Patents by Inventor Paulo S. Tubel

Paulo S. Tubel 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: 20090217960
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generator for producing electric power from heat in fluids produced from a subsurface wellbore includes a conduit for moving therethrough fluids produced from the Earth's subsurface and at least one thermoelectric module affixed to an exterior of the conduit. The at least one thermoelectric module includes a collimating heat transfer device in contact with the conduit on a first side and in contact with a first side of a thermoelectric generator thermocouple on a second side. A second side of the thermocouple is in contact with a contact surface of a heat sink. The heat sink is exposed to ambient atmosphere at the Earth's surface to conduct heat away from the thermocouple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Peter Sauermilch, Clark Bergeron, Andy Cantrelle
  • Publication number: 20090079199
    Abstract: An electrical system for use with a sucker rod pump includes an electric generator configured to be operated by motion of a sucker rod string. The rod string is configured to transfer motive power to the sucker rod pump disposed in a wellbore. The generator is disposed in the wellbore. The system includes at least one electrically powered device electrically coupled to the generator and disposed in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Paulo S. Tubel
  • Publication number: 20090080291
    Abstract: A downhole gauge telemetry system for a multilateral well includes a first wireless transceiver located in a primary borehole of the multilateral well, a second wireless transceiver located in a lateral borehole of the multilateral well, a wireless connection between the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver through which the first and second wireless transceivers exchange data, and a surface transceiver communicatively coupled to the first wireless transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Peter Sauermilch, Clark Bergeron, Andy Cantrelle, Scott Kruegel
  • Publication number: 20090078413
    Abstract: A wireless casing collar locator includes a pipe coupling detector configured to be conveyed through a wellbore. A detection device is associated with the pipe coupling detector. The detection device generates an output indicative of detection of a pipe coupling in response to the output of the pipe coupling detector. The locator includes an acoustic transmitter functionally associated with the detection device. The transmitter is configured to apply an acoustic impulse to a conveyance device used to move the locator along the wellbore in response to communication to the transmitter of the output of the detection device. A surface receiver and processing unit used to convert acoustic energy into electrical energy for processing in real time to determine the location of the pipe detector in wellbores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Kelly Jackson, Clark Bergeron, Andy Cantrelle, Scott Kruegel
  • Patent number: 7234524
    Abstract: A system monitors and controls the injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through a subsea well. The system includes a chemical injection unit and a controller positioned at a remote subsea location. The injection unit uses a pump to supply one or more selected additives from a subsea and/or remote supply unit. The controller operates the pump to control the additive flow rate based on signals provided by sensors measuring a parameter of interest. A one mode system includes a surface facility for supporting the subsea chemical injection and monitoring activities. In one embodiment, the surface facility is an offshore rig that provides power and has a chemical supply that provides additives to one or more injection units. In another embodiment, the surface facility includes a relatively stationary buoy and a mobile service vessel. When needed, the service vessel transfers additives to the chemical injection units via the buoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Kempson Shaw, Cindy L. Crow, William Edward Aeschbacher, Jr., Sunder Ramachandran, Mitch C. Means, Paulo S. Tubel
  • Patent number: 7201221
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Michael H. Johnson, John W. Harrell, Jeffrey J. Lembcke, Kurt A. Hickey
  • Patent number: 7040390
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Michael H. Johnson, John W. Harrell, Jeffrey J. Lembcke, Kurt A. Hickey
  • Patent number: 6977367
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Sensor Highway Limited
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Glynn Williams, Kurt A. Hickey, Nigel Leggett
  • Patent number: 6943340
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforation device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Sensor Highway Limited
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Glynn Williams, Kurt A. Hickey, Nigel Leggett
  • Patent number: 6913079
    Abstract: A monitoring system and method for monitoring a predetermined set of physical characteristics associated with a structure using the monitoring system. The system is distributed in the structure and comprises a distributed optical sensing device (30), further comprising a fiber optic cable (20, 22); a light source (18a) operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20, 22); a light detection device (18b), operatively in communication with the fiber optic cable (20, 22), for measuring the light received at the light detection device (18b) from the fiber optic cable (20, 22); and a data processor (18) capable of using the light measured to calculate a predetermined set of physical parameters describing the predetermined set of physical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Inventor: Paulo S. Tubel
  • Patent number: 6899178
    Abstract: The present invention comprises tools (20) for deployment downhole in a wellbore for aiding in the production of hydrocarbons. In an exemplary embodiment, the tools (20) comprise a tool body (24); an electrically powered device (22) disposed proximate the tool body (24); a removable power source (26) for providing power to the device disposed in the tool body (24), the power source connected to or mounted into or about the tool body (24), the power source (26) further being fixed or replaceable downhole; and a wireless communications device (57) operatively connected to the electrically powered device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventor: Paulo S. Tubel
