Patents by Inventor Oliver C. Mullins

Oliver C. Mullins 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: 8518702
    Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for detecting hydrogen sulfide in a formation fluid downhole. A detection mixture is combined with the formation fluid downhole. The detection mixture includes metal ions for reacting with hydrogen sulfide forming a metal sulfide, and charged nanoparticles sized so as to inhibit significant aggregation of the metal sulfide so as to enable spectroscopic detection of the metal sulfide downhole. The combined mixture and formation fluid is then spectroscopically interrogated so as to detect the presence of the metal sulfide thereby indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the formation fluid. The mixture also includes chelating ligands for sustaining thermal endurance of the mixture under downhole conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Li Jiang, Oliver C. Mullins, Gale H. Gustavson, Christopher Harrison, Bhavani Raghuraman, Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Jimmy Lawrence, Kosta Ladavac, Albert Ballard Andrews, Timothy Gareth John Jones, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos
  • Publication number: 20130161502
    Abstract: The chemical composition of petroleum samples is measured using orbitrap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI). The orbitrap measurement is used in a screening to determine if one or more higher resolution (but more expensive) compositional analyses are justified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20130151159
    Abstract: A methodology for reservoir understanding employs analysis of fluid property gradients to investigate and distinguish between non-compartmentalization of the reservoir, compartmentalization of the reservoir, and lack of thermodynamic equilibrium in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Oliver C. Mullins, Albert Ballard Andrews, Eric Lehne
  • Publication number: 20130112406
    Abstract: A methodology for reservoir understanding that performs investigation of asphaltene instability as a function of location in a reservoir of interest. In the preferred embodiment, results derived as part of the investigation of asphaltene instability are used as a workflow decision point for selectively performing additional analysis of reservoir fluids. The additional analysis of reservoir fluids can verify the presence of asphaltene flocculation onset conditions and/or determine the presence and location of phase-separated bitumen in the reservoir of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Youxiang Zuo, Oliver C. Mullins, Chengli Dong, Denise Freed, Andrew Pomerantz, Eric Lehne, Dingan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8362429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons near an unmanned offshore oil platform. The method steps include monitoring reflected atmospheric and thermal radiation, detecting the presence of hydrocarbons, and generating an alert based on the presence of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Wei-Chuan Shih, Matthew Clayton, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120304757
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatus to estimate one or more volumes of one or more components of a fluid in a sample chamber of a downhole tool are described. An example method includes obtaining a sample chamber volume measurement, a flowline volume measurement and a supplemental volume measurement. The example method includes drawing the fluid into the sample chamber until the sample chamber is substantially full and measuring a characteristic of the fluid in the sample chamber at a first time to obtain a first characteristic measurement. The example method also includes adding a supplemental volume corresponding to the supplemental volume measurement to over-pressurize the sample chamber after measuring the characteristic at the first time and measuring the characteristic of the fluid in the sample chamber at a second time to obtain a second characteristic measurement. The second time is after the sample chamber is over-pressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: GO FUJISAWA, ANDREW J. CARNEGIE, JACK H. HARFOUSHIAN, SAIFON DAUNGKAEW SIRIMONGKOLKITTI, OLIVER C. MULLINS
  • Publication number: 20120296617
    Abstract: An improved method that performs downhole fluid analysis of the fluid properties of a reservoir of interest and that characterizes the reservoir of interest based upon such downhole fluid analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Julian Youxiang Zuo, Denise Freed, Chengli Dong, Andrew E. Pomerantz, Vinay K. Mishra, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120273203
    Abstract: Methods and devices for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid downhole include a chamber having a first end, a second end and an opening for fluid to flow there through. A top surface of a perforated piston is capable of contacting the second end and a top surface of a piston is capable of contacting a bottom surface of the perforated piston. The perforated piston is located at a first position within the chamber based upon characteristics of a first fluid. A first fluid delivery system supplies the first fluid and a second fluid delivery system supplies a second fluid to the chamber, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure that moves the piston approximate to the first end. An actuating device applies a force against the bottom surface of the piston to inject the fluids through channels of the perforated piston to produce spray droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Lawrence, Douglas Grant, Jane T. Lam, James Haug, Roman Kats, Christopher Harrison, Andreas Hausot, Michael O'Keefe, Oliver C. Mullins, Ronald van Hal
  • Patent number: 8283174
    Abstract: A formation fluid sampling tool is provided with reactants which are carried downhole and which are combined in order to generate heat energy which is applied to the formation adjacent the borehole. By applying heat energy to the formation, the formation fluids are heated, thereby increasing mobility, and fluid sampling is expedited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Anthony Goodwin, Oliver C. Mullins, Peter S. Hegeman, Bhavani Raghuraman, Soraya S. Betancourt, Cosan Ayan, Ricardo Vasques, Francois Xavier Dubost, Christopher Scott Del Campo
  • Patent number: 8271248
    Abstract: An improved method that performs downhole fluid analysis of the fluid properties of a reservoir of interest and that characterizes the reservoir of interest based upon such downhole fluid analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Julian Zuo, Christopher Harrison, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120232859
    Abstract: Fluid property modeling that employs a model that characterizes asphaltene concentration gradients is integrated into a reservoir modeling and simulation framework to allow for reservoir compartmentalization (the presence or absence of flow barrier in the reservoir) to be assessed more quickly and easily. Additionally, automated integration of the fluid property modeling into the reservoir modeling and simulation framework allows the compositional gradients produced by the fluid property modeler (particularly asphaltene concentration gradients) to be combined with other data, such as geologic data and other petrophysical data, which allows for more accurate assessment of reservoir compartmentalization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew E. Pomerantz, Youxiang Zuo, John Waggoner, Zulfiquar Ail Reza, Sophie Nazik Godefroy, Thomas Pfeiffer, Denise E. Freed, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 8256283
