Patents by Inventor Mark M. Disko

Mark M. Disko 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: 10480308
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic system for downhole telemetry employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a string of casing within a wellbore. The nodes allow wireless communication between transceivers residing within the nodes and a receiver at the surface. The transceivers provide node-to-node communication up a wellbore at high data transmission rates for data indicative of fluid flow within the wellbore. A method of monitoring the flow of fluid within a wellbore uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along the casing string sending signals to a receiver at the surface. The signals are then analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy I. Morrow, Stuart R. Keller, Max Deffenbaugh, Mark M. Disko, David A. Stiles
  • Patent number: 10465505
    Abstract: A system for reservoir formation characterization with a downhole wireless telemetry system, including at least one sensor disposed along a tubular body; at least one sensor communications node placed along the tubular body and affixed to a wall of the tubular body, the sensor communications node being in communication with the at least one sensor and configured to receive signals therefrom; a topside communications node placed proximate a surface; a plurality of intermediate communications nodes spaced along the tubular body and attached to a wall of the tubular body, wherein the intermediate communications nodes are configured to transmit signals received from the at least one sensor communications node to the topside communications node in substantially a node-to-node arrangement; a receiver at the surface configured to receive signals from the topside communications node; and a topside data acquisition system structured and arranged to communicate with the topside communications node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mark M. Disko, Limin Song
  • Publication number: 20190249548
    Abstract: In conjunction with a communication network, for example, a downhole wireless network for transmission of data along a tubular body, disclosed herein are: (1) a variety of hardware interfacing methods with sensors and downhole tools; (2) sensing concepts that are enabled by the unique interfaces; (3) physical implementation of the integrated sensor/communication node structures; (4) related software communication protocols. The interfaces may support both data communication and power transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Yibing Zhang, Limin Song, Katie M. Walker, Mark M. Disko, Scott William Clawson, Patrick M. Moore, David M. Chorneyko
  • Patent number: 10344583
    Abstract: Provided is an acoustic housing including a cover including a first perimeter defining an open cover portion, the cover having a cover length, and a cover height, and a body including a second perimeter defining an open body portion, wherein either the first or second or both perimeters are chamfered, configured to receive one or more electrical components and to sealingly engage with the first chamfered perimeter, the body having a body length, a body height, and an under-surface, and the body including an engagement portion projecting from the under-surface and having an engagement length, an engagement height, and an engagement surface configured to engage an outer surface of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Katie M. Walker, Thomas M. Smith, Henry Alan Wolf, James S. Burns, Timothy R. Bragg, Mark M. Disko, Yibing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190203574
    Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for monitoring and optimizing stimulation operations in a reservoir. In particular, the methods and systems utilize a downhole telemetry system, such as a network of sensors and downhole wireless communication nodes, to monitor various stimulation operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Xiaohua Yi, Mark M. Disko, Limin Song, David A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20190203591
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for operating and maintaining downhole wireless networks. The methods and systems utilize a downhole tool, such as a downhole tool comprising a communications device, to perform maintenance on the downhole wireless network, and for overcoming and/or correcting communications errors along the network. The downhole tool may also be used for updating and reprograming communication nodes in the downhole wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Mark M. Disko, Scott W. Clawson, Katie M. Walker, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Limin Song
  • Publication number: 20190186259
    Abstract: A method of communicating in a wireless network. Devices are positioned such that each device communicates with one or more other devices. Some of the devices include one or more sensors. Each device is a node in the wireless network. At one of the devices, values are recorded from the sensors associated therewith. At least some of the devices, one or more recorded values from the sensors associated with said each device, and/or a sensor associated with at least one other device, are processed in accordance with a variable instruction set, to thereby generate a processed dataset. At each device, at least one of recorded values, a processed dataset associated with another device, or a revision to the variable instruction set are received from another device. At least one of the one or more recorded values, and one or more processed datasets, are transmitted at each device to another device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Scott W. Clawson, Mark M. Disko, Katie M. Walker
  • Publication number: 20190154859
    Abstract: A method and system are described for communicating within a system, which may be along tubular members. The method includes constructing a communication network for a hydrocarbon system, which includes one or more wellbores accessing a subsurface region or a pipeline, and using the communication network in hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Mark M. Disko, Scott W. Clawson, Badrinarayanan Velamur Asokan, Xiaohua Yi
  • Publication number: 20190153858
    Abstract: A method and system are described for wirelessly communicating along tubular members. The method includes determining, constructing and installing a communication network, which communicates using one or more communication coupling devices along one or more tubular members. The communication network is used to perform operations for a system, such as hydrocarbon operations, which may involve hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy F. Kinn, Xiaohua Yi, Scott William Clawson, Mark M. Disko, Kenneth W. Desmond, Jeff H. Moss
  • Publication number: 20190128106
    Abstract: Remotely actuated screenout relief valves, systems and methods are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a proppant slurry stream that includes proppant to a casing conduit that is defined by a casing string that extends within a subterranean formation. The methods further include detecting an operational parameter that is indicative of a screenout event within the casing conduit. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include providing a flush fluid stream to the casing conduit, opening the remotely actuated screenout relief valve, and displacing the proppant from the casing conduit into the subterranean formation with the flush fluid stream via the remotely actuated screenout relief valve. The methods may further include closing the remotely actuated screenout relief valve. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the remotely actuated screenout relief valve and/or hydrocarbon wells that include controllers that are configured to perform at least a portion of the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy I. Morrow, Randy C. Tolman, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Mark M. Disko, Max Deffenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20190112915
