configured to be coupled to a pipe string. A carrier sub is disposed inside the housing and configured to move longitudinally inside the housing. At least one well logging instrument is coupled to the carrier sub. A latch is configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier sub in a first longitudinal position along the housing such that the well logging instrument is disposed entirely inside the housing. The latch is configured to retain the well logging instrument and carrier in a second position such that at least a portion of the well logging instrument extends outwardly from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Todor K. Sheiretov, Matthew McCoy, Chris Del Campo
  • Patent number: 7661477
    Abstract: An unsticking assembly for releasing a tool that is stuck in a wellbore including a first anchor actuatable between an engaging position wherein the first anchor engages a wall of the wellbore and a retracted position wherein the first anchor does not engage the wall; a second anchor actuatable between an engaging position wherein the second anchor engages a wall of the wellbore and a retracted position wherein the second anchor does not engage the wall; and a control module in connection with the first and second anchor to selectively actuate each anchor between the engaged and retracted positions. The assembly is adapted for positioning in the wellbore and in connection with the tool when the tool is stuck in the wellbore. The assembly may be a stand-alone assembly that is connectable to the tool after the tool is stuck in the wellbore. The assembly may include the wellbore tool as an interconnected element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Todor K. Sheiretov, Matthew Billingham, Wayne Fulin
  • Patent number: 7647980
    Abstract: A packer assembly for use in wellbore operations includes a first packer and a second packer interconnected by an adjustable length spacer. The spacer provides a mechanism for adjusting the distance between the first packer and the second packer when the assembly is positioned in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Philippe Hocquet, Nicholas Ellson, Alexander F. Zazovsky
  • Patent number: 7631698
    Abstract: A depth control system for maintaining a tubing conveyed tool in a desired location in a cased wellbore during wellbore operations performed with the tool includes a bottom hole assembly carried by a tubing, the bottom hole assembly including a tool and an anchoring device. A method for maintaining a tool at a desired depth in a cased wellbore while performing wellbore operations with the tool includes the steps of conveying a tool and an anchoring device on a tubing to a desired depth in a wellbore having a casing, operating the tool to perform a wellbore operation and actuating the anchoring device to engage the casing and maintain the tool at the desired depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Schlamberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Miller, Ivan Hlestov, Frank F. Espinosa, Michael G. Gay, John R. Lovell
  • Patent number: 7617873
    Abstract: Apparatus having a fiber optic tether disposed in coiled tubing for communicating information between downhole tools and sensors and surface equipment and methods of operating such equipment. Wellbore operations performed using the fiber optic enabled coiled tubing apparatus includes transmitting control signals from the surface equipment to the downhole equipment over the fiber optic tether, transmitting information gathered from at least one downhole sensor to the surface equipment over the fiber optic tether, or collecting information by measuring an optical property observed on the fiber optic tether. The downhole tools or sensors connected to the fiber optic tether may either include devices that manipulate or respond to optical signal directly or tools or sensors that operate according to conventional principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Lovell, Michael G. Gay, Sarmad Adnan, Kean Zemlak
  • Patent number: 7607478
    Abstract: An intervention tool for use inside a wellbore is provided that includes an intervention module capable of performing an intervention operation downhole, and a drive electronics module in communication with the intervention module and configured to control the intervention module. The tool also includes one or more sensors which measure at least one operational parameter of the intervention operation during the intervention operation. The intervention operation is optimized based on the measured at least one operational parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ruben Martinez, Matthew Billingham, Todor Sheiretov, Paul Beguin
  • Patent number: 7600564
    Abstract: A coiled tubing swivel assembly is provided that includes a mandrel for attachment to a pump, and a hub rotatably attached to the mandrel and for attachment to an end of a string of coiled tubing. The mandrel and the hub together form a conduit for passage of a pumped substance. A crane bearing is attached to the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rod Shampine, Vishal Saheta, Matthew E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 7597142
    Abstract: A technique enables sensing one or more wellbore parameters along a specific well zone. A section of instrumented coiled tubing is provided with a sensor array extending along its exterior. The sensor array is designed to sense well fluid related parameters and may comprise an optical fiber sensor. A cross-over allows the sensor array to communicate with a surface location via a control line routed along a coiled tubing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur H. Hartog, Hubertus V. Thomeer, Martin E. Poitzsch, Benjamin P. Jeffryes
  • Patent number: 7593115
    Abstract: A component is deployed into a well on a carrier line having an optical cable. An optical signal is transmitted into the optical cable, and a travel time of the optical signal in the optical cable is determined. A profile of a characteristic along the optical cable is determined, and a length of the carrier line deployed into the well is determined based on the determined profile and the travel time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir Hernandez-Solis, Rogerio T. Ramos, Joseph Varkey
  • Patent number: 7565834
