Patents by Inventor Thomas D. MacDougall
Thomas D. MacDougall 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: 9464489Abstract: A well logging instrument deployment device according to this aspect of the invention includes a housing configured to be coupled to a pipe string. A latch disposed in the housing and is configured to retain a well logging instrument in a first longitudinal position inside the pipe string. An actuator is configured to release the latch to enable longitudinal movement of the well logging instrument inside the pipe string. A signal detector is operatively coupled to the actuator and is the configured to detect a command signal for operating the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Harold S. Bissonnette
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Patent number: 9187957Abstract: A method for motion compensation includes obtaining measurements related to heave at a surface of a rig, transmitting the measurements to a processor, and automatically transmitting a control signal from the processor to a motion compensation component in response to the measurements. The motion compensation component is a slip joint and is attached to a drill string located in the wellbore. The method may also include activating the motion compensation component to compensate for motion in response to the signal and preventing axial or rotational movement of a portion of the drill string below the motion compensation component.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Harold S. Bissonette, Christopher S. Del Campo
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Publication number: 20140174762Abstract: A well logging instrument deployment device according to this aspect of the invention includes a housing configured to be coupled to a pipe string. A latch disposed in the housing and is configured to retain a well logging instrument in a first longitudinal position inside the pipe string. An actuator is configured to release the latch to enable longitudinal movement of the well logging instrument inside the pipe string. A signal detector is operatively coupled to the actuator and is the configured to detect a command signal for operating the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Harold S. Bissonnette
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Publication number: 20140131098Abstract: A method for motion compensation includes obtaining measurements related to heave at a surface of a rig, transmitting the measurements to a processor, automatically transmitting a control signal from the processor to a motion compensation component in response to the measurements wherein the motion compensation component is a slip joint and is attached to a drill string located in the wellbore, activating the motion compensation component to compensate for motion in response to the signal, and preventing axial or rotational movement of a portion of the drill string below the motion compensation component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Harold S. Bissonette, Christopher S. Del Campo
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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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Patent number: 8403066Abstract: A hybrid junction assembly is provided. The hybrid junction assembly may comprise a junction body configured to sealingly couple to a first control line and a second control line. In addition, the assembly may include a transfer conduit configured to fit within a hybrid control line such that an annulus is formed between the transfer conduit and the hybrid control line. The first control line and the transfer conduit may form a first communication pathway and the second control line and the annulus may form a second communication pathway. The transfer conduit and the hybrid control line may be sealingly coupled to the junction body.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ramaswamy Meyyappan, Yasser El-Khazindar, Thomas D. MacDougall
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Patent number: 7779684Abstract: A system for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well includes a downhole tool configured to be coupled to a work string that includes a tool body having a longitudinal bore for circulating a fluid and at least one aperture configured to receive at least one module. The system further includes a plurality of modules that are each configured to engage the at least one aperture and at least one cavity configured for receiving a probe, and a plurality of probes that each include at least one orifice configured for testing the formation, wherein a first of the plurality of probes has a first configuration and a second of the plurality of probes has a second configuration.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Dale Meek, Julian J. Pop, Robert W. Sundquist, Alain P. Dorel, Thomas D. MacDougall
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Publication number: 20100206582Abstract: A hybrid junction assembly is provided. The hybrid junction assembly may comprise a junction body configured to sealingly couple to a first control line and a second control line. In addition, the assembly may include a transfer conduit configured to fit within a hybrid control line such that an annulus is formed between the transfer conduit and the hybrid control line. The first control line and the transfer conduit may form a first communication pathway and the second control line and the annulus may form a second communication pathway. The transfer conduit and the hybrid control line may be sealingly coupled to the junction body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2010Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Ramaswamy Meyyappan, Yasser El-Khazindar, Thomas D. MacDougall
