Patents by Inventor Andrew L. Kurkjian
Andrew L. Kurkjian has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 7933018Abstract: The present invention contemplates implementation of transitory downhole video imaging and/or spectral imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for permanent and/or long term installations. The present invention contemplates various methods and apparatus that facilitate one-time or ongoing downhole fluid characterization by video analysis in real time. The methods and systems may be particularly well suited to permanent and periodic intervention-based operations.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stephane Vannuffelen, Ahmed Hammami, Toru Terabayashi, Tsutomu Yamate, Terry Sopkow, John Ratulowski, John A. Kerr, Francois Auzerais, Robert J. Schroeder, Jeffrey A. Tarvin, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Laurent Prouvost
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Patent number: 7461547Abstract: Methods and apparatus for downhole analysis of formation fluids by isolating the fluids from the formation and/or borehole in a pressure and volume control unit that is integrated with a flowline of a fluid analysis module and determining fluid characteristics of the isolated fluids. Parameters of interest may be derived for formation fluids in a static state and undesirable formation fluids may be drained and replaced with formation fluids that are suitable for downhole characterization or surface sample extraction. Isolated formation fluids may be circulated in a loop of the flowline for phase behavior characterization. Real-time analysis of the fluids may be performed at or near downhole conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Toru Terabayashi, Akihito Chikenji, Tsutomu Yamate, Oliver C. Mullins, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Hani Elshahawi
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Patent number: 7458252Abstract: A fluid analysis assembly for analyzing a fluid the fluid analysis assembly includes a chamber, a fluid movement device, a pressurization assembly and at least one sensor. The chamber defines an evaluation cavity for receiving the fluid. The fluid movement device has a force medium applying force to the fluid to cause the fluid to move within the cavity. The pressurization assembly changes the pressure of the fluid in a continuous manner. The at least one sensor communicates with the fluid for sensing at least one parameter of the fluid while the pressure of the fluid is changing in the continuous manner.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Darcy Freemark, Craig Borman, Ahmed Hammami, Moin Muhammed, Scott Jacobs, Jonathan W. Brown, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Chengli Dong, Brindesh Dhruva, Kenneth L. Havlinek, Anthony R. H. Goodwin
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Patent number: 7243536Abstract: A sample module is provided for use in a downhole tool to obtain fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore. The sample module includes a sample chamber carried by the module for collecting a sample of formation fluid obtained from the formation via the downhole tool, and a validation chamber carried by the module for collecting a substantially smaller sample of formation fluid than the sample chamber. The validation chamber is removable from the sample module at the surface without disturbing the sample chamber. A sample chamber is also provided that includes a substantially cylindrical body capable of safely withstanding heating at the surface, following collection of a formation fluid sample via the downhole tool and withdrawal of the sample chamber from the wellbore, to temperatures necessary to promote recombination of the sample components within the chambers. Additionally, the body is equipped so as to be certified for transportation.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Techonolgy CorporationInventors: Victor M. Bolze, Jonathan W. Brown, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Timothy L. Long, Angus J. Melbourne, Linward A. Moore, Robert P. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 7222671Abstract: A viscometer for a down hole tool positionable in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation is described. The formation contains at least one fluid therein. The down hole tool is adapted to convey at least a portion of the fluid to the viscometer. The viscometer comprises a sensor unit, and at least one magnet. The sensor unit is positionable within the down hole tool and comprises at least two spatially disposed clamps and a wire suspended in tension between the at least two clamps such that the wire is available for interaction with the fluid when the viscometer is positioned within the down hole tool and the down hole tool is positioned within the subterranean formation and receives the fluid from the subterranean formation.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Derek Caudwell, Anthony R. H. Goodwin, Martin Trusler, Michael W. Frels, Kai Hsu, Jonathan W. Brown, Julian J. Pop, Bunker M. Hill, Andrew L. Kurkjian
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Publication number: 20070035736Abstract: The present invention contemplates implementation of transitory downhole video imaging and/or spectral imaging for the characterization of formation fluid samples in situ, as well as during flow through production tubing, including subsea flow lines, for permanent and/or long term installations. The present invention contemplates various methods and apparatus that facilitate one-time or ongoing downhole fluid characterization by video analysis in real time. The methods and systems may be particularly well suited to permanent and periodic intervention-based operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2005Publication date: February 15, 2007Inventors: Stephane Vannuffelen, Ahmed Hammami, Toru Terabayashi, Tsutomu Yamate, Terry Sopkow, John Ratulowski, John Kerr, Francois Auzerais, Robert Schroeder, Jeffrey A. Tarvin, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Laurent Prouvost
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Patent number: 7062959Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to determine downhole pressures, such as annular pressure and/or pore pressure, during a drilling operation. A downhole drilling tool includes at least one conduit and a corresponding gauge. The conduit is positioned in the downhole tool and has an opening adapted to receive downhole fluids. The conduit is positionable in fluid communication with one of the wellbore and the formation whereby pressure is equalized therebetween. The gauge is provided for measuring the pressure in the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Andrew L. Kurkjian, Jean-Marc Follini, Patrick J. Fisseler, Thomas W. Palmer, II, Alexander Zazovsky
