Patents by Inventor Joseph K. Flowers

Joseph K. Flowers 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: 8651179
    Abstract: A swellable packer device upon exposure to brine in a well. The device may be swellable to a substantially constant profile in spite of significant fluctuations in brine concentrations. Thus, the likelihood of packer failure due to under-swelling or over-swelling is reduced. Indeed, the packer may be employed for long-term operations or isolations ranging from a couple of weeks to twenty years or more without undue concern over packer failure from under or over swelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nitin Y. Vaidya, Frederick Lemme, Sr., Xiaohong Ren, John Whitsitt, Joseph K. Flowers, Rashmi Bhavsar
  • Patent number: 8376041
    Abstract: An apparatus for engaging with an outside diameter of a tubular comprises a device body having an internal surface that defines an internal diameter in a first position and allowing the tubular to pass therethrough and an actuator operable to move the internal surface of the device body from the first position to a second position, the second position defining an internal diameter less than the first position internal diameter. The internal surface of the device body is sized with a predetermined grip length for engaging with the outside diameter of the tubular. The grip length is determined by a function of the outside diameter of the tubular and the coefficient of friction between of the outside diameter of the tubular and the interior surface of the device body and the device body is operable to engage with a tubular having a predetermined range of outside diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rod Shampine, Jean-Louis Pessin, Joseph K. Flowers, Robin Mallalieu
  • Publication number: 20110253393
    Abstract: A swellable packer device upon exposure to brine in a well. The device may be swellable to a substantially constant profile in spite of significant fluctuations in brine concentrations. Thus, the likelihood of packer failure due to under-swelling or over-swelling is reduced. Indeed, the packer may be employed for long-term operations or isolations ranging from a couple of weeks to twenty years or more without undue concern over packer failure from under or over swelling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nitin Y. Vaidya, Frederick Lemme, SR., Xiaohong Ren, John Whitsitt, Joseph K. Flowers, Rashmi Bhavsar
  • Patent number: 7832485
    Abstract: A method of deploying a tool into a pressurized well is provided that includes providing the well with a wellhead having a blow out preventer coupled thereto; setting a pressure barrier within the well at a distance below the blow out preventer that is at least as long as the length of the tool to create a pressure chamber between the blow out preventer and the pressure barrier; and opening the blow out preventer to allow for conveyance of the tool into the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Pessin, Rod Shampine, Joseph K. Flowers, Vishal Saheta
  • Publication number: 20080302530
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for engaging with an outside diameter of a tubular comprises a device body having an internal surface that defines an internal diameter in a first position and allowing the tubular to pass therethrough and an actuator operable to move the internal surface of the device body from the first position to a second position, the second position defining an internal diameter less than the first position internal diameter. The internal surface of the device body is sized with a predetermined grip length for engaging with the outside diameter of the tubular. The grip length is determined by a function of the outside diameter of the tubular and the coefficient of friction between of the outside diameter of the tubular and the interior surface of the device body and the device body is operable to engage with a tubular having a predetermined range of outside diameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Rod Shampine, Jean-Louis Pessin, Joseph K. Flowers, Robin Mallalieu
  • Publication number: 20080302542
    Abstract: A method of deploying a tool into a pressurized well is provided that includes providing the well with a wellhead having a blow out preventer coupled thereto; setting a pressure barrier within the well at a distance below the blow out preventer that is at least as long as the length of the tool to create a pressure chamber between the blow out preventer and the pressure barrier; and opening the blow out preventer to allow for conveyance of the tool into the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Pessin, Rod Shampine, Joseph K. Flowers, Vishal Saheta
  • Patent number: 7191844
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling inflation and deflation of spaced inflatable packer elements of a straddle stimulation tool within a well casing of a well. A straddle stimulation tool is positioned by tubing at a desired location within the well casing. Fluid is pumped through the tubing and tool at a rate inflating the spaced inflatable packer elements within the well casing and establishing an annulus interval. The inflation control retains pressure within the inflated packer elements and permits the flow of stimulation fluid into the annulus interval for stimulation of the formation. After completion of well stimulation, the packer element pressure control is moved to a packer equalizing position by tension applied via the tubing to equalize packer pressure with casing annulus pressure, deflating the packer elements and permitting conveyance of the straddle stimulation tool within the well casing by the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Michael H. Kenison, William D. Eatwell, Joseph K. Flowers, Gokturk Tunc
  • Patent number: 6604582
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for communication from an instrument disposed in a wellbore. The system includes a flow diverter selectively operable to conduct fluid flow between a first path along the interior of a housing and a second path along the interior of the housing. The system includes an initiator operatively coupled to the flow diverter to cause selective operation thereof in response to an event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph K. Flowers, Michael L. Smith, Jeffrey Beckel, Sarmad Adnan, Lawrence J. Leising
  • Publication number: 20030000707
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for communication from an instrument disposed in a wellbore. The system includes a flow diverter selectively operable to conduct fluid flow between a first path along the interior of a housing and a second path along the interior of the housing. The system includes an initiator operatively coupled to the flow diverter to cause selective operation thereof in response to an event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph K. Flowers, Michael L. Smith, Jeffrey Beckel, Sarmad Adnan, Lawrence J. Leising
  • Patent number: 6273188
    Abstract: A trailer (10) has a dropped center section (12) defining a well (16) for a coiled tubing reel (22). A mast (30) has a pair of posts (34) on which a carriage (32) is mounted for movement along posts (34). An injector head (36) is supported on carriage (32) for pivotal movement in a vertical plane relative to mast (30) and for horizontal movement along a tubular support member (38) of carriage (32) relative to mast (30). Mast (30) is pivotally mounted on the rear end of trailer (10) for movement away from trailer (10) for positioning over a wellhead. In a stored position, mast posts (34) fit alongside the ends of reel (22) so that to the total height of the stored coiled tubing rig is no more than 13½ feet for over the road travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terry L. McCafferty, Joseph K. Flowers, Matthew E. Wilson, Rod W. Shampine, Larry D. Welch
  • Patent number: 6264128
    Abstract: A levelwind system for a coiled tubing reel (26) including an arcuate guide arm (48) extending over the upper surface of the reel (26). A universal joint (50) mounts the lower end of the arm (48) for pivotal movement both vertically and horizontally. A guide member (52) is supported on the free end of the guide arm (48) for guiding the coiled tubing T on and off reel (26). A lift cylinder (54) is effective to raise and lower guide arm (48). A balancing cylinder (60) is effective for moving guide arm ME (48) laterally. A hydraulic fluid circuit responsive to a position sensor (111) and a microprocessor (112) as shown in FIG. 12 is effective for controlling the movement of the coiled tubing guide arm (48).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rod W. Shampine, L. Michael McKee, Joseph K. Flowers, Larry D. Welch, Terry L. McCafferty
  • Patent number: D442891
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terry L. McCafferty, Joseph K. Flowers
  • Patent number: D443560
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terry L. McCafferty, Joseph K. Flowers, Matthew E. Wilson
  • Patent number: D483299
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terry L. McCafferty, Joseph K. Flowers, Matthew E. Wilson