Patents by Inventor Michael D. Barry

Michael D. Barry 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: 11428079
    Abstract: A method and systems for sand control in wells are described in examples. An example uses a prepack screen assembly comprising an inner screen comprising openings having an inner size and an outer screen comprising openings having an outer size. Packing material is disposed between the inner screen and the outer screen comprising pores with a pore size that is selected based, at least in part, on the outer size, the inner size, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Timothy K. Ellison, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Andy J. Veselka, Elizabeth L. Templeton-Barrett
  • Publication number: 20200378219
    Abstract: A method and systems for sand control in wells are described in examples. An example uses a prepack screen assembly comprising an inner screen comprising openings having an inner size and an outer screen comprising openings having an outer size. Packing material is disposed between the inner screen and the outer screen comprising pores with a pore size that is selected based, at least in part, on the outer size, the inner size, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Timothy K. Ellison, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Andy J. Veselka, Elizabeth L. Templeton-Barrett
  • Publication number: 20200149374
    Abstract: A tubular body for a wellbore. The tubular body comprises an elongated pipe body having a box end and a pin end, defining a wall. The tubular body includes a filter screen. The filter screen is disposed around an outer diameter of the wall along at least a portion of the elongated body. The filter screen defines a cylindrical body having slots there along. A plurality of compressible particles are held within the filter screen. Each of the compressible particles is fabricated to collapse in response to fluid pressure communicated through the slots. A method of mitigating pressure within a trapped annulus is also provided herein. The method includes the use of at least one of the tubular bodies along a casing string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Ward E. Narhi, Michael D. Barry
  • Publication number: 20190153857
    Abstract: A method and system are described for communicating within a system, which may be along tubular members and used during gravel pack operations. The method includes constructing a communication network and installing the communication nodes along the gravel pack system. The communication nodes are used to monitor the formation of the gravel pack for voids or gaps during the gravel pack operations. Once the gravel pack is installed, the gravel pack operations may be used for hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Xiaohua Yi, Steven D. Vande Lune, Michael D. Barry
  • Patent number: 10107093
    Abstract: A sand screen assembly offering alternate flow path technology for gravel slurry is provided. The sand screen assembly utilizes transport conduits along an outer diameter of a base pipe for transporting gravel slurry from sand screen to sand screen, thereby providing for a consistent gravel packing along the wellbore. The assembly also includes a unique in-flow control section. The in-flow control section allows the operator to restrict or control the flow of production fluids into the sand screen assembly once a gravel packing operation is completed. Multiple assemblies may be connected using a unique coupling assembly. A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation using the sand screen assembly is also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker
  • Patent number: 10012032
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a first base pipe and a second base pipe. Each base pipe comprises a tubular body forming a primary flow path and has transport conduits along an outer diameter for transporting fluids as a secondary flow path. The method also includes connecting the base pipes using a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly has a manifold, and a flow port adjacent the manifold that places the primary flow path in fluid communication with the secondary flow path. The method also includes running the base pipes into the wellbore, and then causing fluid to travel between the primary and secondary flow paths. A wellbore completion apparatus is also provided that allows for control of fluid between the primary and secondary flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett
  • Patent number: 9816361
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a first base pipe and a second base pipe. Each base pipe comprises a tubular body forming a primary flow path. Each base pipe has transport conduits along an outer diameter for transporting fluids as a secondary flow path. The method also includes connecting the base pipes using a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly has a manifold, and a flow port adjacent the manifold that places the primary flow path in fluid communication with the secondary flow path. The method also includes running the base pipes into the wellbore, and then causing fluid to travel between the primary and secondary flow paths. A sand screen assembly is also provided that allows for control of fluid between primary and secondary flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael T. Hecker, Michael D. Barry
  • Patent number: 9797226
