Patents by Inventor Randolph J. Sheffield
Randolph J. Sheffield 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: 8517113Abstract: A technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes communicating a wireless stimulus in the well. The technique includes actuating a valve in response to the communication. The valve has more than one controllable open position.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Randolph J. Sheffield
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Patent number: 8499843Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Y. Gill Hillsman, III, Herve Ohmer, Stephane Hiron, Philippe Gambier, Jonathan K. C. Whitehead, Randolph J. Sheffield, Rodney J. Wetzel, John R. Whitsitt, Thomas D. MacDougall, Nitin Y. Vaidya, James D. Hendrickson, John E. Edwards, Donald W. Ross, Rashmi B. Bhavsar
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Publication number: 20100139930Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Y. Gil Hilsman, III, Herve Ohmer, Stephane Hiron, Philippe Gambier, Jonathan K.C. Whitehead, Randolph J. Sheffield, Rodney J. Wetzel, John R. Whitsitt, Thomas D. MacDougall, Nitin Y. Vaidya, James D. Hendrickson, John E. Edwards, Donald W. Ross, Rashmi B. Bhavsar
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Patent number: 7665537Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2005Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Schlumbeger Technology CorporationInventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Y. Gil Hilsman, III, Herve Ohmer, Stephane Hiron, Philippe Gambier, Jonathan K. C. Whitehead, Randolph J. Sheffield, Rodney J. Wetzel, John R. Whitsitt, Thomas D. MacDougall, Nitin Y. Vaidya, James D. Hendrickson, John E. Edwards, Donald W. Ross, Rashmi B. Bhavsar
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Patent number: 7591321Abstract: Zonal isolation tools and methods of using same are described. The zonal isolation tools include a wellbore sealing member expandable by fluid pressure to contact a wellbore over an initial contact area, an inflation valve open during expansion of the sealing member to the initial contact area and closed upon the fluid pressure reaching a predetermined setting, a vent between the sealing member and a wellbore annulus adapted to open after the inflation valve is closed, and a compressive load imparted to the sealing member via a linear piston to achieve a sealing point at the leading edge of the sealing member. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2006Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: John R. Whitsitt, Carlos Araque, David M. Eslinger, Philippe Gambier, Dinesh R. Patel, Chad Hardwick, Jason K. Jonas, Robert Divis, Randolph J. Sheffield, Bryan L. White, Chad Lucas
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Patent number: 7477160Abstract: A subsea communication system includes addressable nodes in a wellbore and addressable nodes on a floor, where the nodes in the wellbore and on the floor are able to communicate wirelessly with each other, such as through a formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Erwann Lemenager, Herve Ohmer, Klaus B. Huber, Randolph J. Sheffield
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Patent number: 7353869Abstract: A system and method is provided for sensing a variety of parameters in well-related environments. A skin sensor is deployed in downhole applications to obtain data used in analyzing well characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2004Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Randolph J. Sheffield, Rashmi B. Bhavsar, Philippe Gambier
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Patent number: 7347271Abstract: A subsea communication system includes devices in a wellbore and devices on a floor, where the devices in the wellbore and on the floor are able to communicate wirelessly with each other, such as through a formation.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Herve Ohmer, Klaus Huber, Randolph J. Sheffield
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Patent number: 7348893Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes using at least one downhole sensor to establish telemetry within the well. The sensor(s) are used as a permanent sensing device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Songming Huang, Franck Bruno Jean Monmont, Robert W. Tennent, Randolph J. Sheffield
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Patent number: 7273102Abstract: A technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes communicating a wireless stimulus downhole in the well and actuating a casing conveyed tool in response to the communication.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Randolph J. Sheffield
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Patent number: 7011157Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid treatment of a selected interval of a well and then cleaning the selected interval and the apparatus of treatment residue. An straddle tool is run into the well to treatment depth on fluid supplying tubing and has upper and lower packers that establish sealing with the casing and define an annular interval between the packers and between the tool and casing. Fluid, such as fracturing fluid, is pumped through the tubing to the tool and is diverted through an outlet port of the tool into an upper portion of the annular interval. Fluid then flows from a lower portion of the annular interval through an inlet port below the outlet port and at low flow rate is dumped into the casing through a pressure responsive dump valve. The outlet port and inlet port are located to accomplish cleaning of residue from the packers.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: James M. Costley, David M. Eslinger, Randolph J. Sheffield, L. Michael McKee
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Patent number: 6989764Abstract: A method for actuating or installing downhole equipment in a wellbore employs non-acoustic signals (e.g., radio frequency signals) to locate, inventory, install, or actuate one downhole structure in relation to another downhole structure. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a first downhole structure that comprises a non-acoustic (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Hubertus V. Thomeer, Sarmad Adnan, Randolph J. Sheffield, Michael H. Kenison, Kevin J. Forbes
