Patents by Inventor Stephane Vannuffelen
Stephane Vannuffelen 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: 20160356152Abstract: A network management system for a wireless communications network adaptively selects wireless modems to use in communicating messages between a control system and downhole equipment. The wireless modems are selected based on a monitored signal to noise ratio. The network management system may be centralized within the network or within a surface control system or can be decentralized so that a plurality of the wireless modems can adaptively determine routing in the network. The network management systems can be used in conjunction with a backbone network architecture to achieve further efficiencies in network throughput.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Arnaud Croux, Stephane Vannuffelen
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Patent number: 9441479Abstract: A subsea installation kit is described. The kit is provided with a subsea tree, a plurality of tubing sections, a plurality of acoustic repeaters and a mechanical filter. The subsea tree is configured to be coupled to a subsea well having a wellbore. The tubing sections are configured to be connected together to form a tubing string extending from above the tree into the wellbore. The acoustic repeaters are configured to be attached to the tubing string in a spaced apart manner. One of the acoustic repeaters is a last acoustic repeater configured to be attached to the tubing string within or above the tree. The mechanical filter is configured to be connected into the tubing string and form a part of the tubing string above the last acoustic repeater, the mechanical filter configured to cause an attenuation to acoustic signals propagating in the tubing string above the tree.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Inventors: Benoit Froelich, Stephane Vannuffelen, Christophe M. Rayssiguier
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Patent number: 9404609Abstract: A terminal end-attachment device (10) for a flexible pipe (12) comprising an attachment body (14) adapted to receive a terminal end of a flexible pipe (12) and to couple the said flexible pipe to a hydrocarbon production installation structure. The device (10) further comprising a strain sensor (16) coupled to a sensor carrier (18), at least part of the sensor carrier (18) and the strain sensor (16) being at least partially incorporated within the attachment body (14). A method of manufacturing a terminal end-attachment device (10) for a flexible pipe (12) is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Damon Richard Roberts, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos, Stephane Vannuffelen
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Patent number: 8908166Abstract: Methods and apparatus for downhole fluid analysis are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining first measurements from a first spectrometer and a second spectrometer when a light source is on, obtaining second measurements from the first spectrometer and the second spectrometer when the light source is off and calibrating the first spectrometer based on the first measurements and the second measurements.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Schlumber Technology CorporationInventors: Hisatoshi Matsumoto, Hua Chen, Akira Kamiya, Stephane Vannuffelen
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Publication number: 20140240862Abstract: Optical window assemblies are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first fixture defining a fluid flow passageway. The example apparatus also includes a second fixture defining an aperture. The second fixture is coupled to the first fixture. A first optical window is disposed in the aperture. The first optical window has a first end and a second end. The first end is to be in contact with fluid in the fluid flow passageway, and a cross-sectional size of the first optical window decreases from the first end toward the second end along a portion of the first optical window.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Akira Kamiya, Stephane Vannuffelen, Kamal Kader, Hua Chen, Hisatoshi Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20140209313Abstract: A subsea installation kit is described. The kit is provided with a subsea tree, a plurality of tubing sections, a plurality of acoustic repeaters and a mechanical filter. The subsea tree is configured to be coupled to a subsea well having a wellbore. The tubing sections are configured to be connected together to form a tubing string extending from above the tree into the wellbore. The acoustic repeaters are configured to be attached to the tubing string in a spaced apart manner. One of the acoustic repeaters is a last acoustic repeater configured to be attached to the tubing string within or above the tree. The mechanical filter is configured to be connected into the tubing string and form a part of the tubing string above the last acoustic repeater, the mechanical filter configured to cause an attenuation to acoustic signals propagating in the tubing string above the tree.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Benoit Froelich, Stephane Vannuffelen, Christophe M. Rayssiguier
