Patents by Inventor Alexander F. Zazovsky
Alexander F. Zazovsky has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7793713Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Raymond V. Nold, III, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Steve Ervin, Christopher S. Del Campo, Stephane Briquet
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Publication number: 20100218943Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Raymond V. Nold, III, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Steve Ervin, Christopher S. Del Campo, Stephane Briquet
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Publication number: 20100155061Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for evaluating a fluid from a subterranean formation of a wellsite via a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation are provided. The apparatus relates to a downhole tool having a probe with at least two intakes for receiving fluid from the subterranean formation. The downhole tool is configured according to a wellsite set up. The method involves positioning the downhole tool in the wellbore of the wellsite, drawing fluid into the downhole tool via the at least two intakes, monitoring at least one wellsite parameter via at least one sensor of the wellsite and automatically adjusting the wellsite setup based on the wellsite parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2010Publication date: June 24, 2010Inventors: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Ricardo Vasques, Christopher S. Del Campo, Grace Yue Qiu
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Publication number: 20100122812Abstract: 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 flexible skin and one or more drains coupled to the outer flexible skin. The single packer further comprises one or more sensors positioned to detect one or more specific parameters that may be related to well characteristics and/or single packer characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Stephane Briquet, Stephen Yeldell, Carsten Sonne, Edward Harrigan, Alexander F. Zazovsky
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Patent number: 7690423Abstract: An extendable component for use in a downhole tool for traversing subsurface formations includes a drive element that defines an axis and has a distal end, and an abutment that is spaced radially from a distal end of the drive element. A driven element defines a driven element axis, is flexibly coupled to the drive element, and includes a proximal end disposed adjacent to the drive element and a distal end. A tilt arm is coupled to the driven element, is disposed at an angle with respect to the driven element axis, and is configured to engage the abutment. The driven element is moveable between a normal position and a tilted position. A contact head is coupled to the driven element distal end and is adapted to engage the wellbore wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Christopher S. Del Campo, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Stephane Briquet, Steve Ervin
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Publication number: 20100071898Abstract: 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 structural layer that expands across an expansion zone to facilitate creation of a seal with a surrounding wellbore wall. An inflatable bladder can be used within the outer structural layer to cause expansion, and a seal can be disposed for cooperation with the outer structural layer to facilitate sealing engagement with the surrounding wellbore wall. One or more drain features are used to improve the sampling process and/or to facilitate flow through the drain over the life of the single packer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2008Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Edward Harrigan, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Stephane Briquet, Stephen Yeldell, Carsten Sonne, Stephane Metayer
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Patent number: 7654321Abstract: A fluid sampling system retrieves a formation fluid sample from a formation surrounding a wellbore extending along a wellbore axis, wherein the formation has a virgin fluid and a contaminated fluid therein. The system includes a sample inlet, a first guard inlet positioned adjacent to the sample inlet and spaced from the sample inlet in a first direction along the wellbore axis, and a second guard inlet positioned adjacent to the sample inlet and spaced from the sample inlet in a second, opposite direction along the wellbore axis. At least one cleanup flowline is fluidly connected to the first and second guard inlets for passing contaminated fluid, and an evaluation flowline is fluidly connected to the sample inlet for collecting virgin fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Colin Longfield, Julian J. Pop, Thomas H. Zimmerman, John D. Sherwood, Keith A. Burgess
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Publication number: 20100018704Abstract: A fluid sampling system retrieves a formation fluid sample from a formation surrounding a wellbore extending along a wellbore axis, wherein the formation has a virgin fluid and a contaminated fluid therein. The system includes a sample inlet, a first guard inlet positioned adjacent to the sample inlet and spaced from the sample inlet in a first direction along the wellbore axis, and a second guard inlet positioned adjacent to the sample inlet and spaced from the sample inlet in a second, opposite direction along the wellbore axis. At least one cleanup flowline is fluidly connected to the first and second guard inlets for passing contaminated fluid, and an evaluation flowline is fluidly connected to the sample inlet for collecting virgin fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2009Publication date: January 28, 2010Inventors: ALEXANDER F. ZAZOVSKY, Colin Longfield, Julian J. Pop, Thomas H. Zimmerman, John D. Sherwood, Keith A. Burgess
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Patent number: 7647980Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Philippe Hocquet, Nicholas Ellson, Alexander F. Zazovsky
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Patent number: 7637321Abstract: A downhole tool is provided including apparatus for unsticking the tool from the wall or a borehole. The tool may include a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a sleeve coupled to the housing and mounted for rotation relative to the housing, the sleeve having an exterior surface including at least one projection extending radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis. A transmission mechanism may be coupled to and adapted to rotate the sleeve, and a motor may be coupled to the transmission mechanism. A method for unsticking the downhole tool by rotating a sleeve is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Richard Meehan, Bunker M. Hill
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Publication number: 20090283266Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Raymond V. Nold, III, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Steve Ervin, Christopher S. Del Campo, Stephane Briquet
