Patents Represented by Attorney David J. Smith
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Patent number: 8342334Abstract: An improved cornerboard that is usable to protect a corner of a shipping container is provided. The cornerboard reduces workforce required to secure the cornerboard to a plurality of shipping containers, such as a pallet of shipping containers. For example, the cornerboard permits a single individual to position cornerboards about the pallet of shipping containers and shrink wrap or otherwise secure the shipping containers with the cornerboards. In an embodiment, the cornerboard has a tab portion that is partially separable form the cornerboard and positionable between two shipping containers to prevent movement of the cornerboard and eliminate the need for an individual to hold the cornerboard.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: N.A.L. CompanyInventors: Andy Leibreich, Mike Leibreich, Tom Leibreich
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Patent number: 8240378Abstract: A fluid analysis tool, and related method, comprising means for selectively varying a temperature of fluid received in a tool from a subterranean formation, means for measuring a temperature and a thermophysical property of the fluid received in the tool, and means for determining a relationship between the measured temperature and the measured thermophysical property of the fluid received in the tool.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Carsten Sonne, Anthony R. H. Goodwin
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Patent number: 8240375Abstract: A field joint for connecting a plurality of downhole tool modules is disclosed. The modules include a housing and an electrical line. A bulkhead is coupled to a first module that includes a first conduit aperture for receiving an electrical connector assembly. The first electrical connector assembly is releasably coupled to the exterior portion of the first module and includes a first connector having a first end adapted for electrical coupling to an electrical line. A connector block is coupled to the second module that includes a second conduit aperture positioned to substantially face the first conduit aperture when the first and second modules are joined. A second electrical connector is disposed in the second conduit aperture and is electrically coupled to an electrical line such that an electrical contact is established with a second end of the first connector when the first and second modules are joined.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stephane Briquet, Steve Ervin, Kevin William Hayes, Christopher S. Del Campo, Joe Nahas
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Patent number: 8230916Abstract: Apparatus and methods to analyze downhole fluids are described herein. A disclosed example method involves obtaining a sample of a downhole fluid. Additionally the example method involves ionizing at least a portion of the sample to decompose molecules having a relatively high molar mass into molecules having a relatively lower molar mass. Further, the example method involves analyzing the ionized portion of the sample to determine a parameter of the downhole fluid sample.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ernest N. Sumrall, Anthony Goodwin, Erik Quam, Chengli Dong, Oliver C. Mullins
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Patent number: 8230919Abstract: Evaluating a subterranean formation fluid by lowering a testing tool to a depth in a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation, limiting wellbore fluid convection near the depth with the testing tool, heating formation fluid in the subterranean formation near the depth, obtaining a sample of the heated formation fluid from the subterranean formation, and evaluating at least a portion of the sample of heated formation fluid obtained from the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Anthony Goodwin, Carlos Abad, Amy Simpson
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Patent number: 8225855Abstract: An embodiment of a clamping, cutting, and wiping assembly assembly may comprise a frame defining a pathway for a cable to pass therethrough, a clamp mechanism, a cutter device, and a wiper mounted to the frame adjacent the pathway for engaging with a cable, wherein the clamp device, the cutter, and the wiper may each be actuatable.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert Michael Ramsey, Matthew E Wilson
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Patent number: 8220536Abstract: A probe for establishing fluid communication between a downhole tool and a subterranean formation. The downhole tool is positioned in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation. The probe includes a platform operatively connected to the downhole tool, at least one packer operatively connected to the platform, the packer having at least one hole extending therethrough and at least one embedded member disposed in the packer for enhancing the operation of the packer as it is pressed against the wellbore wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Chen Tao, Danny A. Hlavinka, Jonathan W. Brown, Christopher S. Del Campo, Stephane Briquet, Steve Ervin, Kevin W. Hayes
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Patent number: 8215389Abstract: A method for acquiring a sample of a virgin fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore surrounded by a layer of contaminated fluid is disclosed. The method includes abutting a first packer against a wall of the wellbore, and extending at least a portion of a second packer beyond the first packer, wherein the second packer is at least partially disposed in the first packer. An inlet to a first flowline is at least partially defined by the first packer, and an inlet to a second flowline is defined by the second packer. The method further includes drawing one of virgin fluid, contaminated fluid and combinations thereof into the first flowline; and drawing virgin fluid into the second flowline.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Raymond V. Nold, III, Alexander F. Zazovsky, Steve Ervin, Christopher S. Del Campo, Stephane Briquet
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Patent number: 8218826Abstract: A measurement system is provided that includes an integrated optics unit which measures at least one variable of the movement of a conveyance system relative to an oil well during an oil well operation, wherein the at least one variable is a direction of motion, a speed of movement, or a length of movement of the conveyance system.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Reinhart Ciglenec, Peter Swinburne
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Patent number: 8210260Abstract: An apparatus comprising first and second fluid intakes, a pump, and a sample chamber, may be positioned in a borehole penetrating a subterranean formation. A method of use thereof may comprise drawing fluid from the subterranean formation and into the first and second fluid intakes using the pump, discharging into the borehole at least a portion of the fluid drawn into the second fluid intake, and selectively diverting at least a portion of the fluid drawn into the first fluid intake to the sample chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Mark Milkovisch, Alexander Zazovsky, Simon Ross