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Patent number: 6776239Abstract: A tubing conveyed multi-position well treating tool having a tubular housing and a tubular inner member which are relatively positionable at “Set”, “Treat”, “Dump” and “Release” positions actuated by a mechanical indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism is loaded by a spring, such as a compressed gas spring or mechanical spring, which urges the tubular housing away from the tubing connection of the inner tubular member, thus requiring no set-down forces for tool actuation or indexing. The treating tool is anchored within the well casing by hydraulic pressure actuated buttons, thus eliminating the typical requirement for anchoring actuation by set-down forces. The treating tool is sealed within the casing by pressure energized packers which are activated by the hydraulic pressure of fluid supplied from the tubing. The tool provides a bypass passage to allow communication of the zones above and below the tool while isolating the straddled interval to be treated.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: David M. Eslinger, Stephen D. Hill, Randolph J. Sheffield, Howard L. McGill, James M. Costley
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Publication number: 20040084187Abstract: A method and apparatus for fluid treatment of a selected interval of a well and then cleaning the selected interval and the apparatus of treatment residue. An Out/In straddle tool is run into the well to treatment depth on fluid supplying tubing and has upper and lower packers that establish sealing with the casing and define an annular interval between the packers and between the tool and casing. Fluid, such as fracturing fluid, is pumped through the tubing to the tool and is diverted through an Out port of the tool into an upper portion of the annular interval. Fluid then flows from a lower portion of the annular interval through an In port below the Out port and at low flow rate is dumped into the casing through a pressure responsive dump valve. The Out port and In port are located to accomplish cleaning of residue from the packers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: James M. Costley, David M. Eslinger, Randolph J. Sheffield, L. Michael McKee
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Patent number: 6668938Abstract: An improved cup packer for use on wellbore tools is disclosed. The open end of the cup packer bore is filled with an elastomer to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the packer body includes an angularly protruding section at at least one of its ends, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the packer body is at its maximum at its bore. In an additional alternative embodiment of the invention, the open end of the packer is sealed by a screen to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Randolph J. Sheffield, David M. Eslinger, Mark C. Oettli, Jose F. Hurtado
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Patent number: 6655461Abstract: A straddle packer tool for treatment of wells has a tool body supporting sealing elements in spaced relation for defining a sealed annulus zone within a wellbore. The tool body defines a treatment fluid passage having treatment ports that open to the sealed annulus zone for formation fracturing or other well treatment. The tool body has a bypass passage therethrough which is isolated from the treatment fluid passage and communicates with the wellbore above and below the sealed annulus zone. A check valve permits downward flow of well fluid from the bypass passage into the wellbore below the tool and prevents upward flow of fluid into the bypass passage. Bypass ports conduct fluid flow to and from the bypass passage and the wellbore above and below the sealed annulus zone. A packer actuated bypass valve is opened or closed to control the flow of well fluid within the bypass passage.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: David M. Eslinger, Randolph J. Sheffield, Mark C. Oettli
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Patent number: 6533037Abstract: A tool string, such as one used for performing fracturing operations or other types of operations, includes a valve, a valve operator, and a sealing assembly that in one arrangement includes packers to define a sealed zone. The tool string is carried on a tubing, through which fluid flow may be pumped to the sealed zone. The valve operator is actuated in response to fluid flow above a predetermined flow rate. When the flow rate at greater than the predetermined flow rate does not exist, the valve operator remains in a first position that corresponds to the valve being open. However, in response to a fluid flow rate at greater than the predetermined flow rate, the valve operator is actuated to a second position to close the valve.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: David M. Eslinger, Howard L. McGill, James M. Costley, Randolph J. Sheffield, Warren M. Zemlak
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Publication number: 20020153142Abstract: A straddle packer tool for treatment of wells has a tool body supporting sealing elements in spaced relation for defining a sealed annulus zone within a wellbore. The tool body defines a treatment fluid passage having treatment ports that open to the sealed annulus zone for formation fracturing or other well treatment. The tool body has a bypass passage therethrough which is isolated from the treatment fluid passage and communicates with the wellbore above and below the sealed annulus zone. A check valve permits downward flow of well fluid from the bypass passage into the wellbore below the tool and prevents upward flow of fluid into the bypass passage. Bypass ports conduct fluid flow to and from the bypass passage and the wellbore above and below the sealed annulus zone. A packer actuated bypass valve is opened or closed to control the flow of well fluid within the bypass passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Inventors: David M. Eslinger, Randolph J. Sheffield, Mark C. Oettli
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Publication number: 20020139541Abstract: An improved cup packer for use on wellbore tools is disclosed. The open end of the cup packer bore is filled with an elastomer to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the packer body includes an angularly protruding section at at least one of its ends, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the packer body is at its maximum at its bore. In an additional alternative embodiment of the invention, the open end of the packer is sealed by a screen to prevent the intrusion of sand and debris into the space between the cup packer and the wellbore tool on which it is mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Randolph J. Sheffield, David M. Eslinger, Mark C. Oettli, Jose F. Hurtado
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Publication number: 20020133942Abstract: The invention is a method of packaging an electronic tag. The method includes heating the electronic tag to remove contaminants from an internal volume. The internal volume is filled with a potting material and is hermetically sealed within an outer shell.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Michael H. Kenison, Anthony F. Veneruso, Randolph J. Sheffield, Matthew D. Rouse