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Publication number: 20140176946Abstract: Methods and apparatus for downhole fluid analysis are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining first measurements from a first spectrometer and a second spectrometer when a light source is on, obtaining second measurements from the first spectrometer and the second spectrometer when the light source is off and calibrating the first spectrometer based on the first measurements and the second measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Hisatoshi Matsumoto, Hua Chen, Akira Kamiya, Stephane Vannuffelen
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Patent number: 8555696Abstract: Methods of calibrating a fluid analyzer for use in a wellbore are described. An example method of generating calibration data for a fluid analyzer for use in a downhole tool involves lowering a downhole tool including a fluid analyzer to a location in a wellbore, measuring, via the fluid analyzer, a characteristic value of a calibration fluid or a vacuum while the fluid analyzer is at the location, obtaining an expected characteristic value for the calibration fluid or the vacuum at the location, and comparing the measured characteristic value to the expected characteristic value to generate a calibration value for the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Chengli Dong, Ricardo R. Vasques, Michael O'Keefe, Peter S. Hegeman, Oliver C. Mullins, Go Fujisawa, Stephane Vannuffelen, Richard Jackson, Ahmad Saputra
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Publication number: 20120192982Abstract: A terminal end-attachment device (10) for a flexible pipe (12) comprising an attachment body (14) adapted to receive a terminal end of a flexible pipe (12) and to couple the said flexible pipe to a hydrocarbon production installation structure. The device (10) further comprising a strain sensor (16) coupled to a sensor carrier (18), at least part of the sensor carrier (18) and the strain sensor (16) being at least partially incorporated within the attachment body (14). A method of manufacturing a terminal end-attachment device (10) for a flexible pipe (12) is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2009Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Damon Richard Roberts, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos, Stephane Vannuffelen
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Patent number: 8082780Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decreasing a density of a downhole fluid are described. An example apparatus to analyze a downhole fluid includes a chamber to decrease a density of at least a portion of a sample of a downhole fluid. Additionally, the example apparatus includes a sensor to measure a pressure of at least the portion of the sample in the chamber. Further, the example apparatus includes a fluid measurement unit to measure a characteristic of at least the portion of the sample based on a relationship between the pressure of at least the portion of the sample in the chamber and a predetermined pressure. Further yet, the example apparatus includes a control unit to determine a parameter of the downhole fluid based on the characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stephane Vannuffelen, Tsutomu Yamate
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Publication number: 20110153225Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a flexible pipe, including an inline sensor system coupled to the annulus of the flexible pipe to detect corrosion of the flexible pipe. Also disclosed are method and system for monitoring an amount of water being accumulated in an annulus of a flexible pipe, including locating a pressure measurement system proximate to the annulus for measuring pressure of gas inside the annulus; controlling a flow of vent gas with a vent gas valve; positioning a flow measurement system upstream or downstream of the vent gas valve for measuring the flow of the vent gas when the vent gas valve is opened; and collecting with a microprocessor pressure and flow measurement data from the pressure and the flow measurement systems for determining the amount of water accumulated in the annulus based on the collected pressure and flow measurement data.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Lars Nicolas Mangal, Stephane Vannuffelen, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos, Ricardo R. Vasques, Michel V. Berard, Dominique Dion
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Patent number: 7937223Abstract: A method that uses downhole fluid analysis in order to selectively collect and retain formation fluid samples in a drilling environment, as well as, control drilling using downhole fluid analysis.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Reinhart Ciglenec, Stephane Vannuffelen, Akira Kamiya, Steven G. Villareal, Tsutomu Yamate
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Patent number: 7933018Abstract: The present invention contemplates implementation of transitory downhole video imaging and/or spectral imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for permanent and/or long term installations. The present invention contemplates various methods and apparatus that facilitate one-time or ongoing downhole fluid characterization by video analysis in real time. The methods and systems may be particularly well suited to permanent and periodic intervention-based operations.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stephane Vannuffelen, Ahmed Hammami, Toru Terabayashi, Tsutomu Yamate, Terry Sopkow, John Ratulowski, John A. Kerr, Francois Auzerais, Robert J. Schroeder, Jeffrey A. Tarvin, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Laurent Prouvost
