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).

  • Patent number: 11346177
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert John Turner, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Patent number: 11346973
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniele Colombo, Gary W. McNeice, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Patent number: 11255133
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert J. Turner, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Patent number: 11242731
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Wireless Instrumentation Systems AS
    Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Henrik Wanvik Clayborough, Jarl André Fellinghaug, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Publication number: 20210172279
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Robert John Turner, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Patent number: 11002093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Ahmed Y. Bukhamseen
  • Publication number: 20210055146
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Ahmed Y. Bukhamseen, Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Moataz Abu AlSaud
  • Patent number: 10927673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Frode Hveding, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
  • Patent number: 10908007
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Y. Bukhamseen, Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Moataz Abu AlSaud
  • Patent number: 10890067
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Bukhamseen, Brett W. Bouldin, Rob Turner
  • Publication number: 20200325772
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Ahmed Bukhamseen, Brett W. Bouldin, Rob Turner
  • Publication number: 20200319365
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniele Colombo, Gary W. McNeice, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Patent number: 10767452
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, WIRELESS INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS AS
    Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Henrik Wanvik Clayborough, Jarl André Fellinghaug, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Publication number: 20200248517
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Ahmed Y. Bukhamseen
  • Patent number: 10705240
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Daniele Colombo, Gary W. McNeice, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Publication number: 20200182024
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Henrik Wanvik Clayborough, Jarl André FELLINGHAUG, Brett W. Bouldin
  • Publication number: 20200149356
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert J. Turner, Brett W. BOULDIN
  • Publication number: 20200149395
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Frode Hveding, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
  • Patent number: 10612370
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Jonathan W. Brown
  • Patent number: 10544674
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Brett W. Bouldin, Robert John Turner, Frode Hveding, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi