Patents by Inventor Douglas W. Grant
Douglas W. Grant 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).
-
Patent number: 9459330Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement system for high pressure and temperature measurements on fluids is disclosed. The system has a sensor assembly that includes a sample holder having a body formed from a non-magnetic metal and defining an interior cavity for receiving a fluid sample, a frame member disposed in the interior cavity of the sample holder, an antenna coil disposed in the interior cavity about the frame member, an inlet that allows the fluid sample to enter the interior cavity, an outlet that allows for the fluid sample to be flushed from the interior cavity, and a magnet assembly having a central bore in which the sample holder is disposed. Adjacent to the sample holder are pulsed field gradient coils for performing diffusion measurements. The system further includes pulse sequencer circuitry that supplies signals to the antenna coil.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Freedman, Vivek Anand, Payam Tabrizi, Ricardo Y. Torres, Douglas W. Grant, Daniel Catina, Krishnamurthy Ganesan
-
Patent number: 9097106Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for characterizing fluid trapped in a subterranean formation using a downhole tool that includes an elongated body and a probe body. The probe body is moveable from and back into the elongated body. The probe body defines a flow line and supports a pressure sensor for measuring fluid pressure in the flow line, a piston and an electrical motor actuator that is adapted to move the piston in order to vary volume of the flow line. The integral electrical motor actuator, piston, pressure sensor and flow line of the probe body can provide for measurement of formation pressure and/or formation mobility.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Elizabeth B. Dussan V, Abderrhamane Ounadjela, Richard D. Joyce, Jacques Jundt, Douglas W. Grant, Edward Harrigan
-
Patent number: 8910514Abstract: Systems and methods of determining fluid properties are disclosed. An example apparatus to determine a saturation pressure of a fluid includes a housing having a detection chamber and a heater assembly partially positioned within the detection chamber to heat a fluid. The example apparatus also includes a sensor assembly to detect a property of the fluid and a processor to identify a saturation pressure of the fluid using the property of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Matthew T. Sullivan, Christopher Harrison, Robert J. Schroeder, Ahmad Latifzai, Elizabeth Smythe, Shunsuke Fukagawa, Douglas W. Grant
-
Publication number: 20140253116Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement system for high pressure and temperature measurements on fluids is disclosed. The system has a sensor assembly that includes a sample holder having a body formed from a non-magnetic metal and defining an interior cavity for receiving a fluid sample, a frame member disposed in the interior cavity of the sample holder, an antenna coil disposed in the interior cavity about the frame member, an inlet that allows the fluid sample to enter the interior cavity, an outlet that allows for the fluid sample to be flushed from the interior cavity, and a magnet assembly having a central bore in which the sample holder is disposed. Adjacent to the sample holder are pulsed field gradient coils for performing diffusion measurements. The system further includes pulse sequencer circuitry that supplies signals to the antenna coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Freedman, Vivek Anand, Payam Tabrizi, Ricardo Y. Torres, Douglas W. Grant, Daniel Catina, Krishnamurthy Ganesan
-
Patent number: 8807228Abstract: A mechanism to enhance disengagement of release assembly portions from one another when disposed in a well. The mechanism may be disposed at an internal rod of the release assembly and configured to prevent frictional resistance to shifting of the rod.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Brandon Martin, Douglas W. Grant, Keith R. Nelson
-
Patent number: 8586913Abstract: Devices, methods, and related systems are described for measuring a property of a fluid, including density, in a subterranean environment. A device includes a pressure housing having one or more windows formed in the pressure housing and a flow device arranged in the pressure housing for the fluid to flow through the flow device. Further, a radiation source is mounted within the pressure housing approximate a first source window configured to generate particles into the fluid. The device includes a detector supported by the pressure housing and positioned approximate a first detector window of the one or more windows. The first detector window is located between the detector and the flow device. The detector can be a solid state beta particle detector with a wide band gap, such as the diamond detector, and the radiation source can be a beta particle source, such as a strontium 90 source.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Zilu Zhou, Christopher Harrison, Bradley A. Roscoe, Chloe Coleou, Douglas W. Grant
-
