Producing The Well Patents (Class 166/369)
  • Patent number: 10329887
    Abstract: Dual-walled coiled tubing assemblies are used to dispose a flow actuated pump into a wellbore. Dual-walled coiled tubing assemblies include an inner coiled tubing string and an outer coiled tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Silviu Livescu, Timothy T. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10330348
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for extracting geothermal energy, by providing salt into a well shaft that ends in a chamber in the Earth surrounded by a source of geothermal energy. The salt melts and heats up to the temperature within the chamber. The hot molten salt is then extracted and the heat from the molten salt is used as a source of energy to generate electricity or drive an industrial process. The salt can be re-used once the heat is extracted in a closed-loop system. According to some techniques, the salt is conveyed down the well by a pneumatic conveyer system or in other cases by using a mechanical system, such as a screw drive. Once returned to the surface, the molten salt can be used to heat graphite blocks for energy storage or be stored and transported to remote locations to extract the heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: David Alan McBay
  • Patent number: 10280746
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for improved fluid sampling are disclosed. A sampling bottle for collection of a fluid sample comprises concentrically arranged first, second and third sampling containers (304A, 304B, 304C). First, second and third check valves (311, 312, 314) regulate flow of the sampling fluid from outside the sampling bottle into the first sampling container, and into the second and third sampling container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Boon Buan Lim
  • Patent number: 10100823
    Abstract: An apparatus employing pressure transients for transporting fluids from a first reservoir to a second reservoir, includes at least one partly enclosed space and a body. The body is movable relative to the interior of the space. The apparatus also includes at least one first conduit and at least one second conduit in fluid communication with the opening via a third conduit, and connected to the first and second reservoir, respectively. An opening in the enclosed space allows a fluid to flow alternately in the direction into and out of the space and which opening is connected to a third conduit. At least one solid object is arranged to fall onto and collide with the body so as to generate pressure transients in the space to produce a flow of fluid in the direction from the space towards the second reservoir, and to produce a flow of fluid in the direction from the first reservoir towards the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: IMPACT TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AS
    Inventor: Jim-Viktor Paulsen
  • Patent number: 10030484
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of formulating an empirical correlation model that estimates inflow performance relationship (IPR) of a snaky well. The model provisions for determining inclination and azimuth direction of the snaky well. A plurality of grid models is simulated for a predetermined well bottom-hole pressure. The grid models are validated by comparing the response of each grid to the response of a horizontal well. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of the snaky well parameters on the IPR of the snaky well. Additionally, regression analysis is performed based on the sensitivity analysis in order to determine Vogel based quadratic coefficient that estimates the IPR of the snaky well. A transformation of the snaky well parameters is performed in order to determine a sum of squared errors, whereafter a linear weighting of the transformed parameters is computed to determine a correlation parameter of the empirical model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Bramasto Cinde Adam, Sami Abdulaziz Alnuaim
  • Patent number: 9971051
    Abstract: Methods and systems for separating multiple events from primary events in noisy seismic data are described. Multiples are predicted and then the predictions are improved by least-square matching filtering in the space and time domain. An adaptive curvelet domain separation (ACDS) is then performed and the ACDS equation is solved with an iterative soft-thresholding technique. Further processing can be added to compensate for prediction inaccuracy or variable/excessive seismic data noise by dividing the seismic data into predetermined bands and processing each band independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventor: Xiang Wu
  • Patent number: 9938806
    Abstract: A well pump assembly has a main pump suspended on a string of production tubing within casing in a well. A charge pump is located below the main pump. An annular sealing element between the charge pump intake and the charge pump discharge seals between the charge pump and the casing. A motor is coupled with the main pump and the charge pump. A bypass member has an open upper end above the main pump intake and a lower end above the sealing element. The bypass member defines a flow path from the discharge of the charge pump upward past the main pump intake, then downward to reach the main pump intake. The bypass member may be a bypass riser extending alongside the main pump, or it may be a shroud surrounding the main pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, A GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan D. Kirk, Leslie C. Reid, Brown Lyle Wilson
  • Patent number: 9840889
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and a method for controlling fluid flow in or into a well. The apparatus includes at least one housing (3m, 3g, 3w) having an inlet (5) and at least one outlet (7, 7?), one of which is arranged in a top portion or a bottom portion of the housing (3m, 3g, 3w) when in a position of use, and a flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) disposed within the housing (3m, 3g, 3w). The flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) has a density that is higher or lower than a density of a fluid to be controlled and a form adapted to substantially block the outlet (7, 7?) of the housing when the flow control means (9m, 9g, 9w) is in a position abutting the outlet (7, 7?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Acona Innovalve AS
    Inventors: Rune Killie, Vegar Gruner
