Patents by Inventor Stuart R. Keller

Stuart R. Keller 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).

  • Publication number: 20150292320
    Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body such as a pipe in a wellbore. The nodes allow for hybrid wired-and-wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication partially up a wellbore, and then high speed data transmission using a wire for the remaining distance up to the surface. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to deliver wireless signals partially up the wellbore, and then wired signals the remaining distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: John M. Lynk, Timothy I. Morrow, Stuart R. Keller, Max Deffenbaugh, Mark M. Disko, David A. Stiles
  • Publication number: 20150285937
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the communications nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication of data indicating elastic waves generated as a result of the formation of subsurface fractures. The data is processed which generates a map of fracture geometry. A method of evaluating fracture geometry in a subsurface formation uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string which send signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are analyzed which generates a subsurface map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart R. Keller, Timothy I. Morrow, Max Deffenbaugh, Mark M. Disko, David A. Stiles
  • Publication number: 20150285066
    Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body such as a pipe in a wellbore. The nodes allow hybrid wired-and-wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation and a receiver at the surface. The nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers providing node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to deliver an alternating electrical and acoustic transmission of data along the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart R. KELLER, Timothy I. ROW, Max DEFFENBAUGH, Mark M. DISKO, David A. STILES
  • Publication number: 20150275657
    Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body either above or below ground, such as in a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation or along a pipeline, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication along the tubular body at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body to accomplish a wireless transmission of data along the wellbore using acoustic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Max Deffenbaugh, Stuart R. Keller, David A. Stiles, Timothy I. Morrow, Mark M. Disko, Henry Alan Wolf, Katie M. Walker, Scott W. Clawson
  • Publication number: 20150167441
    Abstract: A method of forming an elevated pressure proppant-containing fracturing fluid for direct injection into a wellbore that reduces exposure of a substantial amount of the pumping equipment to the abrasive effects of proppant, as compared to conventional pumping equipment. The method includes providing a high pressure fluid stream to a nozzle having an inlet and an exit; accelerating the high pressure fluid stream through the nozzle from the inlet to the exit to increase the velocity thereof; providing a low pressure stream comprising a proppant to a suction chamber, the suction chamber positioned adjacent the nozzle exit; and mixing the low pressure fluid stream comprising a proppant with the high pressure fluid stream to form an elevated pressure proppant-containing fracturing fluid. A method for fracturing and a system for forming an elevated pressure proppant-containing fracturing fluid for injection into a wellbore are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Howell, Manh V. Phi, Nancy H. Choi, Abdel Wadood M. El-Rabaa, Stuart R. Keller, Fuping Zhou
  • Patent number: 9057249
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from and/or storing C02 in an organic-rich rock formation. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of injecting the C02 into an injection well in the organic-rich rock formation and producing the hydrocarbons from a production well when a drainage volume of the production well has an average reservoir pressure equal to or less than a predetermined pressure. The hydrocarbons substantially include natural gas and the injection well is in fluid communication with the production well. The embodiment also includes capping the production well and feeding the C02 into the injection well when the produced hydrocarbons include a C02 mole fraction greater than or equal to a predetermined mole fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Stuart R Keller, William B. Maze, Gary F. Teletzke
  • Publication number: 20150129219
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating a plurality of zones of a subterranean formation to increase production of reservoir fluids therefrom. The subterranean formation contains a well that includes a liner that defines a liner conduit, and the systems and methods include stimulating the plurality of zones with a stimulation assembly that is present within the liner conduit without requiring removal of the stimulation assembly from the liner conduit. The stimulation assembly includes a perforation device, which is configured to selectively form one or more perforations in a plurality of portions of the liner, and a resettable sealing device, which is configured to fluidly isolate the plurality of portions of the liner from a plurality of respective downhole portions of the liner. The fluid isolation provides for selective introduction of a stimulant fluid to a selected zone of the subterranean formation that is associated with a corresponding portion of the liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Manh V. Phi, Stuart R. Keller, Chris E. Shuchart