Patent number: 8561698Abstract: Downhole tools and methods are provided for injecting fluid into a formation. A downhole tool may include a first chamber of injection fluid separated from a second chamber of working fluid by a piston. The working fluid may be employed to apply pressure to the piston to direct injection fluid from the first chamber to the formation. A flow regulator may regulate flow of the injection fluid from the first chamber to the formation.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Edward Harrigan, Douglas W. Grant, Nathan Church
-
Publication number: 20130255367Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are provided for characterizing fluid trapped in a subterranean formation using a downhole tool that includes an elongated body and a probe body. The probe body is moveable from and back into the elongated body. The probe body defines a flow line and supports a pressure sensor for measuring fluid pressure in the flow line, a piston and an electrical motor actuator that is adapted to move the piston in order to vary volume of the flow line. The integral electrical motor actuator, piston, pressure sensor and flow line of the probe body can provide for measurement of formation pressure and/or formation mobility.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: ELIZABETH B. DUSSAN, V, ABDERRHAMANE OUNADJELA, RICHARD D. JOYCE, JACQUES JUNDT, DOUGLAS W. GRANT, EDWARD HARRIGAN
-
Publication number: 20130255964Abstract: A mechanism to enhance disengagement of release assembly portions from one another when disposed in a well. The mechanism may be disposed at an internal rod of the release assembly and configured to prevent frictional resistance to shifting of the rod. Thus, actuation of release may be assured, for example, in spite of any axial pull on the assembly which may tend to direct radial forces on the rod. As such, controlled separation of release assembly portions may be assured so as to aid in removal of a line coupled to the assembly from the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Brandon Martin, Douglas W. Grant, Keith R. Nelson
-
Publication number: 20130219997Abstract: Systems and methods of determining fluid properties are disclosed. An example apparatus to determine a saturation pressure of a fluid includes a housing having a detection chamber and a heater assembly partially positioned within the detection chamber to heat a fluid. The example apparatus also includes a sensor assembly to detect a property of the fluid and a processor to identify a saturation pressure of the fluid using the property of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Matthew T. Sullivan, Christopher Harrison, Robert J. Schroeder, Ahmad Latifzai, Elizabeth Smythe, Shunsuke Fukagawa, Douglas W. Grant
-
Patent number: 8471560Abstract: The present invention relates to making one or more measurements in a virgin formation using a downhole tool that includes a miniature logging tool. The downhole tool is disposed in a wellbore penetrating the formation, adjacent to the formation, and a sidetrack borehole is made into the formation. All or a portion of the miniature logging tool is deployed into the sidetrack borehole and measurements are made in the virgin formation using the miniature logging tool. The downhole tool may include a drilling/coring module, a pump module, and packers. The drilling/coring module is used to make the sidetrack borehole, and the packers and pump module can be used to create an underbalanced drilling condition in an isolated section of the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert Freedman, Douglas W. Grant, Henry N. Bachman, Pierre Campanac
-
Publication number: 20120175510Abstract: Devices, methods and related systems are described for measuring a property of a fluid including density in a subterranean environment. A device includes a pressure housing having one or more window formed in the pressure housing, and a flow device arranged in the pressure housing for the fluid to flow through the flow device. Further, a radiation source mounted within the pressure housing approximate a first source window configured to generate particles into the fluid. A detector supported by the pressure housing and positioned approximate a first detector window of the one or more window, the first detector window located between the detector and the flow device. The detector can be a solid state beta particle detector with a wide band gap such as the diamond detector, and the radiation source can be a beta particle source such as a strontium 90 source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Zilu Zhou, Christopher Harrison, Bradley A. Roscoe, Chloe Coleou, Douglas W. Grant
-
Publication number: 20110068787Abstract: The present invention relates to making one or more measurements in a virgin formation using a downhole tool that includes a miniature logging tool. The downhole tool is disposed in a wellbore penetrating the formation, adjacent to the formation, and a sidetrack borehole is made into the formation. All or a portion of the miniature logging tool is deployed into the sidetrack borehole and measurements are made in the virgin formation using the miniature logging tool. The downhole tool may include a drilling/coring module, a pump module, and packers. The drilling/coring module is used to make the sidetrack borehole, and the packers and pump module can be used to create an underbalanced drilling condition in an isolated section of the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Robert Freedman, Douglas W. Grant, Henry N. Bachman, Pierre Campanac
