Patents by Inventor Michael A. Dowling
Michael A. Dowling 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: 10197060Abstract: Gas lock resolution during operation of an electric submersible pump is provided. An example method, module, or computing hardware with software product, detects a gas lock during current operation of an electric submersible pump (ESP) and intervenes to relieve the gas lock without stopping the ESP. After sensing a gas lock condition, an example module calculates a pump speed for attempting gas lock resolution. The example module may decrease the speed of the ESP to flush the gas lock, and then reaccelerate the ESP to check that the gas lock has been eliminated. The example module may apply one or more stored motor speed patterns that iteratively seek a pump speed that succeeds in clearing the gas lock, without stopping the ESP. The example module has built-in protections to protect the ESP from thermal overload and other damage.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Michael A. Dowling
-
Publication number: 20160084254Abstract: Gas lock resolution during operation of an electric submersible pump is provided. An example method, module, or computing hardware with software product, detects a gas lock during current operation of an electric submersible pump (ESP) and intervenes to relieve the gas lock without stopping the ESP. After sensing a gas lock condition, an example module calculates a pump speed for attempting gas lock resolution. The example module may decrease the speed of the ESP to flush the gas lock, and then reaccelerate the ESP to check that the gas lock has been eliminated. The example module may apply one or more stored motor speed patterns that iteratively seek a pump speed that succeeds in clearing the gas lock, without stopping the ESP. The example module has built-in protections to protect the ESP from thermal overload and other damage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventor: Michael A. Dowling
-
Patent number: 8177526Abstract: Power and control logic configurations for gas well dewatering systems are provided. In one example, a reservoir is configured to contain hydraulic, lubricating fluid. An electric motor is configured to receive fluid from the reservoir for lubrication and a hydraulic pump powered by the electric motor is configured to receive fluid from the reservoir and pump the fluid into a hydraulic circuit. A positive displacement oscillating pump is powered by the hydraulic pump and configured to pump fluid from the reservoir to an outlet from the well. The electric motor and hydraulic pump receive the same fluid from the reservoir for lubrication and to create pressure in the hydraulic circuit, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel, John David Rowatt, Arthur I. Watson
-
Patent number: 8127835Abstract: A hanger system is provided for supporting a cable-supported dewatering pump in a gas well. A dewatering pump is supported in a downhole location by a cable. A cable hanger bears the weight of the cable and the weight of the dewatering pump. A pulling tool is configured to detachably connect to the cable hanger and to support the weight of the cable hanger, cable and gas well dewatering system as it is pulled out of a seated position in the well.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel, Joseph Varkey
-
Patent number: 8082991Abstract: A monitoring and control system for a dewatering pump configured to dewater a gas well is provided. A dewatering pump is driven at a first speed to pump fluid out of a well annulus. A fluid level detection device is configured to identify a change of fluid level in the well annulus occurring between a first time and a second, later time. A controller is configured to change the speed of the dewatering pump from the first speed to a second speed based upon the identified change in fluid level. Several embodiments of the fluid level detection devices are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel
-
Patent number: 7984756Abstract: Configurations for gas well dewatering systems having overpressure protection to protect a pump and its peripheral equipment from damage due to overpressure are provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel
-
Patent number: 7980311Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for equalizing pressure in a gas well are provided. A jar device is coupled to a pump deployed in a gas well between areas of low pressure and high pressure. The jar device includes a mandrel and a no-go sleeve. A jarring tool is operated to transfer an axial force onto the jar device that is large enough to shear a shearable connection between the mandrel and no-go sleeve and thereby cause the mandrel to slide from a first position to a second position with respect to the no-go sleeve. A seal that seals between the no-go sleeve and mandrel when the mandrel is located in the first position is unsealed as a result of the movement of the mandrel and thereby fluid communication is allowed between the area of high pressure and low pressure. This allows for easier retrieval of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel, Joseph Varkey
-
Publication number: 20100206544Abstract: A hanger system is provided for supporting a cable-supported dewatering pump in a gas well. A dewatering pump is supported in a downhole location by a cable. A cable hanger bears the weight of the cable and the weight of the dewatering pump. A pulling tool is configured to detachably connect to the cable hanger and to support the weight of the cable hanger, cable and gas well dewatering system as it is pulled out of a seated position in the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel, Joseph Varkey
-
Publication number: 20100206568Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for equalizing pressure in a gas well are provided. A jar device is coupled to a pump deployed in a gas well between areas of low pressure and high pressure. The jar device includes a mandrel and a no-go sleeve. A jarring tool is operated to transfer an axial force onto the jar device that is large enough to shear a shearable connection between the mandrel and no-go sleeve and thereby cause the mandrel to slide from a first position to a second position with respect to the no-go sleeve. A seal that seals between the no-go sleeve and mandrel when the mandrel is located in the first position is unsealed as a result of the movement of the mandrel and thereby fluid communication is allowed between the area of high pressure and low pressure. This allows for easier retrieval of the pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel, Joseph Varkey
-
Publication number: 20100206549Abstract: Configurations for gas well dewatering systems having overpressure protection to protect a pump and its peripheral equipment from damage due to overpressure are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel
-
Publication number: 20100209265Abstract: Power and control logic configurations for gas well dewatering systems are provided. In one example, a reservoir is configured to contain hydraulic, lubricating fluid. An electric motor is configured to receive fluid from the reservoir for lubrication and a hydraulic pump powered by the electric motor is configured to receive fluid from the reservoir and pump the fluid into a hydraulic circuit. A positive displacement oscillating pump is powered by the hydraulic pump and configured to pump fluid from the reservoir to an outlet from the well. The electric motor and hydraulic pump receive the same fluid from the reservoir for lubrication and to create pressure in the hydraulic circuit, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel, John David Rowatt, Arthur I. Watson
-
Publication number: 20100211226Abstract: A monitoring and control system for a dewatering pump configured to dewater a gas well is provided. A dewatering pump is driven at a first speed to pump fluid out of a well annulus. A fluid level detection device is configured to identify a change of fluid level in the well annulus occurring between a first time and a second, later time. A controller is configured to change the speed of the dewatering pump from the first speed to a second speed based upon the identified change in fluid level. Several embodiments of the fluid level detection devices are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Michael A. Dowling, Jason Kamphaus, Harryson Sukianto, Alain P. Dorel
-
Patent number: 6973970Abstract: A tool for making a cut inside a downhole tool, including a housing adapted to move in the downhole tool, a plurality of openings in a wall of the housing that provides a passage from inside the housing to an exterior of the housing, a plurality of cutters disposed in the housing that are adapted to protrude from the plurality of openings to the exterior of the housing, wherein the plurality of cutters provides 360 degree cutting regardless of the orientation of the tool, and an actuation mechanism adapted to force the plurality of cutters to protrude through the plurality of openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Russell A. Johnston, Michael A. Dowling
-
Publication number: 20030234104Abstract: A tool for making a cut inside a downhole tool, including a housing adapted to move in the downhole tool, a plurality of openings in a wall of the housing that provides a passage from inside the housing to an exterior of the housing, a plurality of cutters disposed in the housing that are adapted to protrude from the plurality of openings to the exterior of the housing, wherein the plurality of cutters provides 360 degree cutting regardless of the orientation of the tool, and an actuation mechanism adapted to force the plurality of cutters to protrude through the plurality of openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Russell A. Johnston, Michael A. Dowling