Patents by Inventor Michael S. Chelf

Michael S. Chelf 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: 9631437
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing pressures present in an annular space defined between casing strings contained within a subterranean well. These systems and methods may include providing a pressure distribution casing that includes a plurality of pressure distribution passages and distributing fluids present within the annular space along a length of the pressure distribution casing and/or between the annular space and the subterranean formation using a portion of the plurality of pressure distribution passages. Pressure distribution passages may be present on an inner surface of the pressure distribution casing, on an outer surface of the pressure distribution casing, and/or within a wall of the pressure distribution casing and may distribute the fluids along the length of the pressure distribution casing without distributing the fluids across and/or through a wall of the pressure distribution casing, such as between the inner surface and the outer surface of the pressure distribution casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, David A. Baker, Michael S. Chelf, Charles S. Yeh
  • Publication number: 20130299180
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing pressures present in an annular space defined between casing strings contained within a subterranean well. These systems and methods may include providing a pressure distribution casing that includes a plurality of pressure distribution passages and distributing fluids present within the annular space along a length of the pressure distribution casing and/or between the annular space and the subterranean formation using a portion of the plurality of pressure distribution passages. Pressure distribution passages may be present on an inner surface of the pressure distribution casing, on an outer surface of the pressure distribution casing, and/or within a wall of the pressure distribution casing and may distribute the fluids along the length of the pressure distribution casing without distributing the fluids across and/or through a wall of the pressure distribution casing, such as between the inner surface and the outer surface of the pressure distribution casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, David A. Baker, Michael S. Chelf, Charles S. Yeh
  • Publication number: 20130206412
    Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for fracturing reservoirs without directly treating them. For example, an embodiment provides a method for fracturing a subterranean formation. The method includes causing a volumetric decrease in a zone proximate to the subterranean formation so as to apply a mechanical stress to the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Kevin H. Searles, Sheng-Yuan Hsu, Elizabeth Land Templeton-Barrett, Michael S. Chelf
  • Publication number: 20130211807
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fracturing a formation are provided. A method includes generating a subsurface model including the production formation and a zone proximate to the production formation. A number of scenarios are simulated in which a volumetric change is created in the zone proximate to the production formation. A scenario is selected from the plurality of scenarios to stimulate the production formation. The scenario is performed to create a fracture field in the production formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Elizabeth Land Templeton-Barrett, Xianyun Wu, Michael S. Chelf, Brian R. Crawford, Bruce A. Dale, Yueming Liang, Kevin H. Searles, Peter Griffin Smith, JR., Marshall I. Sundberg
  • Publication number: 20130199789
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for fracturing a production formation. A method includes drilling a well into a zone proximate to a production formation, and increasing a volume of the zone through the well in order to apply a mechanical stress to the production formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Yueming Liang, Michael S. Chelf, Brian R. Crawford, Bruce A. Dale, Elizabeth Land Templeton-Barrett, Peter Griffin Smith, JR., Kevin H. Searles, Marshall I. Sundberg, Xianyun Wu
  • Publication number: 20130199781
    Abstract: The present techniques provide methods and systems for fracturing reservoirs without directly treating them. For example, an embodiment provides a method for fracturing a subterranean formation. The method includes causing a volumetric increase in a zone proximate to the subterranean formation so as to apply a mechanical stress to the subterranean formation, creating a fracture network in the subterranean formation to improve permeability therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Kevin H. Searles, Sheng-Yuan Hsu, Michael S. Chelf