Patents by Inventor Patrice Ligneul
Patrice Ligneul 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: 20230366756Abstract: Resonating sensors for use in high-pressure and high-temperature environments are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor with a double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator that includes a first tine and a second tine. These tines are spaced apart from one another so as to form a slot between the first and second tines. The width of the slot from the first tine to the second tine varies along the lengths of the first and second tines. Various other resonators, devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Didier Pohl, Florian Risser, Jacques Sellin, Patrice Ligneul, Kamran Danaie, Mihir Patel, Boris Valkov
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Patent number: 11754452Abstract: Resonating sensors for use in high-pressure and high-temperature environments are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor with a double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator that includes a first tine and a second tine. These tines are spaced apart from one another so as to form a slot between the first and second tines. The width of the slot from the first tine to the second tine varies along the lengths of the first and second tines. Various other resonators, devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Didier Pohl, Florian Risser, Jacques Sellin, Patrice Ligneul, Kamran Danaie, Mihir Patel, Boris Valkov
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Publication number: 20230280194Abstract: Methods for determining phase fractions of a downhole fluid via thermal properties of the fluids are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes measuring a temperature of a fluid flowing through a completion string downhole in a well and heating a resistive element of a thermal detector at a position along the completion string downhole in the well by applying power to the resistive element such that heat from the resistive element is transmitted to the fluid flowing by the position. The method also includes determining, via the thermal detector, a flow velocity of the fluid through the completion string and multiple thermal properties of the fluid, and using the determined flow velocity and the multiple thermal properties to determine phase fractions of the fluid. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Inventors: Patrice Ligneul, Mustapha Abbad, Nicolas Renoux, Marian Faur
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Patent number: 11692859Abstract: Methods for determining phase fractions of a downhole fluid via thermal properties of the fluids are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes measuring a temperature of a fluid flowing through a completion string downhole in a well and heating a resistive element of a thermal detector at a position along the completion string downhole in the well by applying power to the resistive element such that heat from the resistive element is transmitted to the fluid flowing by the position. The method also includes determining, via the thermal detector, a flow velocity of the fluid through the completion string and multiple thermal properties of the fluid, and using the determined flow velocity and the multiple thermal properties to determine phase fractions of the fluid. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Patrice Ligneul, Mustapha Abbad, Nicolas Renoux, Marian Faur
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Patent number: 11377949Abstract: Multiphase flow metering is provided. In one possible implementation, a multiphase flow measurement system includes at least one reference temperature sensor at a first position configured to measure a first temperature of a multiphase flow. The multiphase flow measurement system also includes at least one heated temperature sensor at a second position downstream of the reference temperature sensor configured to excite the multiphase flow and measure a second temperature of the multiphase flow.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Mustapha Abbad, Dominic Joseph Brady, Patrice Ligneul, Stephen Dyer
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Patent number: 11066925Abstract: A measurement device is configured in a shaped charge package to be utilized in a perforating gun section tool string. The measurement device may include for example thermal conductivity detectors (TCD) configured to measure fluid flow velocity and/or thermal characteristics of the flowing fluid. The measurement device may include for example a pair laterally spaced TCDs each having sensor faces positioned co-planar with a surface across which the fluid flows. The measurement device may include a recessed TCD, having a sensor face recessed below an opening in the exterior surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Patrice Ligneul, Bertrand Theuveny, Tullio Moscato, Sebastien Prangere, Olivier Peyret
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Publication number: 20200056948Abstract: Resonating sensors for use in high-pressure and high-temperature environments are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a sensor with a double-ended tuning fork piezoelectric resonator that includes a first tine and a second tine. These tines are spaced apart from one another so as to form a slot between the first and second tines. The width of the slot from the first tine to the second tine varies along the lengths of the first and second tines. Various other resonators, devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Didier Pohl, Florian Risser, Jacques Sellin, Patrice Ligneul, Kamran Danaie, Mihir Patel, Boris Valkov
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Patent number: 10545080Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring interfacial or surface tension of a first fluid dispersed in a second fluid, the method involving providing at least one substantially spherical droplet or bubble of the first fluid in a flowing stream of the second fluid in a flow channel, followed by passing the flowing stream comprising the droplet or bubble through a constriction in the flow channel, the constriction being sufficiently constricting so as to cause the droplet or bubble to deform away from its substantially spherical shape and measuring and comparing a physical property of the flowing stream both before and after the constriction, wherein the physical property changes as a result of the deformation of the droplet or bubble, and thereby inferring the interfacial or surface tension from the measured physical property.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Andrew Clarke, Patrice Ligneul, Wael Abdallah, Mikhail Stukan
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Publication number: 20190162568Abstract: Methods for determining phase fractions of a downhole fluid via thermal properties of the fluids are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes measuring a temperature of a fluid flowing through a completion string downhole in a well and heating a resistive element of a thermal detector at a position along the completion string downhole in the well by applying power to the resistive element such that heat from the resistive element is transmitted to the fluid flowing by the position. The method also includes determining, via the thermal detector, a flow velocity of the fluid through the completion string and multiple thermal properties of the fluid, and using the determined flow velocity and the multiple thermal properties to determine phase fractions of the fluid. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Patrice Ligneul, Mustapha Abbad, Nicolas Renoux, Marian Faur
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Publication number: 20180347338Abstract: Multiphase flow metering is provided. In one possible implementation, a multiphase flow measurement system includes at least one reference temperature sensor at a first position configured to measure a first temperature of a multiphase flow. The multiphase flow measurement system also includes at least one heated temperature sensor at a second position downstream of the reference temperature sensor configured to excite the multiphase flow and measure a second temperature of the multiphase flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Mustapha Abbad, Dominic Joseph Brady, Patrice Ligneul, Stephen Dyer
