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).

  • Publication number: 20240060404
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Charles R. Tompkins, Mathew A. Eagleston, Robert Michael Taylor, John Whitsitt, Jody Ray McGlothen
  • Publication number: 20230147546
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Jeremie Poizat, John Whitsitt, Oguzhan Guven, Michael Huh, Nabil Batita
  • Publication number: 20220056779
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventors: Isaac Aviles, John Whitsitt, William Norrid, Sidney Jasek, Robert M. Graham, Laurent Alteirac, Bhushan Pendse, Audrey Cherel, Huilin Tu, Houssem Kharrat
  • Publication number: 20200256144
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Benoit Deville, John Whitsitt, Todor K. Sheiretov, Stephen Dyer
  • Patent number: 10301910
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Whitsitt, Gary Rytlewski, John Wolf
  • Publication number: 20160108722
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: John Whitsitt, Gary Rytlewski, John Wolf
  • Patent number: 8651179
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nitin Y. Vaidya, Frederick Lemme, Sr., Xiaohong Ren, John Whitsitt, Joseph K. Flowers, Rashmi Bhavsar
  • Patent number: 8496055
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dexter Myles Mootoo, Robert Krush, John Whitsitt, Adam Charles Vasper, Graham Watson
  • Patent number: 8408319
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, John Whitsitt
  • Patent number: 8225880
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, John Whitsitt, Nitin Y. Vaidya
  • Publication number: 20110253393
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nitin Y. Vaidya, Frederick Lemme, SR., Xiaohong Ren, John Whitsitt, Joseph K. Flowers, Rashmi Bhavsar
  • Publication number: 20110147014
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, John Whitsitt
  • Publication number: 20100163235
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dexter Mootoo, Robert Krush, John Whitsitt, Adam Charles Vasper, Graham Watson
  • Publication number: 20100139929
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary L. Rytlewski, John Whitsitt, Nitin Y. Vaidya
  • Patent number: 7546875
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Whitsitt, Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Steven W. Henderson
  • Patent number: 7407013
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: John Whitsitt
  • Publication number: 20080149347
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Whitsitt
  • Patent number: 7387157
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Gambier, Jose F. Garcia, John Whitsitt
  • Publication number: 20070256826
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomaso Ceccarelli, John Whitsitt, Steven Henderson
  • Publication number: 20070251690
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Whitsitt, Vladimir Vaynshteyn, Steven Henderson