Patents by Inventor Randall Alan Shepler

Randall Alan Shepler 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: 11162340
    Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF<5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF>95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Publication number: 20200332631
    Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF<5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF>95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Publication number: 20200248539
    Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF <5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF >95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Patent number: 10677031
    Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF<5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF>95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Patent number: 10578111
    Abstract: Systems and methods for decreasing a size of debris entering an electrical submersible pump assembly in a subterranean well with a debris handling assembly include a handler housing with an inner bore and a housing cutting profile located on an inner surface of the inner bore. A cutting blade is secured to a rotating shaft within the inner bore of the handler housing, the cutting blade being aligned with a first portion of the housing cutting profile. A mill is secured to the rotating shaft, the mill aligned with a second portion of the housing cutting profile. An annular mill space is defined by an outer surface of the mill and the inner surface of the inner bore, the annular mill space decreasing in a radial dimension in a downstream direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Chidirim Enoch Ejim, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Patent number: 10480312
    Abstract: An apparatus for metering fluid in a subterranean well includes an electric submersible pump having a motor, a seal section and a pump assembly and a metering assembly. The metering assembly includes an upper pipe section with an outer diameter, the upper pipe section having an upper pressure sensing means, and a lower pipe section with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the upper pipe section, the lower pipe section having a lower pressure sensing means. A power cable is in electronic communication with the electric submersible pump and with the metering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Publication number: 20180163729
    Abstract: Systems and methods for decreasing a size of debris entering an electrical submersible pump assembly in a subterranean well with a debris handling assembly include a handler housing with an inner bore and a housing cutting profile located on an inner surface of the inner bore. A cutting blade is secured to a rotating shaft within the inner bore of the handler housing, the cutting blade being aligned with a first portion of the housing cutting profile. A mill is secured to the rotating shaft, the mill aligned with a second portion of the housing cutting profile. An annular mill space is defined by an outer surface of the mill and the inner surface of the inner bore, the annular mill space decreasing in a radial dimension in a downstream direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Chidirim Enoch Ejim, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Patent number: 9915134
    Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF<5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF>95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Publication number: 20180038210
    Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF<5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF>95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Publication number: 20170058664
    Abstract: An apparatus for metering fluid in a subterranean well includes an electric submersible pump having a motor, a seal section and a pump assembly and a metering assembly. The metering assembly includes an upper pipe section with an outer diameter, the upper pipe section having an upper pressure sensing means, and a lower pipe section with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the upper pipe section, the lower pipe section having a lower pressure sensing means. A power cable is in electronic communication with the electric submersible pump and with the metering assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Patent number: 9500073
    Abstract: An apparatus for metering fluid in a subterranean well includes an electric submersible pump having a motor, a seal section and a pump assembly and a metering assembly. The metering assembly includes an upper pipe section with an outer diameter, the upper pipe section having an upper pressure sensing means, and a lower pipe section with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the upper pipe section, the lower pipe section having a lower pressure sensing means. A power cable is in electronic communication with the electric submersible pump and with the metering assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Patent number: 9303496
    Abstract: A submersible pump system that is operable to permit selective access into a production zone of a well bore while a submersible pumping device is operating includes a Y-tool, a submersible pumping device, a control valve assembly and a power conduit. The control valve assembly is also operable to selectively permit access between the interior of the submersible pumping system and the exterior of the submersible pumping system. The valve is operable to form a dynamic seal. The power conduit is operable to convey both power and a pre-designated control signal simultaneously. A method for accessing the production zone of the well bore with a well bore tool uses the submersible pump system while the submersible pump system is producing production zone fluid. The submersible pumping device continues to operate without interruption after transmission of the pre-designated pump control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Publication number: 20140377080
    Abstract: An integrated system is disclosed to handle production of multiphase fluid consisting of oil, gas and water. The production stream is first separated into two streams: a liquid dominated stream (GVF<5% for example) and a gas dominated stream (GVF>95% for example). The separation can be done through shrouds, cylindrical cyclonic, gravity, in-line or the like separation techniques. The two streams are then routed separately to pumps which pump dissimilar fluids, such as a liquid pump and a gas compressor, and subsequently recombined. Both pumps are driven by a single motor shaft which includes an internal passageway associated with one of the pumps for reception of the fluid from the other pump, thereby providing better cooling and greater overall efficiency of all systems associated therewith. A method for providing artificial lift or pressure boosting of multiphase fluid is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jinjiang XIAO, Randall Alan SHEPLER
  • Publication number: 20130277064
    Abstract: A submersible pump system that is operable to permit selective access into a production zone of a well bore while a submersible pumping device is operating includes a Y-tool, a submersible pumping device, a control valve assembly and a power conduit. The control valve assembly is also operable to selectively permit access between the interior of the submersible pumping system and the exterior of the submersible pumping system. The valve is operable to form a dynamic seal. The power conduit is operable to convey both power and a pre-designated control signal simultaneously. A method for accessing the production zone of the well bore with a well bore tool uses the submersible pump system while the submersible pump system is producing production zone fluid. The submersible pumping device continues to operate without interruption after transmission of the pre-designated pump control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler
  • Publication number: 20130081460
    Abstract: An apparatus for metering fluid in a subterranean well includes an electric submersible pump having a motor, a seal section and a pump assembly and a metering assembly. The metering assembly includes an upper pipe section with an outer diameter, the upper pipe section having an upper pressure sensing means, and a lower pipe section with an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the upper pipe section, the lower pipe section having a lower pressure sensing means. A power cable is in electronic communication with the electric submersible pump and with the metering assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Randall Alan Shepler