Patents by Inventor Randy C. Tolman

Randy C. Tolman 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: 11293578
    Abstract: A method of plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid conduit can include introducing one or more plugging devices into the conduit, conveying the plugging devices by flow to the opening, and blocking the flow through the opening with the plugging devices. A system for plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid conduit can include a deployment apparatus configured to introduce one or more plugging devices into the conduit, a sensor that measures a physical parameter indicative of leakage from the conduit, and a controller that activates an actuator of the deployment apparatus in response to receipt from the sensor of an indication of leakage from the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Phillis, Randy C Tolman, Roger L. Schultz, Andrew M. Ferguson, Brock W. Watson
  • Patent number: 11286748
    Abstract: Pump-through standing valves, wells including the pump-through standing valves, and methods of utilizing a pump-through standing valve to deploy a downhole device are disclosed herein. The pump-through standing valves include a valve body, a standing valve at least partially formed within the valve body, and a flow-through valve at least partially formed within the valve body. The standing valve includes a standing valve fluid conduit and a standing valve flow control device. The flow-through valve includes a flow-through valve fluid conduit and a flow-through valve flow control device. The wells include a wellbore, which extends within a subterranean formation, a wellbore tubular, which extends within the wellbore, and the pump-through standing valve, which is operatively attached to the wellbore tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Randy C. Tolman
  • Patent number: 11022248
    Abstract: A method of plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid vessel can include introducing one or more plugging devices into the vessel, conveying the plugging devices by flow to the opening, and blocking the flow through the opening with the plugging devices. A system for plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid vessel can include a deployment apparatus configured to introduce one or more plugging devices into the vessel, a sensor that measures a physical parameter indicative of leakage from the vessel, and a controller that activates an actuator of the deployment apparatus in response to receipt from the sensor of an indication of leakage from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randy C Tolman, Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson
  • Patent number: 10927650
    Abstract: A well completion system can include fluid flow through a flow passage, and one or more diverters deployed into the flow passage downhole of a perforating assembly, the diverters and the perforating assembly being concurrently displaced by the fluid flow. A perforating assembly can include a perforator, and a control module including a memory, a motion sensor, a timer, and a controller that causes the perforator to fire in response to a lack of motion for a predetermined period of time. A well completion method can include flowing fluid through a flow passage, deploying a perforating assembly into the flow passage, and displacing the perforating assembly through the flow passage by the fluid flow at a predetermined flow rate for a predetermined flow time, and ceasing the fluid flow at an end of the predetermined flow time, thereby placing the perforating assembly at a desired location for forming perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Randy C Tolman, Andrew M. Ferguson
  • Publication number: 20200355049
    Abstract: A well treatment method can include pumping a treatment fluid through a tubular in a well, deploying plugging devices into the tubular, and blocking flow of the treatment fluid through perforations formed through the tubular. At least one characteristic of the treatment fluid or the plugging devices is varied, thereby in the blocking flow step selectively blocking the flow of the treatment fluid through the perforations in a predetermined sequence. Another well treatment method can include varying at least one characteristic of perforations along an interval, thereby selectively blocking flow of a treatment fluid through the perforations in a predetermined sequence. Another well treatment method can include varying a CS ratio along an interval, thereby selectively blocking flow of a treatment fluid through perforations in a predetermined sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Randy C. TOLMAN, Erik JORGENSEN, Brock W. WATSON, Roger L. SCHULTZ, Gary P. FUNKHOUSER
  • Patent number: 10724350
    Abstract: Perforation devices including trajectory-altering structures and methods of utilizing the same. The perforation devices include a magazine, a barrel, a trajectory-altering structure, and an action. The magazine is configured to contain a plurality of cartridges. The barrel extends between a breech, which is configured to receive a selected cartridge of the plurality of cartridges that includes a selected projectile, and a muzzle, which is configured, upon firing of the selected cartridge, to permit the selected projectile to exit the barrel at a muzzle velocity and with a muzzle trajectory. The trajectory-altering structure is configured to act upon the selected projectile such that, upon exiting the trajectory-altering structure, the selected projectile defines a modified trajectory that differs from the muzzle trajectory. The action is configured to transfer the selected cartridge from the magazine to the breech of the barrel and fire the selected cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Timothy G. Benish
  • Patent number: 10697287
    Abstract: A real-time system for monitoring plunger properties in a gas producing well is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Randy C. Tolman, Timothy I. Morrow
  • Patent number: 10689962
