Patents Represented by Attorney Madan, Mossman & Sriram
  • Patent number: 7394258
    Abstract: Impedance measurements made by a galvanic resistivity tool in a borehole in an earth formation are corrected by a factor that depends on the mud conductivity and the mud dielectric constant. Standoff measurements are not necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Alexandre N. Bespalov, Randy Gold
  • Patent number: 7392137
    Abstract: Multifrequency focusing is applied to measurements made with a multicomponent resistivity logging tool in an earth formation having resisitivity anisotropy. From knowledge of relative dip and azimuth of the borehole relative to the formation, two modes can be separated, one of which is dependent substantially on the horizontal resistivity. Alternatively, mode separation and angle determination can be made simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Leonty A. Tabarovsky, Michael Rabinovich
  • Patent number: 7389787
    Abstract: A system is provided that monitors at the wellsite injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through wellbores and controls the supply of such additives from remote locations. The selected additive is supplied from a source at the wellsite into the wellbore via a suitable supply line. A flow meter in the supply line measures the flow rate of the additive through the supply line and generates signals representative of the flow rate. A controller at the wellsite determines the flow rate from the flow meter signals and in response thereto controls the flow rate of the additive to the well. The wellsite controller interfaces with a suitable two-way communication link and transmits signals and data representative of the flow rate and other parameters to a second remote controller. The remote controller transmits command signals to the wellsite controller representative of any change desired for the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: C. Mitch Means, David H. Green
  • Patent number: 7389828
    Abstract: A caliper tool used on a drilling tubular and having extensible members that remain decoupled with respect to the borehole wall during caliper measurements and while the extensible members are extended to allow movement in and through the borehole. A processor processes known and measured information to determine the size and shape of the borehole. Formation evaluation instruments may be included to allow formation evaluation substantially simultaneously with the caliper measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rene Ritter, Hans-Christian Freitag, Hans-Juergen Faber, James Kinney
  • Patent number: 7389184
    Abstract: A controllable seismic source is used in a seismic-while-drilling system for obtaining VSP data. Coded information is sent downhole about the signal generated by said controllable source. The information about the seismic source is used for reconstructing the source waveform and processing the VSP data. Optionally, a reference signal measured at one depth of the BHA is used for processing of signals at subsequent depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Holger Mathiszik, Ran Zhou
  • Patent number: 7387021
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that assess reservoir compartmentalization by determining whether there are compositional differences such as whether the isotopic ratios of carbon (13C/12C) or of oxygen (17O/18O) are the same or different in various parts of the reservoir. A quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectrometer is provided for analysis of reservoir samples taken in various parts of the reservoir for comparison of geochemical composition to estimate reservoir compartmentalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 7387162
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and devices for selectively firing a gun train formed of a plurality of guns. Conventionally, the guns each include a detonator assembly that detonates upon receiving a firing signal transmitted by a surface source. In one embodiment of the present invention, an operator provided in the gun train selectively couples one or more of the guns to the signal transmission medium. The operator has an safe state wherein the operator isolates the gun from the firing signal and an armed state wherein the operator enable the transmission of the firing signal to the gun. A control signal is used to move operator between the safe state and the armed state. In some embodiments, two or more guns are each provided with a separate operator. In other embodiments, one operator can selectively engage two or more guns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Owen Oil Tools, LP
    Inventors: James D. Mooney, Jr., Bobby R. Ford
  • Patent number: 7388046
    Abstract: Polymer particles of ultrahigh molecular weight poly(alpha-olefins) may be made stable toward agglomeration by suspension within a co-suspension of self-dispersing waxes. This combination prevents polymer agglomeration over time while maintaining good flowability properties. Such materials, ultimately used as pipeline additives to reduce the fluid drag and increase the volumetric throughput, may be shipped and stored for extended periods of time without irreversible loss of the suspension stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Martin, William P. Cottom
  • Patent number: 7385401
    Abstract: Measurements made by a resistivity imaging tool in a borehole having non-conductive mud in a conductive earth formation are corrected using the tool standoff. The correction involves removing a calibration signal determined in a medium of high conductivity from the measured impedance. The magnitude and/or the real part of the impedance may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Alexandre N. Bespalov
  • Patent number: 7383891
    Abstract: A packer includes one or more anchors for securing the packer in a wellbore and a pair of seal elements that form a fluid seal. The packer assembly is hydraulically set and, thus, it can be located at any desired position within the wellbore. The packer assembly is secured within the wellbore by a staged setting process through use of shear pins that have increasingly stepped shear values. Redundancy in packer sealing is provided by the use of two seal elements to establish fluid sealing. The design of the packer assembly also provides hydraulic isolation of the actuating portions of the packer assembly upon setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Fay, Timothy Wootan, Paul Zutz, John Baugh, Kenneth Almond
