Patents by Inventor Eric R. Grueschow
Eric R. Grueschow 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: 20240060409Abstract: Methods of stimulating a hydrocarbon well are disclosed herein. The hydrocarbon well includes a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and a tubular that extends within the wellbore and defines a tubular conduit. The methods include retaining a sealing structure within the tubular conduit and, during the retaining, stimulating a zone of the subterranean formation. Subsequent to the stimulating, the methods include fluidly isolating the zone of the subterranean formation from the uphole region by at least partially sealing the plurality of perforations. Subsequent to the fluidly isolating, the methods include moving the sealing structure in a downhole direction within the tubular conduit. The methods also include repeating the retaining, the stimulating, the fluidly isolating, and the moving a plurality of times to stimulate a plurality of corresponding zones of the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: James B. THOMAS, Owen J. HEHMEYER, Nancy H. CHOI, Erik N. ENGLISH, Eric R. GRUESCHOW
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Patent number: 11852002Abstract: Methods of stimulating a hydrocarbon well are disclosed herein. The hydrocarbon well includes a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and a tubular that extends within the wellbore and defines a tubular conduit. The methods include retaining a sealing structure within the tubular conduit and, during the retaining, stimulating a zone of the subterranean formation. Subsequent to the stimulating, the methods include fluidly isolating the zone of the subterranean formation from the uphole region by at least partially sealing the plurality of perforations. Subsequent to the fluidly isolating, the methods include moving the sealing structure in a downhole direction within the tubular conduit. The methods also include repeating the retaining, the stimulating, the fluidly isolating, and the moving a plurality of times to stimulate a plurality of corresponding zones of the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering CompanyInventors: James B. Thomas, Owen J. Hehmeyer, Nancy H. Choi, Erik N. English, Eric R. Grueschow
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Publication number: 20230018564Abstract: Methods of stimulating a hydrocarbon well are disclosed herein. The hydrocarbon well includes a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and a tubular that extends within the wellbore and defines a tubular conduit. The methods include retaining a sealing structure within the tubular conduit and, during the retaining, stimulating a zone of the subterranean formation. Subsequent to the stimulating, the methods include fluidly isolating the zone of the subterranean formation from the uphole region by at least partially sealing the plurality of perforations. Subsequent to the fluidly isolating, the methods include moving the sealing structure in a downhole direction within the tubular conduit. The methods also include repeating the retaining, the stimulating, the fluidly isolating, and the moving a plurality of times to stimulate a plurality of corresponding zones of the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: James B. THOMAS, Owen J. HEHMEYER, Nancy H. CHOI, Erik N. ENGLISH, Eric R. GRUESCHOW
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Patent number: 11512572Abstract: Methods of stimulating a hydrocarbon well are disclosed herein. The hydrocarbon well includes a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and a tubular that extends within the wellbore and defines a tubular conduit. The methods include retaining a sealing structure within the tubular conduit and, during the retaining, stimulating a zone of the subterranean formation. Subsequent to the stimulating, the methods include fluidly isolating the zone of the subterranean formation from the uphole region by at least partially sealing the plurality of perforations. Subsequent to the fluidly isolating, the methods include moving the sealing structure in a downhole direction within the tubular conduit. The methods also include repeating the retaining, the stimulating, the fluidly isolating, and the moving a plurality of times to stimulate a plurality of corresponding zones of the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: James B. Thomas, Owen J. Hehmeyer, Nancy H. Choi, Erik N. English, Eric R. Grueschow
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Patent number: 11326440Abstract: An instrumented coupling for pipe joints is described herein. The instrumented coupling includes a first threaded end configured to thread to a first pipe joint and a second threaded end configured to thread to a second pipe joint. The instrumented coupling also includes a sensor configured to obtain a measurement of a parameter of a well and a communications device configured to communicate to a receiving device outside of the well. The instrumented coupling further includes a processor configured to execute instructions in a data store. The instructions direct the processor to read the measurement from the sensor, compare the measurement from the sensor to a preset limit, and generate a signal within the communications device based, at least in part, on the measurement.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Benjamin J. Spivey, Kevin H. Searles, Eric R. Grueschow
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Publication number: 20210372254Abstract: Methods of stimulating a hydrocarbon well are disclosed herein. The hydrocarbon well includes a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and a tubular that extends within the wellbore and defines a tubular conduit. The methods include retaining a sealing structure within the tubular conduit and, during the retaining, stimulating a zone of the subterranean formation. Subsequent to the stimulating, the methods include fluidly isolating the zone of the subterranean formation from the uphole region by at least partially sealing the plurality of perforations. Subsequent to the fluidly isolating, the methods include moving the sealing structure in a downhole direction within the tubular conduit. The methods also include repeating the retaining, the stimulating, the fluidly isolating, and the moving a plurality of times to stimulate a plurality of corresponding zones of the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: JIM B. THOMAS, OWEN J. HEHMEYER, NANCY H. CHOI, ERIK N. ENGLISH, ERIC R. GRUESCHOW
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Publication number: 20210095547Abstract: A gas lift valve (GLV) is described herein. The GLV includes a power generation device that uses a fluid flowing through the GLV to generate power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Eric R. Grueschow, Michael C. Romer
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Publication number: 20210079783Abstract: An instrumented coupling for pipe joints is described herein. The instrumented coupling includes a first threaded end configured to thread to a first pipe joint and a second threaded end configured to thread to a second pipe joint. The instrumented coupling also includes a sensor configured to obtain a measurement of a parameter of a well and a communications device configured to communicate to a receiving device outside of the well. The instrumented coupling further includes a processor configured to execute instructions in a data store. The instructions direct the processor to read the measurement from the sensor, compare the measurement from the sensor to a preset limit, and generate a signal within the communications device based, at least in part, on the measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Benjamin J. Spivey, Kevin H. Searles, Eric R. Grueschow
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Patent number: 9725989Abstract: A sand control device is used for restricting the flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore during production operations. The sand control device is divided into compartments along its length that provide redundancy for particle filtration. Each compartment first comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment. Each compartment also comprises a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits comprise filtering media and generally circumscribe the base pipe. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Christian S. Mayer, Charles S. Yeh, David A. Howell, Pavlin B. Entchev, Eric R. Grueschow, Ted A. Long, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, John S. Sladic, Christopher A. Hall, Stephen McNamee
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Patent number: 9617829Abstract: A tool assembly is provided that includes an actuatable tool such as a valve or a setting tool. And includes a location device that senses the location of the tool assembly within a tubular body based on a physical signature. The tool assembly also includes an on-board controller configured to send an activation signal to the actuatable tool when the location device has recognized a selected location of the tool based on the physical signature. The actuatable tool, the location device, and the on-board controller are together dimensioned and arranged to be deployed in the wellbore as an autonomous unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Bruce A. Dale, Randy C. Tolman, Pavlin B. Entchev, Renzo Moises Angeles Boza, Chris E. Shuchart, Eric R. Grueschow, Charles S. Yeh
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Patent number: 9164194Abstract: A method for modeling deformation in subsurface strata, including defining physical boundaries for a geomechanical system. The method also includes acquiring one or more mechanical properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries, and acquiring one or more thermal properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries. The method also includes creating a computer-implemented finite element analysis program representing the geomechanical system and defining a plurality of nodes representing points in space, with each node being populated with at least one of each of the mechanical properties and the thermal properties. The program solves for in situ stress at selected nodes within the mesh.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Inventors: Sheng-Yuan Hsu, Kevin H. Searles, Eric R. Grueschow, Tracy J. Moffett
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Publication number: 20150226878Abstract: Methods for creating and using space-time surrogate models of subsurface regions, such as subsurface regions containing at least one hydrocarbon formation. The created surrogate models are explicit models that may be created from implicit models, such as computationally intensive full-physics models. The space-time surrogate models are parametric with respect to preselected variables, such as space, state, and/or design variables, while also indicating responsiveness of the preselected variables with respect to time. In some embodiments, the space-time surrogate model may be parametric with respect to preselected variables as well as to time. Methods for updating and evolving models of subsurface regions are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: Jon M. Wallace, Jennifer A. Hommema, Kevin H. Searles, Sheng-Yuan Hsu, Jing Wan, Eric R. Grueschow
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Publication number: 20150176388Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating a subterranean formation. The methods may include flowing, with a carrier fluid stream, an autonomous perforation device within a casing conduit that is defined by a casing string that extends within a subterranean formation. The methods further may include retaining the autonomous perforation device within a target region of the casing conduit, flowing a stimulant fluid within the casing conduit and past the autonomous perforation device, and/or stimulating, with the stimulant fluid stream, a portion of the subterranean formation that is downhole from the autonomous perforation device. The systems may include the autonomous perforation device, which may include a perforation assembly, a motion-arresting assembly, and a fluid flow conduit. The systems also may include a hydrocarbon well that includes a wellbore, the casing string, and the autonomous perforation device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Timothy I. Morrow, Eric R. Grueschow
