Patents by Inventor L. Michael McKee
L. Michael McKee 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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Patent number: 9869138Abstract: An apparatus for releasably connecting a cable with a tool that has an outer cone. The outer cone has a lower portion and an upper portion. A weak point is located between the lower portion and upper portion. The apparatus also includes an inner cone configured to fit within the outer cone.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ricardo Vanegas, Robert Michael Ramsey, L. Michael McKee, Montie W. Morrison
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Patent number: 9435172Abstract: A downhole tool conveyed via tubing within a wellbore at a wellsite comprises a hydraulic tool driven by fluid pumped to the hydraulic tool via the tubing. The downhole tool further comprises a valve in fluid communication between the tubing and the hydraulic tool. The valve is configurable in the wellbore between an expanded position, establishing a bypass diverting at least a portion of the pumped fluid away from the hydraulic tool, and a compressed position, closing the bypass.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Mark C. Oettli, L. Michael McKee, Robert L. Bucher, III, Mohammad Hajjari
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Publication number: 20160053556Abstract: An apparatus for releasably connecting a cable with a tool that has an outer cone. The outer cone has a lower portion and an upper portion. A weak point is located between the lower portion and upper portion. The apparatus also includes an inner cone configured to fit within the outer cone.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Ricardo Vanegas, Robert Michael Ramsey, L. Michael McKee, Montie W. Morrison
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Publication number: 20150114644Abstract: A downhole tool conveyed via tubing within a wellbore at a wellsite comprises a hydraulic tool driven by fluid pumped to the hydraulic tool via the tubing. The downhole tool further comprises a valve in fluid communication between the tubing and the hydraulic tool. The valve is configurable in the wellbore between an expanded position, establishing a bypass diverting at least a portion of the pumped fluid away from the hydraulic tool, and a compressed position, closing the bypass.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mark C. Oettli, L. Michael McKee, Robert L. Bucher, III, Mohammad Hajjari
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Publication number: 20130309016Abstract: A technique is presented for simultaneously releasing a plurality of control lines, and in particular to facilitate an oilfield operation with respect to a subsea wellbore. A hose reel or a plurality of hose reels may be mounted on a skid which, in turn, may be positioned on a vessel that works in cooperation with an offshore platform. Each hose reel is designed to engage a hose bundle via a release mechanism which releasably couples a plurality of control lines carried by the hose bundle. The release mechanism comprises a primary release and a secondary release to selectively enable disconnection of the control lines and release of the hose bundle from the skid.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: L. Michael McKee, Matthew E. Wilson, Christopher Shen
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Patent number: 8544339Abstract: A well access line monitor. The monitor may be employed to directly interface and establish the current yield strength of a plastically deformable line such as coiled tubing or slickline. Such interfacing may take place in advance of, or during an application. Thus, the fitness of the line for the application may be established in real-time. Further, with comparison to a reference log of projected yield strength for the line over the course of multiple bend cycles, the remaining life of the line may also be established.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: L. Michael McKee, Robert Michael Ramsey, Hifzi Ardic
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Patent number: 8505633Abstract: A coupling to serve as a logging head or other downhole weakpoint assembly. The coupling is configured with a variety of internal tensile members. The individual members and load bearing capacities of each may be selectively engaged in a variety of combinations so as to provide a host of different load bearing capacities to the weakpoint coupling. Such selectable engagement is achieved through the dialing of a key by the user without the need to add or remove any load bearing features from the coupling. Thus, the user-friendly nature of the coupling is enhanced and the possibility of the user leaving behind supplemental load bearing tensile members for change-out is eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: L. Michael McKee
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Patent number: 8505637Abstract: A coiled tubing connection system is used in a well. A connector having an engagement end is used to couple a wellbore device to the end of a coiled tubing. The connector is spoolable, and the engagement end comprises engagement features that facilitate formation of a connection that is dependable and less susceptible to separation.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technolgoy CorporationInventors: L. Michael McKee, Bart Thomeer, Harold Steven Bissonnette, Michael Ramsey, Robert Bucher, Michael H. Kenison, Robert Greenaway
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Patent number: 8024957Abstract: A downhole load cell calibrated for enhanced accuracy. The load cell may be a dry load cell calibrated by storage of pre-determined temperature and pressure data relative to the load cell based on known loads applied thereto. Thus, surface equipment employed with the load cell may include a computer program that takes advantage of the stored pre-determined information. The computer program may then be employed for calibration of downhole load cell data based on readings from the load cell along with downhole temperature and pressure information.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: L. Michael McKee
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Patent number: 7997347Abstract: A handheld tool for straightening coiled tubing in a continuous manner. The tool is configured to straighten coiled tubing that has undergone plastifying deformation, for example, during winding about a coiled tubing reel. The tool is of enhanced mobility and may be employed to provide a straightened portion of coiled tubing without resorting to intermittent reverse kinking or corrugating of the coiled tubing. Rather, the substantially continuous character of the straightened portion of coiled tubing is well suited for stably and reliably accommodating a downhole tool for use within a well during hydrocarbon recovery applications.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: L. Michael McKee