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Patent number: 6992768Abstract: A method for refining fluid sample data includes obtaining optical density data for a fluid sample in at least two color channels and at least one fluid component channel and determining a color-absorption function from the optical density data for the fluid sample in the at least two color channels. The method also includes calculating a portion of the optical density caused by color absorptions in each of the at least one fluid component channels, and de-coloring the optical density data in each of the at least one fluid component channels by removing the portion of the optical density data caused by color absorption.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Chengli Dong, Peter S. Hegeman, Oliver C. Mullins, Kai Hsu, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Andrew J. Carnegie
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Patent number: 6956204Abstract: A method for determining properties of a formation fluid including obtaining data related to an optical density at a methane peak and an optical density at an oil peak for a fluid sample at a plurality of times, calculating an apparent gas-oil-ratio of the sample fluid from the optical density of the fluid sample at the methane peak to the optical density of the fluid sample at the oil peak at each of the plurality of times based on the data, selecting a power function of a sampling parameter for a buildup of the apparent gas-oil-ratio, calculating an exponential constant of the power function based on the data, and determining at least one selected from the group consisting of a contamination free gas-oil-ratio and a percent contamination.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Chengli Dong, Peter S. Hageman, Oliver C. Mullins, Go Fujisawa, Soraya S. Betancourt, Julian Pop, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Toru Terabayashi, Hani M. Elshahawi
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Patent number: 6843117Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to determine downhole pressures, such as annular pressure and/or pore pressure, during a drilling operation. A bottom hole assembly (BHA) of a downhole tool includes one or more pressure equalizing assemblies capable of registering the pore pressure when the BHA is at rest and in contact with the wellbore, and annular pressure of a wellbore when it is not. Wellbore fluid is permitted to enter the pressure equalizing assembly and register an annular pressure measurement. Once the BHA comes into contact with the wellbore and to rest, fluid communication is established between the pressure equalizing assembly and the formation to generate a pore pressure measurement. The pressure equalizing assembly includes a sliding valve selectively moveable between an open and closed position in response to operation of the BHA so that the desired pressure measurement may be taken.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Andrew L. Kurkjian, Anthony L. Collins, Angus J. Melbourne
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Publication number: 20040233446Abstract: A method for refining fluid sample data includes obtaining optical density data for a fluid sample in at least two color channels and at least one fluid component channel and determining a color-absorption function from the optical density data for the fluid sample in the at least two color channels. The method also includes calculating a portion of the optical density caused by color absorptions in each of the at least one fluid component channels, and de-coloring the optical density data in each of the at least one fluid component channels by removing the portion of the optical density data caused by color absorption.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: November 25, 2004Inventors: CHENGLI DONG, PETER S. HEGEMAN, OLIVER C. MULLINS, KAI HSU, ANDREW L. KURKJIAN, ANDREW J. CARNEGIE
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Publication number: 20040193375Abstract: A method for determining properties of a formation fluid including obtaining data related to an optical density at a methane peak and an optical density at an oil peak for a fluid sample at a plurality of times, calculating an apparent gasoilratio of the sample fluid from the optical density of the fluid sample at the methane peak to the optical density of the fluid sample at the oil peak at each of the plurality of times based on the data, selecting a power function of a sampling parameter for a buildup of the apparent gasoilratio, calculating an exponential constant of the power function based on the data, and determining at least one selected from the group consisting of a contamination free gasoilratio and a percent contamination.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventors: Chengli Dong, Peter S. Hegeman, Oliver C. Mullins, Go Fujisawa, Soraya S. Betancourt, Julian Pop, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Toru Terabayashi, Hani M. Elshahawi
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Patent number: 6769296Abstract: A method for measuring a downhole formation pressure is disclosed which includes lowering a formation testing tool to a desired measuring position in a well borehole. Then a nozzle in the tool is extended so that the nozzle extends through the mud cake layer on a surface of a formation, forming a seal between the mud cake layer and a sealing surface of the nozzle. In an embodiment of the invention, the nozzle has a porous tip that extends into the invaded zone beyond the mudcake layer and is exposed to the formation pressure. In an alternate embodiment, the nozzle has a retractable tip that retracts into the nozzle. The nozzle and retractable tip are positioned in the mudcake and the retractable tip is retracted into the nozzle. The formation pressure is then communicated through the nozzle to a pressure sensor operatively connected to the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Laura A. Montalvo, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Robert Wayne Sundquist
