Patents by Inventor John Whitsitt
John Whitsitt 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: 20240060404Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards a lift system for extracting a fluid from a well. The system may include a production tube and at least one bladder located inside a pump barrel which is connected to the production tube. The bladder may include a top connector configured to receive a concentric tubing. The lift system may further include a compression system connected to the concentric tubing. The compression system may be configured to provide a compressed gas through the concentric tubing to the at least one bladder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Charles R. Tompkins, Mathew A. Eagleston, Robert Michael Taylor, John Whitsitt, Jody Ray McGlothen
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Publication number: 20230147546Abstract: A completion string includes at least one isolation packer positioned between well zones of a plurality of well zones, and a sand control assembly and a circulating assembly each disposed uphole of a washdown shoe in the bottom-most well zone. A top well zone includes a return valve assembly, a production packer, and a second circulating assembly and a second sand control assembly downhole of the production packer. The completion string also includes an outer string spanning from the bottom-most well zone to the top well zone, and an inner production string concentrically arranged within the outer string, creating an inner-annulus between the outer string and inner production string. The inner-annulus is continuous from the washdown shoe to the return valve assembly, and the inner production string includes a production valve disposed between the sand control assembly and the circulating assembly in each of the bottom-most and top well zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: May 11, 2023Inventors: Jeremie Poizat, John Whitsitt, Oguzhan Guven, Michael Huh, Nabil Batita
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Publication number: 20220056779Abstract: A technique facilitates collecting data, related to a fracturing, run-in-hole, or pull-out-of hole operation. A frac plug is provided with electronics for obtaining the desired information related to the operation. For example, the frac plug may be constructed with electronic sensors, a digital storage device, and a power supply or other power related equipment. Depending on the application, the frac plug may be a composite frac plug, degradable frac plug, dummy frac plug, or other suitable frac plug. Retrieval of the information obtained may be done via coupling with an associated device, e.g. inductive or physical coupling, by utilizing a broadcast transmitter/receiver, by physical retrieval of the storage device, or by physical retrieval of the dummy frac plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Isaac Aviles, John Whitsitt, William Norrid, Sidney Jasek, Robert M. Graham, Laurent Alteirac, Bhushan Pendse, Audrey Cherel, Huilin Tu, Houssem Kharrat
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Publication number: 20200256144Abstract: A technique facilitates intervention operations in many types of wells including horizontal, multi-zone wells. According to an embodiment, a completion is deployed in a borehole, e.g. a deviated wellbore. The completion comprises a side pocket mandrel having a docking station. In some embodiments, the completion may comprise a plurality of the side pocket mandrels A device, such as an electrically powered device, is removably deployed in the docking station. When the docking station receives the electrically powered device, an inductive coupler or other suitable electric coupler may be used to provide power to the electrically powered device while deployed in the docking station. The electrically powered device also is configured for engagement with a tool which enables an intervention operation by simply removing and replacing the device via the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2018Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Benoit Deville, John Whitsitt, Todor K. Sheiretov, Stephen Dyer
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Patent number: 10301910Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a body, a blocking member, a sensor, a radially expandable element and a controller. The body includes a longitudinal passageway that extends through the body, and the blocking member is disposed in the passageway to check fluid from flowing in a predefined direction through the passageway. The sensor is disposed on the body to sense a property of an environment of the string as the object is being communicated through the passageway; the radially expandable element is disposed on the body; and the controller is disposed on the body to selectively autonomously control the expandable element to land the body in a downhole restriction in response to the sensing.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: John Whitsitt, Gary Rytlewski, John Wolf
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Publication number: 20160108722Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes a body, a blocking member, a sensor, a radially expandable element and a controller. The body includes a longitudinal passageway that extends through the body, and the blocking member is disposed in the passageway to check fluid from flowing in a predefined direction through the passageway. The sensor is disposed on the body to sense a property of an environment of the string as the object is being communicated through the passageway; the radially expandable element is disposed on the body; and the controller is disposed on the body to selectively autonomously control the expandable element to land the body in a downhole restriction in response to the sensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: John Whitsitt, Gary Rytlewski, John Wolf
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Patent number: 8651179Abstract: A swellable packer device upon exposure to brine in a well. The device may be swellable to a substantially constant profile in spite of significant fluctuations in brine concentrations. Thus, the likelihood of packer failure due to under-swelling or over-swelling is reduced. Indeed, the packer may be employed for long-term operations or isolations ranging from a couple of weeks to twenty years or more without undue concern over packer failure from under or over swelling.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Nitin Y. Vaidya, Frederick Lemme, Sr., Xiaohong Ren, John Whitsitt, Joseph K. Flowers, Rashmi Bhavsar
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Patent number: 8496055Abstract: A service tool and methods for performing subterranean hydrocarbon services in a wellbore. The service tool can include a body that having an aperture formed therethrough. A valve system can be connected to the body. The valve system can selectively form a flow path between a first portion of the aperture and a second portion of the aperture; a flow path between a first flow port formed through a first portion of the body, the aperture, and the outer diameter of the body; and/or a flow path between a channel formed in a portion of the body, a second flow port formed through a second portion of the body, and the second portion of the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Dexter Myles Mootoo, Robert Krush, John Whitsitt, Adam Charles Vasper, Graham Watson
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Patent number: 8408319Abstract: A swellable packer including a first retainer, a second retainer, a swellable element, a piston, and a piston lock. The second retainer is spaced axially apart from the first retainer. The swellable element is at least partially disposed between and fixed to the first and second retainers. The piston is fixed to the second retainer and configured to move the second retainer from a first position in which the swellable element is unstrained, to a second position in which the swellable element is strained. The piston lock is configured to releasably fix the second retainer in the second position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, John Whitsitt