    Abstract: A downhole characterization apparatus for formation fluids is provided. The apparatus comprises a downhole tool including a flowline for flowing the formation fluids capable of isolating a quantity of the formation fluids in a portion thereof; and a pump unit for depressurizing the isolated formation fluids; and a measurement controller which controls the downhole tool. The measurement controller includes a rough value estimation unit which estimates a rough value of the bubble point pressure of the formation fluids; and a speed controller which controls the depressurizing speed of the pump unit such that the isolated formation fluids are depressurized at a first speed to a certain pressure which is a predetermined value higher than said estimated rough value, and the isolated fluids are depressurized at a second speed which is slower than said first speed in order to measure a precise value of the bubble point pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Terabayashi, Tsutomu Yamate, Hideki Kinjo, Akihito Chikenji, Takeaki Nakayama, Oliver C Mullins, Soraya Sofia Betancourt, Michael O'Keefe, Chengli Dong
  • Patent number: 8230916
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to analyze downhole fluids are described herein. A disclosed example method involves obtaining a sample of a downhole fluid. Additionally the example method involves ionizing at least a portion of the sample to decompose molecules having a relatively high molar mass into molecules having a relatively lower molar mass. Further, the example method involves analyzing the ionized portion of the sample to determine a parameter of the downhole fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest N. Sumrall, Anthony Goodwin, Erik Quam, Chengli Dong, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120145400
    Abstract: Methods and devices for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid downhole include a chamber having a first end, a second end and an opening for fluid to flow there through. A top surface of a piston is capable of contacting the second end of the chamber. The piston is located at a first position within the chamber based upon characteristics of a second fluid. A fluid delivery system supplies the first fluid and supplies a second fluid through a first opening of the chamber, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure that moves the piston approximate to the second end of the chamber. The piston includes an agitator mixing device that is attached to a bottom surface of the piston, wherein mixing of the first fluid with the second fluid primarily occurs upon movement of the piston by actuating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Michael O'Keefe, Ronald van Hal, Jimmy Lawrence, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120147704
    Abstract: Integrated formation modeling systems and methods are described. An example method of performing seismic analysis of a subterranean formation includes obtaining seismic data of the formation, obtaining fluid from the formation and analyzing at least some of the fluid to determine a fluid parameter. The example method additionally includes generating a model of the formation based at least on the seismic data and modifying the model based on the fluid parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: ChengGang Xian, Chengli Dong, Oliver C. Mullins, Ricardo R. Vasques
  • Publication number: 20120137764
    Abstract: A gas separation and detection tool for performing in situ analysis of borehole fluid is described. The tool comprises a sampling chamber for a downhole fluid. The sample chamber comprises a detector cell with an opening. The tool also comprises a gas separation module for taking a gas from the downhole fluid. The gas separation module comprises a membrane located in the opening, a support for holding the membrane, and a sealant applied between the housing and the membrane or support. Moreover, the tool comprises a gas detector for sensing the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Jimmy Lawrence, Tim G. J. Jones, Kentaro Indo, Tsutomu Yamate, Noriyuki Matsumoto, Michael M. Toribio, Hidetoshi Yoshiuchi, Andrew Meredith, Nathan S. Lawrence, Li Jiang, Go Fujisawa, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120125602
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a nonhydrocarbon and nonaqueous fluid injected into the earth's subsurface through a first wellbore that involves positioning a fluid analysis tool within a second wellbore and determining the presence of the injected nonhydrocarbon and nonaqueous fluid by making a measurement downhole on the injected nonhydrocarbon and nonaqueous fluid using the fluid analysis tool. Also a related method of enhancing hydrocarbon production from a subsurface area having first and second wellbores that involves injecting a nonhydrocarbon and nonaqueous fluid into the subsurface through the first wellbore, positioning a fluid analysis tool within the second wellbore, and determining the presence of the injected nonhydrocarbon and nonaqueous fluid by making a measurement downhole on the injected nonhydrocarbon and nonaqueous fluid using the fluid analysis tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Francois Dubost, Oliver C. Mullins, Lalitha Venkataramanan, Christopher Harrison, Neil Bostrom, Robert Kleinberg
  • Publication number: 20120095683
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons near an unmanned offshore oil platform. The method steps include monitoring reflected atmospheric and thermal radiation, detecting the presence of hydrocarbons, and generating an alert based on the presence of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Wei-Chuan Shih, Matthew Clayton, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120059636
    Abstract: A method for characterizing one or more properties of a geological formation including brine, the method including inputting at least one first property of the geological formation into an equation of state (EOS) model, the EOS model accounting for a high temperature effect on the brine; solving the EOS model to determine at least one second property of the geological formation; and outputting the at least one second property to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Indranil Roy, Oliver C. Mullins, Richard E. Lewis, Colin Longfield, Chris Wilkinson, Paul George, Rashmi Bhavsar
  • Publication number: 20120059640
    Abstract: One or more computer-readable media include computer-executable instructions to instruct a computing system to receive input as to physical characteristics of a resource recovery system and a resource reservoir; simulate fluid thermodynamics of the system and the reservoir; and output information as to phase composition, for example, in at least one dense phase affected by the resource recovery system. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Indranil Roy, Chris Wilkinson, Colin Longfield, Oliver C. Mullins, Richard E. Lewis