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Publication number: 20040129070Abstract: A sample module is provided for use in a downhole tool to obtain fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore. The sample module includes a sample chamber carried by the module for collecting a sample of formation fluid obtained from the formation via the downhole tool, and a validation chamber carried by the module for collecting a substantially smaller sample of formation fluid than the sample chamber. The validation chamber is removable from the sample module at the surface without disturbing the sample chamber. In another aspect, the present invention provides an improved sample chamber for use in a downhole tool to obtain fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2003Publication date: July 8, 2004Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Victor M. Bolze, Jonathan W. Brown, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Timothy L. Long, Angus J. Melbourne, Linward A. Moore, Robert P. Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20040031318Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to determine downhole pressures, such as annular pressure and/or pore pressure, during a drilling operation. A bottom hole assembly (BHA) of a downhole tool includes one or more pressure equalizing assemblies capable of registering the pore pressure when the BHA is at rest and in contact with the wellbore, and annular pressure of a wellbore when it is not. Wellbore fluid is permitted to enter the pressure equalizing assembly and register an annular pressure measurement. Once the BHA comes into contact with the wellbore and to rest, fluid communication is established between the pressure equalizing assembly and the formation to generate a pore pressure measurement. The pressure equalizing assembly includes a sliding valve selectively moveable between an open and closed position in response to operation of the BHA so that the desired pressure measurement may be taken.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2002Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: Andrew L. Kurkjian, Anthony L. Collins, Angus J. Melbourne
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Publication number: 20040025583Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to determine downhole pressures, such as annular pressure and/or pore pressure, during a drilling operation. A downhole drilling tool includes at least one conduit and a corresponding gauge. The conduit is positioned in the downhole tool and has an opening adapted to receive downhole fluids. The conduit is positionable in fluid communication with one of the wellbore and the formation whereby pressure is equalized therebetween. The gauge is provided for measuring the pressure in the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2002Publication date: February 12, 2004Inventors: Andrew L. Kurkjian, Jean-Marc Follini, Patrick J. Fisseler, Thomas W. Palmer, Alexander Zazovsky
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Patent number: 6688390Abstract: A sample module is provided for use in a downhole tool to obtain fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore. The sample module includes a sample chamber carried by the module for collecting a sample of formation fluid obtained from the formation via the downhole tool, and a validation chamber carried by the module for collecting a substantially smaller sample of formation fluid than the sample chamber. The validation chamber is removable from the sample module at the surface without disturbing the sample chamber. A sample chamber is also provided that includes a subtantially cylindrical body capable of safely withstanding heating at the surface, following collection of a formation fluid sample via the downhole tool and withdrawal of the sample chamber from the wellbore, to temperatures necessary to promote recombination of the sample components wihtin the chambers. Additionally, the body is equipped so as to be certified for transportation.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Victor M. Bolze, Jonathan W. Brown, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Timothy L. Long, Angus J. Melbourne, Linward A. Moore, Robert P. Zimmerman
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Patent number: 6655458Abstract: A well logging instrument is disclosed which includes a housing operatively coupled to a well logging conveyance and movable within the wellbore. The housing has therein a formation testing system and an axial extension mechanism. The axial extension mechanism controllably extends and retracts to allow the formation testing system to perform tests and take samples in an axially fixed position in the wellbore while the housing moves through the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Andrew L. Kurkjian, John B. Elmer, William B. Underhill
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Publication number: 20030085035Abstract: A well logging instrument is disclosed which includes a housing operatively coupled to a well logging conveyance and movable within the wellbore. The housing has therein a formation testing system and an axial extension mechanism. The axial extension mechanism controllably extends and retracts to allow the formation testing system to perform tests and take samples in an axially fixed position in the wellbore while the housing moves through the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Andrew L. Kurkjian, John B. Elmer, William B. Underhill
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Publication number: 20020189339Abstract: A method for measuring a downhole formation pressure is disclosed which includes lowering a formation testing tool to a desired measuring position in a well borehole. Then a nozzle in the tool is extended so that the nozzle extends through the mud cake layer on a surface of a formation, forming a seal between the mud cake layer and a sealing surface of the nozzle. In an embodiment of the invention, the nozzle has a porous tip that extends into the invaded zone beyond the mudcake layer and is exposed to the formation pressure. In an alternate embodiment, the nozzle has a retractable tip that retracts into the nozzle. The nozzle and retractable tip are positioned in the mudcake and the retractable tip is retracted into the nozzle. The formation pressure is then communicated through the nozzle to a pressure sensor operatively connected to the nozzle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: December 19, 2002Inventors: Laura A. Montalvo, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Robert Wayne Sundquist