  • Publication number: 20150013969
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving reservoir fluid recovery from fractured subterranean formations. The methods may include injecting a pressurizing fluid into an injection fracture that extends within a subterranean formation and producing a produced fluid from a production fracture that extends within the subterranean formation. The production fracture is spaced apart from the injection fracture and is in indirect fluid communication with the injection fracture via a portion of the subterranean formation that extends therebetween and the pressurizing fluid injection provides a motive force for the production of the produced fluid. The methods further include injecting a foaming agent into the production fracture to limit production of the pressurizing fluid from the production fracture. The systems may include hydrocarbon production systems that may be utilized to perform the methods and/or that may be created while performing the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew A. Dawson, Stuart R. Keller, John T. Linderman, Thomas J. Boone
  • Publication number: 20140338899
    Abstract: Methods and systems for completing a well including injecting a stimulation fluid to stimulate a first interval in the reservoir. The stimulation fluid is at a pressure sufficient to open a number of check valves in the first interval, allowing stimulation fluid to flow into the first interval. A number of ball sealers configured to block flow through the check valves are dropped into the well to stop the flow of the stimulation fluid into the first interval and begin treatment of a second interval. The stimulation fluid is injected to stimulate a subsequent interval with pressure sufficient to open a number of check valves in the subsequent interval, allowing stimulation fluid to flow into the subsequent interval. The dropping of ball sealers is repeated until all intervals are treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Pavlin B. Entchev, Stuart R. Keller, Jeffrey D. Spitzenberger
  • Publication number: 20140318781
    Abstract: Methods and systems for completing a well including injecting stimulation fluid to stimulate a first interval in the reservoir. The stimulation fluid has a pressure sufficient to open a number of check valves in the first interval, allowing stimulation fluid to flow into the first interval. A number of ball sealers configured to block flow through the check valves are dropped into the well to stop the flow of stimulation fluid into the first interval and begin treatment of a second interval. The stimulation fluid is injected to stimulate a subsequent interval with pressure sufficient to open a number of check valves in the subsequent interval, allowing stimulation fluid to flow into the subsequent interval. The dropping of ball sealers is repeated until all intervals are treated. At least part of the check valves are configured to allow stimulation fluid to flow into a distribution chamber with multiple openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Curtis W. Kofoed, Pavlin B. Entchev, Stuart R. Keller, Jeffrey D. Spitzenberger
  • Publication number: 20140305658
    Abstract: A contoured boss for conforming to an outer surface of a tubular member for deployment within a subterranean formation, the contoured boss comprising a valve receiving body having a contoured outer surface that extends radially outward from an outer surface of the tubular member; and passage for receiving a valve, the passage extending through the valve receiving body. A method for facilitating stimulation treatments in completions and a method of centering a tubular member having an outer surface within a borehole are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Spitzenberger, Stuart R. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140262255
    Abstract: A method for recovering oil from a subterranean, hydrocarbon-bearing formation includes at least one injection well and injecting a carrier fluid including a diverting agent into a high permeability pathway within the formation. An activating fluid is injected into the high permeability pathway within the formation, resulting in the precipitation or swelling of the diverting agent. The permeability of the high permeability pathway is decreased within the formation containing the diverting agent to a permeability less than the permeability of the adjacent areas of the formation. The carrier fluid may have a predetermined residence time within the formation prior to injecting an activating fluid; the step of injecting a carrier fluid comprising a diverting agent and injecting an activating fluid may be repeated. A mineralization fluid may be injected that is oversaturated or becomes oversaturated upon interacting with the acid gas that causes mineral precipitation to seal off high-permeability pathways.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gary F. Teletzke, Jasper L. Dickson, Preeti Kamakoti, Stuart R. Keller, William B. Maze, Peter G. Smith, JR., Yitian Xiao
  • Publication number: 20140262240
    Abstract: A system for and methods of producing hydrocarbons from a formation. A method may include drilling a wellbore in a formation, forming a first fracture in the formation that emanates from the wellbore, forming a second fracture in the formation that emanates from the wellbore and is approximately parallel to the first fracture, and simultaneously (a) injecting a fluid from an injection tubing string in communication with the second fracture and (b) producing hydrocarbons that travel from the first fracture into a production tubing string that is substantially parallel to the injection tubing string. The wellbore may be substantially horizontal. The fluid may increase pressure in an area of the formation adjacent to the first fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas J. Boone, Stuart R. Keller, John T. Linderman, Matthew A. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20140262239
