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).

  • Patent number: 9464489
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Harold S. Bissonnette
  • Patent number: 9187957
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Harold S. Bissonette, Christopher S. Del Campo
  • Publication number: 20140174762
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Harold S. Bissonnette
  • Publication number: 20140131098
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Harold S. Bissonette, Christopher S. Del Campo
  • Patent number: 8499843
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 8403066
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ramaswamy Meyyappan, Yasser El-Khazindar, Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7779684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Meek, Julian J. Pop, Robert W. Sundquist, Alain P. Dorel, Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20100206582
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ramaswamy Meyyappan, Yasser El-Khazindar, Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20100139930
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 7673678
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Nihat Ovutmen, Mark Fraker, Qing Yao, Donald Ross
  • Patent number: 7665537
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumbeger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 7581440
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Meek, Julian J. Pop, Robert W. Sundquist, Alain P. Dorel, Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20090166045
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Stephane Hiron, Anthony F. Veneruso, Dinesh R. Patel, Thomas D. MacDougall, Joe Walter
  • Publication number: 20090158837
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dale Meek, Julian J. Pop, Robert W. Sundquist, Alain P. Dorel, Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7543640
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7537056
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas D MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20090033176
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Songming Huang, Thomas D. MacDougall, Benjamin P. Jeffryes
  • Publication number: 20080308274
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7464761
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Hosatte, Thomas D. MacDougall, Stephane Hiron, Michael J. Bertoja
  • Patent number: 7455114
    Abstract: The present invention provides for the operation of a downhole flow control device using a snorkel tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas D. MacDougall