Patents Represented by Attorney Jeremy P. Welch
  • Patent number: 8235145
    Abstract: The present invention recites a method, system and apparatus, wherein said method, system and apparatus comprises a gauge pad for a rotary component received within a borehole, the gauge pad comprising an exterior surface dimensioned for rotation in close proximity to the borehole, a pocket extending through the exterior surface, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source, and wherein the exterior surface is dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the exterior surface and borehole creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the rotary component toward the gauge pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kjell Haugvaldstad, Ashley Johnson, Geoffrey C. Downton, Walter David Aldred, Frank F. Espinosa, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Riadh Boualleg, Michael P. Barrett
  • Patent number: 8179278
    Abstract: A downhole communication device comprises a first energy harvesting device; a downhole transceiver in communication with the first energy harvesting device; an accumulator in communication with the energy harvesting device; and a microcontroller. The microcontroller manages communication between the first energy harvesting device, transceiver, and accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Fred Shakra, Phil Louden, Spyro Kotsonis
  • Patent number: 8162044
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tool includes a housing defining an axial passageway and a shaft mounted for rotation within the axial passageway such that the housing and shaft form an annular gap. An electrical connector provides a signal to the shaft. The electrical connector includes a first lead assembly coupled to the housing and the shaft, and a second lead assembly coupled to the housing and the shaft. Each lead assembly has an outer ring electrode fixed to the housing and an inner ring electrode fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith such that connector gaps are formed between the outer ring electrodes and the inner ring electrodes. Drilling fluid is pumped through the annular gap to flow through the connector gaps to complete electrical connections between the outer ring electrodes and inner ring electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 8157024
    Abstract: Embodiments include ball piston steering devices and methods for use of ball piston devices. In one aspect a ball piston steering device includes a sleeve in fluid communication with a fluid source and a ball received within the sleeve. The ball is movable within the sleeve between a recessed position and an extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Fabio de Paula Neves, Alexander Slocum, Ian David Thomas
  • Patent number: 8146679
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling downhole motors. One aspect of the invention provides a valve-controlled downhole motor including: a downhole motor and a spool valve. The downhole motor includes a sealed chamber having a first port and a second port, a stator received within the sealed chamber, and a rotor received within the stator. The spool valve includes a barrel and a spool received within the barrel. The barrel includes an inlet port, an exhaust port, a first feed port, a second feed port, a first return port, and a second return port. The inlet port is located in proximity to the first feed port and second port. The exhaust port is located in proximity to the first return port and the second return port. The spool includes a first gland and a second gland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Geoff Downton
  • Patent number: 8092149
    Abstract: An impeller arrangement comprises an impeller 10 having at least one first vane surface 26 orientated such that the application of fluid under pressure thereto applies a torque to the impeller 10 in a first rotary direction, at least one second vane surface 28 orientated such that the application of fluid under pressure thereto applies a torque to the impeller 10 in a second, opposite rotary direction, and a valve 34 operable to control the supply of fluid to the first and second vane surfaces 26, 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Francesco Vaghi
  • Patent number: 7918290
    Abstract: A drilling assembly in an elongated hole including a housing defining an interior with a plurality of motor stages in the interior. Each motor stage has at least one blade with supporting platform surfaces. A casing within the interior surrounds the plurality of motor stages and defines an annular flowpath with the housing. The casing also defines at least one offtake passage adjacent each motor stage. A shielding fluid passes through the annular flowpath and, in turn, the at least one offtake of each motor stage to coat and protect the at least one blade and supporting platform surfaces. A driving fluid passes through the casing for propelling the at least one blade of each motor stage. Preferably, the shielding fluid is at a relatively higher pressure than the driving fluid with a substantially constant ratio maintained between the between the shielding fluid and the driving fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Guy J. Rushton
  • Patent number: 7687571