  • Publication number: 20040256100
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforation, device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Glynn Williams, Kurt A. Hickey, Nigel Leggett
  • Publication number: 20040246141
    Abstract: A device, system, and methods of use for wireless transmission of a detected parameter obtained from inside a wellbore is disclosed. The wireless device comprises an acoustic wireless transceiver and a selectively expandable acoustic coupler operatively in communication with the acoustic wireless transceiver, the acoustic coupler adapted to physically couple the acoustic wireless transceiver with an interior of a tubular and acoustically transmit and/or receive data. The wireless monitoring device is deployed through a tubular to a predetermined position within the tubular, a predetermined portion physically coupled to the tubular once the monitoring device reaches the predetermined position, and data transmission acoustically coupled between the monitoring device and a remote receiver through the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Charles A. Cantrelle, Scott L. Kruegel, Clarks J. Bergeron
  • Patent number: 6828547
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Sensor Highway Limited
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Glynn Williams, Michael H. Johnson, John W. Harrell, Jeffrey J. Lembcke, Kurt A. Hickey, Nigel Leggett
  • Patent number: 6787758
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Glynn Williams, Michael H. Johnson, John W. Harrell, Jeffrey J. Lembcke, Kurt A. Hickey, Nigel Leggett
  • Publication number: 20040168811
    Abstract: A system monitors and controls the injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through a subsea well. The system includes a chemical injection unit and a controller positioned at a remote subsea location. The injection unit uses a pump to supply one or more selected additives from a subsea and/or remote supply unit. The controller operates the pump to control the additive flow rate based on signals provided by sensors measuring a parameter of interest. A one mode system includes a surface facility for supporting the subsea chemical injection and monitoring activities. In one embodiment, the surface facility is an offshore rig that provides power and has a chemical supply that provides additives to one or more injection units. In another embodiment, the surface facility includes a relatively stationary buoy and a mobile service vessel. When needed, the service vessel transfers additives to the chemical injection units via the buoy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Applicant: Bake Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher Kempson Shaw, Cindy L. Crow, William Edward Aeschbacher, Sunder Ramachandran, Mitch C. Means, Paulo S. Tubel
  • Publication number: 20040065439
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Michael H. Johnson, John W. Harrell, Jeffrey J. Lembcke, Kurt A. Hickey
  • Publication number: 20030192692
    Abstract: The present invention comprises tools (20) for deployment downhole in a wellbore for aiding in the production of hydrocarbons. In an exemplary embodiment, the tools (20) comprise a tool body (24); an electrically powered device (22) disposed proximate the tool body (24); a removable power source (26) for providing power to the device disposed in the tool body (24), the power source connected to or mounted into or about the tool body (24), the power source (26) further being fixed or replaceable downhole; and a wireless communications device (57) operatively connected to the electrically powered device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Paulo S. Tubel
  • Patent number: 6624759
    Abstract: A communication system is disclosed enabling communication from a surface location to a downhole location where instructions communicated are executed. The system employs accelerometers to sense vibrations traveling within the annulus fluid or the tubing string. The accelerators provide signals representative of the vibration generated at the surface of the well to a microcontroller. The microcontroller is programmed to energize a nichrome element to actuate the downhole tool in response to a user-defined vibration sequence. The vibration sequence includes a defined number of vibration cycles. Each cycle includes alternating periods of vibration and no vibrations with each period lasting for a defined length of time. The user may program the parameters of the sequence and arm the vibration receiving unit on site through a handheld terminal that interfaces with the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Clark Bergeron, Clarence V. Griffin
  • Publication number: 20030131990
    Abstract: This invention provides a method for controlling production operations using fiber optic devices. An optical fiber carrying fiber-optic sensors is deployed downhole to provide information about downhole conditions. Parameters related to the chemicals being used for surface treatments are measured in real time and on-line, and these measured parameters are used to control the dosage of chemicals into the surface treatment system. The information is also used to control downhole devices that may be a packer, choke, sliding sleeve, perforating, device, flow control valve, completion device, an anchor or any other device. Provision is also made for control of secondary recovery operations online using the downhole sensors to monitor the reservoir conditions. The present invention also provides a method of generating motive power in a wellbore utilizing optical energy. This can be done directly or indirectly, e.g., by first producing electrical energy that is then converted to another form of energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Paulo S. Tubel, Glynn Williams, Michael H. Johnson, John W. Harrell, Jeffrey J. Lembcke, Kurt A. Hickey, Nigel Leggett