Patents by Inventor Brett W. Bouldin
Brett W. Bouldin 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: 11346177Abstract: A repairable seal assembly for deployment at a wellbore includes an elongate body, a first seal carried by the elongate body and configured to seal against an adjacent surface, and a transitional component carried by the elongate body. The transitional component is adjustable from a first configuration in which the transitional component defines a gap between the transitional component and the adjacent surface to a second configuration in which the transitional component contacts the adjacent surface to form a second seal at the adjacent surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Robert John Turner, Brett W. Bouldin
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Patent number: 11346973Abstract: Naturally-occurring, electromagnetic signals generated by interaction of solar wind with earth's magnetosphere adjacent a borehole are measured by an electromagnetic sensor positioned adjacent the borehole in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Electromagnetic signals generated within the borehole are measured over a period of time by a borehole sensor positioned within the borehole. The electromagnetic signals change over the period of time due to variations in fluid distributions within the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Electromagnetic changes to the electromagnetic signals generated within the borehole and to the passive, naturally-occurring electromagnetic signals over the period of time are determined by one or more processors. A computational model of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation is generated based in part on the electromagnetic changes.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Daniele Colombo, Gary W. McNeice, Brett W. Bouldin
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Patent number: 11255133Abstract: A downhole tubing string and an umbilical harness are combined in a wellbore. The umbilical harness, which is formed remote from the wellbore, includes an umbilical, and umbilical connectors connected to lines in the umbilical. Connectors attach to well components and make up part of the downhole tubing string. The well components include valves, sensors, and actuators. The umbilical connectors attach to the umbilical at strategic locations so the umbilical connectors can reach and be mated to corresponding component connectors when the umbilical harness and downhole string are combined. Electricity, communication signals, or both, are transmitted along the lines in the umbilical, which are selectively conveyed to each component via the mated connectors. As the umbilical connectors are installed on the umbilical prior to wellsite delivery, the umbilical harness and downhole string are combined by engaging plugs on respective ends of umbilical connectors and corresponding ends of component connectors.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Robert J. Turner, Brett W. Bouldin
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Patent number: 11242731Abstract: A well tool includes a deformable liner configured to be positioned within a wellbore. The deformable liner is configured to be deformed radially. The well tool includes a first inflatable packer configured to be positioned within the deformable liner. The first inflatable packer is configured to be inflated while positioned within the deformable liner to deform the deformable liner radially. The well tool includes a second inflatable packer configured to be positioned around the deformable liner. The second inflatable packer is configured to be inflated to an inner wall of the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Wireless Instrumentation Systems ASInventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Henrik Wanvik Clayborough, Jarl André Fellinghaug, Brett W. Bouldin
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Publication number: 20210172279Abstract: A repairable seal assembly for deployment at a wellbore includes an elongate body, a first seal carried by the elongate body and configured to seal against an adjacent surface, and a transitional component carried by the elongate body. The transitional component is adjustable from a first configuration in which the transitional component defines a gap between the transitional component and the adjacent surface to a second configuration in which the transitional component contacts the adjacent surface to form a second seal at the adjacent surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Robert John Turner, Brett W. Bouldin
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Patent number: 11002093Abstract: A semi-autonomous downhole taxi with fiber optic communication is described. The taxi includes a housing configured to travel within a horizontal section of a wellbore. A docking station is detachably attached to the housing. The docking station is configured to couple to a wireline to pass the taxi through a vertical section of the wellbore. The docking station is configured to be detached from and re-attached to the housing. A fiber optic cable spool is attached to and carried by the housing. A fiber optic cable is wound on the fiber optic cable spool. The fiber optic cable mechanically connects the docking station and the housing. The fiber optic cable is configured to unspool from the fiber optic cable spool as the housing, detached from the docking station, travels through the horizontal section of the wellbore. The fiber optic cable is configured to pass data between the docking station and the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Ahmed Y. Bukhamseen
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Publication number: 20210055146Abstract: A method of measuring two or more fluid phases of in a downhole well bore that comprises measuring a flow of each of the two or more phases at respective offtake points at which the two or more phases are unmixed within the well bore. In certain implementations, the well bore is inclined at 20 degrees or less to a horizontal axis. Each of the two or more phases can flow at a rate to achieve low Reynolds numbers in a laminar flow regime.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Ahmed Y. Bukhamseen, Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Moataz Abu AlSaud
