Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Brigitte Jeffery Echols
  • Patent number: 6700252
    Abstract: A modular electric motor for use in a wellbore. The modular motor includes a plurality of modular motor sections. The modular motor sections being mechanically and electrically coupleable. At least one modular motor section having a rotor. The rotor of one modular motor section having a rotor being drivingly coupleable to the rotor of a second modular motor section having a rotor. Thus, a given motor may be assembled to a variety of desired lengths by connecting the appropriate number of modular motor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Roy R. Fleshman, Rick Bailey
  • Patent number: 6695052
    Abstract: An electric submersible pumping system having a downhole gauge section. The electric submersible pumping system comprises a submersible motor powered by a submersible pump. The submersible pump may be located below the submersible motor when in operation, while the downhole gauge section is disposed above the submersible motor. A power cable is coupled to the submersible motor through the downhole gauge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Branstetter, Kevin T. Scarsdale, Lee S. Kobylinski, Nolan D. Wanner, John Pursell
  • Patent number: 6695054
    Abstract: A particulate screen suitable for use in a wellbore. The particulate screen is expandable and may be at least partially formed of a bistable tubular. Also, a filter media may be combined with the bistable tubular to limit influx of particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6695067
    Abstract: A wellbore isolation device having an expandable component. The expandable component comprises a layer of bistable cells that can be expanded from a contracted stable state towards an expanded stable state. A seal material may be placed along the expandable cells to facilitate inhibition of fluid flow along a region of a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Craig D. Johnson, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6691786
    Abstract: A valve has a pair of surfaces, such as those of pipes, with an inflatable bladder disposed therebetween. Controlled inflation and deflation of the bladder provides for control of flow through the valve. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Dinesh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 6688397
    Abstract: A system for expanding tubular structures. The system comprises a mandrel that is moved through the center of a tubular structure to increase the diameter of the tubular structure via deformation. The system utilizes an expansion device having a mandrel with multiple segments moved between a contracted state and an expanded state. In one embodiment, the mandrel segments are spring biased to permit a degree of independent movement of each mandrel segment with respect to the other mandrel segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joel McClurkin, Dennis L. Mills, Craig D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6688860
    Abstract: A system and method for protecting a motor for a submersible pumping system. A variety of motor protectors are provided for application in variable temperature environments and multiple wellbore orientations. The motor protectors may include one or more of a positively pressurized bellows, a relatively balanced pressure bellows free of sliding seals, and a multi-orientable labyrinth. Each of these motor protectors also may have various moisture absorbents, filters, particle shedders and various conventional motor protector components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael H. Du, Lawrence C. Lee, Arunkumar Arumugam, Ashley C. Kishino
  • Patent number: 6684950
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for pressure testing a tubing string. A valve is utilized within the tubing string to enable selective application of pressure in the tubing above the valve. However, between pressure tests, the valve may be opened to allow fluid flow into the tubing. Thus, the tubing string may readily be moved, for example, downhole into a wellbore with periodic application of pressure to test the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Dinesh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 6684952
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows communications of electrical power and signaling from downhole component to another downhole component employs an inductive coupler assembly. In one arrangement, one portion of the inductive coupler assembly is attached to a production tubing section and the other portion of the inductive coupler assembly is attached to a casing or other liner section. The production tubing inductive coupler portion is electrically connected to a cable over which electrical power and signals may be transmitted. Such power and signals are magnetically coupled to the inductive coupler portion in the casing or liner section and communicated to various electrical devices mounted outside the casing or liner section. In other arrangements, inductive coupler assemblies may be used to couple electrical power and signals from the main bore to components in lateral branches of a multilateral well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Mark W. Brockman, Herve Ohmer, David L. Malone
  • Patent number: 6681854
    Abstract: A sand screen having a shroud with a channel for routing of a control line and associated methods and systems. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Jake A. Danos
  • Patent number: 6681861