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for and method of preparing a wellbore for improved recovery from a formation and a method of producing hydrocarbons from a formation. The system includes an approximately horizontal wellbore in a formation, a liner enclosing a portion of the approximately horizontal wellbore; and a packer inside the liner that comprises a swellable elastomeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Stuart R. Keller, Thomas J. Boone, John T. Linderman, Matthew A. Dawson
  • Publication number: 20130299164
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving functional access to subterranean formations that include a well, which includes a casing string having at least one casing conduit that extends and provides a hydraulic connection between a surface region and the subterranean formation. Performing a plurality of downhole operations utilizing a casing string that constitutes a plurality of hydraulic pathways between the surface region and the subterranean formation. In some embodiments, the plurality of downhole operations may be simultaneous operations and/or may be associated with at least one of a plurality of operational states including a drilling state, completing state, stimulating state, producing state, abandoning state, and/or killing state. In some embodiments, systems and methods may include a plurality of production control assemblies to control and/or monitor the downhole operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Exxon Mobile Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Pavlin B. Entchev, Stuart R. Keller
  • Publication number: 20130213638
    Abstract: Methods for heating a material within a wellbore using nano-particles such as carbon nano-tubes. The material may be a flowable material such as cement, drilling mud, an acidizing fluid, or other material. Generally the methods comprise placing the flowable material in proximity to a radial wall of a wellbore. The methods also include running an energy generator into the wellbore. In one aspect, energizing the nano-particles in the filter cake causes the nano-particles to be activated, and increases a temperature within the flowable material to a temperature that is greater than an initial circulation temperature of the flowable material. Activating the energy generator may also assist in curing the flowable material in situ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Stuart R. Keller, Shankar Sundararaman
  • Publication number: 20130037272
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for accessing a well to subterranean formations in which a first well control assembly is directly associated with the well and a second well control assembly is remotely and capable of being in fluid communication with the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce A Dale, Stuart R. Keller, William E. Kline
  • Publication number: 20120318533
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbons from and/or storing C02 in an organic-rich rock formation. One embodiment of the method includes the steps of injecting the C02 into an injection well in the organic-rich rock formation and producing the hydrocarbons from a production well when a drainage volume of the production well has an average reservoir pressure equal to or less than a predetermined pressure. The hydrocarbons substantially include natural gas and the injection well is in fluid communication with the production well. The embodiment also includes capping the production well and feeding the C02 into the injection well when the produced hydrocarbons include a C02 mole fraction greater than or equal to a predetermined mole fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Stuart R. Keller, William B. Maze, Gary F. Teletzke
  • Publication number: 20120234551
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for extending the horizontal distance through which wells can be drilled. A horizontal tubular is used to convey a drillstring from a drilling rig toward a target location and a mud return line and pump on the surface is used to pump drilling mud returning from the bit back to the drilling rig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Stuart R. Keller, Adel H. Younan, Mark C. Gentry, Timothy J. Nedwed, Bruce A. Dale
  • Patent number: 7789162
    Abstract: Methods for installing tubulars into a highly deviated wellbore may include a) drilling the well to the planned total depth of the interval, b) placing a first fluid into the wellbore below a prescribed measured depth in the high-angle portion of the wellbore, c) placing a second fluid into the wellbore above the prescribed measured depth, d) plugging the distal port ion of the tubular with a lower plug and an upper plug, e) as the tubular is run into the wellbore, placing a lightweight fluid into the plugged section of tubular and a heavy fluid above the plugged section of tubular, and f) running the tubular into the wellbore to the planned total depth. The first fluid has a density that causes the portion of the tubular that extends into the first fluid to become substantially neutrally buoyant, and the second fluid has a density less than the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Stuart R. Keller, John K. Montgomery, Paul M. Spiecker, Bruce A. Dale