  • Patent number: 9797212
    Abstract: A method for treating a subterranean formation utilizing a slurry having a plurality of shrinkable material. The method of treatment may include a diversion treatment during a fracturing operation. The shrinkable material may be adapted to shrink in response to a temperature change. The slurry may be used to perform a plugging of a perforation or fracture in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chad Kraemer, Dmitry Viktorovich Badazhkov, Bruno Lecerf, Alexey Alekseev, Ksenia Kaprielova
  • Patent number: 9790768
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating a downhole tool of a production system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first component, a first magnetic member coupled to the first component, a second component of movable with respect to the first component, and a second magnetic member attached to the second component. The first component is generally stationary with respect a work string of the production system. An electric current activates at least one of the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member to create a magnetic force between the first magnetic member and the second magnetic member, thereby moving the movable component with respect to the stationary component to perform the action downhole. The produced motion of the movable component activates the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Philip M. Gregurek, Antonio C. Ruffo
  • Patent number: 9786431
    Abstract: An electrical power and/or electrical signal transmission system for transmitting electrical power and/or electrical signals from a location on a first side of a metallic wall to a location on a second side of the metallic wall includes a transmitting apparatus having an electrical source and a first transformer. A receiving apparatus has a receiving module for receiving electrical power and/or electrical signals and a second transformer. First and second ends of a primary winding of the second transformer are electrically connected to respective spaced locations on the second, opposite, side of the metallic wall for picking up electrical power and/or electrical signals from the metallic wall. The receiving module is electrically connected to a secondary winding of the second transformer to enable electrical power and/or electrical signals to be transmitted from the electrical source to the receiving module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited
    Inventor: Steven Martin Hudson
  • Patent number: 9739906
    Abstract: A method for defining a permissible borehole curvature includes determining curvature characteristics of at least one of a borehole and a downhole assembly in the borehole and calculating an envelope of permissible borehole curvatures from a predetermined location in the borehole based on the curvature characteristics, a direction of the borehole at the predetermined location in the borehole, and a turning angle of the borehole relative to the direction of the borehole at the predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ingo Forstner, Christian Herbig, Christian Linke, Andreas Hohl
  • Patent number: 9725989
    Abstract: A sand control device is used for restricting the flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore during production operations. The sand control device is divided into compartments along its length that provide redundancy for particle filtration. Each compartment first comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment. Each compartment also comprises a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits comprise filtering media and generally circumscribe the base pipe. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Christian S. Mayer, Charles S. Yeh, David A. Howell, Pavlin B. Entchev, Eric R. Grueschow, Ted A. Long, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, John S. Sladic, Christopher A. Hall, Stephen McNamee
  • Patent number: 9720130
    Abstract: A Bayesian methodology is described for designing experiments or surveys that are improved by utilizing available prior information to guide the design toward maximally reducing posterior uncertainties in the interpretation of the future experiment. Synthetic geophysical tomography examples are used to illustrate benefits of this approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hugues A. Djikpesse, Mohamed-Rabigh Khodja, Michael David Prange
  • Patent number: 9702232
    Abstract: A downhole assembly of an artificial lift system includes: an adapter for connection to production tubing; a receptacle shaft; an up-thrust bearing; a centrifugal pump; and a down-thrust bearing. The receptacle shaft has a latch profile for receiving a latch fastener of a drive coupling and a torsional profile for mating with the coupling to longitudinally and torsionally connect thereto. The up-thrust bearing includes: a thrust driver longitudinally and torsionally connected to the receptacle shaft; and a thrust carrier connected to the adapter. The centrifugal pump includes: a diffuser connected to the adapter; a pump shaft torsionally connected to the receptacle shaft; and an impeller connected to the pump shaft. The down-thrust bearing includes: a thrust driver longitudinally and torsionally connected to the pump shaft; and a thrust carrier connected to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignees: OILFIELD EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENT CENTER LIMITED, WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Phil Fouillard, Darren Part, Evan Noble
  • Patent number: 9703904
    Abstract: Systems include a well having a production casing and a production tubing positioned therein, forming an annulus there between. A packer is positioned in the annulus at a position sufficient to separate the annulus into a first portion and a second portion. The well further includes a tie-back conduit positioned in the first portion of the annulus and configured to allow heat transfer between a working fluid flowing through the first portion of the annulus and a production fluid flowing through the production tubing, thus separating the circulating working fluid from fluids in the second portion of the annulus. A working fluid loop is fluidly connected to the first portion of the annulus. Co-production methods, methods of modeling, and computer-readable media including the methods of modeling are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: BLADE ENERGY PARTNERS LTD.