-
Patent number: 7683613Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for conducting magnetic resonance measurements on fluids at high pressures and/or high temperatures. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with or as part of a downhole fluid sampling tool to perform NMR measurements on fluids withdrawn from petroleum reservoirs, or can also be used for laboratory measurements on live reservoir fluids. The apparatus can perform all of the measurements made by modern NMR logging tools, including multi-dimensional distribution functions of spin-spin (T2) and spin-lattice relaxation (T1) times and molecular diffusion coefficients. The spin densities of hydrogen and other NMR sensitive species can be computed from the distribution functions. The apparatus can also be used to predict the apparent conductivity of the fluids in the flowline from measurements of the quality factor (“Q”) of the NMR circuit. The apparent conductivity can be used to predict water cut or water salinity.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert Freedman, Krishnamurthy Ganesan, Douglas W. Grant
-
Patent number: 7624794Abstract: An apparatus and method to perform measurements on fluid in a wellbore fluid sample tool in which at least a portion of the flowline of the sample tool is made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert Freedman, Krishnamurthy Ganesan, Douglas W. Grant
-
Publication number: 20090128144Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for conducting magnetic resonance measurements on fluids at high pressures and/or high temperatures. The apparatus can be used in conjunction with or as part of a downhole fluid sampling tool to perform NMR measurements on fluids withdrawn from petroleum reservoirs, or can also be used for laboratory measurements on live reservoir fluids. The apparatus can perform all of the measurements made by modern NMR logging tools, including multi-dimensional distribution functions of spin-spin (T2) and spin-lattice relaxation (T1) times and molecular diffusion coefficients. The spin densities of hydrogen and other NMR sensitive species can be computed from the distribution functions. The apparatus can also be used to predict the apparent conductivity of the fluids in the flowline from measurements of the quality factor (“Q”) of the NMR circuit. The apparent conductivity can be used to predict water cut or water salinity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert Freedman, Krishnamurthy Ganesan, Douglas W. Grant
-
Publication number: 20080035332Abstract: An apparatus and method to perform measurements on fluid in a wellbore fluid sample tool in which at least a portion of the flowline of the sample tool is made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2006Publication date: February 14, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Robert Freedman, Krishnamurthy Ganesan, Douglas W. Grant
-
Patent number: 7278480Abstract: A sensor plug positionable in a perforation extending into a wall of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is provided. The sensor plug includes a plug sleeve disposable in a perforation extending through the wellbore wall, a pin positionable in the plug sleeve a sensor and circuitry. The pin is adapted to expand the plug sleeve as it is advanced therein whereby the plug sleeve seals the perforation. The sensor plug may be deployed into the sidewall of the wellbore by a downhole tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Colin Longfield, Yves Barriol, Douglas W. Grant
-
Patent number: 7198105Abstract: A formation testing tool and method for providing pressure controlled sampling is provided. A flow line delivers formation fluid to a sample chamber in the testing tool. A first valve controls the flow of formation fluid from the flow line to the sample chamber. A piston is slidably disposed in the sample chamber to define a sample cavity and a actuation cavity having variable volumes determined by movement of the piston. An actuator is also provided to move the piston in a first direction to increase the volume of the sample cavity and a second direction to decrease the volume of the sample cavity whereby formation fluid may be drawn into the sample cavity and pressurized therein using the actuator and the first valve.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Douglas W. Grant, Edward Harrigan, Ian Traboulay
-
Patent number: 7140436Abstract: A formation testing tool and method for providing pressure controlled sampling is provided. A flow line delivers formation fluid to a sample chamber in the testing tool. A first valve controls the flow of formation fluid from the flow line to the sample chamber. A piston is slidably disposed in the sample chamber to define a sample cavity and a actuation cavity having variable volumes determined by movement of the piston. An actuator is also provided to move the piston in a first direction to increase the volume of the sample cavity and a second direction to decrease the volume of the sample cavity whereby formation fluid may be drawn into the sample cavity and pressurized therein using the actuator and the first valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Douglas W. Grant, Edward Harrigan, Ian Traboulay