Patents by Inventor James M. Fogal

James M. Fogal 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: 7966875
    Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Proett, James M. Fogal, James H. Dudley, Laban M. Marsh, David Welshans, Jean Michel Beique, John R. Hardin, Jr., William E. Hendricks, Gregory N. Gilbert, Mark A. Sitka, James E. Stone
  • Publication number: 20080314137
    Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC
    Inventors: Mark A. Proett, James M. Fogal, James H. Dudley, Laban M. Marsh, David Welshans, Jean Michel Beique, John R. Hardin, JR., William E. Hendricks, Gregory N. Gilbert, Mark A. Sitka, James E. Stone
  • Patent number: 7261168
    Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Once obtained, the formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, may be corrected, calibrated and supplemented using various other data and techniques disclosed herein. Furthermore, the formation property data may be used for numerous other purposes. For example, the data may be used to correct or supplement other information gathered from the borehole; it may be used to supplement formation images or models; or, it may be used to adjust a drilling or producing parameter. Various other uses of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Douglas McGregor, Glenn C. Gray, James E. Stone, Svetozar Simeonov, Gregory N. Gilbert, Mark A. Proett, James M. Fogal, William Edward Hendricks, Christopher Anthony Maranuk, Jean Michel Beique
  • Patent number: 7243537
    Abstract: A method of determining the supercharge pressure in a formation intersected by a borehole having a wall, the method comprising disposing a formation pressure test tool into the borehole having a probe for isolating a portion of the borehole. The method further comprises extending the probe into sealing contact with the borehole wall. The method further comprises performing at least one drawdown test with the formation pressure test tool. The method further comprises modeling the supercharge pressure of the formation using the dynamic properties of the mudcake. The method further comprises determining the supercharge pressure of the formation using the supercharge pressure model. The formation pressure test tool may be conveyed into the borehole using wireline technology or on a drill string. Using the supercharge pressure, the drawdown test may be optimized, the characteristics of the drilling fluid altered, or the measurements of other sensors adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc
    Inventors: Mark A. Proett, Wilson Chung-Ling Chin, Jean Michel Beique, John R. Hardin, Jr., James M. Fogal, David Welshans, Glenn C. Gray
  • Patent number: 7224162
    Abstract: System and methods for estimating properties of a geologic formation are disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes a method for estimating properties of a geologic formation, comprising the steps of: measuring a property of the formation in two or more directions along a path in the formation; obtaining directional property values for at least one spatial unit along the path in the formation based on the property measurements; and providing an anisotropy estimate of the formation from the obtained directional property values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Proett, James M. Fogal, Wilson C. Chin, Prabhakar R. Aadireddy
  • Patent number: 7216533
    Abstract: A method of testing a downhole formation using a formation tester on a drill string. The formation tester is disposed downhole on a drill string and a formation test is performed by forming a seal between a formation probe assembly and the formation. A drawdown piston then creates a volume within a cylinder to draw formation fluid into the volume through the probe assembly. The pressure of the fluid within the cylinder is monitored. The formation test procedure may then be adjusted. The test procedure may be adjusted to account for the bubble point pressure of the fluid being monitored. The pressure may monitored to verify a proper seal is formed or is being maintained. The test procedure may also be performed by maintaining a substantially constant drawdown rate using a hydraulic threshold or a variable restrictor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm D. McGregor, Gregory N. Gilbert, Mark A. Proett, James M. Fogal, David Welshans, Glenn C. Gray, Svetozar Simeonov, Laban M. Marsh, Jean Michel Beique, James E. Stone
  • Patent number: 6799117
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating properties of fluid samples pumped from a formation through a well are described. Based upon input properties, an artificial neural network (ANN) may predict a plurality of data points, and each data point may correspond to a predicted time sample of the property of the fluid sample. Properties predicted by the ANN include sample quality or pumping pressure differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Proett, Jianghui Wu, James M. Fogal, Madan Mohan Manohar