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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: 7673678Abstract: A system for use in a well includes plural flow control devices to control fluid flow in respective zones of the well, where each of at least some of the flow control devices includes a membrane having a permeable material to provide a flow restriction. The membranes of the at least some flow control devices have different permeabilities to provide corresponding different flow restrictions.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Nihat Ovutmen, Mark Fraker, Qing Yao, Donald Ross
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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: 7581440Abstract: A system for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well includes a downhole tool configured to be coupled to a work string that includes a tool body having a longitudinal bore for circulating a fluid and at least one aperture configured to receive at least one module. The system further includes a plurality of modules that are each configured to engage the at least one aperture and at least one cavity configured for receiving a probe, and a plurality of probes that each include at least one orifice configured for testing the formation, wherein a first of the plurality of probes has a first configuration and a second of the plurality of probes has a second configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Dale Meek, Julian J. Pop, Robert W. Sundquist, Alain P. Dorel, Thomas D. MacDougall
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Publication number: 20090166045Abstract: A system that is usable with a subterranean well includes a winding, a member and a circuit. The winding is located downhole in the well, and the member moves relative to the winding in response to vibration occurring in the well to cause a signal to be generated on the winding. The circuit is coupled to the winding to respond to the signal to provide power to operate a component located downhole in the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Stephane Hiron, Anthony F. Veneruso, Dinesh R. Patel, Thomas D. MacDougall, Joe Walter
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Publication number: 20090158837Abstract: A system for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well includes a downhole tool configured to be coupled to a work string that includes a tool body having a longitudinal bore for circulating a fluid and at least one aperture configured to receive at least one module. The system further includes a plurality of modules that are each configured to engage the at least one aperture and at least one cavity configured for receiving a probe, and a plurality of probes that each include at least one orifice configured for testing the formation, wherein a first of the plurality of probes has a first configuration and a second of the plurality of probes has a second configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2009Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Dale Meek, Julian J. Pop, Robert W. Sundquist, Alain P. Dorel, Thomas D. MacDougall
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Patent number: 7543640Abstract: A technique is provided to control flow in subterranean applications, such as hydrocarbon fluid production applications. The technique utilizes an aggregate formed, at least in part, of particles that swell in the presence of a specific substance or substances. The aggregate is deployed as a slurry or in other forms to desired subterranean locations. Once located, the aggregate allows the flow of hydrocarbon fluids but swells upon contact with the specific substance or substances to limit inflow of undesirable fluids.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Thomas D. MacDougall
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Patent number: 7537056Abstract: A gas inflow control system is used in a well. A downhole tool is combined with an automatic valve that is automatically actuatable to a flow position in the presence of a well liquid flowing into the downhole tool. In the presence of gas flow into the valve, the valve automatically transitions toward or to a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Thomas D MacDougall
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Publication number: 20090033176Abstract: A technique is provided by which energy is physically/mechanically transmitted down through a wellbore. The transmitted energy is directed downhole along a fluid channel and impinges on an energy converter positioned in the wellbore or at another subterranean location. The energy converter converts the physical energy into electrical energy that can be supplied to a downhole device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Songming Huang, Thomas D. MacDougall, Benjamin P. Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20080308274Abstract: A technique that is usable with a well includes installing a lower completion module as a unit in the well. The lower completion module includes a flow control mechanism, an annular packer, a sand screen and a flow monitoring device. Either a single unit or a plurality of the units may be installed in the well for zonal isolation and control.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Thomas D. MacDougall
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Patent number: 7464761Abstract: A technique is provided to control flow in a well. A well completion comprises one or more flow control valve systems coupled by an electric line and a hydraulic line. Each flow control valve system comprises a flow control valve responsive to hydraulic input via the hydraulic line and an electro-mechanical device. The electro-mechanical device is responsive to inputs via the electric line and is used to control hydraulic input to the corresponding flow control valve.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Pierre Hosatte, Thomas D. MacDougall, Stephane Hiron, Michael J. Bertoja
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Patent number: 7455114Abstract: The present invention provides for the operation of a downhole flow control device using a snorkel tube.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Thomas D. MacDougall