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Patent number: 10927673Abstract: A flow meter includes a cylindrical tubing configured to be positioned in a wellbore, the cylindrical tubing including a flow mixer configured to produce a turbulent fluid flow of a multiphase fluid in the wellbore. The flow meter includes a tuning fork disposed in the cylindrical tubing separate from the flow mixer, the tuning fork configured to contact the turbulent fluid flow of the multiphase fluid and vibrate at a vibration frequency in response to contact with the turbulent fluid flow, and a controller to determine a fluid density measurement of the multiphase fluid based at least in part on the vibration frequency of the tuning fork.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Frode Hveding, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 10908007Abstract: A method of measuring two or more fluid phases in a downhole well bore that comprises measuring a flow of each of the two or more phases at respective ports at which the two or more phases are unmixed within the well bore. In certain implementations, the well bore is inclined at 20 degrees or less to a horizontal axis. Each of the two or more phases can flow at a rate to achieve low Reynolds numbers in a laminar flow regime.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Ahmed Y. Bukhamseen, Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Moataz Abu AlSaud
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Patent number: 10890067Abstract: A method for the determination of the water cut and volumetric flow rate of a fluid flowing through a density inflow control valve. A density inflow control valve may include a floating device that moves between a relaxed choke position and a restricted choke position depending on the density of the fluid flowing through the valve. Pressure gauges upstream and downstream of the inflow control device may be used to measure the pressure drop across the inflow control valve over time. The water cut of the downhole fluid flowing through the valve may be determined from the pressure drop over time and the pressure drop associated with the relaxed choke position and the restricted choke position. The volumetric flow rate may be determined from the average water cut and the density of the downhole fluid, as determined from the single phase densities.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Ahmed Bukhamseen, Brett W. Bouldin, Rob Turner
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Publication number: 20200325772Abstract: Provided is a method for the determination of the water cut and volumetric flow rate of a fluid flowing through a density inflow control valve. A density inflow control valve may include a floating device that moves between a relaxed choke position and a restricted choke position depending on the density of the fluid flowing through the valve. Pressure gauges upstream and downstream of the inflow control device may be used to measure the pressure drop across the inflow control valve over time. The water cut of the downhole fluid flowing through the valve may be determined from the pressure drop over time and the pressure drop associated with the relaxed choke position and the restricted choke position. The volumetric flow rate may be determined from the average water cut and the density of the downhole fluid, as determined from the single phase densities.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Ahmed Bukhamseen, Brett W. Bouldin, Rob Turner
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Publication number: 20200319365Abstract: Naturally-occurring, electromagnetic signals generated by interaction of solar wind with earth's magnetosphere adjacent a borehole are measured by an electromagnetic sensor positioned adjacent the borehole in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Electromagnetic signals generated within the borehole are measured over a period of time by a borehole sensor positioned within the borehole. The electromagnetic signals change over the period of time due to variations in fluid distributions within the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Electromagnetic changes to the electromagnetic signals generated within the borehole and to the passive, naturally-occurring electromagnetic signals over the period of time are determined by one or more processors. A computational model of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation is generated based in part on the electromagnetic changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Daniele Colombo, Gary W. McNeice, Brett W. Bouldin
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Patent number: 10767452Abstract: A well tool includes a deformable liner configured to be positioned within a wellbore. The deformable liner is configured to be deformed radially. The well tool includes a first inflatable packer configured to be positioned within the deformable liner. The first inflatable packer is configured to be inflated while positioned within the deformable liner to deform the deformable liner radially. The well tool includes a second inflatable packer configured to be positioned around the deformable liner. The second inflatable packer is configured to be inflated to an inner wall of the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, WIRELESS INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS ASInventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Henrik Wanvik Clayborough, Jarl André Fellinghaug, Brett W. Bouldin
