Patents by Inventor Edward M. Tollefsen

Edward M. Tollefsen 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: 9228430
    Abstract: A method evaluating a cuttings density while drilling a subterranean wellbore includes acquiring first and second axially spaced pressure measurements in the wellbore. The pressure measurements may then be processed to obtain an interval density of drilling fluid between the measurement locations. A tool string including a large number of axially spaced pressure sensors (e.g., four or more or even six or more) electronically coupled with a surface processor via wired drill pipe may be used to obtain a plurality of interval densities corresponding to various wellbore intervals. The interval density may be measured while drilling and may be further processed to compute a cuttings density in the annulus. Moreover, changes in the computed interval density with time while drilling may be used as an indicator of a change in cuttings density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Rasmus, William Lesso, John James, Edward M. Tollefsen, Scott Paul, Amanda L. Weber, Marcus Turner
  • Patent number: 8727035
    Abstract: A system and a method manage temperature in a wellbore. A thermal barrier may be positioned within the drill pipe and/or the drill collars to obtain a desired downhole temperature and/or control the effect of thermal energy in high-angle and horizontal wellbores. Downhole measurements, such as real-time measurements and/or recorded measurements, may be used to update models, such as steady state models and/or dynamic models. The downhole measurements may validate the static temperature gradient and may provide information about the thermal characteristics of the one or more formations in which the wellbore is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Edward M. Tollefsen, Daniel Crowel, Alexis S. Husser, Barbara J. A. Zielinska
  • Publication number: 20130048380
    Abstract: A method for estimating one or more interval densities in a subterranean wellbore includes acquiring first and second axially spaced pressure measurements in the wellbore. The pressure measurements may then be processed to obtain an interval density of drilling fluid between the measurement locations. A tool string including a large number of axially spaced pressure sensors (e.g., four or more or even six or more) electronically coupled with a surface processor via wired drill pipe may be used to obtain a plurality of interval densities corresponding to various wellbore intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: John Rasmus, William Lesso, John James, Edward M. Tollefsen, Scott Paul, Amanda L. Weber, Marcus Turner, Paul Bolchover
  • Publication number: 20130054146
    Abstract: A method evaluating a cuttings density while drilling a subterranean wellbore includes acquiring first and second axially spaced pressure measurements in the wellbore. The pressure measurements may then be processed to obtain an interval density of drilling fluid between the measurement locations. A tool string including a large number of axially spaced pressure sensors (e.g., four or more or even six or more) electronically coupled with a surface processor via wired drill pipe may be used to obtain a plurality of interval densities corresponding to various wellbore intervals. The interval density may be measured while drilling and may be further processed to compute a cuttings density in the annulus. Moreover, changes in the computed interval density with time while drilling may be used as an indicator of a change in cuttings density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: John Rasmus, William Lesso, John James, Edward M. Tollefsen, Scott Paul, Amanda L. Weber, Marcus Turner
  • Publication number: 20120055672
    Abstract: A system and a method manage temperature in a wellbore. A thermal barrier may be positioned within the drill pipe and/or the drill collars to obtain a desired downhole temperature and/or control the effect of thermal energy in high-angle and horizontal wellbores. Downhole measurements, such as real-time measurements and/or recorded measurements, may be used to update models, such as steady state models and/or dynamic models. The downhole measurements may validate the static temperature gradient and may provide information about the thermal characteristics of the one or more formations in which the wellbore is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Edward M. Tollefsen, Daniel Crowell, Alexis S. Husser, Barbara J.A. Zielinska
  • Patent number: 5477921
    Abstract: This invention provides a method and system for logging an earth formation with a logging tool that is stuck (lodged) in a well bore traversing the earth formation while fishing for the stuck logging tool. This procedure is accomplished by re-establishing communication between the stuck logging tool and surface equipment during the fishing process. Communication is established by reconnecting the electrical conductors in the supporting cable after the cable has been severed in order to install fishing equipment in the well bore around the cable supporting the logging tool. The procedure to reconnect the electrical conductors requires identifying conductors in each end of the severed cable and appropriately matching conductors from each cable end to achieve electrical communication. Once there is electrical communication between the stuck logging tool and surface logging equipment, logging procedures can be continued even during the fishing for the stuck logging tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Edward M. Tollefsen