Patents by Inventor Alexander Zazovsky
Alexander 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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Publication number: 20100319991Abstract: A drill string caliper includes a mandrel configured to be coupled within a drill string. At least one laterally extensible arm is coupled to an exterior of the mandrel. A biasing device is configured to urge the at least one arm into contact with a wall of a wellbore. A sensor is configured to generate an output signal corresponding to a lateral extent of the at least one arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2009Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: James C. Brannigan, Raymond V. Nold, III, John Rasmus, Fernando Garcia-Osuna, Alexander Zazovsky
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Publication number: 20090282907Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control a formation testing operation based on a mudcake leakage are disclosed. A disclosed example method for use with a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore comprises measuring a property of a mudcake layer at a first location in a wellbore, determining a value representative of an estimated leakage through the mudcake layer based on the property, and determining, based on the value, whether to continue a formation testing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2008Publication date: November 19, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Fernando Garcia-Osuna, Steve G. Villareal, Timur Zharnikov
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Publication number: 20090211756Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a well may comprise a vessel having a piston or a valve disposed therein and defining first and second volumes wherein the first volume is configured to receive formation fluid from an inlet port, and an actuator configured to extract formation fluid, the actuator being fluidly isolated from a fluid flow path extending between the inlet port and the first volume. The downhole tool may also comprise a flow-line configured to deliver formation fluid to the vessel, and an actuator configured to register an end of the flow-line with the inlet of the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: Anthony R.H. Goodwin, Julian J. Pop, Stephane Briquet, Ricardo Vasques, Alexander Zazovsky
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Publication number: 20090200016Abstract: A downhole tool for extracting a sample from a subsurface formation includes an emitter of electromagnetic energy configured to heat water in the subsurface formation. A method for extracting a sample from a subsurface formation involves conveying a downhole tool in a wellbore drilled through the subsurface formation, the downhole tool having an emitter of electromagnetic energy configured to heat water in the subsurface formation, and actuating the emitter to expose a portion of the formation to electromagnetic energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventors: Anthony R.H. Goodwin, Julian J. Pop, Stephen Yeldell, Jason Hueber, Pierre-Yves Corre, Stephane Briquet, Alexander Zazovsky, Carsten Sonne
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Publication number: 20090008079Abstract: A method for sampling fluid in a subterranean formation includes, reducing a viscosity a fluid, pressurizing a portion of the subterranean formation, and collecting a fluid sample. Specifically, a viscosity of a fluid in a portion of the subterranean formation is reduced and a portion of the subterranean formation is pressurizing by injecting a displacement fluid into the subterranean formation. A sample of the fluid pressurized by the displacement fluid is then collected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Anthony Goodwin, Jacques R. Tabanou, Kambiz A. Safinya
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Publication number: 20080245569Abstract: Apparatus and methods to perform focused sampling of reservoir fluid are described. An example method couples a sampling probe to a subterranean formation and, while the sampling probe is coupled to the subterranean formation, varies a pumping ratio of at least two displacement units to reduce a contamination level of a formation flu id extracted via the sampling probe from the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ray Nold, Alexander Zazovsky, Ricardo Vasques, Steven G. Villareal, Reinhart Ciglenec, Albert Hoefel
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Patent number: 7331223Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the pressure of a formation penetrated by a wellbore is provided. A downhole tool is positioned in the wellbore and a probe is extended therefrom into sealing engagement with the formation. A piston in the probe is retracted therein where by a cavity is defined for receiving a fluid from the formation. A pressure underbalance in the cavity draws fluid from the formation into the cavity. An oscillator may be used to fluctuate the flow of fluid into the cavity. A pressure gauge is used to measure the pressure of fluid in the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Alexander Zazovsky
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Publication number: 20070209793Abstract: 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: April 24, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Raymond Nold, Alexander Zazovsky, Steve Ervin, Christopher Del Campo, Stephane Briquet
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Publication number: 20070158109Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for use in perforating a well having a plurality of explosive charges. Each explosive charge is adapted to generate a perforation tunnel in the formation adjacent to the well. In one embodiment, explosive charges are oriented to create perforation tunnels that converge at a location within the formation in order to create a fracture initiation plane capable of mitigating or avoiding hydraulic fracturing complications.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2006Publication date: July 12, 2007Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Vadim Akhmadikin, Wenbo Yang, Brenden Grove
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Publication number: 20070142252Abstract: A composition for use in an oil chamber of a tool includes a hydraulic oil; and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is present at an amount sufficient to form micelles in the hydraulic oil. The composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer. A method includes providing a hydraulic fluid composition comprising a hydraulic oil and a surfactant capable of forming micelles in the hydraulic oil; and filling a hydraulic chamber in the tool with the hydraulic fluid composition. The hydraulic fluid composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2007Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Jian Zhou, Christopher Del Campo, Golchehreh Salamat, Diankui Fu, Jese Lee