    Abstract: A method and system are described for using different types of communication networks along one or more tubular members. The method includes constructing a communication network along one or more tubular members, which may access a subsurface region and using the communication network in hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Mark M. DISKO, Xiaohua Yi, Scott W. Clawson
  • Publication number: 20190112917
    Abstract: A method and system are described for wirelessly communicating within a wellbore. The method includes constructing a communication network for a wellbore accessing a subsurface region and using the communication network in hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Mark M. DISKO, Katie M. Walker, Scott W. Clawson
  • Patent number: 10167717
    Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body either above or below ground, such as in a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation or along a pipeline, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication along the tubular body at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body and a specially configured network to accomplish a wireless transmission of data along the wellbore using acoustic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mark M. Disko, Timothy I. Morrow, Max Deffenbaugh, Katie M. Walker, Scott W. Clawson, Henry Alan Wolf
  • Patent number: 10132149
    Abstract: Remotely actuated screenout relief valves, systems and methods are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a proppant slurry stream that includes proppant to a casing conduit that is defined by a casing string that extends within a subterranean formation. The methods further include detecting an operational parameter that is indicative of a screenout event within the casing conduit. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include providing a flush fluid stream to the casing conduit, opening the remotely actuated screenout relief valve, and displacing the proppant from the casing conduit into the subterranean formation with the flush fluid stream via the remotely actuated screenout relief valve. The methods may further include closing the remotely actuated screenout relief valve. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the remotely actuated screenout relief valve and/or hydrocarbon wells that include controllers that are configured to perform at least a portion of the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy I. Morrow, Randy C. Tolman, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Mark M. Disko, Max Deffenbaugh
  • Publication number: 20180320510
    Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body either above or below ground, such as in a wellbore. The nodes allow for wireless communication between one or more sensors residing at the level of a subsurface formation or along a pipeline, and a receiver at the surface. The communications nodes employ electro-acoustic transducers that provide for node-to-node communication along the tubular body at high data transmission rates. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a plurality of data transmission nodes situated along a tubular body and a specially configured network to accomplish a wireless transmission of data along the wellbore using acoustic energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Mark M. Disko, Timothy I. Morrow, Max Deffenbaugh, Katie M. Walker, Scott W. Clawson, Henry Alan Wolf
  • Patent number: 10100635
    Abstract: A system for downhole telemetry is provided herein. The system employs a series of communications nodes spaced along a tubular body in a wellbore. Each communications node is associated with a sensor that senses data indicative of a formation condition or a wellbore parameter along a subsurface formation. The data is stored in memory until a logging tool is run into the wellbore. The data is transmitted from the respective communications nodes to a receiver in the logging tool. The data is then transferred to the surface. A method of transmitting data in a wellbore is also provided herein. The method uses a logging tool to harvest data in a wellbore from a plurality of sensor communications nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Stuart R. Keller, Timothy I. Morrow, James S. Burns, Max Deffenbaugh, Mark M. Disko, David A. Stiles
  • Publication number: 20180066510
    Abstract: Provided is an acoustic housing including a cover including a first perimeter defining an open cover portion, the cover having a cover length, and a cover height, and a body including a second perimeter defining an open body portion, wherein either the first or second or both perimeters are chamfered, configured to receive one or more electrical components and to sealingly engage with the first chamfered perimeter, the body having a body length, a body height, and an under-surface, and the body including an engagement portion projecting from the under-surface and having an engagement length, an engagement height, and an engagement surface configured to engage an outer surface of a tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Katie M. Walker, Thomas M. Smith, Henry Alan Wolf, James S. Burns, Timothy R. Bragg, Mark M. Disko, Yibing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20180058209
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for in-situ zonal assessment of multiphase fluid flow in one or more production zones of a production well, including for at least one production zone sensing one or more fluid flow parameters via at least one sensor disposed in a production zone; at least one sensor communications node being in electrical communication with an associated sensor, the at least one sensor communications node positioned along a tubular body in the production zone proximate an associated at least one sensor, and receiving signals from the associated at least one sensor; sending the acoustic signals from the at least one sensor communications node to a receiver at a surface via a series of intermediate communications nodes, node-to-node, the signals being indicative of one or more fluid flow parameters, the series of intermediate communications nodes being spaced along the tubular and configured to transmit acoustic waves; assessing one or more fluid flow parameters for the one or more production z
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Mark M. Disko, Scott William Clawson, Katie M. Walker
  • Publication number: 20180058206
    Abstract: Communication networks, relay nodes for communication networks, and methods of transmitting data among a plurality of relay nodes utilizing non-dispersive guided acoustic waves are disclosed herein. The communication networks include an elongate tubular body and a wireless data transmission network including a plurality of relay nodes. The relay nodes include an electro-acoustic transmitter array and an electro-acoustic receiver. The methods include inducing a first acoustic wave within the elongate tubular body with a first relay node, conveying the first acoustic wave along the elongate tubular body to a second relay node, and receiving the first acoustic wave with the second relay node. The methods further include inducing a second acoustic wave within the elongate tubular body with the second relay node, conveying the second acoustic wave along the elongate tubular body to a third relay node, and receiving the second acoustic wave with the third relay node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Yibing Zhang, Limin Song, Mark M. Disko
  • Publication number: 20180058198
    Abstract: Zonal isolation devices including sensing and wireless telemetry and methods of utilizing the same are disclosed herein. The zonal isolation devices include an isolation body, a sensor, and a wireless telemetry device. The zonal isolation devices may be incorporated into a hydrocarbon well that also includes a wellbore and a wireless data transmission network. The methods include methods of conveying a wireless signal within a well. The methods include detecting a property of the well, transmitting a wireless output signal, conveying the wireless output signal, and receiving the wireless output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Mehmet Deniz Ertas, Paul E. Pastusek, Mark M. Disko