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Patent number: 9810613Abstract: Systems and methods are described for monitoring displacement on structural elements of subsea systems such as on components of a subsea pipeline network used to transport production fluid from a subsurface wellhead to surface facilities. The described techniques sense changes in displacement using a sensing blade, for example made of crystalline material such as sapphire, that is anchored to the structural element such that it is approximately perpendicular to the direction of sensed displacement. Displacement is sensed as bending of the sensing blade using one or more instruments fabricated on the blade. Robustness of design is in part provided by additional flexible non-sensing blades mounted in parallel to the sensing blade.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: Fadhel Rezgui, Erik Rhein-Knudsen, Olivier Sindt, Vincent Alliot, Patrice Ligneul
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Publication number: 20170067810Abstract: Interfacial tension determination is provided. In one possible implementation, temperature information associated with a plurality of points in two fluids is accessed after the fluids have been subjected to a temperature gradient. The temperature information is then analyzed to locate a thermal jump which can be used to determine an interfacial tension between the two fluids. In another possible implementation, a test chamber for determining an interfacial tension between several fluids includes a cell configured to house the fluids. The cell is configured to hinder leakage of energy from the cell. The test chamber also has a gradient apparatus configured to maintain a temperature gradient across the fluids and a plurality of sensors configured to measure temperatures at various locations in the fluids.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2015Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: Mikhail Stukan, Wael Abdallah, Patrice Ligneul, Maxim Fedorov
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Patent number: 9575189Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices involving segmented radiation detectors are provided. For example, a segmented radiation detector may include a segmented scintillator and an optical-to-electrical converter. The segmented scintillator may have several segments that convert radiation to light, at least one of which may detect radiation arriving from an azimuthal angle around an axis of the segmented scintillator. The optical-to-electrical converter may be coupled to the segmented scintillator. The optical-to-electrical converter may receive the light from the segments of the segmented scintillator and output respective electrical signals corresponding to the amount of radiation detected by each segment.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Joel L. Groves, Patrice Ligneul, Robert A. Adolph, Paul Wanjau, Tim Quinlan, Jack Purcell
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Patent number: 9459370Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation dispersion method to determine the wettability and other parameters of a fluid in a porous medium such as in an earth formation is provided. The method includes the steps of measuring the spin-lattice relaxation time T1 of the fluid in the porous medium at varying polarizing magnetic field strengths or nuclear Larmor frequencies; and determining whether the values of T1 at varying Larmor frequencies follow a dispersion curve that is characteristic of the parameter of the fluid in the porous medium to be determined.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: SCLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jean-pierre Korb, Gabriel Freiman, Benjamin Nicot, Patrice Ligneul
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Patent number: 9423365Abstract: Systems and methods for determining T2 cutoff are described. T2 cutoff can be derived from magnetic susceptibility measurements. By providing a depth curve of T2cutoff, improved permeability estimations from NMR can be generated. By combining a magnetic susceptibility tool and an NMR tool, a dynamic T2cutoff can then be provided, together with the standard NMR log, according to some embodiments. According to some embodiments the improved permeability estimations can be provided automatically and in real time at the wellsite.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Benjamin Nicot, Patrice Ligneul, Mamood Akbar
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Patent number: 9366613Abstract: A method and system for determining a rock matrix dielectric permittivity. The method and system use a matching liquid with a temperature dependant permittivity. The matching liquid may be used in an automated and/or downhole system for measuring matrix dielectric permittivity of rock formations.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Valerie Anderson, Gerald Meeten, Andrew Clarke, Tianhua Zhang, Patrice Ligneul
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Patent number: 9188697Abstract: Downhole gravity measurements are used to monitor the volumetric sweep of CO2 and estimate the fingering phenomenon if any. The gravity measurements have been found to be effective due to the high density contrast between CO2 and brine or oil which provides better and higher sensitivity. An analytical forward model is used to determine the location and shape characteristics of the flooding front. A strategy to monitor the movement of the CO2 flooding front and to predict the fingering phenomenon is used to provide a warning tool to improve the sweep efficiency, according to some embodiments.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mohammed Badri, Patrice Ligneul, Khaled Hadj-Sassi
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Patent number: 9176251Abstract: Asphaltene content and its spatial distribution in a reservoir containing crude oil is an important factor in determining the potential for formation damage and pipeline impairment, as well as planning for processing and refining of the oil. Exemplary uses include: reservoir modeling, development and depletion planning, pressure maintenance, and surface facilities management. A convenient method has been developed which uses two-dimensional NMR techniques during a temperature and/or pressure cycle to quantify the asphaltene content of the crude oil without the need for extracting the oil from the reservoir rock. The technique can be applied to core, down-hole logs, or, a combination of both.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Philip M. Singer, Patrice Ligneul, Edward Alan Clerke, Johannes J. M. Buiting
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Publication number: 20150285725Abstract: An apparatus to measure temperature difference between a first side of a wall of at least one known material and a fluid contacting said first side. A method to determine wettability of at least one known material for a given fluid comprising measuring the thermal difference between a first side of a wall of the at least one known material and the given fluid contacting said first side.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: October 8, 2015Inventors: Mikhail Stukan, Patrice Ligneul
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Publication number: 20150276463Abstract: Systems and methods are described for non-invasively acoustically monitoring containers to distinguish gas contents from liquid contents. In some embodiments the container is part of a buoyancy tank (132) in a subsea pipeline network (102) used to transport production fluid from a subsurface wellhead (112) to surface facilities, and the systems and methods are used to detect water ingression into the buoyancy tank (132) and to transmit alert signals to the surface relating thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2013Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Jason Stuart Milne, Patrice Ligneul, Erik Rhein-Knudsen, Vincent Alliot, Olivier Sindt, Fadhel Rezgui