    Abstract: A wellbore apparatus and method comprising a first wellbore tool having a primary flow path and at least one secondary flow path and a second wellbore tool having a primary flow path and secondary flow path. A radial center of the primary flow path in the first wellbore tool is offset from a radial center of the primary flow path in the second wellbore tool which comprises a crossover joint connecting the first wellbore tool to the second wellbore tool having a primary flow path fluidly connecting the primary flow path of the first wellbore tool to the primary flow path of the second wellbore tool, and at least one secondary flow path fluidly connecting the at least one secondary flow path of the first wellbore tool to the at least one secondary flow path of the second wellbore tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett, Pavlin B. Entchev, Patrick C. Hyde
  • Patent number: 9725989
    Abstract: A sand control device is used for restricting the flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore during production operations. The sand control device is divided into compartments along its length that provide redundancy for particle filtration. Each compartment first comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment. Each compartment also comprises a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits comprise filtering media and generally circumscribe the base pipe. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Christian S. Mayer, Charles S. Yeh, David A. Howell, Pavlin B. Entchev, Eric R. Grueschow, Ted A. Long, Tracy J. Moffett, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, John S. Sladic, Christopher A. Hall, Stephen McNamee
  • Patent number: 9638012
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a sand screen assembly representing one or more joints of sand screen, joint assembly, and packer assembly. The packer assembly has at least one mechanically-set packer with at least one alternate flow channel. The sand screen assembly and joint assembly also each have transport conduits for carrying gravel slurry, and packing conduits for delivering gravel slurry. The method also includes running the sand screen assembly, connected joint assembly and packer assembly into the wellbore, and setting a sealing element of the packer assembly into engagement with the surrounding wellbore. Thereafter, the method includes injecting gravel slurry into the wellbore to form a gravel pack such that a reserve of gravel packing material is placed above the sand screen assembly. A wellbore completion apparatus is also provided that allows for placement of the gravel reserve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett
  • Patent number: 9593559
    Abstract: A sand control device for restricting flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore, the device being divided into compartments along its length, each compartment comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment, also comprising a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Tracy J. Moffett, Ted A. Long, Andrey A. Troshko, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, David A. Howell, Annabel Green, Stephen McNamee, Rodney S. Royer, Robert F. Hodge, Peter Olenick, Henry Nguyen, William Barry Fisher
  • Publication number: 20170044878
    Abstract: A sand screen assembly offering alternate flow path technology for gravel slurry is provided. The sand screen assembly utilizes transport conduits along an outer diameter of a base pipe for transporting gravel slurry from sand screen to sand screen, thereby providing for a consistent gravel packing along the wellbore. The assembly also includes a unique in-flow control section. The in-flow control section allows the operator to restrict or control the flow of production fluids into the sand screen assembly once a gravel packing operation is completed. Multiple assemblies may be connected using a unique coupling assembly. A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation using the sand screen assembly is also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker
  • Publication number: 20170044880
    Abstract: A hybrid sand control system is provided herein. The sand control system is designed to reside and operate within a wellbore, preferably a wellbore that has been completed horizontally. The system utilizes compliant and non-compliant sand control assemblies placed in the wellbore across one or more zones of interest. The system has particular utility in connection with the control of sand migration across these zones within a surrounding open-hole portion of a wellbore. A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation using the hybrid sand control system is also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Andy J. Veselka, Jennifer A. Hommema, Scott R. Buechler, Chu-Shu Kao
  • Patent number: 9404348
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for completing a wellbore including providing a packer having an inner mandrel, alternate flow channels along the inner mandrel, and a sealing element external to the inner mandrel, including connecting packer to tubular body, then running the packer and connected tubular body into the wellbore. In one aspect, the packer and connected tubular body may be placed along an open-hole portion of the wellbore. Tubular body may be a sand screen, with the sand screen comprising a base pipe, a surrounding filter medium, and alternate flow channels. The method includes setting a packer and injecting a gravel slurry into an annular region formed between the tubular body and the surrounding wellbore, and then further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow the gravel slurry to at least partially bypass sealing element of the packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett, Jon Blacklock, David C. Haeberle, Patrick C. Hyde, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andrew J. Elrick
