Patents by Inventor Mark Hofacker

Mark Hofacker 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: 11993991
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over packers and/or other well tools actuated downhole. The technique utilizes a valve connectable into a well string. The valve is shiftable between a plurality of modes so as to control flow of fluid in a downhole environment. Additionally, an actuator system is connectable into the well string and operatively coupled with the valve. The actuator system is electronically controlled to cause the valve to shift to a desired mode of the plurality of modes. This approach enables electronic control over the actuation of specific downhole tools, e.g. packers, and/or other well related operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Hofacker, Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez, Jeffrey Conner McCabe
  • Patent number: 11952861
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over a downhole well operation. The technique utilizes an electronic control system for controlling actuation of a downhole application-specific attachment. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a universal actuator module which may be selectively combined with a variety of application-specific attachments, e.g. well tools. The universal actuator module is electrically powered via, for example, electricity supplied to drive an electric motor which, in turn, may be used to drive a hydraulic pump or other type of mechanical device. Additionally, a given application-specific attachment can be readily interchanged with other application-specific attachments (e.g. well tools) for performing a desired downhole operation or operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Hofacker, Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez, Jeffrey Conner McCabe, Carlos Urdaneta
  • Publication number: 20240018831
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the positioning of a well tool in a wellbore or other type of borehole. According to an embodiment, a well tool is combined with a centralizer system. The centralizer system has a plurality of extension members which are oriented to extend outwardly, e.g., radially outwardly, from the well tool. The extension members of the plurality of extension members are uniquely controllable to enable controlled positioning of the well tool within the borehole. For example, the extension members may be actuated to centralize the well tool along a desired borehole axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventor: Mark Hofacker
  • Publication number: 20230313625
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over packers and/or other well tools actuated downhole. The technique utilizes a valve connectable into a well string. The valve is shiftable between a plurality of modes so as to control flow of fluid in a downhole environment. Additionally, an actuator system is connectable into the well string and operatively coupled with the valve. The actuator system is electronically controlled to cause the valve to shift to a desired mode of the plurality of modes. This approach enables electronic control over the actuation of specific downhole tools, e.g. packers, and/or other well related operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Hofacker, Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez, Jeffrey Conner McCabe
  • Publication number: 20230313639
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over a downhole well operation. The technique utilizes an electronic control system for controlling actuation of a valve downhole. The valve, in turn, is operated to enable selective control over fluid flows governing the actuation of a downhole tool and/or other downhole operations. In some embodiments, the electronic control system may work in cooperation with a downhole hydraulic system to provide a downhole electro-hydraulically actuated valve system. A monitoring system provides feedback regarding the valve position and/or status of the downhole operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Carlos Urdaneta, Mark Hofacker, Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez
  • Publication number: 20230313640
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over a downhole well operation. The technique utilizes an electronic control system for controlling actuation of a downhole application-specific attachment. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a universal actuator module which may be selectively combined with a variety of application-specific attachments, e.g. well tools. The universal actuator module is electrically powered via, for example, electricity supplied to drive an electric motor which, in turn, may be used to drive a hydraulic pump or other type of mechanical device. Additionally, a given application-specific attachment can be readily interchanged with other application-specific attachments (e.g. well tools) for performing a desired downhole operation or operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Hofacker, Jordi Juan Segura Dominguez, Jeffrey Conner McCabe, Carlos Urdaneta
  • Patent number: 11773660
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the positioning of a well tool in a wellbore or other type of borehole. A well tool is combined with a centralizer system. The centralizer system has a plurality of extension members which are oriented to extend outwardly, e.g. radially outwardly, from the well tool. The extension members of the plurality of extension members are controllable to enable controlled positioning of the well tool within the borehole. The extension members may be actuated to centralize the well tool along a desired borehole axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Hofacker
  • Publication number: 20230258044
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the positioning of a well tool in a wellbore or other type of borehole. A well tool is combined with a centralizer system. The centralizer system has a plurality of extension members which are oriented to extend outwardly, e.g. radially outwardly, from the well tool. The extension members of the plurality of extension members are controllable to enable controlled positioning of the well tool within the borehole. The extension members may be actuated to centralize the well tool along a desired borehole axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Hofacker