Patents by Inventor Pierre Vigneaux
Pierre Vigneaux 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).
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Patent number: 10392926Abstract: A measurement apparatus for non-invasively logging the flow of perforations in a well casing lining a wellbore. The measurement apparatus includes a plurality of transducers arranged adjacent an outer surface of the measurement apparatus and at predefined azimuthal angular positions with respect to a longitudinal axis of the measurement apparatus, where the transducers are adapted to transmit and detect an acoustic pulse, and where each transducer is arranged at a different azimuthal angle with respect to each of the remaining transducers.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Songming Huang, Pierre Vigneaux, Andrew William Meredith, Andrew Colin Whittaker
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Patent number: 9989670Abstract: Apparatus and methods for optical and electrical sensing different phases of a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes a cylindrical member formed with an optically transparent material including a first end with a shaped tip and a second end operable to receive an optical conductor. The apparatus also includes first and second electrodes disposed on the cylindrical member operable to receive first and second electrical conductors, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Stefan Iulian Moise, Olivier Amsellem, Pierre Vigneaux, Caroline Stephan Rivas
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Publication number: 20180112524Abstract: A measurement apparatus for non-invasively logging the flow of perforations in a well casing lining a wellbore. The measurement apparatus includes a plurality of transducers arranged adjacent an outer surface of the measurement apparatus and at predefined azimuthal angular positions with respect to a longitudinal axis of the measurement apparatus, where the transducers are adapted to transmit and detect an acoustic pulse, and where each transducer is arranged at a different azimuthal angle with respect to each of the remaining transducers.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2016Publication date: April 26, 2018Inventors: Songming Huang, Pierre Vigneaux, Andrew William Meredith, Andrew Colin Whittaker
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Patent number: 9798023Abstract: Disclosed are a system, apparatus, and method for optical fiber well deployment in seismic optical surveying. Embodiments of this disclosure may include methods of deploying a spooled optical fiber distributed sensor into the wellbore integrated in a ballast or weight for a seismic optic tool, to achieve deployment of a lightweight disposable fiber optic cable against the wellbore walls via gravity. The method may further include unspooling the spooled optical fiber distributed sensor and using the optical fiber as a distributed seismic receiver. Once the fiber optic distributed sensor is deployed according to methods of the present disclosure, surveys may be obtained and processed by various methods.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Arthur H. Hartog, Bernard Frignet
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Patent number: 9759037Abstract: Cement plug parameters in a wellbore may be monitored by providing a cable through the cement plug before the cement plug sets. The cable comprises one or more sensors that monitor the parameters, and the sensors are operated to transmit measurement data to the surface. The parameters may include temperature, pressure, conductivity, vibration, acceleration and impedance.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Rod Shampine, Dominique Guillot, Douglas Miller, Nicolas Flamant, Pierre Vigneaux
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Publication number: 20170227388Abstract: An apparatus having an impeller for measuring a property of a fluid in a wellbore, wherein an effective density of the impeller is substantially not greater than a density of the fluid. The apparatus is operable within a fluid flowing in a wellbore that extends into a subterranean formation, thereby measuring a property of the flowing fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Olivier Amsellem, Caroline Stephan Rivas
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Patent number: 9500763Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a downhole tool conveyable within a tubular within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a body and a member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is rotatably coupled to the body. A spectrometry sensor is disposed proximate the second end of the member. Embodiments also include a fluid separating component shaped such that a heavier fluid from the fluid flowing along the downhole tool is drawn away from the spectrometry window to reduce window contamination from fluid droplets, particles, and/or liquids.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Pierre Vigneaux
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Publication number: 20160103113Abstract: Improved equipment and methods for determining the waiting-on-cement time after a cementing operation involve an optic-fiber coil that immersed in the cement slurry downhole. The intensity of a reflected light signal from the coil is monitored versus time. Attenuation of the reflected-light intensity corresponds to the development of gel strength, allowing operators to unambiguously determine when wellbore operations may recommence after a cement job.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Nicolas C.G.L. Flamant, Thomas Barrou
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Publication number: 20160018554Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a downhole tool conveyable within a tubular within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a body and a member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is rotatably coupled to the body. A spectrometry sensor is disposed proximate the second end of the member. Embodiments also include a fluid separating component shaped such that a heavier fluid from the fluid flowing along the downhole tool is drawn away from the spectrometry window to reduce window contamination from fluid droplets, particles, and/or liquids.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventor: Pierre Vigneaux
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Patent number: 9212548Abstract: Improved equipment and methods for determining the waiting-on-cement time after a cementing operation involve an optic-fiber coil that immersed in the cement slurry downhole. The intensity of a reflected light signal from the coil is monitored versus time. Attenuation of the reflected-light intensity corresponds to the development of gel strength, allowing operators to unambiguously determine when well-bore operations may recommence after a cement job. The optic-fiber coil is wound around a spool such that there is at least one coil crossing on the spool.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Nicolas Flamant, Thomas Barrou
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Publication number: 20150338547Abstract: Apparatus and methods for optical and electrical sensing different phases of a multiphase fluid. The apparatus includes a cylindrical member formed with an optically transparent material including a first end with a shaped tip and a second end operable to receive an optical conductor. The apparatus also includes first and second electrodes disposed on the cylindrical member operable to receive first and second electrical conductors, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Stefan Iulian Moise, Olivier Amsellem, Pierre Vigneaux, Caroline Stephan Rivas