  • Patent number: 9322248
    Abstract: Completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation with packer assembly having first mechanically-set packer as first zonal isolation tool, and second zonal isolation tool comprises internal bore for receiving production fluids, and alternate flow channels. First packer has alternate flow channels around inner mandrel, and sealing element external to inner mandrel and includes operatively connecting packer assembly to a sand screen, and running into wellbore. First packer set by actuating sealing element into engagement with surrounding open-hole portion of the wellbore. Thereafter, injecting a gravel slurry and further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow it to bypass the sealing element, resulting in a gravel packed wellbore within an annular region between sand screen and surrounding formation below packer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett, Jon Blacklock, David C. Haeberle, Patrick C. Hyde, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andrew J. Elrick
  • Patent number: 9322253
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a system and methods for the production of hydrocarbons. The method includes flowing a stream directly from a hydrocarbon reservoir to a cavern and performing a phase separation of the stream within the cavern to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The method also includes flowing at least a portion of the aqueous phase or the organic phase, or both, directly from the cavern to a subsurface location and offloading at least a portion of the organic phase from the cavern to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Barry, James S. Brown, Daniel P. Leta, Moses K. Minta, Scott M. Whitney, Paul L. Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9303485
    Abstract: Method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a sand control device representing one or more joints of sand screens, and a packer assembly along the joints with at least one mechanically-set packer with at least one alternate flow channel therein. Running the packer assembly and connected sand screen into the wellbore, setting a mechanically-set packer into engagement with the surrounding wellbore, injecting gravel slurry into the wellbore to form a gravel pack. An elongated isolation string is run into the sand control device across the packer assembly with valves that serve as an inflow control device. Thereafter, seals are activated around the isolation string and adjacent the packer assembly. A zonal isolation apparatus allows flow control to be provided above and below packer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Hecker, Michael D. Barry, Petrus A. J. Stevens, David A. Howell, Charles S. Yeh, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andrew J. Elrick
  • Publication number: 20160040515
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a first base pipe and a second base pipe. Each base pipe comprises a tubular body forming a primary flow path. Each base pipe has transport conduits along an outer diameter for transporting fluids as a secondary flow path. The method also includes connecting the base pipes using a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly has a manifold, and a flow port adjacent the manifold that places the primary flow path in fluid communication with the secondary flow path. The method also includes running the base pipes into the wellbore, and then causing fluid to travel between the primary and secondary flow paths. A sand screen assembly is also provided that allows for control of fluid between primary and secondary flow paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael T. Hecker, Michael D. Barry
  • Publication number: 20150233215
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a sand screen assembly representing one or more joints of sand screen, joint assembly, and packer assembly. The packer assembly has at least one mechanically-set packer with at least one alternate flow channel. The sand screen assembly and joint assembly also each have transport conduits for carrying gravel slurry, and packing conduits for delivering gravel slurry. The method also includes running the sand screen assembly, connected joint assembly and packer assembly into the wellbore, and setting a sealing element of the packer assembly into engagement with the surrounding wellbore. Thereafter, the method includes injecting gravel slurry into the wellbore to form a gravel pack such that a reserve of gravel packing material is placed above the sand screen assembly. A wellbore completion apparatus is also provided that allows for placement of the gravel reserve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Charles S. YEH, Michael D. BARRY, Michael T. HECKER, Tracy J. MOFFETT
  • Publication number: 20150218909
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a first base pipe and a second base pipe. Each base pipe comprises a tubular body forming a primary flow path and has transport conduits along an outer diameter for transporting fluids as a secondary flow path. The method also includes connecting the base pipes using a coupling assembly. The coupling assembly has a manifold, and a flow port adjacent the manifold that places the primary flow path in fluid communication with the secondary flow path. The method also includes running the base pipes into the wellbore, and then causing fluid to travel between the primary and secondary flow paths. A wellbore completion apparatus is also provided that allows for control of fluid between the primary and secondary flow paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett