Patents by Inventor James G. Aivalis

James G. Aivalis 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: 9010427
    Abstract: A hang-off tool for supporting a tool inside a tubular member includes a logging string configured to generate logging data, a computing system coupled to the logging string and configured to communicate the logging data to another tool, and a radially expandable member having a retracted position and an expanded position. The radially expandable member is configured to engage a radially-increased profile of an inner surface of the tubular member in the expanded position to support the hang-off tool. The radially expandable member is also configured not to engage the radially-increased profile in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Macrae, Bulent Finci, James G. Aivalis, Peter Wells, Robert Crispin Porter
  • Publication number: 20140338886
    Abstract: A hang-off tool for supporting a tool inside a tubular member includes a logging string configured to generate logging data, a computing system coupled to the logging string and configured to communicate the logging data to another tool, and a radially expandable member having a retracted position and an expanded position. The radially expandable member is configured to engage a radially-increased profile of an inner surface of the tubular member in the expanded position to support the hang-off tool. The radially expandable member is also configured not to engage the radially-increased profile in the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Macrae, Bulent Finci, James G. Aivalis, Peter Wells, Robert Crispin Porter
  • Patent number: 8844618
    Abstract: A hang-off tool for supporting a tool inside a tubular member includes a logging string configured to generate logging data, a computing system coupled to the logging string and configured to communicate the logging data to another tool, and a radially expandable member having a retracted position and an expanded position. The radially expandable member is configured to engage a radially-increased profile of an inner surface of the tubular member in the expanded position to support the hang-off tool. The radially expandable member is also configured not to engage the radially-increased profile in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan Macrae, Bulent Finci, James G. Aivalis, Peter Wells, Robert Crispin Porter
  • Patent number: 8443915
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and systems for logging through a drillstring. In one embodiment, a method of logging an exposed formation includes drilling a wellbore by rotating a cutting tool disposed on an end of a drillstring and injecting drilling fluid through the drillstring; deploying a BHA through the drillstring, the BHA including a logging tool; forming a bore through the cutting tool; inserting the logging tool through the bore; longitudinally connecting the BHA to the drillstring; and logging the exposed formation using the logging tool while tripping the drillstring into or from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce H. Storm, Jr., James G. Aivalis, Bulent Finci, Peter Wells, Akio Kita, Eric Johnson, Jonathan Macrae
  • Patent number: 8264532
    Abstract: An optical inspection instrument includes a housing configured to move along the interior of a pipe string in a wellbore. The pipe has a cutting structure at its bottom end. The instrument includes a probe extending from a bottom end of the housing. The probe has an output from a light source and a light input to a video camera. The probe has a diameter selected to enable extension through an opening in the cutting structure. A method for inspecting a wellbore includes moving an instrument through an interior of a pipe string in the wellbore. The pipe has a cutting tool at its lower end. At least part of the instrument is moved outside the bottom end of the pipe through a port in the cutting tool. Optically transparent fluid is moved into the wellbore proximate an end of the instrument outside the pipe string. Objects proximate the fluid are inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ThruBit B.V.
    Inventors: James G. Aivalis, Christopher Prusiecki
  • Patent number: 7748466
    Abstract: A method for inserting a tool into a wellbore includes uncoiling a coiled tubing into the wellbore to a selected depth therein. When the tubing is at the selected depth, the tubing is uncoupled. A tool is inserted into the interior of the tubing. The tubing is reconnected, and the tool is moved along the interior of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Thrubit B.V.
    Inventors: James G. Aivalis, Harry D. Smith
  • Patent number: 7708057
    Abstract: A method for inserting a tool into a wellbore includes uncoiling a coiled tubing into the wellbore to a selected depth therein. When the tubing is at the selected depth, the tubing is uncoupled. A tool is inserted into the interior of the tubing. The tubing is reconnected, and the tool is moved along the interior of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Thrubit B.V.
    Inventors: James G. Aivalis, Harry D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100096187
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and systems for logging through a drillstring. In one embodiment, a method of logging an exposed formation includes drilling a wellbore by rotating a cutting tool disposed on an end of a drillstring and injecting drilling fluid through the drillstring; deploying a BHA through the drillstring, the BHA including a logging tool; forming a bore through the cutting tool; inserting the logging tool through the bore; longitudinally connecting the BHA to the drillstring; and logging the exposed formation using the logging tool while tripping the drillstring into or from the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce H. Storm, JR., James G. Aivalis, Bulent Finci, Peter Wells, Akio Kita, Eric Johnson, Jonathan Macrae
  • Patent number: 7549471
    Abstract: A deployment device for controlling rate of movement of an instrument inside a conduit includes a mandrel having a coupling to affix the deployment device to the instrument and a controllable brake disposed in the mandrel, the brake controllably actuatable to maintain the mandrel and instrument at a selected speed within the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Thrubit, LLC
    Inventors: James G. Aivalis, Corey McGillivary
  • Publication number: 20090038391
    Abstract: An optical inspection instrument includes a housing configured to move along the interior of a pipe string in a wellbore. The pipe has a cutting structure at its bottom end. The instrument includes a probe extending from a bottom end of the housing. The probe has an output from a light source and a light input to a video camera. The probe has a diameter selected to enable extension through an opening in the cutting structure. A method for inspecting a wellbore includes moving an instrument through an interior of a pipe string in the wellbore. The pipe has a cutting tool at its lower end. At least part of the instrument is moved outside the bottom end of the pipe through a port in the cutting tool. Optically transparent fluid is moved into the wellbore proximate an end of the instrument outside the pipe string. Objects proximate the fluid are inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: James G. Aivalis, Christopher Prusiecki
  • Publication number: 20080156477
    Abstract: A deployment device for controlling rate of movement of an instrument inside a conduit includes a mandrel having a coupling to affix the deployment device to the instrument and a controllable brake disposed in the mandrel, the brake controllably actuatable to maintain the mandrel and instrument at a selected speed within the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: James G. Aivalis, Corey McGillivary
  • Publication number: 20080066961
    Abstract: A method for inserting a tool into a wellbore includes uncoiling a coiled tubing into the wellbore to a selected depth therein. When the tubing is at the selected depth, the tubing is uncoupled. A tool is inserted into the interior of the tubing. The tubing is reconnected, and the tool is moved along the interior of the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: James G. Aivalis, Harry D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080066905
    Abstract: A method for inserting a tool into a wellbore includes uncoiling a coiled tubing into the wellbore to a selected depth therein. When the tubing is at the selected depth, the tubing is uncoupled. A tool is inserted into the interior of the tubing. The tubing is reconnected, and the tool is moved along the interior of the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Inventors: James G. Aivalis, Harry D. Aivalis