    Abstract: A system that is usable with a well includes a structure that has a region that is adapted to receive a tubing hanger interface. The system also includes at least one communication connection that penetrates the structure below the region to receive the tubing hanger interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Davidson, John A. Kerr, Roderick MacKenzie, Alan J. Johnston
  • Patent number: 6679334
    Abstract: A system that is useable in a subterranean well includes conveying an elongated strip from a surface of the well downhole into the well; and spirally wrapping the strip to form a tubular structure in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Craig D. Johnson, Patrick W. Bixenman, Thomas H. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6675892
    Abstract: A technique includes measuring a first pressure of well fluid in a first region. The well fluid is produced from a formation into the first region. A second pressure of well fluid is measured in a second region. The second region is isolated from the first region, and the well fluid in the second region is in communication with the formation characteristics (skin, horizontal permeability or vertical permeability, as examples) of the formation is determined from the first and second measured pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Fikri J. Kuchuk, Terizhandur S. Ramakrishnan, Alpaslan Z. Tengirsek, Ashok K. Belani, Tarek M. Habashy, Adrian Douglas
  • Patent number: 6675901
    Abstract: A system that is useable in a subterranean well includes a tubular structure that is formed from a spirally wound strip, and the tubular structure is provided downhole in the subterranean well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Craig D. Johnson, Patrick W. Bixenman, Thomas H. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6668935
    Abstract: A valve assembly to control the intake of fluid. The valve assembly has a valve body and a valve choke disposed therein. The valve choke has a choke bore through the interior of the valve choke. The valve choke has a plurality of orifices to the choke bore spaced at intervals along the valve choke. A seal is disposed between the valve body and valve choke. The valve system is operable to position the valve choke so that the seal is positioned between the valve body and the valve choke at the intervals between the plurality of orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene P. McLoughlin, Scott A. Rubinstein, Ricardo Martinez, Alexandre G.E. Kosmala
  • Patent number: 6668945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling a window in a downhole structure, such as a casing or a liner, includes a mandrel that supports milling elements arranged in a predetermined pattern. In one example, the milling elements are arranged in one or more continuous channels each having a generally helical pattern. The milling elements are able to cut the window in the downhole structure substantially continuously to the desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Herve Ohmer
  • Patent number: 6659186
    Abstract: An apparatus usable in a subterranean well includes a valve, a first mechanism, a second mechanism, and a lock. The valve controls communication between an exterior region that surrounds the valve and an inner passageway of the valve. The first mechanism causes the valve to transition from a first state to a second state in response to pressure in the exterior region. The second mechanism causes the valve to transition between the first state and the second state in response to a pressure differential between the exterior region and the inner passageway. The lock fixes the valve in one of the states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Dinesh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 6659174
    Abstract: A component, such as an electric motor, for use in a subterranean environment. The component comprises an attached recording system to record the cumulative use time of the component. The recording system typically includes a timing circuit or other circuit to output data related to use of the component. This data is recorded by a recording device to maintain a cumulative total.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventor: James R. Hogan
  • Patent number: 6651747
    Abstract: An apparatus and method provides an anchoring apparatus for use in a wellbore that comprises a gripping assembly and an actuation assembly. In one arrangement, the actuation assembly includes a motor and a module having at least a compressible element (e.g., a hydraulic module) between the motor and the gripping assembly. Upon activation, the motor actuates the hydraulic module to cause activation of the gripping assembly. In one arrangement, the anchoring apparatus is designed to pass through a tubing or other restriction in the wellbore. When in the retracted state, the gripping assembly of the anchoring apparatus has an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of the tubing. When in the expanded state, the gripping assembly of the anchoring apparatus has an outer diameter than is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the liner to enable engagement of the gripping assembly against the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, James S. Almaguer, Simon L. Farrant
  • Patent number: 6648071
    Abstract: A technique for connecting expandable tubulars. The technique comprises an expandable connector system that facilitates the connection of tubular components, such as tubulars used in wellbore environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Hackworth, Craig D. Johnson, Patrick W. Bixenman