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Publication number: 20200248517Abstract: A semi-autonomous downhole taxi with fiber optic communication is described. The taxi includes a housing configured to travel within a horizontal section of a wellbore. A docking station is detachably attached to the housing. The docking station is configured to couple to a wireline to pass the taxi through a vertical section of the wellbore. The docking station is configured to be detached from and re-attached to the housing. A fiber optic cable spool is attached to and carried by the housing. A fiber optic cable is wound on the fiber optic cable spool. The fiber optic cable mechanically connects the docking station and the housing. The fiber optic cable is configured to unspool from the fiber optic cable spool as the housing, detached from the docking station, travels through the horizontal section of the wellbore. The fiber optic cable is configured to pass data between the docking station and the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2019Publication date: August 6, 2020Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Ahmed Y. Bukhamseen
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Patent number: 10705240Abstract: Naturally-occurring, electromagnetic signals generated by interaction of solar wind with earth's magnetosphere adjacent a borehole are measured by an electromagnetic sensor positioned adjacent the borehole in the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Electromagnetic signals generated within the borehole are measured over a period of time by a borehole sensor positioned within the borehole. The electromagnetic signals change over the period of time due to variations in fluid distributions within the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Electromagnetic changes to the electromagnetic signals generated within the borehole and to the passive, naturally-occurring electromagnetic signals over the period of time are determined by one or more processors. A computational model of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation is generated based in part on the electromagnetic changes.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Daniele Colombo, Gary W. McNeice, Brett W. Bouldin
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Publication number: 20200182024Abstract: A well tool and methods of its use are described. The well tool includes a deformable liner configured to be positioned within a wellbore. The deformable liner is configured to be deformed radially. The well tool includes a first inflatable packer configured to be positioned within the deformable liner. The first inflatable packer is configured to be inflated while positioned within the deformable liner to deform the deformable liner radially. The well tool includes a second inflatable packer configured to be positioned around the deformable liner. The second inflatable packer is configured to be inflated to an inner wall of the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Henrik Wanvik Clayborough, Jarl André FELLINGHAUG, Brett W. Bouldin
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Publication number: 20200149356Abstract: A downhole tubing string and an umbilical harness are combined in a wellbore. The umbilical harness, which is formed remote from the wellbore, includes an umbilical, and umbilical connectors connected to lines in the umbilical. Connectors attach to well components and make up part of the downhole tubing string. The well components include valves, sensors, and actuators. The umbilical connectors attach to the umbilical at strategic locations so the umbilical connectors can reach and be mated to corresponding component connectors when the umbilical harness and downhole string are combined. Electricity, communication signals, or both, are transmitted along the lines in the umbilical, which are selectively conveyed to each component via the mated connectors. As the umbilical connectors are installed on the umbilical prior to wellsite delivery, the umbilical harness and downhole string are combined by engaging plugs on respective ends of umbilical connectors and corresponding ends of component connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Robert J. Turner, Brett W. BOULDIN
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Publication number: 20200149395Abstract: A flow meter includes a cylindrical tubing configured to be positioned in a wellbore, the cylindrical tubing including a flow mixer configured to produce a turbulent fluid flow of a multiphase fluid in the wellbore. The flow meter includes a tuning fork disposed in the cylindrical tubing separate from the flow mixer, the tuning fork configured to contact the turbulent fluid flow of the multiphase fluid and vibrate at a vibration frequency in response to contact with the turbulent fluid flow, and a controller to determine a fluid density measurement of the multiphase fluid based at least in part on the vibration frequency of the tuning fork.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Frode Hveding, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 10612370Abstract: A system for subterranean well developments includes a downhole assembly having well completion components for permanent installation within the subterranean well and interchangeable retrievable hardware. A connection system adapts the retrievable hardware to the well completion components, the connection system operable to provide a connection between the well completion components and the retrievable hardware. A telemetry system is in communication with the retrievable hardware and operable to access data from the downhole assembly. A remote access interface is in communication with the retrievable hardware.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2017Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Jonathan W. Brown
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Patent number: 10544674Abstract: A flow meter includes a cylindrical tubing configured to be positioned in a wellbore, the cylindrical tubing including a flow mixer configured to produce a turbulent fluid flow of a multiphase fluid in the wellbore. The flow meter includes a tuning fork disposed in the cylindrical tubing separate from the flow mixer, the tuning fork configured to contact the turbulent fluid flow of the multiphase fluid and vibrate at a vibration frequency in response to contact with the turbulent fluid flow, and a controller to determine a fluid density measurement of the multiphase fluid based at least in part on the vibration frequency of the tuning fork.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Frode Hveding, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi