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).

  • Publication number: 20140338921
    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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Michael D. Barry, James S. Brown, Daniel P. Leta, Moses K. Minta, Scott M. Whitney, Paul L. Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8839861
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing zonal isolation in a hydrocarbon well include or utilize a tubular assembly having an upstream manifold, a gravel packing conduit, a transport conduit, a leak-off conduit, and a downstream flow path. The tubular assembly is adapted to receive a gravel-laden slurry and to direct at least a portion of the same to the gravel packing conduit. The gravel-laden slurry exiting the gravel packing conduit packs the annulus between the tubular assembly and the wellbore by dehydrating at least in part through the leak-off conduit. The leak-off conduit is further gravel-packed by the gravel-laden slurry received by the tubular assembly. The leak-off conduit is dehydrated through a flow control valve. Together, the gravel packed annulus and the gravel packed leak-off conduit provide a gravel-based zonal isolation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, David C. Haeberle
  • Publication number: 20140262260
    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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    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
  • Publication number: 20140231083
    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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    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
  • Patent number: 8789612
    Abstract: Zonal isolation apparatus includes at least one packer assembly and can be used in completing an open-hole portion of a wellbore, which open-hole portion extends through at least two subsurface intervals. The zonal isolation apparatus includes base pipe and filter medium, which together form a sand screen. Each packer assembly comprises at least two mechanically set packer elements. Intermediate the at least two mechanically set packer elements is at least one swellable packer element. The swellable packer element is actuated over time in the presence of a fluid such as water, oil, or a chemical. Swelling may occur should one of the mechanically set packer elements fail. The zonal isolation apparatus also includes alternate flow channel(s) that serve to divert gravel pack slurry from an upper interval to lower intervals during gravel packing operations. A method for completing a wellbore using the zonal isolation apparatus is also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker
  • Publication number: 20130277053
    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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    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
  • Publication number: 20130255943
    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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Pavlin B. Entchev, Patrick C. Hyde
  • Publication number: 20130248178
    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: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Michael T. Hecker, Michael D. Barry, Petrus A. J. Stevens, David A. Howell, Charles S. Yeh, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andew J. Elrick
  • Publication number: 20130248179
    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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    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: 8517098
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons are described. The method includes disposing a plurality of sand control devices having a primary flow path and a secondary flowpath within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. A packer having primary and secondary flow paths is then coupled between two of the sand control devices such that the primary and secondary flow paths of the packer are in fluid flow communication with the primary and secondary flowpaths of the sand control devices. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore. With the packer set, gravel packing of the sand control devices in different intervals may be performed. The interval above the packer may be packed before the interval below the packer. A treatment fluid may then be injected into the wellbore via the secondary flow paths of the packer and sand control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Michael D. Barry, Charles S. Yeh, Jon Blacklock, Darren F. Rosenbaum, Michael T. Hecker, David C. Haeberle, Manh V. Phi, Michael J. Siegman, John W. Mohr
  • Patent number: 8430160
    Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
  • Patent number: 8403062
    Abstract: Method, system and apparatus to produce hydrocarbons includes a packer apparatus with a swellable packer element around primary and secondary flow paths, the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. The method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore, and gravel packing the sand control devices in different intervals. Hydrocarbons are produced by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Michael D. Barry, Charles S. Yeh, Jon Blacklock, Darren F. Rosenbaum, Michael T. Hecker, David C. Haeberle, Manh V. Phi, Michael J. Siegman
  • Patent number: 8356664
    Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
  • Patent number: 8347956
    Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
  • Publication number: 20120234555
    Abstract: Method, system and apparatus to produce hydrocarbons includes a packer apparatus with a swellable packer element around primary and secondary flow paths, the packer is configured to block flow in a portion of a wellbore annulus. The method includes disposing sand control devices having shunt tubes and a packer within a wellbore adjacent to a subsurface reservoir. The packer is then set within an interval, which may be an open-hole section of the wellbore, and gravel packing the sand control devices in different intervals. Hydrocarbons are produced by passing hydrocarbons through the sand control devices with different intervals providing zonal isolation. In some embodiments, intervals may be alternatively packed and plugged, wherein the plugged intervals are not packed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Michael D. Barry, Charles S. Yeh, Jon Blacklock, Darren F. Rosenbaum, Michael T. Hecker, David C. Haeberle, Manh V. Phi, Michael J. Siegman
  • Patent number: 8261841
    Abstract: Provided are coated oil and gas well production devices and methods of making and using such coated devices. In one form, the coated oil and gas well production device includes an oil and gas well production device including one or more bodies, and a coating on at least a portion of the one or more bodies, wherein the coating is chosen from an amorphous alloy, a heat-treated electroless or electro plated based nickel-phosphorous composite with a phosphorous content greater than 12 wt %, graphite, MoS2, WS2, a fullerene based composite, a boride based cermet, a quasicrystalline material, a diamond based material, diamond-like-carbon (DLC), boron nitride, and combinations thereof. The coated oil and gas well production devices may provide for reduced friction, wear, corrosion, erosion, and deposits for well construction, completion and production of oil and gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Roberts Bailey, Erika Ann Ooten Biediger, Narasimha-Rao Venkata Bangaru, Swarupa Soma Bangaru, legal representative, Adnan Ozekcin, Hyun-Woo Jin, Charles Shiao-Hsiung Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Mehmet Deniz Ertas
  • Publication number: 20120217010
    Abstract: Zonal isolation apparatus includes at least one packer assembly and can be used in completing an open-hole potion of a wellbore, which open-hole portion extends through at least two subsurface intervals. The zonal isolation apparatus includes base pipe and filter medium, which together form a sand screen. Each packer assembly comprises at least two mechanically set packer elements. Intermediate the at least two mechanically set packer elements is at least one swellable packer element. The swellable packer element is actuated over time in the presence of a fluid such as water, oil, or a chemical. Swelling may occur should one of the mechanically set packer elements fail. The zonal isolation apparatus also includes alternate flow channel(s) that serve to divert gravel pack slurry from an upper interval to lower intervals during gravel packing operations. A method for completing a wellbore using the zonal isolation apparatus is also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker
  • Publication number: 20120205095
    Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Heaberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
  • Publication number: 20120205094
    Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes
  • Publication number: 20120199342
    Abstract: Apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons comprising a joint assembly comprising a main body portion having primary and secondary fluid flow paths, wherein the main body portion is attached to a load sleeve assembly at one end and a torque sleeve assembly at the opposite end. The load sleeve may include at least one transport conduit and at least one packing conduit. The main body portion may include a sand control device, a packer, or other well tool for use in a downhole environment. Included is a coupling assembly having a manifold region in fluid flow communication with the second fluid flow path of the main body portion and facilitating the make-up of first and second joint assemblies with a single connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, David C. Haeberle, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Jon Blacklock, Ted A. Long, Hans Brekken, Arthur H. Dybevik, Lars Faret, Ole Sveinung Kvernstuen, Terje Moen, Knut H. Nesland, Kjartan Roaldsnes