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Patent number: 8225880Abstract: Disclosed herein is a completion device for a wellbore, that includes at least an elastomer circumferentially disposed around a tubular, the elastomer having a main sealing segment and at least one activation segment axially extending from the main sealing segment at opposing ends, wherein each activation segment has an exposed end; and an impermeable membrane circumferentially encasing the elastomer and configured to prevent an influx of wellbore fluids into the elastomer except at the exposed ends.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, John Whitsitt, Nitin Y. Vaidya
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Publication number: 20110253393Abstract: A swellable packer device upon exposure to brine in a well. The device may be swellable to a substantially constant profile in spite of significant fluctuations in brine concentrations. Thus, the likelihood of packer failure due to under-swelling or over-swelling is reduced. Indeed, the packer may be employed for long-term operations or isolations ranging from a couple of weeks to twenty years or more without undue concern over packer failure from under or over swelling.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Nitin Y. Vaidya, Frederick Lemme, SR., Xiaohong Ren, John Whitsitt, Joseph K. Flowers, Rashmi Bhavsar
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Publication number: 20110147014Abstract: A swellable packer including a first retainer, a second retainer, a swellable element, a piston, and a piston lock. The second retainer is spaced axially apart from the first retainer. The swellable element is at least partially disposed between and fixed to the first and second retainers. The piston is fixed to the second retainer and configured to move the second retainer from a first position in which the swellable element is unstrained, to a second position in which the swellable element is strained. The piston lock is configured to releasably fix the second retainer in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, John Whitsitt
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Publication number: 20100163235Abstract: A service tool and methods for performing subterranean hydrocarbon services in a wellbore. The service tool can include a body that having an aperture formed therethrough. A valve system can be connected to the body. The valve system can selectively form a flow path between a first portion of the aperture and a second portion of the aperture; a flow path between a first flow port formed through a first portion of the body, the aperture, and the outer diameter of the body; and/or a flow path between a channel formed in a portion of the body, a second flow port formed through a second portion of the body, and the second portion of the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Dexter Mootoo, Robert Krush, John Whitsitt, Adam Charles Vasper, Graham Watson
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Publication number: 20100139929Abstract: Disclosed herein is a completion device for a wellbore, that includes at least an elastomer circumferentially disposed around a tubular, the elastomer having a main sealing segment and at least one activation segment axially extending from the main sealing segment at opposing ends, wherein each activation segment has an exposed end; and an impermeable membrane circumferentially encasing the elastomer and configured to prevent an influx of wellbore fluids into the elastomer except at the exposed ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, John Whitsitt, Nitin Y. Vaidya
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Patent number: 7546875Abstract: An integrated sandface completion tool that can be positioned within a wellbore in a single trip and a method of providing a sandface completion in a wellbore. An embodiment of the integrated sandface completion tool includes a casing section having a casing wall, at least one explosive charge connected to the casing wall, and a screen assembly connected within the casing section forming a screen-casing annulus, the screen assembly having openings formed along a portion thereof and a port in selective communication with the screen-casing annulus. The method includes the steps of positioning the integrated completion tool in the wellbore, detonating the explosive charge and packing the screen-casing annulus with a material.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: John Whitsitt, Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Steven W. Henderson
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Patent number: 7407013Abstract: An expandable well screen system includes a screen assembly having a base pipe, a strut, and a screen expandable from a retracted position to an expanded position in the wellbore; and an insert guide disposed in the base pipe when the screen is in the expanded position, wherein the base pipe maintains substantially the same geometric dimensions when the screen is in the retracted position and the expanded position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: John Whitsitt
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Publication number: 20080149347Abstract: An expandable well screen system includes a screen assembly having a base pipe, a strut, and a screen expandable from a retracted position to an expanded position in the wellbore; and an insert guide disposed in the base pipe when the screen is in the expanded position, wherein the base pipe maintains substantially the same geometric dimensions when the screen is in the retracted position and the expanded position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: John Whitsitt
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Patent number: 7387157Abstract: A dynamic inflatable sealing device for maintaining the pressure within an inflatable element at least substantially equal to the pressure in the annulus to maintain the inflatable element in a sealing position. The dynamic sealing device includes an inflatable element forming an internal chamber, the inflatable element expandable to sealing engagement with a wall, and a dynamic valve mechanism in operational connection between the internal chamber and exterior of the internal chamber substantially communicating the pressure external of the inflatable element to the internal chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Philippe Gambier, Jose F. Garcia, John Whitsitt
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Publication number: 20070256826Abstract: An assembly is disclosed which is usable with the well which comprises a base pipe having a plurality of apertures where each of the apertures contains a screen insert. The assembly also includes a plurality of perforating charges which are mounted to the outer surface of the base pipe in proximity to the screen inserts. In one embodiment, the perforating charges are conical shaped charges, while in another embodiment, the perforating charges are linear shaped charges. An assembly according to the present invention may be utilized to perforate and gravel pack one or more of downhole zones in a single trip downhole. Utilization of linear perforating charges avoids killing the well and prevents formation damage by kill-pills or kill-fluids. An assembly in accordance with the present invention thus reduces drilling time and costs and allows for total flexibility for the distance between stacked intervals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2007Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Tomaso Ceccarelli, John Whitsitt, Steven Henderson
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Publication number: 20070251690Abstract: An assembly that is usable with a well includes a base pipe, a screen and at least one perforating charge. The base pipe includes at least one radial port to communicate well fluid, and the base pipe has an outer surface. The screen is mounted to the base pipe and is adapted to at least partially surround the base pipe. The radial port(s) of the base pipe are covered by the screen. The perforating charge(s) are mounted to the outer surface of the base pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2006Publication date: November 1, 2007Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: John Whitsitt, Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Steven Henderson