  • Patent number: 7381319
    Abstract: Amine and amine blend compositions neutralize acid environments in distillation overheads of hydrocarbon processing facilities. The neutralizers are composed of certain combinations of amines which are relatively stronger bases and more resistant to hydrochloride salt formation. The amines, when blended together, provide greater neutralization of condensed water present without increased potential for corrosive hydrochloride salt formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel E. Lack, George G. Duggan, Michael J. Zetlmeisl
  • Patent number: 7379818
    Abstract: A misalignment angle between the transmitter and receiver antenna of a multicomponent induction logging tool are estimated from quadrature component signals at multiple frequencies. A transmitter antenna having a first axial direction on a logging tool is excited at a plurality of frequencies. Signals responsive to the excitation are received at a receiver antenna having a second axial direction. A direct field between the transmitter antenna and the receiver antenna is obtained by performing multi-frequency focusing of the received signals. The misalignment angle is estimated from the direct field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael B. Rabinovich, Leonty A. Tabarovsky, Bill H. Corley, Luis M. Pelegri
  • Patent number: 7373980
    Abstract: In systems and methods for production of hydrocarbons fluids from a formation surrounding a wellbore, a production assembly is cemented into place, and excess cement is then cleaned from the production tubing and liner. Thereafter, hydrocarbon fluids are produced and artificial gas lift assistance is provided. All of this may be accomplished in a single trip (mono-trip) of the production tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Keith E. Lewis, Anthony James Orchard, Joseph C. H. Yeo, Jim H. Kritzler, Walter R. Chapman, James H. Holt
  • Patent number: 7375530
    Abstract: Cross-component measurements made at a plurality of toolface angles are processed to remove bias. The amplitude of the resulting sinusoid is used to estimate a distance to an interface in an earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Roland E. Chemali, Paul Cairns, Tsili Wang, Wallace H. Meyer, Andrew G. Brooks, Otto N. Fanini, Gulamabbas Merchant
  • Patent number: 7372018
    Abstract: A pulsed neutron tool with three or more detectors is used for making measurements inside casing. The measurements may be used to determine gas saturation at a constant gas pressure, pressure at constant gas saturation, or to determine both gas saturation and gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Darryl E. Trcka, Pingjun Guo, Steve Riley, Joseph Gregory Barolak, David M. Chace
  • Patent number: 7368050
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical noise method, apparatus and system for estimating parameters of interest related to corrosion rates of an electrically conductive article, the method comprising: placing a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode in an environment of interest; measuring potential at open circuit between the working electrode and the reference electrode over time; placing the working electrode under a potentiostatic control; measuring current between the working electrode and the counter electrode for a predetermined period of time, the period of time of measurements may be extended to include a transient event; and estimating the corrosion rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Vladimir Jovancicevic, Wai Yeung Mok, Carlos M. Menendez, Paul Hammonds
  • Patent number: 7368909
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is discussed for characterizing a fluid sample downhole of aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds, aromatic hydrocarbon compound, or connate mud filtrates containing carbon-13 isotopes using an enhanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal on a measurement-while-drilling device. To enhance the carbon-13 NMR signal these nuclei are being hyperpolarized. Either the Overhauser Effect (OE) or the Nuclear Overhauser Effect or optical pumping and the Spin Polarization Induced Nuclear Overhauser Effect (SPINOE) can serve as a mechanism for hyperpolarization of the carbon-13 nuclei.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Martin Blanz, Thomas Kruspe
  • Patent number: 7367393
    Abstract: A flow control device for use in a wellbore to allow flow of formation fluid into the wellbore comprises a valve member adapted to move when disposed in the wellbore. A fluid line supplies a working fluid under pressure to move the valve member to allow the fluid to flow into the wellbore. A sensor in the wellbore, and associated with the fluid line, provides an indication of a position of the valve member. A method of determining a state of a flow control tool within a wellbore comprises supplying fluid under pressure to the flow control tool to move a flow control member of the tool into the state. Pressure of the supplied fluid is detected downhole. The state of the flow control device is determined from the detected pressure of the supplied fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Guy Vachon
  • Patent number: 7365545
    Abstract: A resistivity imaging device injects currents in two orthogonal directions using two pairs of return electrodes and performing impedance measurements of the buttons placed between the returns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Randy Gold, Alexandre N. Bespalov, Stanislav Forgang
  • Patent number: 7365308
    Abstract: A pulsed neutron tool with three or more detectors is used for making measurements inside casing. The measurements may be used to determine gas saturation at a constant gas pressure, pressure at constant gas saturation, or to determine both gas saturation and gas pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Darryl E. Trcka, Steve Riley, Pingjun Guo