    Abstract: Remotely actuated screenout relief valves, systems and methods are disclosed herein. The methods include providing a proppant slurry stream that includes proppant to a casing conduit that is defined by a casing string that extends within a subterranean formation. The methods further include detecting an operational parameter that is indicative of a screenout event within the casing conduit. Responsive to the detecting, the methods include providing a flush fluid stream to the casing conduit, opening the remotely actuated screenout relief valve, and displacing the proppant from the casing conduit into the subterranean formation with the flush fluid stream via the remotely actuated screenout relief valve. The methods may further include closing the remotely actuated screenout relief valve. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the remotely actuated screenout relief valve and/or hydrocarbon wells that include controllers that are configured to perform at least a portion of the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy I. Morrow, Randy C. Tolman, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Mark M. Disko, Max Deffenbaugh
  • Patent number: 10662745
    Abstract: Perforation devices including gas supply structures and methods of utilizing the same. The perforation devices include a magazine, a barrel, an action, and the gas supply structure. The magazine is configured to contain a plurality of cartridges. The barrel extends between a breech, which is configured to receive a selected cartridge of the plurality of cartridges that includes a selected projectile, and a muzzle, which is configured, upon firing of the selected cartridge, to permit the selected projectile to exit the barrel at a muzzle velocity and with a muzzle trajectory. The action is configured to transfer the selected cartridge from the magazine to the breech of the barrel and to fire the selected cartridge. The gas supply structure is configured to provide a gas stream to the barrel and includes a surface gas source and a gas supply conduit extending between the surface gas source and the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C Tolman, Timothy G. Benish
  • Patent number: 10648303
    Abstract: A system for removing wellbore liquids from a wellbore, the wellbore traversing a subterranean formation and having a tubular that extends within at least a portion of the wellbore. The system includes a positive-displacement solid state pump comprising a fluid chamber, an inlet and an outlet port, each in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, at least one solid state actuator, a first one-way check valve positioned between the inlet port and the fluid chamber, and/or a second one-way check valve positioned between the outlet port and the fluid chamber, the at least one solid state actuator configured to operate at or near its resonance frequency, the solid state pump positioned within the wellbore; and means for powering the solid state pump. A method for removing fluids from a subterranean well is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Randy C. Tolman, Robert A. Frantz, III, Conal H. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20200124223
    Abstract: A method of plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid conduit can include introducing one or more plugging devices into the conduit, conveying the plugging devices by flow to the opening, and blocking the flow through the opening with the plugging devices. A system for plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid conduit can include a deployment apparatus configured to introduce one or more plugging devices into the conduit, a sensor that measures a physical parameter indicative of leakage from the conduit, and a controller that activates an actuator of the deployment apparatus in response to receipt from the sensor of an indication of leakage from the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Robert PHILLIS, Randy C TOLMAN, Roger L. SCHULTZ, Andrew M. FERGUSON, Brock W. WATSON
  • Publication number: 20200109809
    Abstract: A method of plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid vessel can include introducing one or more plugging devices into the vessel, conveying the plugging devices by flow to the opening, and blocking the flow through the opening with the plugging devices. A system for plugging at least one undesired opening in a fluid vessel can include a deployment apparatus configured to introduce one or more plugging devices into the vessel, a sensor that measures a physical parameter indicative of leakage from the vessel, and a controller that activates an actuator of the deployment apparatus in response to receipt from the sensor of an indication of leakage from the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Randy C TOLMAN, Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brock W. WATSON
  • Patent number: 10612352
    Abstract: Autonomously conveyable and actuatable wellbore completion tool assemblies and methods for using the same, comprising: an onboard controller and location sensing device, a plurality of adaptable perforation sealing devices comprising a primary sealing portion and at least one secondary sealing portion extending radially outward from the primary sealing portion to form a secondary seal in the perforation; an autonomously actuatable transport member for supporting the plurality of adaptable sealing devices during conveyance of the tool assembly within the wellbore, and an on-board controller configured to send an actuation signal to actuate at least release of the plurality of adaptable perforation sealing devices from the transport member, wherein the tool assembly comprises a friable material and self-destructs within the wellbore in response to a signal from the on-board controller that affects self-destruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C Tolman, Timothy G. Benish
  • Patent number: 10480501