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Publication number: 20110154908Abstract: A well access line monitor. The monitor may be employed to directly interface and establish the current yield strength of a plastically deformable line such as coiled tubing or slickline. Such interfacing may take place in advance of, or during an application. Thus, the fitness of the line for the application may be established in real-time. Further, with comparison to a reference log of projected yield strength for the line over the course of multiple bend cycles, the remaining life of the line may also be established.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: L. Michael Mckee, Robert Michael Ramsey, Hifzi Ardic
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Patent number: 7967072Abstract: A release mechanism for incorporation into a logging head. The release mechanism may be a tensile release mechanism that employs a plurality of tensile members for interchangeable insertion into a plurality of tensile compartments. As a result, a weakpoint for the logging head may be user defined on location at the oilfield. Furthermore, for potentially deeper wells, a rotatable release mechanism may be alternatively or additionally incorporated into the logging head. The rotatable release mechanism may be employed to effectuate a release of the logging head upon signaling from surface equipment. Additionally, the rotatable release mechanism may be powered to achieve the release solely from a downhole power source.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: L. Michael McKee
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Publication number: 20110089685Abstract: A coiled tubing connection system is used in a well. A connector having an engagement end is used to couple a wellbore device to the end of a coiled tubing. The connector is spoolable, and the engagement end comprises engagement features that facilitate formation of a connection that is dependable and less susceptible to separation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: L. Michael McKee, Bart Thomeer, Harold Steven Bissonnette, Michael Ramsey, Robert Bucher, Michael H. Kenison, Robert Greenaway
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Patent number: 7861776Abstract: A coiled tubing connection system is used in a well. A connector having an engagement end is used to couple a wellbore device to the end of a coiled tubing. The connector is spoolable, and the engagement end comprises engagement features that facilitate formation of a connection that is dependable and less susceptible to separation.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: L. Michael McKee, Bart Thomeer, Harold Steven Bissonnette, Michael Ramsey, Robert Bucher, Michael H. Kenison, Robert Greenaway
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Patent number: 7827668Abstract: A connection between coiled tubing and a connector includes a plurality of dimples formed by a tubing, each dimple is disposed within a respective pocket formed in a connector to form at least two rows of dimple-pocket connections, wherein the fit of the dimples within the pockets of the rows graduates from tighter to looser along the length of the connection. The connection may further include a seal member positioned between the tubing and the connector positioned between at least two of the rows of dimple-pocket connections formed. A method of connecting coiled tubing to a connector includes the steps of graduating the dimple-pocket connections from tighter to looser along the length of the connection.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: L. Michael McKee, Frank F. Espinosa, William D. Eatwell
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Patent number: 7775289Abstract: A technique facilitates joining of coiled tubing sections. A framework has one or more movable stands with features designed to grip and manipulate an end of a coiled tubing section. The ability to hold and selectively move an end of a coiled tubing section or the ends of both coiled tubing sections enables an operator to easily prepare the coiled tubing ends and to couple the coiled tubing ends with a coiled tubing connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2006Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: L. Michael McKee, Matthew E. Wilson, Geoffrey Steel, William D. Eatwell
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Publication number: 20100181077Abstract: A coupling to serve as a logging head or other downhole weakpoint assembly. The coupling is configured with a variety of internal tensile members. The individual members and load bearing capacities of each may be selectively engaged in a variety of combinations so as to provide a host of different load bearing capacities to the weakpoint coupling. Such selectable engagement is achieved through the dialing of a key by the user without the need to add or remove any load bearing features from the coupling. Thus, the user-friendly nature of the coupling is enhanced and the possibility of the user leaving behind supplemental load bearing tensile members for change-out is eliminated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventor: L. Michael McKee
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Publication number: 20100181078Abstract: A handheld tool for straightening coiled tubing in a continuous manner. The tool is configured to straighten coiled tubing that has undergone plastifying deformation, for example, during winding about a coiled tubing reel. The tool is of enhanced mobility and may be employed to provide a straightened portion of coiled tubing without resorting to intermittent reverse kinking or corrugating of the coiled tubing. Rather, the substantially continuous character of the straightened portion of coiled tubing is well suited for stably and reliably accommodating a downhole tool for use within a well during hydrocarbon recovery applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2009Publication date: July 22, 2010Inventor: L. Michael McKee
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Patent number: 7757755Abstract: A technique provides an orientation system combined with downhole equipment used in a well. An orientation device is mounted in the downhole equipment, e.g. a bottom hole assembly, for actuation during angular displacement of the downhole equipment. A sensor is mounted to cooperate with the orientation device in detecting the angular displacement.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael H. Kenison, L. Michael McKee, Robert Bucher, David P. Smith, Sarmad Adnan
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Publication number: 20100096848Abstract: A connection between coiled tubing and a connector includes a plurality of dimples formed by a tubing, each dimple is disposed within a respective pocket formed in a connector to form at least two rows of dimple-pocket connections, wherein the fit of the dimples within the pockets of the rows graduates from tighter to looser along the length of the connection. The connection may further include a seal member positioned between the tubing and the connector positioned between at least two of the rows of dimple-pocket connections formed. A method of connecting coiled tubing to a connector includes the steps of graduating the dimple-pocket connections from tighter to looser along the length of the connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: L. Michael McKee, Frank F. Espinosa, William D. Eatwell