    Inventors: Poodi Peddi V. Suryanarayana, Parveen Sachdeva, Ismail Ceyhan, Gary Allen Ring
  • Patent number: 9593558
    Abstract: A system and method for planning a well path is described. An exemplary method comprises defining a proxy constraint volume as a three-dimensional (3D) cellular volume where each cell has at least one value derived from data from a 3D earth model. An initial well path is defined within user defined drilling parameter constraints. The exemplary method comprises defining acceptable constraint parameters to be applied to values derived from an intersection of the initial well path and the proxy constraint volume. If the intersection of the initial well path and the proxy constraint volume is not within the acceptable constraint parameters, the initial well path may be iteratively adjusted to create successive well paths until at least one of the successive well paths is within the acceptable constraint parameters for the values derived from the intersection of the well path and proxy constraint volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jose J. Sequeira, Jr., Yao-Chou Cheng, Rune Musum
  • Patent number: 9580998
    Abstract: A method for recovering gases and/or liquids stored within one or more gas and/or liquid reservoirs comprising locating the upper consolidated boundary of the one or more gas and/or liquid reservoirs; drilling an access well which extends downwardly to at least adjacent the upper consolidated boundary of the one or more gas and/or liquid reservoirs; drilling a section of the access well extending along or adjacent at least a portion of the upper consolidated boundary of the one or more gas and/or liquid reservoirs; creating permeability pathways into the one or more gas and/or liquid reservoirs to enable the release of gas and/or liquid from the one or more gas and/or liquid reservoirs into the access well; and recovering the released gas and/or liquid through the access well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: CFT Technologies (HK) Limited
    Inventors: Emmanuel Foundas, Rodney Michael Bresnehan
  • Patent number: 9556721
    Abstract: Methods comprising conveying a downhole tool within a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first pump and a second pump, and wherein at least one operational capability of the first and second pumps is substantially different. A fracture is initiated in the subterranean formation by pumping fluid into the formation using the first pump. The fracture is propagated in the subterranean formation by pumping fluid into the formation using the second pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: In Chul Jang, Mark Milkovisch
  • Patent number: 9464507
    Abstract: A valve for use in a tubular string in a subterranean well includes a sleeve having first and second opposite ends, the sleeve being displaceable between open and closed positions to thereby selectively permit and prevent flow through a sidewall of a housing assembly, and a first and second pistons at the respective first and second ends of the sleeve. Pressure differentials applied to the first and second pistons are operative to displace the sleeve between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: WellDynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Tips, Alfred R. Curington
  • Patent number: 9453928
    Abstract: Computing systems and methods for processing collected data are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for iteratively separating a simultaneous-source dataset is provided, wherein the simultaneous-source dataset is used as an input dataset for a first iteration of simultaneous-source separation. The input dataset includes a plurality of shots that include data corresponding to a plurality of source activations. The method of iteratively separating the input dataset includes generating simulated simultaneous shots based on shots separated in the input dataset; and forming an output dataset based on the separated simultaneous shots and the simultaneous-source dataset, wherein the output dataset is configured for use as the input dataset for the next iteration of separating the simultaneous-source dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Bartosz Szydlik, Ian Moore
  • Patent number: 9359874
    Abstract: A well system and associated method, in which a kill weight fluid can be flowed into a wellbore via a flow passage extending from the surface to a downhole location, and prior to the flowing, the flow passage is installed with a casing string into the wellbore. A well system and associated method, in which a flow passage is positioned external to a casing, and wherein a downhole well parameter is measured via the flow passage. Another method can include flowing a kill weight fluid into a wellbore via a flow passage extending along a casing string, the flowing being performed while a formation fluid flows into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Dirksen
  • Patent number: 9347305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a power source (9) at a rock drilling apparatus, said power source (9) being arranged to drive at least a first load (8, 10, 15) at the rock drilling apparatus, wherein said first load (8, 10, 15), in operation, provides power to a first consumer (11, 21), and where the power that can be delivered by- said first load (8, 10, 15) depends on the rotation speed of the power source. The method includes, by means of a representation of said first consumer (11, 21), determining a power demand of said first consumer (11, 21), and based on said determined power demand, determine a rotation speed demand of said first load (8, 10, 15). The rotation speed of said power source is then controlled based at least on said determined rotation speed demand of said first load (8, 10, 15 ). The invention also relates to a system and a rock drilling apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventors: Anders Nydahl, Erik Aldèn
