Patents by Inventor Guy Vachon

Guy Vachon 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: 10633956
    Abstract: Inflow control devices that can be used for both viscous and less viscous hydrocarbons. Optimized configurations for passive inflow control devices or ICDs having two types of fluidic pathways are combined in the same device or well in series or in parallel. Also provided, are well configurations that can be used for e.g., steam assisted oil recovery methods, wherein steam flashing is prevented by included dual type passive inflow control devices in the completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Guy Vachon
  • Patent number: 10526872
    Abstract: A method of optimization ICD design that includes consideration of reservoir characteristics, well configuration and type of enhanced oil recovery technique, as well as needed performance characteristics. Thus, the ICD is optimized for particular wells, reservoirs and/or enhanced oil recovery uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Guy Vachon
  • Patent number: 10488552
    Abstract: Methods and systems simulate hydrocarbon production from a reservoir and predict impact of flow control devices on production for such reservoir simulation. The methods may transform equations capturing properties that describe flow of fluids through the flow control devices into input parameters desired for use with reservoir simulators. The equations may be determined based on physical properties of the flow control devices or fitted to match experimental or computational fluid dynamics data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Guy Vachon
  • Patent number: 10378317
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to passive flow control devices or FCDs and modeling methods applicable to same. In particular, a new method to extrapolate the value of a reference FRR tool to other tools with the same architecture, but different ratings. Instead of scaling the output of the model, the data of the available characterizations is used to extrapolate what the characterization results would be to the different FRR. This estimated data set is then used to fit a new model for the uncharacterized FRR tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventor: Guy Vachon
  • Publication number: 20170314367
    Abstract: A method of optimization ICD design that includes consideration of reservoir characteristics, well configuration and type of enhanced oil recovery technique, as well as needed performance characteristics. Thus, the ICD is optimized for particular wells, reservoirs and/or enhanced oil recovery uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Guy VACHON
  • Publication number: 20160376873
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to passive flow control devices or FCDs and modeling methods applicable to same. In particular, a new method to extrapolate the value of a reference FRR tool to other tools with the same architecture, but different ratings. Instead of scaling the output of the model, the data of the available characterizations is used to extrapolate what the characterization results would be to the different FRR. This estimated data set is then used to fit a new model for the uncharacterized FRR tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventor: Guy VACHON
  • Publication number: 20160369591
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to passive inflow control devices or ICDs having two types of fluidic pathways combined in the same device or well in series or in parallel. Also provided, are well configurations that can be used for e.g., steam assisted oil recovery methods, wherein steam flashing is prevented by included dual type passive inflow control devices in the completion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventor: Guy VACHON
  • Publication number: 20160024868
    Abstract: Methods and systems relate to completing a subsea well having a wellhead with required pressure integrity. An electrical coupling delivers power and communication across the wellhead to completion equipment in the well. The electrical coupling may couple with a single conductive line through which power and communications are multiplexed. Multiple flow controlling tools disposed in the well couple to the conductive line with at least one energy storage device charged by the power from the conductive line for powering actuation of the tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Guy VACHON, Shauna G. NOONAN
  • Publication number: 20160024869
    Abstract: Methods and systems relate to completing a subsea well having a wellhead with required pressure integrity. An electrical coupling delivers power and communication across the wellhead to completion equipment in the well. The electrical coupling may couple with a single conductive line through which power and communications are multiplexed. Multiple flow controlling tools disposed in the well couple to the conductive line with at least one energy storage device charged by the power from the conductive line for powering actuation of the tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Guy VACHON, Shauna G. NOONAN
  • Publication number: 20150161304
    Abstract: Methods and systems simulate hydrocarbon production from a reservoir and predict impact of flow control devices on production for such reservoir simulation. The methods may transform equations capturing properties that describe flow of fluids through the flow control devices into input parameters desired for use with reservoir simulators. The equations may be determined based on physical properties of the flow control devices or fitted to match experimental or computational fluid dynamics data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventor: Guy VACHON
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20070289740
    Abstract: A system and method for supplying an additive into a well is disclosed that includes estimating injection rates for the additives and setting of one or more fluid flow control devices in the well based on a computer model. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brian Thigpen, C. Means, Guy Vachon, Garabed Yeriazarian, Jaedong Lee, Chee Chok, Clark Sann, Xin Liu
  • Patent number: 7191184
    Abstract: A system and method for storing measurements. Each measurement may include bulk data and attribute data. The bulk data and the attribute data may be stored using different storage mechanisms. In one embodiment, relational database technology may be used to store the attribute data. Relational database technology may facilitate querying or searching on the attribute data. The bulk data may be stored in a database specialized for storing bulk data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Vachon Laborde, David Mark Pierce, Andreas Peter Haub, Stefan Romainczyk, Helmut J. Helpenstein
  • Publication number: 20050263279
    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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Guy Vachon
  • Patent number: 6816082
    Abstract: A system for use in a well having completion zones includes a surface node and a plurality of downhole nodes positioned in the completion zones. A communications link extends into the well and is coupled to the surface node and downhole nodes. The communications link includes channels coupling successive nodes, and the surface node and downhole nodes are coupled in a loop by the channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Guy Vachon Laborde
  • Patent number: 6615916
    Abstract: In order to ensure that at least some of the tools (12-1) to 12-4) in a string of tools that is permanently installed in an oil well (10) are kept in operation even in the event of a localized fault, the link (18) interconnecting the tools and a surface installation (16) is subdivided into segments by switch members (20). More precisely, a switch member is associated with each tool. In addition, the link (18) forms a loop with both ends thereof being connected to the surface installation (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Guy Vachon
  • Publication number: 20030154192
    Abstract: A system and method for storing measurements. Each measurement may include bulk data and attribute data. The bulk data and the attribute data may be stored using different storage mechanisms. In one embodiment, relational database technology may be used to store the attribute data. Relational database technology may facilitate querying or searching on the attribute data. The bulk data may be stored in a database specialized for storing bulk data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Guy Vachon Laborde, David Mark Pierce, Andreas Peter Haub, Stefan Romainczyk, Helmut J. Helpenstein
  • Publication number: 20030105811
    Abstract: A system and method for making technical data available across an enterprise which may contain multiple data stores distributed across networked servers. These distributed data stores create the impression that they are actually part of one central storage, referred to as a networked DataCache. The user may thus be able to find various kinds of technical data without knowing where they were from the start. The data may also be adequately self describing via meta-data so that a user or application is able to find it and use it without implicit knowledge of the data, its meaning, or its structure. The networked DataCache allows a user of measurements to know where a measurement is and what it means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Guy Vachon Laborde, David Mark Pierce, Andreas Peter Haub, Stefan Romainczyk, Helmut J. Helpenstein
  • Publication number: 20030061195
    Abstract: A Technical Data Management framework (TDM framework) including various components for managing the storage and retrieval of technical data, such as measurement data. One or more of these components may be usable by client application programs, simplifying the task of managing technical data that is stored and used by multiple applications. The TDM framework described herein may simplify technical data management tasks by utilizing data models and providing a common data retrieval and storage interface for applications to use to manage technical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Guy Vachon Laborde, Andreas Peter Haub, Stefan Romainczyk, Helmut J. Helpenstein
  • Patent number: 6360820
    Abstract: A system for use in a well such as an intelligent completion system, includes an electrical cable and a plurality of communication modules positioned in the well. At least a first one of the communication modules is connected to the electrical cable. At least a second one of the communication modules is positioned in a remote location in the well past separately installed downhole equipment. A communications link mechanism that includes an inductive coupler mechanism provides communication between the first and second ones of the communication modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Guy Vachon Laborde, Sandeep Sharma