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Publication number: 20140376332Abstract: Disclosed are a system, apparatus, and method for optical fiber well deployment in seismic optical surveying. Embodiments of this disclosure may include methods of deploying a spooled optical fiber distributed sensor into the wellbore integrated in a ballast or weight for a seismic optic tool, to achieve deployment of a lightweight disposable fiber optic cable against the wellbore walls via gravity. The method may further include unspooling the spooled optical fiber distributed sensor and using the optical fiber as a distributed seismic receiver. Once the fiber optic distributed sensor is deployed according to methods of the present disclosure, surveys may be obtained and processed by various methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Arthur H. Hartog, Bernard Frignet
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Patent number: 8857524Abstract: Apparatus (14) for supporting a cable (16) in a fluid-filled pipe (10) extending through an underground borehole, comprising a body for connection to an end of the cable extending along the pipe, the body being buoyant in the fluid filling the pipe, such that when the body is connected to the end of the pipe, it floats at or near the surface (15) of the fluid in the pipe. A method of supporting a cable in a fluid-filled pipe using such apparatus, comprises connecting the cable to the body, and dropping the body into the pipe so as to float on the surface of the fluid filing the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Nicolas Flamant, Pierre Vigneaux
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Patent number: 8849073Abstract: An optical fiber (FD) that can be used for measuring pressure is arranged as follows. The optical fiber (FD) comprises a core (CO) and a cladding (CL) surrounding and contacting the core (CO). A stress-applying arrangement (SE1, SE2), which is embedded in the cladding (CL), applies constant anisotropic stress on the core (CO). This causes the core (CO) to exhibit a deformation. A pressure conversion arrangement (HO1, H02), which is also embedded in the cladding (CL), converts isotropic external pressure applied to the optical fiber (FD) into pressure-dependent anisotropic stress applied to the core (CO). The pressure conversion arrangement (HO1, H02) is disposed with respect to the stress-applying arrangement (SE1, SE2) so that the pressure-dependent anisotropic stress enhances the deformation of the core (CO) caused by the constant anisotropic stress.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Pierre Vigneaux
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Publication number: 20140196893Abstract: Many wellbore service operations involve placing a line in the wellbore. The line may be used to transmit power to downhole tools, convey signals from downhole-measurement instruments, or both. A problem associated with such operations involves drag forces experienced by the line as process fluids flow through the well, particularly the interior of a tubular body such as casing. The drag forces may cause the line to fail. Magnetizing the line solves this problem. During deployment, the line will migrate and become attached to the casing. Drag forces are significantly reduced because the line is no longer surrounded by moving fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Pierre Vigneaux
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Publication number: 20140139820Abstract: A flow sensing apparatus includes a light source, at least one fiber Bragg grating and at least one optical fiber. The apparatus may be inserted into a flowing fluid stream, and the fiber Bragg grating detects the vortices of the Von Karman street in the wake of the apparatus. The fiber Bragg grating reflects light emitted from the light source, and the spectral nature of the reflected light provides information concerning the fluid velocity in the flowing stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Eve Le Bastard, Thomas Barrou
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Publication number: 20130306308Abstract: Improved equipment and methods for determining the waiting-on-cement time after a cementing operation involve an optic-fiber coil that immersed in the cement slurry downhole. The intensity of a reflected light signal from the coil is monitored versus time. Attenuation of the reflected-light intensity corresponds to the development of gel strength, allowing operators to unambiguously determine when well-bore operations may recommence after a cement job. The optic-fibre coil is wound around a spool such that there is at least one coil crossing on the spool.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2011Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Nicolas Flamant, Thomas Barrou
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Patent number: 8517096Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore, made of a casing and an annulus with a fluid within, comprises a reel or wound optic fiber line fixed to an object within the casing, and a light transmitter/receiver device that is able to generate a signal through the optic fiber line and to measure a change of said signal. The optic fiber line is (a) on a first position fixed to a reference point linked to the light transmitter/receiver device, and is (b) on a second position unwound from the reel. The light transmitter/receiver device is able to measure the change of said signal when occurring at the second position, and the apparatus has a system able to measure the flow rate of the fluid exiting the annulus at the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Dominique Guillot
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Patent number: 8436743Abstract: A system for measuring a parameter within a well comprises a first and second apparatus. The first apparatus comprises a first reel of first wound optic fiber line (or fiber) able to be unwound from the first reel and at least a first sensor able to measure the parameter of the well, wherein information on the parameter can be transmitted through the first optic fiber. The second apparatus comprises a second reel of second wound optic fiber line able to be unwound from the second reel, an extremity of the second optic fiber being fixed to a reference point. A light transmitter or receiver device is linked to the reference point and able to generate or detect a light pulse through the second optic fiber line. Means to exchange the light pulse between first and second optic fiber line are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: François Auzerais, Iain Cooper, Dominique Guillot, Dominic McCann, Pierre Vigneaux
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Patent number: 8305228Abstract: Fiber-optic cable systems are useful for locating a cementing apparatus in the wellbore, for example a cement plug. A reel of fiber-optic cable is attached to the cementing apparatus. At the surface the cable is attached to a stationary position where it is connected to a light transmitter/receive device. As the cementing apparatus travels down the cased wellbore, the cable unwinds, thereby changing the nature of the reflected light signal and allowing one to deduce the position of the cement plug within the well.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Pierre Vigneaux