  • Patent number: 9322252
    Abstract: A wet connection system comprises a fixed tubing with an orientation profile and redundant, first and second fixed wet connectors, and an electrical submersible pump assembly (ESP) comprising a wet connector and an orientation element for engaging the orientation profile. The ESP can be reconfigured, for example, by interchanging its component modules so as to change the position of its wet connector with respect to the orientation element, whereby the wet connector on the ESP can be engaged alternatively with either one of the fixed wet connectors when the orientation element is engaged with the orientation profile in the same deployed position of the ESP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ACCESSESP UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Philip Head
  • Patent number: 9151141
    Abstract: A housing unit installed within a tubing string of a oil well, water well, or gas dewatering well contains at least one reciprocating plunger which utilizes the hydraulic head of the fluid in the tubing to modify the loading in a subsurface pump actuation string, such as a string of sucker rods. The device can be used to either reduce observed polished rod loads at the surface to reduce the required counterbalance, or the device can be used to provide additional loading in the pump actuation string above the pump to reduce buckling. The device is used in a method for modifying the loading in a subsurface pump actuation string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: LOTRAM LLC
    Inventor: Joe J. Ippolito
  • Patent number: 9151145
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus for use with a traveling valve assembly of a downhole pump for releasing gas and thereby breaking gas locks. The apparatus comprises a piston slidably disposed within a cylindrical housing, the piston being driven by an attached plunger element. On the down stroke of the pump, the piston protrudes through end of the cylindrical housing engaging and opening the adjacent valve. On the up stroke of the pump, the piston retracts into the cylindrical housing, disengaging from the valve allowing it to close. Fluid flows along the outer surface of the apparatus by means of fluid ports connected by defined fluid passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBAL OIL AND GAS SUPPLIES INC.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Scott
  • Patent number: 9145750
    Abstract: A method and a device are for extending at least the lifetime of a Christmas tree or an umbilical. The Christmas tree is provided with a high-pressure hydraulic valve package and a low-pressure hydraulic valve package and the umbilical includes electrical power and control cables and hydraulic pipes. The method includes: retrofitting an upgrading module including at least a control unit, a hydraulic high-pressure pump, a second high-pressure hydraulic valve package, and a hydraulic reservoir onto or at the Christmas tree; supplying the high-pressure pump, directly or via the reservoir, with hydraulic fluid from a pipe in the umbilical, the high-pressure pump being connected to the second high-pressure hydraulic valve package; connecting the second high-pressure hydraulic valve package to a downhole safety valve; connecting the electrical power and control cables of the umbilical to the control unit; and connecting control cables between the control unit and valves in the low-pressure hydraulic valve package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Subsea Solutions AS
    Inventor: Torfinn Borsheim
  • Patent number: 9115559
    Abstract: An elongated inflatable collar is securely attached to the exterior surface of a coiled tubing string before the tubing is lowered into the well for subsequent positioning at a predetermined subterranean location in the well casing. Upon inflation, the inflatable collar seals the annulus between the coiled tubing string and the well casing. A liquid injected from the surface creates sufficient hydraulic pressure on the upper surface of the inflated collar to advance the collar and the attached coiled tubing string and overcome frictional drag forces with the surrounding wall that caused the coiled tubing string to lock-up. The inflatable collar of the present invention can also be used to free a section of coiled tubing that is jammed in the formation due to buckling, by injecting a pressurized liquid into the wellbore downstream of the inflated collar to thereby apply a force to the downhole surface of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Hamoud Ali Al-Anazi
  • Patent number: 9091784
    Abstract: A source wavefield is computed from encoded source data calculated by performing encoding of source wavelets with noise. A receiver wavefield is computed from encoded receiver data calculated by encoding of measured receiver data with the noise. An output representing a target structure is determined based on the source wavefield and the receiver wavefield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Can Evren Yarman, Paul N. Childs, Eugene William Starr
  • Patent number: 9085968
    Abstract: A radially expandable device including a tubular body formed from an extruded member having an extrusion direction. The extruded member is configured after extrusion of the extruded member so that the extrusion direction aligns with a resulting circumference of the tubular body during formation of the tubular body from the extruded member. The extruded member is formed from a material operatively arranged to disintegrate upon exposure to a selected borehole fluid. The tubular body is operatively arranged to be expanded from a first radial dimension to a second radial dimension. Methods of making and using a radially expandable device are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Zhiyue Xu