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Patent number: 8191416Abstract: An example instrumented formation tester for injecting fluids and monitoring of fluids described herein includes a downhole tool which can be deployed in a wellbore via a wireline or a drill string. The downhole tool may facilitate the injection of fluids into an underground formation, and the monitoring of the directions in which the injected fluids flow in the formation in an open hole environment. In particular, the downhole tool may be configured for removing the mud cake from a portion of the wellbore wall for facilitating a fluid communication with the formation to be tested.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Fikri Kuchuk, Terizhandur S. Ramakrishnan, Tarek M. Habashy, Ian Falconer, Saygi Gokhan, Edward Harrigan, Anthony Goodwin, Lawrence Leising, Fernando Mattos
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Patent number: 8184014Abstract: An apparatus includes a transmission line for deployment in a well, and a driver to transmit signals over the transmission line. The driver includes a field-effect transistor, and an operational amplifier to control the field-effect transistor, where the operational amplifier and field-effect transistor cooperate to form a voltage-to-current converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Ramon Hernandez-Marti
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Patent number: 8165817Abstract: A method for estimating properties of fluids in rock formations at selected locations within a geologic basin includes generating an initial model of the basin. The model includes as output spatial distribution of a rock formation mineral composition, rock formation porosity and composition of fluids in the rock formation porosity. An initial estimate of fluid composition is generated for a rock formation, and a sample of fluid is extracted from pore spaces of the rock formation. Composition of the fluid sample is analyzed from within, and the initial model of the basin is adjusted to substantially match the analyzed fluid composition. The adjusted model is used to generate an initial estimate of fluid composition.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Soraya Betancourt, Armin Kauerauf, Oliver Mullins
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Patent number: 8162052Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a well may comprise a vessel having a piston or a valve disposed therein and defining first and second volumes wherein the first volume is configured to receive formation fluid from an inlet port, and an actuator configured to extract formation fluid, the actuator being fluidly isolated from a fluid flow path extending between the inlet port and the first volume. The downhole tool may also comprise a flow-line configured to deliver formation fluid to the vessel, and an actuator configured to register an end of the flow-line with the inlet of the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Anthony R. H. Goodwin, Julian J. Pop, Stephane Briquet, Ricardo Vasques, Alexander Zazovsky
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Patent number: 8136591Abstract: A wellbore instrument system includes a pipe string extending from earth's surface into a wellbore. The pipe string includes at least one of an electrical conductor and an optical fiber signal communication channel. A power sub is coupled to at least one wireline configurable wellbore instrument. The power sub is also coupled to the pipe string. The instrument is configured to receive electrical power from the power sub. The instrument includes at least one sensor responsive to at least one of movement of the instrument, change in a instrument operating condition and an environmental condition proximate the instrument. The sensor is configured to transmit signals therefrom over the communication channel.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Christopher S. Del Campo, Harold S. Bissonnette, Reza Taherian
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Patent number: 8136394Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for analyzing a downhole fluid are disclosed. An example method may involve the steps of admitting the downhole fluid in a test volume, controllably inducing a pressure change in the test volume based on at least one prescribed rate, measuring pressures in the test volume at a plurality of times, using the pressures measured at the plurality of times to determine a time at which an actual rate of the pressure change in the test volume deviates from the at least one prescribed rate, and detecting an occurrence of phase transition of the downhole fluid based on the determined time.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kai Hsu, Emmanuel Desroques, Kentaro Indo
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Patent number: 8113293Abstract: A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer is designed with an outer flexible skin and one or more drains coupled to the outer flexible skin. A mandrel is positioned within the outer flexible skin, and an expansion mechanism is provided to control expansion of the outer flexible skin to selectively create sealing engagement with a surrounding wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Pierre-Yves Corre
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Patent number: 8109334Abstract: A method of sampling a subterranean formation fluid may comprise extracting a first fluid sample from a portion of the subterranean formation, altering a temperature of the portion of the subterranean formation, and extracting a second fluid sample from the portion of the subterranean formation having altered temperature. The temperature of the portion of the subterranean formation may be altered based on the relative position of a subterranean formation fluid temperature and the multiphase region envelope in the phase diagram of the subterranean formation fluid. The method may further comprise determining a property of the subterranean formation fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Anthony R. H. Goodwin
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Patent number: 8093056Abstract: A method and apparatus to determine the fractional amount of at least one constituent of a hydrocarbon mixture, comprising dissolving the hydrocarbon mixture in a substantially hydrogen free solvent to produce a diluted solution, the diluted solution having sufficient solvent to render a NMR property of the diluted solution to be predictably related to the constituent concentrations of the hydrocarbon mixture; making NMR measurements on the diluted solution; and determining the fractional amount of at least one constituent of the hydrocarbon mixture from the NMR measurements.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Krishnamurthy Ganesan
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Patent number: 8091634Abstract: A technique involves collecting formation fluids through a single packer having at least one drain located within the single packer. The single packer is designed with an outer flexible skin and one or more drains coupled to the outer flexible skin. The single packer further comprises one or more sensors positioned to detect one or more specific parameters that may be related to well characteristics and/or single packer characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Stephane Briquet, Stephen Yeldell, Carsten Sonne, Edward Harrigan, Alexander F. Zazovsky