Patents by Inventor Steven Villareal
Steven Villareal 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: 10563505Abstract: A method for determining formation fluid sample quality includes analyzing sample capture data to identify distinguishing features indicative of whether a successful sample capture has occurred within a downhole tool. The method further includes prioritizing, based on the analysis, the sample capture data for transmission to a surface system.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian Pop, Shahid A. Haq
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Patent number: 9429014Abstract: A downhole tool includes a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. A sample container is fixed in the cavity and includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian J. Pop, Dale Meek
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Patent number: 9399913Abstract: A method includes drawing formation fluid from a formation into a pressure test chamber of a downhole tool while the downhole tool is positioned at a location within a wellbore. The method also includes, while the downhole remains positioned at the location, measuring pressure of the formation fluid drawn into the pressure test chamber and operating a first pump to route additional formation fluid from the formation through the downhole tool and out into the wellbore. Still further, the method includes operating a second pump to expel the formation fluid from the pressure test chamber and to mix the formation fluid with the additional formation fluid such that the formation fluid expelled from the pressure test chamber is also routed through the downhole tool and out into the wellbore along with the additional formation fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jeremy Murphy, Sylvain Ramshaw, Satya Bhan, Julian J. Pop, Steven Villareal, Kent D. Harms
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Publication number: 20160123318Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms
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Patent number: 9243628Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms
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Patent number: 9115544Abstract: An apparatus includes a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a modular cartridge assembly that includes a chassis assembly within a housing and that includes a flow line and an electrical pathway. The modular cartridge assembly includes a first connector at a first end and a second connector at a second end. The first connector and the second connector are in fluid communication with the flow line and are further in electrical communication with the electrical pathway.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian J. Pop, Steven Villareal, Albert Hoefel
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Patent number: 9109431Abstract: A method includes lowering a downhole tool via a pipe into a wellbore drilled through a formation via the pipe and establishing a fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation at a location in the wellbore. The method also includes extracting from the formation a first fluid stream through the fluid communication and passing the first fluid stream through the downhole tool for a first duration. The method further includes breaking the fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation, moving the pipe in the wellbore, and reestablishing the fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation essentially at the location in the wellbore subsequent to moving the pipe in the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Publication number: 20150013973Abstract: A method for routing a fluid within a flowline of a downhole tool is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes moving a piston within a chamber of a downhole tool to push a fluid out of the chamber and into a flowline. The method also includes using a pump in the downhole tool and in fluid communication with the flowline to route the fluid within the downhole tool via the flowline while moving the piston within the chamber. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Jeremy Murphy, Sylvain Ramshaw, Satya Bhan, Julian J. Pop, Steven Villareal, Kent D. Harms
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Publication number: 20140290941Abstract: A method for determining formation fluid sample quality includes analyzing sample capture data to identify distinguishing features indicative of whether a successful sample capture has occurred within a downhole tool. The method further includes prioritizing, based on the analysis, the sample capture data for transmission to a surface system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian Pop, Shahid A. Haq
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Publication number: 20140244049Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms
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Patent number: 8788210Abstract: Job monitoring methods and apparatus for logging-while-drilling equipment are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes identifying a downhole scenario based on a property of an underground geological formation, selecting a first telemetry frame type based on the identified downhole scenario, conveying an identifier representative of the selected first telemetry frame type to a downhole fluid sampling tool, and receiving a first telemetry data frame from the downhole fluid sampling tool, the telemetry data frame containing fluid analysis parameters for a fluid, and being constructed in accordance with the selected first telemetry frame type.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Sylvain Ramshaw, Julian J. Pop, Peter Swinburne, Kai Hsu, Steven Villareal
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Patent number: 8757986Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms
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Publication number: 20140060824Abstract: A method includes lowering a downhole tool via a pipe into a wellbore drilled through a formation via the pipe and establishing a fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation at a location in the wellbore. The method also includes extracting from the formation a first fluid stream through the fluid communication and passing the first fluid stream through the downhole tool for a first duration. The method further includes breaking the fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation, moving the pipe in the wellbore, and reestablishing the fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation essentially at the location in the wellbore subsequent to moving the pipe in the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Patent number: 8596384Abstract: Methods comprising lowering a downhole tool via a pipe into a wellbore drilled through a formation via the pipe, establishing fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation at a location in the wellbore, extracting from the formation a first fluid stream and passing the first fluid stream through the downhole tool for a first duration, breaking fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation, reestablishing fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation essentially at the location in the wellbore, extracting from the formation a second fluid stream and passing the second fluid stream through the downhole tool for a second duration, and capturing in the downhole tool a fluid sample of the second fluid stream.mud.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Publication number: 20130133882Abstract: An apparatus includes a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a modular cartridge assembly that includes a chassis assembly within a housing and that includes a flow line and an electrical pathway. The modular cartridge assembly includes a first connector at a first end and a second connector at a second end. The first connector and the second connector are in fluid communication with the flow line and are further in electrical communication with the electrical pathway.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian J. Pop, Steven Villareal, Albert Hoefel
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Publication number: 20130022476Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms
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Publication number: 20120097385Abstract: Formation fluid sample container apparatus are described. An example apparatus includes a downhole tool having a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. The sample container includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container. The sample container is fixed in the cavity and the sheath is to increase the mechanical integrity of the elongated container in a downhole environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Steven Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian J. Pop, Dale Meek
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Publication number: 20100200228Abstract: Methods comprising lowering a downhole tool via a pipe into a wellbore drilled through a formation via the pipe, establishing fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation at a location in the wellbore, extracting from the formation a first fluid stream and passing the first fluid stream through the downhole tool for a first duration, breaking fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation, reestablishing fluid communication between the downhole tool and the formation essentially at the location in the wellbore, extracting from the formation a second fluid stream and passing the second fluid stream through the downhole tool for a second duration, and capturing in the downhole tool a fluid sample of the second fluid stream.mud.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Publication number: 20080087470Abstract: A sample module for a sampling while drilling tool includes a sample fluid flowline operatively connectable between a sample chamber and an inlet, for passing a downhole fluid. A primary piston divides the sample chamber into a sample volume and a buffer volume and includes a first face in fluid communication with the sample volume and a second face in fluid communication with the buffer volume. A secondary piston includes a first face in fluid communication with the buffer volume having buffer fluid disposed therein and a second face.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: STEVEN VILLAREAL, JULIAN POP, KENT HARMS, VICTOR BOLZE, REINHART CIGLENEC, MICHAEL STUCKER, KHANH DUONG
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Publication number: 20070137896Abstract: A sampling while drilling tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The tool includes a drill collar, at least one sample chamber, at least one flowline and at least one cover. The drill collar is operatively connectable to a drill string of the sampling while drilling tool. The drill collar has at least one opening extending through an outer surface thereof and into a cavity. The drill collar has a passage therein for conducting mud therethrough. The sample chamber is positionable in the cavity of the drill collar. The flowline in the drill collar, the at least one flowline operatively connectable to the sample chamber for passing a downhole fluid thereto. The cover is positionable about the at least one opening of the drill collar whereby the sample chamber is removably secured therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2005Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Steven Villareal, Reinhart Ciglenec, Michael Stucker, Khanh Duong