  • Patent number: 9043155
    Abstract: A technique includes processing seismic data indicative of samples of at least one measured seismic signal in a processor-based machine to, in an iterative process, determine basis functions, which represent a constructed seismic signal. The technique includes in each iteration of the iterative process, selecting another basis function of the plurality of basis functions. The selecting includes based at least in part on the samples and a current version of the constructed seismic signal, determining a cost function; and interpreting the cost function based at least in part on a predicted energy distribution of the constructed seismic signal to select the basis function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Massimiliano Vassallo, Ali Özbek, Dirk-Jan Van Manen, Anthony D. Curtis, Kurt Eggenberger
  • Patent number: 9033037
    Abstract: An instrumented tubing for determining a contribution of a given zone to fluid production of a reservoir, the instrumented tubing including a tube having an open end for collecting a fluid flowing from the given zone and a port for coupling the tube to a production tubing for letting the collected fluid flow into the production tubing, and a sensor for measuring a parameter of the collected fluid, wherein the sensor is connected to an electronic unit for determining the contribution of the given zone to the fluid production of the reservoir based on said measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Fabien Cens, Yann Dufour, Christian Chouzenoux
  • Patent number: 9022129
    Abstract: A method and system are described for identifying a geologic object through cross sections of a geologic data volume. The method includes obtaining a geologic data volume having a set of cross sections. Then, two or more cross sections are selected and a transformation vector is estimated between the cross sections. Based on the transformation vector, a geologic object is identified within the geologic data volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mark W. Dobin, Chul-Sung Kim, Ross Whitaker
  • Publication number: 20150114662
    Abstract: Primary and secondary pump assemblies are mounted to and supported by a supporting device in a well. The supporting device has a valve that has a first position allowing flow from the primary pump assembly while the secondary pump assembly is in a storage mode, and a second position allowing flow from the secondary pump assembly. A barrier in the intake of the secondary pump assembly blocks entry of well fluid into the secondary pump assembly while the valve is in the first position. The secondary pump is filled with a buffer fluid. A pressure compensator mounted to the secondary pump assembly has a movable element that moves in response to a difference between well fluid pressure on an exterior of the secondary pump assembly and the pressure of the buffer fluid contained in the secondary pump to reduce a pressure differential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas N. Hendryx
  • Patent number: 9016383
    Abstract: A method of pumping an oilfield fluid from a well surface to a wellbore is provided that includes providing a clean stream; operating one or more clean pumps to pump the clean stream from the well surface to the wellbore; providing a dirty stream including a solid material disposed in a fluid carrier; and operating one or more dirty pumps to pump the dirty stream from the well surface to the wellbore, wherein the clean stream and the dirty stream together form said oilfield fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rod Shampine, Paul Dwyer, Ronnie Stover, Mike Lloyd, Jean-Louis Pessin, Edward Kent Leugemors, Larry D. Welch, Joe Hubenschmidt, Philippe Gambier, William Troy Huey, Thomas Allan
  • Patent number: 9010441
    Abstract: A reservoir production management system includes a plurality of dielectric spectrometers disposed at different locations along the length of production tubing within a wellbore, each of the plurality dielectric spectrometers being in fluid communication with separate producing zones of the reservoir, wherein the plurality of dielectric spectrometers are configured to detect one or more dielectric properties by measuring the response of incident radio waves through fluids from each of the respectively separate producing zones, and a plurality of valves in the production tubing to selectively control production from each of the respectively separate producing zones in response to detected dielectric fluid properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Luis Phillipe Tosi
  • Patent number: 9010440
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for centrifugal separation. In one embodiment, a separator includes an outer tubular having ends sealed from the environment and an inner tubular. The inner tubular is disposed within the outer tubular, has ends in fluid communication with a bore of the outer tubular, and is attached to the outer tubular. The separator further includes an inlet. The inlet is disposed through a wall of the outer tubular, in fluid communication with a bore of the inner tubular, and tangentially attached to the inner tubular so that fluid flow from the inlet to the inner tubular is centrifugally accelerated. The separator further includes a gas outlet in fluid communication with the outer tubular bore; and a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the outer tubular bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: George Joel Rodger, Denman L. Cloudt, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150101817