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Patent number: 9043189Abstract: Methods for creating and using space-time surrogate models of subsurface regions, such as subsurface regions containing at least one hydrocarbon formation. The created surrogate models are explicit models that may be created from implicit models, such as computationally intensive full-physics models. The space-time surrogate models are parametric with respect to preselected variables, such as space, state, and/or design variables, while also indicating responsiveness of the preselected variables with respect to time. In some embodiments, the space-time surrogate model may be parametric with respect to preselected variables as well as to time. Methods for updating and evolving models of subsurface regions are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research—Law DepartmentInventors: Jon M. Wallace, Jennifer A. Hommema, Kevin H. Searles, Sheng-Yuan Hsu, Jing Wan, Eric R. Grueschow
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Publication number: 20150060056Abstract: Systems and methods for restricting fluid flow in a casing conduit, including a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation, a casing string that extends within the wellbore and defines a portion of the casing conduit, a plurality of motion-arresting structures that project from an inner surface of the casing string to define a plurality of reduced-area regions of the casing conduit, and an autonomous sealing device that defines a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. The methods include conveying the autonomous sealing device through the casing conduit, determining that the autonomous sealing device is located within a target portion of the casing conduit, expanding the autonomous sealing device to the expanded configuration, retaining the autonomous sealing device on a selected motion-arresting structure, and restricting fluid flow within the casing conduit with the autonomous sealing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Krishnan Kumaran, Randy C. Tolman, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Timothy I. Morrow, Eric R. Grueschow
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Publication number: 20140262260Abstract: A sand control device is used for restricting the flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore during production operations. The sand control device is divided into compartments along its length that provide redundancy for particle filtration. Each compartment first comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment. Each compartment also comprises a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits comprise filtering media and generally circumscribe the base pipe. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Christian S. Mayer, Charles S. Yeh, David A. Howell, Pavlin B. Entchev, Eric R. Grueschow, Ted A. Long, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, John S. Sladic, Christopher A. Hall, Stephen McNamee
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Publication number: 20130275101Abstract: A method for modeling deformation in subsurface strata, including defining physical boundaries for a geomechanical system. The method also includes acquiring one or more mechanical properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries, and acquiring one or more thermal properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries. The method also includes creating a computer-implemented finite element analysis program representing the geomechanical system and defining a plurality of nodes representing points in space, with each node being populated with at least one of each of the mechanical properties and the thermal properties. The program solves for in situ stress at selected nodes within the mesh.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Sheng-Yuan Hsu, Kevin H. Searles, Eric R. Grueschow, Tracy J. Moffett
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Patent number: 8548782Abstract: A method for modeling deformation in subsurface strata, including defining physical boundaries for a geomechanical system. The method also includes acquiring one or more mechanical properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries, and acquiring one or more thermal properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries. The method also includes creating a computer-implemented finite element analysis program representing the geomechanical system and defining a plurality of nodes representing points in space, with each node being populated with at least one of each of the mechanical properties and the thermal properties. The program solves for in situ stress at selected nodes within the mesh.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Sheng-Yuan Hsu, Kevin H. Searles, Eric R. Grueschow, Tracy J. Moffett
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Publication number: 20130248174Abstract: A tool assembly is provided that includes an actuatable tool such as a valve or a setting tool. And includes a location device that senses the location of the tool assembly within a tubular body based on a physical signature. The tool assembly also includes an on-board controller configured to send an activation signal to the actuatable tool when the location device has recognized a selected location of the tool based on the physical signature. The actuatable tool, the location device, and the on-board controller are together dimensioned and arranged to be deployed in the wellbore as an autonomous unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Randy C. Tolman, Pavlin B. Entchev, Renzo Moises Angeles Boza, Chris E. Shuchart, Eric R. Grueschow, Charles S. Yeh
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Publication number: 20110166843Abstract: A method for modeling deformation in subsurface strata, including defining physical boundaries for a geomechanical system. The method also includes acquiring one or more mechanical properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries, and acquiring one or more thermal properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries. The method also includes creating a computer-implemented finite element analysis program representing the geomechanical system and defining a plurality of nodes representing points in space, with each node being populated with at least one of each of the mechanical properties and the thermal properties. The program solves for in situ stress at selected nodes within the mesh.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Sheng-Yuan Hsu, Kevin H. Searles, Eric R. Grueschow, Tracy J. Moffett