    Abstract: Oilfield elements and assemblies are described comprising, in one embodiment, an elastomeric composition comprising the reaction product of a linear or branched polymer having residual ethylenic unsaturation with an ethylenically unsaturated organic monomer having at least one reactive moiety selected from acid, acid anhydride, and acid salt, the elastomeric composition formed into an oilfield element. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nitin Y. Vaidya, Rashmi B. Bhavsar
  • Patent number: 7631697
    Abstract: An oilfield apparatus has a swellable elastomeric composition that includes a swellable elastomer and one or more nanosensors dispersed therein. An oilfield assembly for exploring for, drilling for, testing for, or producing hydrocarbons includes various oilfield elements such as tubing, jointed pipe, sucker rods, submersible pump motor protector bags, packer elements, blow out preventer elements, zonal isolation tool elements, etc; and one or more of the oilfield elements has a swellable elastomeric composition that includes a swellable elastomer and one or more nanosensors dispersed therein. A method of selecting one or more oilfield elements has a component of an elastomeric composition that includes a swellable elastomer and one or more nanosensors dispersed therein; and a method of using the one or more oilfield elements in an oilfield operation, thus exposing the oilfield element to an oilfield environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Rashmi B. Bhavsar
  • Patent number: 7617874
    Abstract: A valve control system for a wellbore includes a fiber composite actuator functionally coupled to a valve operating member and means for controllably charging an interior of the actuator with fluid under pressure. A valve for a wellbore includes a valve stem and a valve seat associated with a valve body. The valve stem and valve seat are configured to enable fluid flow from an inlet port in the valve body to an outlet port in the valve body when the stem is moved from the seat. An axial contraction fiber composite actuator is functionally coupled to the valve stem. The valve includes means for controllably charging an interior of the actuator with fluid under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Murat Ocalan
  • Patent number: 7562712
    Abstract: A tool is actuated in a well based on one or more issued commands being interpreted and implemented by the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a power generation module that multiplies pressure delivered downhole to enable actuation of the tool without requiring delivery of the higher actuation pressure along the entire wellbore. An actuation module may be used in combination with the power generation module to control operation of the power generation module in response to command signals sent downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian W. Cho, Philippe Gambier, John R. Whitsitt, Arin Basmajian, Jose F. Garcia, Youel G. Hilsman, III
  • Patent number: 7510011
    Abstract: Well servicing methods and systems are described, in one embodiment comprising installing a tool in a wellbore, the tool comprising a base tubular having a plurality of openings and a longitudinal bore adapted to fluidly connect to a tubular; a jacket tubular having a second plurality of openings; and an open, lofty, three-dimensional, non-fines stopping fibrous filter medium between the base tubular and the jacket tubular; and installing a first packer upstream of the tool and a second packer downstream of the tool. In some embodiments a sealant precursor composition may be fixed to the fibers. The sealant precursor composition may be activated to form a seal by a triggering chemical composition. 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. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronan Le Gloahec, John E. Edwards
  • 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: 7426962
    Abstract: An injection pipe string (4) in a well (2) for the injection of a fluid into at least one reservoir (6) intersected by the string (4), in which at least parts of the injection string (4) opposite the at least one reservoir (6) are provided with one or more outflow positions/-zones. At least one pressure-loss-promoting flow control device is provided to each outflow position/-zone. In position of use, the flow control device(s) control(s) the outflow rate of the injection fluid to a reservoir rock opposite said position/zone. The flow control device(s) is (are) disposed between an internal flow space (18) of the injection string (4) and the reservoir rock opposite said position/zone, and said device(s) is (are) hydraulically connected to at least one through-going pipe wall opening (28, 86) in the injection string (4), and to said reservoir rock. By using such flow control devices, the outflow profile of the injection fluid may be appropriately controlled along the injection string (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terje Moen, Ole S. Kvernstuen
  • Patent number: 7407013
    Abstract: An expandable well screen system includes a screen assembly having a base pipe, a strut, and a screen expandable from a retracted position to an expanded position in the wellbore; and an insert guide disposed in the base pipe when the screen is in the expanded position, wherein the base pipe maintains substantially the same geometric dimensions when the screen is in the retracted position and the expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: John Whitsitt