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Patent number: 7584786Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Raymond V. Nold, III, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Steve Ervin, Christopher S. Del Campo, Stephane Briquet
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Publication number: 20090159278Abstract: A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer comprises an outer seal layer, and the at least one drain is positioned in the outer seal layer. A viscosity system also is incorporated and enables the viscosity of a surrounding fluid to be selectively lowered for sampling.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2009Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Stephen Yeldell, Carsten Sonne, Anthony Robert Holmes Goodwin, Stephane Briquet, Alexander F. Zazovsky
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Publication number: 20090101339Abstract: A method of evaluating a fluid from a subterranean formation drawn into a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation is provided. The method involves drawing fluid from a formation into an evaluation flowline, drawing fluid from a formation into a cleanup flowline, measuring a property of the fluid in the evaluation flowline and detecting stabilization of the property of the fluid in the evaluation flowline. Fluid properties in a combined flowline may be generated from the evaluation and cleanup flowlines. The fluid properties of the combined flowline may be used to project future evaluation flowline fluid properties. Contamination levels for a given fluid property of a given flowline may also be determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: April 23, 2009Inventors: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Christopher S. Del Campo, Ricardo Vasques
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Publication number: 20090044951Abstract: Apparatus and methods to control fluid flow in a downhole tool are disclosed. A disclosed example system includes a hydraulically actuatable device having a cavity for receiving pressurized hydraulic fluid stored by a reservoir, a first and a second hydraulic pump, a motor and means for selectively flowing hydraulic fluid from the outlet of at least one of the first and second pumps to the at least one cavity. The first and second hydraulic pumps include an inlet fluidly coupled to the reservoir and an outlet fluidly coupled to the cavity, and the motor is operatively coupled to at least one of the pumps.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mark Milkovisch, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Stephane Briquet, Christopher S. Del Campo, Raymond V. Nold, III, Jonathan W. Brown, Kenneth L. Havlinek
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Patent number: 7484563Abstract: A method of evaluating a fluid from a subterranean formation drawn into a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation is provided. The method involves drawing fluid from a formation into an evaluation flowline, drawing fluid from a formation into a cleanup flowline, measuring a property of the fluid in the evaluation flowline and detecting stabilization of the property of the fluid in the evaluation flowline. Fluid properties in a combined flowline may be generated from the evaluation and cleanup flowlines. The fluid properties of the combined flowline may be used to project future evaluation flowline fluid properties. Contamination levels for a given fluid property of a given flowline may also be determined.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Christopher S. Del Campo, Ricardo Vasques
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Publication number: 20080314587Abstract: An extendable component for use in a downhole tool for traversing subsurface formations includes a drive element that defines an axis and has a distal end, and an abutment that is spaced radially from a distal end of the drive element. A driven element defines a driven element axis, is flexibly coupled to the drive element, and includes a proximal end disposed adjacent to the drive element and a distal end. A tilt arm is coupled to the driven element, is disposed at an angle with respect to the driven element axis, and is configured to engage the abutment. The driven element is moveable between a normal position and a tilted position. A contact head is coupled to the driven element distal end and is adapted to engage the wellbore wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Christopher S. Del Campo, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Stephane Briquet, Steve Ervin
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Publication number: 20080308279Abstract: A downhole tool is provided including apparatus for unsticking the tool from the wall or a borehole. The tool may include a housing defining a longitudinal axis and a sleeve coupled to the housing and mounted for rotation relative to the housing, the sleeve having an exterior surface including at least one projection extending radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis. A transmission mechanism may be coupled to and adapted to rotate the sleeve, and a motor may be coupled to the transmission mechanism. A method for unsticking the downhole tool by rotating a sleeve is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander F. Zazovsky, Richard Meehan, Bunker M. Hill
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Patent number: 7458419Abstract: A probe assembly samples fluid from a wellbore penetrating a subsurface formation having a virgin fluid therein beyond a layer of contaminated fluid surrounding the wellbore. The probe assembly includes a probe body extendable from a downhole tool, and a packer carried by the probe body and having a distal surface adapted for sealingly engaging the wellbore. The packer has an outer and inner periphery, with the inner periphery being defined by a bore through the packer. The packer is further equipped with channel(s) formed in the distal surface and arranged to define an annular cleanup intake intermediate the inner and outer peripheries. The passageway(s) extend(s) through the packer for conducting virgin fluid and/or contaminated fluid between the channel(s). A sampling tube is sealingly disposed in the bore of the packer for conducting virgin fluid to a second inlet in the probe body and the downhole tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Raymond V. Nold, III, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Steve Ervin, Christopher S. Del Campo, Stephane Briquet
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Patent number: 7431075Abstract: A propellant assembly for fracturing a formation around a well includes a propellant and a detonating cord wrapped around the propellant, the detonating cord to ignite the propellant upon detonation of the detonating cord. Alternatively, the propellant can include a substantially central axial bore, with the propellant having a plurality of axial slots extending radially outwardly from the axial bore toward the outer surface of the propellant. A detonating cord is arranged within the axial bore of the propellant.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: James E. Brooks, Philip Kneisl, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Mark C. Duhon, Alfredo Fayard