Patents Represented by Attorney Robert Van Someren
  • Patent number: 8113274
    Abstract: A technique is provided for pumping fluids from a wellbore. An electric submersible pumping system is deployed in a wellbore on a tubing. Free gas can potentially accumulate around the electric submersible pumping system, but a gas vent is positioned to remove free gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Olegario Rivas, Patricia A. Kallas
  • Patent number: 8056628
    Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate use of a service tool at a downhole location. The service tool has different operational configurations that can be selected and used without moving the service string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John R. Whitsitt, Jason K. Jonas, Gary L. Rytlewski, Dinesh R. Patel
  • Patent number: 7458420
    Abstract: A system and method is provided to measure a pressure or other characteristic at a source (e.g. a hydraulic power supply) and in or near a downhole tool. A comparison of the measurements is then made to verify that the system is operating according to desired parameters. In specific applications, the comparison can be made to ensure the supply of hydraulic fluid is reaching the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Emmanuel Rioufol, Brian W. Cho, Mark W. Brockman, Philippe Gambier
  • Patent number: 7407007
    Abstract: A technique is provided to selectively control flow along shunt tubes, such as those used in gravel pack operations. The technique utilizes a swellable material valve that comprises a swellable material deployed along the shunt tube flow path. When flow through a specific shunt tube is no longer desired, the swellable material valve can be exposed to a substance that induces swelling of the swellable material. The expanded or swollen material blocks further flow along the shunt tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond J. Tibbles
  • Patent number: 7387164
    Abstract: An in-line flow control device for a well chokes flow through a conduit while allowing access therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pringle, Arthur J. Morris
  • Patent number: 7353869
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for sensing a variety of parameters in well-related environments. A skin sensor is deployed in downhole applications to obtain data used in analyzing well characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Randolph J. Sheffield, Rashmi B. Bhavsar, Philippe Gambier
  • Patent number: 7296624
    Abstract: Pressure control in an isolated lower wellbore annulus, defined by a conduit sealably positioned within an isolated lower wellbore segment, is achieved while gravel packing by sensing the pressure within the isolated lower annulus while gravel packing and admitting fluid from the isolated lower annulus into the conduit at one or more discrete locations along the conduit when the sensed pressure corresponds to one or more threshold pressure conditions. The annulus pressure is sensed while gravel packing using a pressure-sensitive device disposed in the annulus, e.g., positioned by the conduit at a high-pressure location. The pressure-sensitive device actuates one or more valves carried along the conduit to admit fluid from the annulus into the conduit at one or more of the discrete locations, and thereby control the pressure in the isolated lower annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent F. E. Rodet, Ian S. Murley, Samuel Tocalino, Matthe Contant
  • Patent number: 7284603
    Abstract: A well completion having an expandable tubular. The expandable tubular having a tubular base and a conforming layer. The conforming layer being radially expandable singularly or in combination with expansion of the tubular base. The expandable tubular being perforated or non-perforated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Herve Ohmer
  • Patent number: 7219728
    Abstract: A system that is usable with a subterranean well includes a first tubular member that is adapted to receive a flow of a first fluid. The system includes a second tubular member that is located in the flow and is substantially flexible to be moved by the flow to establish a pressure on a second fluid located inside the tubular member. A mechanism of the system uses this pressure to actuate a downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony F. Veneruso, Thomas D. MacDougall
  • Patent number: 7217107
    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: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael H. Du, Lawrence C. Lee, Arunkumar Arumugam, Ashley C. Kishino
  • Patent number: 7021388
    Abstract: In a hydrocarbon production well, a control processor 32 selectively sends light to each of one or more gas lift valves 28 to cause injection of an injection fluid (such as nitrogen gas) from a pressurised annulus 22 into a production fluid (hydrocarbon) in production 18 tubing, and/or to each of one or more inlet valves 60, to control the rate of flow of the hydrocarbon (oil). The control processor 32 receives feedback data from sensors 48 54 50 66 near to each gas lift 28 or inlet 60 valve and otherwise provided in the well bore which measure pressure, temperature or flow rate. The sensors communicate by sensor fibre optic lines 42 which run in the well bore 10. The control processor 32 sends control signals by operating a laser light source to selectively to send laser light to each valve 28 60 through valve operating light fibres 36 which also run through the well bore 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Glynn R. Williams
  • Patent number: 7004020
    Abstract: A system and method for profiling and modifying fluid flow through a wellbore. The system comprises a logging system, a downhole unit, and a deployment system. The logging system comprises a logging tool. The downhole unit is operable to house the logging tool. In addition, the downhole unit is operable to selectively secure a retrievable fluid barrier within a wellbore casing. The deployment system is operable to deploy the downhole unit in the wellbore casing. The method comprises deploying the downhole unit into the wellbore and securing the retrievable fluid barrier below a first group of perforations. The method also comprises operating the logging tool to detect a wellbore fluid parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Schrenkel, Terry E. Hix, Arthur M. Bedgood, Christopher Patrick Brown, Albert G. Ollre IV
  • Patent number: 6964299
    Abstract: A submersible pumping system is provided for the movement of fluids. The system utilizes a first electric submersible pumping system that cooperates with a second electric submersible pumping system. The arrangement enables increased horsepower in a space efficient package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin T. Scarsdale
  • Patent number: 6892816
    Abstract: An in-line flow control device for a well chokes flow through a conduit while allowing access therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pringle, Arthur J. Morris
  • Patent number: 6881079
    Abstract: A splicing system that accommodates the splicing of tubing having internal power cable. The splice system is amenable to use in subterranean environments where sections of continuous tubing are spliced along with the splicing of internal power cable. The splice technique comprises utilization of an expandable connector that permits lineal movement of the internal segments of power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus D. McHugh, Lee S. Kobylinski, Des D'Arcy
  • Patent number: 6786285
    Abstract: A technique for controlling fluid production in a deviated wellbore is disclosed. The technique utilizes a flow pipe the interior of which is in hydraulic communication with the earth's surface. A plurality of flow control valves are disposed at spaced apart positions along the length of the flow pipe. The flow control valves are used to regulate flow along intervals of the flow pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Craig D. Johnson, Gary Martin Oddie
  • Patent number: 6772836
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: L. McD. Schetky, Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6719064
    Abstract: A well completion has an expanded tubing portion and an unexpanded tubing portion. A seal is provided on the unexpanded portion. In another embodiment, an expandable tubing is provided and a gravel pack operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Colin J. Price-Smith, Patrick W. Bixenman, Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Garry Sinclair
  • 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