Patents by Inventor Charles S. Yeh
Charles S. Yeh 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: 8403062Abstract: Method, system and apparatus to produce hydrocarbons includes a packer apparatus with a swellable packer element around primary and secondary flow paths, the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. The method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore, and gravel packing the sand control devices in different intervals. Hydrocarbons are produced by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Bruce A. Dale, Michael D. Barry, Charles S. Yeh, Jon Blacklock, Darren F. Rosenbaum, Michael T. Hecker, David C. Haeberle, Manh V. Phi, Michael J. Siegman
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Patent number: 8356664Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Patent number: 8347956Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Publication number: 20120234555Abstract: Method, system and apparatus to produce hydrocarbons includes a packer apparatus with a swellable packer element around primary and secondary flow paths, the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. The method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore, and gravel packing the sand control devices in different intervals. Hydrocarbons are produced by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Michael D. Barry, Charles S. Yeh, Jon Blacklock, Darren F. Rosenbaum, Michael T. Hecker, David C. Haeberle, Manh V. Phi, Michael J. Siegman
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Patent number: 8245778Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in injection wells and in the production of hydrocarbons utilize a particulate material disposed in an external flow area of a flow control chamber having an internal flow channel and an external flow area separated at least by a permeable region. The particulate material transitions from a first accumulated condition to a free or released condition when a triggering condition is satisfied without requiring user or operator intervention. The released particles accumulate without user or operator intervention, to control the flow of production fluids through a flow control chamber by at least substantially blocking the permeable region between the external flow area and the internal flow channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, Bruce A. Dale
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Publication number: 20120205095Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Heaberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Publication number: 20120205094Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Publication number: 20120199342Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Patent number: 8215406Abstract: A method, system and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons are described. One apparatus includes a swellable packer element around a primary and a secondary flow path, wherein the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. One method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore. With the packer set, gravel packing of the sand control devices in different intervals may be performed. Then, hydrocarbons are produced from the wellbore by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with the different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed. In addition, the method may also include disposing the sand control devices and packer into the wellbore in conditioned drilling fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Bruce A. Dale, Michael D. Barry, Charles S. Yeh, Jon Blacklock, Darren F. Rosenbaum, Michael T. Hecker, David C. Haeberle, Manh V. Phi, Michael J. Siegman
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Patent number: 8186429Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Upsteam Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Publication number: 20120018153Abstract: Systems and methods for providing zonal isolation in a hydrocarbon well include or utilize a tubular assembly having an upstream manifold, a gravel packing conduit, a transport conduit, a leak-off conduit, and a downstream flow path. The tubular assembly is adapted to receive a gravel-laden slurry and to direct at least a portion of the same to the gravel packing conduit. The gravel-laden slurry exiting the gravel packing conduit packs the annulus between the tubular assembly and the wellbore by dehydrating at least in part through the leak-off conduit. The leak-off conduit is further gravel-packed by the gravel-laden slurry received by the tubular assembly. The leak-off conduit is dehydrated through a flow control valve. Together, the gravel packed annulus and the gravel packed leak-off conduit provide a gravel-based zonal isolation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, David C. Haeberle
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Patent number: 8011437Abstract: A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Publication number: 20110192602Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in hydrocarbon well operations include a tubular and a flow control apparatus. The tubular defines a well annulus and includes an outer member defining a flow conduit. Fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit is provided by permeable portion(s) of the outer member. The flow control apparatus is disposed within the flow conduit and comprises conduit-defining and chamber-defining structural members. The conduit-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least two flow control conduits. The chamber-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide at least one of the at least two flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers. Each of the flow control chambers has at least one inlet and one outlet, each of which is adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2008Publication date: August 11, 2011Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Bruce A. Dale, Scott R. Clingman
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Patent number: 7971642Abstract: A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons is described. The method includes drilling a wellbore using a drilling fluid, conditioning the drilling fluid, running a production string in the wellbore and gravel packing an interval of the wellbore with a carrier fluid. The production string includes a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end, the load sleeve assembly having at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit disposed therethrough. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Ted A. Long
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Publication number: 20110132616Abstract: A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Publication number: 20110132596Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2011Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Patent number: 7938184Abstract: A method and system associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
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Patent number: 7891420Abstract: A method and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a tubular member having a central opening within an internal portion of the tubular member, wherein the central opening allows hydrocarbons to flow through the tubular member. Also, the tubular member includes openings between the central opening and a region external to the tubular member. In addition to the tubular member, at least two adjacent wire segments are disposed around the tubular member. The at least two adjacent wire segments create at least two flow paths to the central opening. Also, the at least two adjacent wire segments form at least two openings configured to prevent particles greater than a specific size from entering the openings in the tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Bruce A. Dale, Charles S. Yeh
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Patent number: 7870898Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in hydrocarbon well operations include a tubular and a flow control apparatus. The tubular defines a well annulus and includes an outer member defining a flow conduit. Fluid communication between the well annulus and the flow conduit is provided by permeable portion(s) of the outer member. The flow control apparatus is disposed within the flow conduit and comprises conduit-defining and chamber-defining structural members. The conduit-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide the flow conduit into at least two flow control conduits. The chamber-defining structural member(s) is configured to divide at least one of the at least two flow control conduits into at least two flow control chambers. Each of the flow control chambers has at least one inlet and one outlet, each of which is adapted to allow fluid flow therethrough and to retain particles larger than a predetermined size.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, Bruce A. Dale, John W. Mohr, Scott R. Clingman
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Publication number: 20100200233Abstract: Flow control systems and methods for use in injection wells and in the production of hydrocarbons utilize a particulate material disposed in an external flow area of a flow control chamber having an internal flow channel and an external flow area separated at least by a permeable region. The particulate material transitions from a first accumulated condition to a free or released condition when a triggering condition is satisfied without requiring user or operator intervention. The released particles accumulate without user or operator intervention, to control the flow of production fluids through a flow control chamber by at least substantially blocking the permeable region between the external flow area and the internal flow channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2008Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Bruce A. Dale