    Abstract: The method of maintaining drill bit advancement in an underground formation that contains shale, including providing an electrical signal from an insulated gap location in a drill string substantially directly behind the bit in the formation, detecting substantial change in a signal as the bit advances, and changing the direction of drilling of the bit as a function of a signal change, to thereby maintain the direction of bit advancement in the formation. A method is disclosed for detecting the existence and direction of adjacent bed boundaries. A short hop transmitter assembly generates a signal that is detected by an associated receiver assembly. The received signal(s) are tied to the azimuthal orientation of the transmitter or receiver and processed to yield the direction and/or the distance of the bed boundary. This information is transmitted to the surface via surface telemetry for real-time control of the drilling assembly to stay within, or to enter, a pay zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew A. White, Asong E. Suh, Stephan Graf
  • Patent number: 8997870
    Abstract: An apparatus for downhole separation of an oil/water fluid and the injection of the separated water into the formation includes a casing in a borehole, a tubing string in the casing, first perforations in the casing at a production zone in the borehole for admitting the mixture into an annulus between the casing and the tubing string, second perforations in the tubing string for admitting production fluid from the casing into the tubing string, third perforations in the casing for discharging separated water from the annulus into the formation, a packer in the annulus separating the first perforations from the third perforations, a first check valve in the tubing string above the packer for admitting the mixture from the tubing string into the annulus where water separates by gravity from the hydrocarbons for discharge through the third perforations, and a second check valve in the tubing string above the first check valve for admitting separated hydrocarbons from the annulus into the tubing string for passag
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Canada West Resources Inc.
    Inventors: Norman J. McAllister, Stuart D. McAllister
  • Publication number: 20150090453
    Abstract: Systems and methods for secondary sealing of a perforation present within a wellbore casing associated with a primary sealing agent. The wellbore casing defines a casing conduit present within a wellbore that extends between a surface region and a subterranean formation. The systems and methods include a sealing apparatus that retains a charge of sealing material with a secondary sealing agent and is conveyed within the casing conduit to within a threshold distance of the perforation. The systems and methods further include selectively releasing the charge of sealing material from the sealing apparatus, such as by a release mechanism, to deliver the charge of sealing material to the perforation, to supplement the primary sealing agent (and/or a seal formed thereby), and/or to decrease a flow rate of a fluid from the casing conduit through the perforation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Kris J. Nygaard, Christian S. Mayer, Pavlin B. Entchev
  • Patent number: 8991492
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a multi-zone reservoir while reservoir fluids are flowing from within the wellbore. The method and apparatus enables isolation and testing of individual zones without the need to pull production tubing. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It may not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Lovell, Warren Zemlak, Marc Allcorn, Luis F. Peixoto, Steven Harrison, Andrew Prestridge, Gokturk Tunc, Frank Espinosa
  • Patent number: 8996396
    Abstract: Provided are a system and method for calculating and selecting a convergence path based on cost. In one example, the method includes identifying multiple geometric convergence paths that each provides a convergence solution from a defined bottom hole assembly (BHA) location to a target path. A total monetary cost is calculated for each of the geometric convergence paths using an offset cost based on a distance of the geometric convergence path from the target path, a curvature cost based on an amount of curvature of the geometric convergence path, and a time cost based on an estimated amount of time needed to drill the geometric convergence path. The total monetary costs of the geometric convergence paths are compared and one of the geometric convergence paths is selected based on the total monetary cost of that geometric convergence path relative to the total monetary costs of the other geometric convergence paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Hunt Advanced Drilling Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd W. Benson, John Burkhart, Teddy Chen
  • Patent number: 8992771
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for isolating heavy saturated hydrocarbons from a subsurface shale formation comprising kerogen and an extractible organics component. These methods can be used to provide a bright stock product. The process comprises extracting an extractible organics component from subsurface shale formations comprising kerogen and the extractible organics component in an inorganic matrix and isolating a heavy hydrocarbon fraction comprising saturated beta-carotene. The methods utilize a hydrocarbon solvent to at least partially solubilize the extractible organics component. Among other factors, these processes are based on the discovery that the extractible organics is composed of a heavy hydrocarbon component containing saturated beta-carotene. The saturated beta-carotene product is a valuable commercial product. The presently disclosed processes are more environmentally benign, more economical, and more efficient in producing commercial products and in providing access to kerogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Oliver Wigand, Saleh Elomari, Robert Martin Carlson