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Publication number: 20070079962Abstract: 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: December 12, 2006Publication date: April 12, 2007Inventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Ricardo Vasques, Christopher Campo, Grace Qiu
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Patent number: 7185699Abstract: A composition for use in an oil chamber of a tool includes a hydraulic oil; and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is present at an amount sufficient to form micelles in the hydraulic oil. The composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer. A method includes providing a hydraulic fluid composition comprising a hydraulic oil and a surfactant capable of forming micelles in the hydraulic oil; and filling a hydraulic chamber in the tool with the hydraulic fluid composition. The hydraulic fluid composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Jian Zhou, Christopher Del Campo, Golchehreh Salamat, Diankui Fu, Jese C. Lee
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Patent number: 7062959Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to determine downhole pressures, such as annular pressure and/or pore pressure, during a drilling operation. A downhole drilling tool includes at least one conduit and a corresponding gauge. The conduit is positioned in the downhole tool and has an opening adapted to receive downhole fluids. The conduit is positionable in fluid communication with one of the wellbore and the formation whereby pressure is equalized therebetween. The gauge is provided for measuring the pressure in the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Andrew L. Kurkjian, Jean-Marc Follini, Patrick J. Fisseler, Thomas W. Palmer, II, Alexander Zazovsky
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Patent number: 7031841Abstract: A method for determining formation pressure at a depth region of formations surrounding a borehole, including: keeping track of the time since cessation of drilling at the depth region; deriving formation permeability at the depth region; causing wellbore pressure to vary periodically in time and determining, at the depth region, the periodic and non-periodic component of pressure measured in the formations; determining, using the time, the periodic component and the permeability, the formation pressure diffusivity and transmissibility and an estimate of the size of the pressure build-up zone around the wellbore at the depth region; determining, using the time, the formation pressure diffusivity and transmissibility, and the non-periodic component, the leak-off rate of the mudcake at the depth region; determining, using the leak-off rate, the pressure gradient at the depth region; and extrapolating, using the pressure gradient and the size of the build-up zone, to determine the formation pressure.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Julian J. Pop, Paul S. Hammond
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Publication number: 20060076132Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2004Publication date: April 13, 2006Inventors: Raymond Nold, Alexander Zazovsky, Steve Ervin, Christopher Del Campo, Stephane Briquet
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Publication number: 20060070739Abstract: Various propellant assemblies are disclosed herein for use in fracturing formations in well operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: James Brooks, Philip Kneisl, Alexander Zazovsky, Mark Duhon, Alfredo Fayard
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Publication number: 20060000603Abstract: 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: September 2, 2005Publication date: January 5, 2006Inventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Christopher Campo, Ricardo Vasques
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Publication number: 20050263290Abstract: A composition for use in an oil chamber of a tool includes a hydraulic oil; and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is present at an amount sufficient to form micelles in the hydraulic oil. The composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer. A method includes providing a hydraulic fluid composition comprising a hydraulic oil and a surfactant capable of forming micelles in the hydraulic oil; and filling a hydraulic chamber in the tool with the hydraulic fluid composition. The hydraulic fluid composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2004Publication date: December 1, 2005Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Jian Zhou, Christopher Del Campo, Golchehreh Salamat, Diankui Fu, Jese Lee
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Publication number: 20050171699Abstract: A method for determining formation pressure at a depth region of formations surrounding a borehole, including: keeping track of the time since cessation of drilling at the depth region; deriving formation permeability at the depth region; causing wellbore pressure to vary periodically in time and determining, at the depth region, the periodic and non-periodic component of pressure measured in the formations; determining, using the time, the periodic component and the permeability, the formation pressure diffusivity and transmissibility and an estimate of the size of the pressure build-up zone around the wellbore at the depth region; determining, using the time, the formation pressure diffusivity and transmissibility, and the non-periodic component, the leak-off rate of the mudcake at the depth region; determining, using the leak-off rate, the pressure gradient at the depth region; and extrapolating, using the pressure gradient and the size of the build-up zone, to determine the formation pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: August 4, 2005Inventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Julian Pop, Paul Hammond
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Patent number: 6905241Abstract: A method for determining virgin formation temperature of earth formations surrounding a borehole is provided. The time duration of drilling fluid circulation and the time after cessation of drilling fluid circulation at the borehole depth regions of interest are tracked. At a particular borehole depth region of interest, fluid flows from the formations into a device in the borehole, and the temperature of the fluid as a function of time with respect to initiation of fluid flow is measured. The thermal history of formations surrounding the particular borehole depth region is modeled for a cooling phase during drilling fluid circulation, a temperature build-up phase after cessation of drilling fluid circulation, and a formation fluid flow phase after initiation of fluid flow. The model and temperature measurements are used to determine a trend of temperature evolution and the virgin formation temperature by extrapolation from the trend.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Alexander Zazovsky, Sammy S. Haddad