Patents by Inventor Bryan Vandal

Bryan Vandal 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: 8573297
    Abstract: Method, devices and systems are provided for measuring deformation in subterranean formations. Such methods include introduction of spaced-apart depth magnetic markers along the longitudinal length of a well bore and measuring the position of each depth marker over time so as to determine deformation of the subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, depth markers comprise rare earth magnets. In further embodiments, orientation of each magnetic bullet is determined over time to determine the change in orientation of each magnetic bullet. Advantages of the methods and devices herein include, but are not limited to, improved accuracy and reliability of deformation measurements and reduced environmental impact due to the avoidance of radioactive markers used by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Total E&P Canada Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Tomberlin, Bryan A. Vandal, Grant W. Byerley, Zachary L. A. Linkewich
  • Publication number: 20120138291
    Abstract: Method, devices and systems are provided for measuring deformation in subterranean formations. Such methods include introduction of spaced-apart depth magnetic markers along the longitudinal length of a well bore and measuring the position of each depth marker over time so as to determine deformation of the subterranean formation. In certain embodiments, depth markers comprise rare earth magnets. In further embodiments, orientation of each magnetic bullet is determined over time to determine the change in orientation of each magnetic bullet. Advantages of the methods and devices herein include, but are not limited to, improved accuracy and reliability of deformation measurements and reduced environmental impact due to the avoidance of radioactive markers used by the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: Total E&P Canada Limited, ConocoPhillips Company - IP Services Group
    Inventors: Timothy A. TOMBERLIN, Bryan A. Vandal, Grant W. Byerley, Zachary L.A. Linkewich
  • Publication number: 20060028321
    Abstract: An improvement in a tool of the type which is adapted for connection into a drilling string, which tool is adapted to perform a function in the drilling string as a first function. The improvement is a magnetic field source incorporated with the tool so that the tool is adapted to perform a magnetic field source carrying function as a second function. The first function is unrelated directly to the second function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Kennedy, Rodney Schnell, Bryan Vandal