  • Patent number: 8985215
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of producing from multiple production zones with a single trip multi-zone completion system. One method includes arranging an outer completion string within a wellbore adjacent the one or more formation zones, the outer completion string having at least one sand screen arranged thereabout and a flow control device movably disposed within the sand screen, locating an insert string within the outer completion string, the insert string having at least one control and data acquisition module disposed thereon that has one or more mechanical coupling mechanisms, locating the flow control device with the one or more mechanical coupling mechanisms, and moving the flow control device between a closed position and an open position with the one or more mechanical coupling mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Tips, William Mark Richards
  • Publication number: 20150068760
    Abstract: In a completion for producing methane the bottom hole assembly has a base pipe with porous media surrounding it for equalizing flow along the base pipe. A shape memory polymer foam surrounds the porous media. The borehole can be reamed to reduce produced methane velocities. Surrounding the shape memory polymer is an exterior layer of consolidated proppant or sand that can self-adhere and/or stick to the polymer foam. The proppant or sand can be circulated or squeezed into position although, circulation is preferred. The borehole may enlarge due to shifting sands in an unconsolidated formation as the methane is produced. The bottom hole assembly helps in fluid flow equalization and protects the foam and layers below from high fluid velocities during production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael H. Johnson, Mark K. Adam, Bennett M. Richard
  • Publication number: 20150068761
    Abstract: Subterranean hydrocarbon recovery systems are provided with the systems including a plurality of conduit sections in fluid communication with at least some of which being aligned in parallel along at least one axis of each section. The recovery systems can also include a well head within a subterranean space with at least one of the sections being in fluid communication with the well head. Subterranean hydrocarbons systems are also provided that can include a plurality of conduit sections arranged in rows and columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph McPhie, Joshua Walton, Jason Todd, Robert Ferri
  • Publication number: 20150060055
    Abstract: Systems and methods for artificial lift via a downhole positive displacement pump are disclosed herein. The methods include methods of removing a wellbore liquid from a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and/or methods of locating the downhole positive displacement pump within the wellbore. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the wellbore, a casing, a rotary electric motor, the downhole positive displacement pump, and a liquid discharge conduit, and the systems may be utilized with and/or configured to perform the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Michael C. Romer
  • Patent number: 8967274
    Abstract: A pumping system is disclosed comprising a supply pipe, a delivery pipe, a pump capable of pumping a liquid, a first tank with a top port and a bottom port, a second tank with top port and a bottom port, a first pipe switcher operable to switch connections the supply/delivery pipes and the top ports, and a second pipe switcher operable to switch connections between the bottom ports and the pump inlet/outlet. The pipe switchers serve to switch input and output connections such that the tanks are swapped from a position between the supply pipe and the pump inlet and a position between the pump outlet and the delivery pipe. Uses for cooling systems, air compressors, deep wells, and oil extraction are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Jasim Saleh Al-Azzawi
  • Patent number: 8960309
    Abstract: An oil well pumping apparatus for pumping oil from a well to a wellhead provides a tool body sized and shaped to be lowered into the production tubing string. A working fluid is provided that can be pumped into the production tubing, by a prime mover. A flow channel into the well bore enables the working fluid to be circulated from the prime mover via the production tubing to the tool body at a location in the well and then back to the wellhead area. A pumping mechanism is provided on the tool body, including upper and lower spur gear or gears connected with a common shaft. The upper spur gear is driven by the working fluid. The lower spur gear is rotated by the first spur gear. The tool body has flow conveying portions that mix the working fluid and the produced oil as the oil is pumped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Raymond C. Davis
  • Patent number: 8955599
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing fluids from a subterranean well. An example embodiment includes a system having a well casing surrounding at least one inner tubing string, where the inner tubing string has a distal section and a proximal section, an apparatus for removing a first fluid within the distal section of the inner tubing string, and an apparatus for removing a second fluid within the proximal section of the inner tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Fiberspar Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Michael Feechan