    Abstract: A nested bellows pump including a housing having a first end and a second end, the housing having a cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having an inner wall; a traveling bulkhead, the traveling bulkhead sealingly positionable along the inner wall of the cylindrical body; a first inner bellows, the first inner bellows connected to the housing, and the second bellows is connected to the traveling bulkhead; a second inner bellows connected to the traveling bulkhead, and the second end of the second inner bellows is connected to the housing; a first outer bellows connected to the housing, and the second end of the first outer bellows is connected to the traveling bulkhead; and a second outer bellows connected to the traveling bulkhead, and the second end of the second outer bellows is connected to the second end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C Tolman, Michael C. Romer
  • Publication number: 20190316449
    Abstract: A well completion system can include fluid flow through a flow passage, and one or more diverters deployed into the flow passage downhole of a perforating assembly, the diverters and the perforating assembly being concurrently displaced by the fluid flow. A perforating assembly can include a perforator, and a control module including a memory, a motion sensor, a timer, and a controller that causes the perforator to fire in response to a lack of motion for a predetermined period of time. A well completion method can include flowing fluid through a flow passage, deploying a perforating assembly into the flow passage, and displacing the perforating assembly through the flow passage by the fluid flow at a predetermined flow rate for a predetermined flow time, and ceasing the fluid flow at an end of the predetermined flow time, thereby placing the perforating assembly at a desired location for forming perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Randy C TOLMAN, Andrew M. FERGUSON
  • Patent number: 10364659
    Abstract: Wellbore tubulars including selective stimulation ports (SSPs) sealed with sealing devices and methods of operating the same are disclosed herein. The wellbore tubulars include a tubular body that defines a tubular conduit and a plurality of selective stimulation ports. Each selective stimulation port includes an SSP conduit and a sealing device seat. The wellbore tubulars further include a plurality of sealing devices. Each sealing device includes a primary sealing portion that is seated on a corresponding sealing device seat and forms a primary seal with the corresponding sealing device seat. Each sealing device also includes a secondary sealing portion that extends from the primary sealing portion and forms a secondary seal between the primary sealing portion and the corresponding sealing device seat. The methods include methods of stimulating a subterranean formation utilizing the wellbore tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C Tolman, P. Matthew Spiecker, Steve Lonnes
  • Patent number: 10358896
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing the force required to pull a device from a tubular, the apparatus including a tubular sealing device for mating with a downhole tubular component, the tubular sealing device having an axial length and a longitudinal bore therethrough; and an elongated rod slidably positionable within the longitudinal bore of the tubular sealing device, the elongated rod having a first end, a second end, and an outer surface, the outer surface structured and arranged to provide i) a hydraulic seal when the elongated rod is in a first position within the longitudinal bore of the tubular sealing device, and ii) at least one external flow port for pressure equalization upstream and downstream of the tubular sealing device when the elongated rod is placed in a second position within the longitudinal bore of the tubular sealing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Randy C. Tolman
  • Patent number: 10352130
    Abstract: A flushable well screen or filter assembly for placement within a tubular. The assembly includes a well screen or filter having an inlet end and an outlet end; and a velocity fuse positioned downstream of the outlet end of the well screen or filter, the velocity fuse in fluid communication with the well screen or filter. A system for removing fluids from a well and a method for back-flushing an upstream well screen or filter installed within a tubular are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Michael C. Romer
  • Patent number: 10352144
    Abstract: A tool assembly for performing a wellbore operation including an actuatable tool, a location device, and on-board controller are together dimensioned and arranged to be deployed in the wellbore as an autonomous unit. The actuatable tool, such as a perforating gun having associated charges, perforates a wellbore along a selected zone of interest. The location device, such as casing collar locator, senses the location of the actuatable tool based on a physical signature provided along the wellbore. The on-board controller or micro-processor is configured to send an activation signal to the actuatable tool when the location device has recognized a selected location of the tool based on the physical signature. The tool assembly further includes a multi-gate safety system. The safety system prevents premature activation of the actuatable tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Pavlin B. Entchev, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, George R. King, Robert C. Stanton, Elton Winemiller, Randy C Tolman, Peter W. Sauermilch, Jason Z. Gahr
  • Patent number: 10309195
    Abstract: Selective stimulation ports including sealing device retainers and methods of utilizing the same are disclosed herein. The selective stimulation ports (SSPs) are configured to be operatively attached to a wellbore tubular that defines a tubular conduit. The SSPs include an SSP conduit, which extends at least substantially perpendicular to a wall of the wellbore tubular, and a sealing device receptacle, which defines at least a portion of the SSP conduit and is sized to receive a sealing device. The SSPs also include a sealing device seat, which is shaped to form a fluid seal with the sealing device. The SSPs further include a sealing device retainer, which is configured to retain the sealing device within the sealing device receptacle. The methods include methods of stimulating the hydrocarbon well utilizing the SSPs and/or methods of conveying a downhole tool within the hydrocarbon well utilizing the SSPs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, P. Matthew Spiecker, Steve Lonnes, Timothy J. Hall