    Abstract: Methods and systems for investigating downhole conditions are described. One method comprises inserting a tubular into a wellbore, the tubular comprising a tubular section having upper and lower fluid injection ports, and having a thermally insulated fiber optic cable section positioned inside the tubular extending to the upper fluid injection port, and a non-insulated fiber optic cable section positioned outside of the tubular section and extending at least between the upper and lower fluid injection ports; positioning the tubular section having upper and lower fluid injection ports near a suspected thief or pay zone; injecting a fluid through the upper fluid injection port; determining a first differential temperature profile between the upper and lower fluid injection ports; injecting a fluid through the lower fluid injection port; and determining a second differential temperature profile at least between the upper and lower fluid injection ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sarmad Adnan, Stephen Nigel Davies, Jerome Maniere, Christopher Lenn
  • Patent number: 7543636
    Abstract: A diagnostic tool which doubles as a sleeve shifting tool. The tool may include a diagnostic implement for measuring downhole conditions in a well such as flow-rate, pressure and temperature. Where the well includes a slidable or shiftable sleeve, the tool may be employed to slide such a sleeve for controlling communication between the well and an underground production region adjacent the location of the well. In this manner real time diagnostic assessment may occur at the well location in conjunction with means to affect the sleeve position. Thus, the need to run additional subsequent procedures with additional tools for affecting the sleeve position may be eliminated. As a result, substantial time and expense may be saved in conducting such well procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley P. Malone, Jason Swaren, Thoros Heroian, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7543648
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for filtering in a wellbore during various well related operations while limiting the potential for plugging. A well screen is used for filtering particulates from a fluid at a wellbore location. To remove accumulated material and avoid plugging, the well screen may be flexed via pressure differentials created across the well screen. The flexing of the well screen breaks free the accumulated materials, thereby avoiding premature job failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Hill, Lawrence J. Leising, Frank Espinosa
  • Patent number: 7540327
    Abstract: An embodiment of a cutting tool positionable in a tubular for creating a cut in a tubular includes a body securable within the tubular and a cutting head having a nozzle for discharging a pressurized cutting fluid, wherein the cutting head is rotationally and axially moveable relative to the body. The cutting tool may further include one or more of a positioning mechanism, a linear actuator in connection with the cutting head, a rotary actuator in connection with the cutting head, a cutting fluid pump, a mechanism for mixing a fluid and an abrasive to form the abrasive cutting fluid, and reservoirs for storing the abrasive cutting fluid or for storing a fluid and the abrasive separately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Billingham
  • Patent number: 7533731
    Abstract: A casing apparatus is provided to install a hard, pressure-resistant seal along a wall of a well in situ. The casing apparatus includes a moving device and a deformable tubular sleeve having a first end and a second end and. The moveable element is radially inflatable and movable inside the deformable tubular sleeve along a longitudinal axis of the deformable tubular sleeve. When the moving device is radially inflatable to an inflated condition and is moved from the first end to the second end, the moving device deforms the deformable tubular sleeve radially against the wall and progressively from the first end to the second end. A force of deforming the tubular sleeve applied by the inflated moving device is adjustable by changing the inflated condition of the moving device during the deformation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Philippe Hocquet
  • Patent number: 7516782
    Abstract: A downhole tool is provided that includes a grip assembly for contacting a well formation. The grip assembly includes a gripper body; and a centralizer that is attached to and radially expandable with respect to the gripper body and that has a geometry which is lockable by a locking device. The grip assembly also includes a force amplifier in force transmitting relation with the centralizer, wherein the force amplifier transfers a force in a first direction to a much larger force in a second direction when the centralizer is locked by the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Todor K. Sheiretov, Dwight C. Chilcoat, Robin A. Ewan, Carl J Roy, Matthew Billingham, Franz Aguirre
  • Patent number: 7510015
    Abstract: Expandable packers and methods of using same are described. The expandable packers include an anti-extrusion layer comprising a fibrous layer having a first surface adjacent an outer surface of an inner expandable elastomeric member, and a cable layer adjacent the fibrous layer, the cable layer comprising a plurality of stacked unidirectional layers of cables. The cable layer is adapted to form a barrier substantially devoid of gaps through which the inner elastomer member would otherwise extrude into upon expansion of the inner elastomeric member. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Philippe Hocquet, Stephane Metayer
  • Patent number: 7503387
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of logging a rod-pumped well without removing the production string of tubing (30). The logging is accomplished with a soft-coated cable (100) or a soft-faced sleeve (130) which prevents abrasion or damage to a rod-pump barrel as a logging device or sonde (110) which is lowered into the production string of the rod-pumped well after removal of the sucker rods and the pump assembly without the need to remove the production string. The soft-coated cable or soft-faced sleeve allows logging without damage to the interior surface of the production tubing thereby eliminating scratching or grooving normally associated with previous wireline logging operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7497259
    Abstract: A technique is provided to form perforations in a wellbore. The formation of perforations is carefully controlled by a perforating device to create a series of sequential perforations in a desired arrangement. The perforating device is lowered to a desired location in the wellbore and then moved incrementally to enable sequential perforations in the desired arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Leising, Robert Michael Ramsey, Howard L. McGill