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).

  • Patent number: 10392926
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Songming Huang, Pierre Vigneaux, Andrew William Meredith, Andrew Colin Whittaker
  • Patent number: 9989670
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Iulian Moise, Olivier Amsellem, Pierre Vigneaux, Caroline Stephan Rivas
  • Publication number: 20180112524
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Songming Huang, Pierre Vigneaux, Andrew William Meredith, Andrew Colin Whittaker
  • Patent number: 9798023
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Arthur H. Hartog, Bernard Frignet
  • Patent number: 9759037
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rod Shampine, Dominique Guillot, Douglas Miller, Nicolas Flamant, Pierre Vigneaux
  • Publication number: 20170227388
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Olivier Amsellem, Caroline Stephan Rivas
  • Patent number: 9500763
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pierre Vigneaux
  • Publication number: 20160103113
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Nicolas C.G.L. Flamant, Thomas Barrou
  • Publication number: 20160018554
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventor: Pierre Vigneaux
  • Patent number: 9212548
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Nicolas Flamant, Thomas Barrou
  • Publication number: 20150338547
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: Stefan Iulian Moise, Olivier Amsellem, Pierre Vigneaux, Caroline Stephan Rivas
  • Publication number: 20140376332
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Arthur H. Hartog, Bernard Frignet
  • Patent number: 8857524
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas Flamant, Pierre Vigneaux
  • Patent number: 8849073
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Pierre Vigneaux
  • Publication number: 20140196893
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pierre Vigneaux
  • Publication number: 20140139820
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Eve Le Bastard, Thomas Barrou
  • Publication number: 20130306308
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Nicolas Flamant, Thomas Barrou
  • Patent number: 8517096
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Vigneaux, Dominique Guillot
  • Patent number: 8436743
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: François Auzerais, Iain Cooper, Dominique Guillot, Dominic McCann, Pierre Vigneaux
  • Patent number: 8305228
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Pierre Vigneaux