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Patent number: 7929812Abstract: Single fiber optical telemetry systems and methods are disclosed. The methods and systems facilitate input and output via a single fiber optic interface. The optical telemetry systems and methods also facilitate faster data transmission rates between surface and downhole equipment in oilfield applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stephane Vannuffelen, Tsutomu Yamate, Bruno Gayral, Soon Seong Chee, Colin Wilson
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Publication number: 20110061439Abstract: Methods of calibrating a fluid analyzer for use in a wellbore are described. An example method of generating calibration data for a fluid analyzer for use in a downhole tool involves lowering a downhole tool including a fluid analyzer to a location in a wellbore, measuring, via the fluid analyzer, a characteristic value of a calibration fluid or a vacuum while the fluid analyzer is at the location, obtaining an expected characteristic value for the calibration fluid or the vacuum at the location, and comparing the measured characteristic value to the expected characteristic value to generate a calibration value for the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2008Publication date: March 17, 2011Inventors: Chengli Dong, Ricardo R. Vasques, Michael O'Keefe, Peter S. Hegeman, Oliver C. Mullins, Go Fujisawa, Stephane Vannuffelen, Richard Jackson, Ahmad Saputra
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Patent number: 7832501Abstract: An apparatus for determining the nature of the formation at the bottom of a wellbore being drilled with a tubular drill string through which drilling fluid is pumped to return the drilling fluid to the surface via the wellbore, the apparatus comprising a tool body for installation in a drill string with a bore extending there through and an ultraviolet fluorescence detector in a passageway in the tool body, the tool body being configured to receive drilling fluid from inside the drill string and to receive drilling fluid from outside the drill string, wherein the drilling fluid can be directed past the detector so as to enable measurements to be made.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Fadhel Rezgui, Stéphane Vannuffelen
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Patent number: 7750302Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the concentration of organic acids in formation fluids is provided including pumps for pumping fluids from a subterranean formation into the body of a downhole tool and sources for illuminating the flow with infrared radiation to obtain the infrared absorption or a related parameter at one or more wavelengths, and processors for converting the measured absorption into the concentration of the organic acids, using for example a multi-value calibration matrix which relates IR absorption spectral values to concentration measurement under downhole conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Abul K. M. Jamaluddin, Stephane Vannuffelen, Oliver C. Mullins
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Patent number: 7720323Abstract: Subterranean oilfield high-temperature devices configured or designed to facilitate downhole monitoring and high data transmission rates with laser diodes that are configured for operation downhole, within a borehole, at temperatures in excess of 115 degrees centigrade without active cooling.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Tsutomu Yamate, Soon Seong Chee, Stephane Vannuffelen, Colin A. Wilson, Juei Igarashi, Khalid Ouaaba, Koichi Naito
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Patent number: 7687770Abstract: Some principles described herein contemplate implementation of downhole imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for short term investigation, permanent, and/or long term installations. Various methods and apparatus described herein may facilitate downhole testing. For example, some embodiments facilitate multi-dimensional fluorescence spectrum measurement testing downhole.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kentaro Indo, Albert Ballard Andrews, Stephane Vannuffelen, Tsutomu Yamate, Toru Terabayashi, Hideki Kinjo, Oliver C. Mullins
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Patent number: 7687769Abstract: Some principles described herein contemplate implementation of downhole imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for short term investigation, permanent, and/or long term installations. Various methods and apparatus described herein may facilitate downhole testing. For example, some embodiments facilitate multi-dimensional fluorescence spectrum measurement testing downhole and correlating the fluorescence with other oil properties.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kentaro Indo, Albert Ballard Andrews, Stephane Vannuffelen, Tsutomu Yamate, Toru Terabayashi, Hideki Kinjo, Oliver C. Mullins