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).

  • Publication number: 20150315890
    Abstract: The well includes a wellbore with a casing string that extends within the wellbore, defining a casing conduit including existing perforations. A re-completion liner extends within the casing conduit and defines a liner conduit therein, and an annular space extends between the re-completion liner and the casing string. Systems and methods include perforating the re-completion liner to create liner perforations and perforating the casing string to create re-completion perforations that are generally aligned with respective liner perforations, stimulating the subterranean formation by flowing a completing fluid through the plurality of liner perforations and re-completion perforations, controlling flow of a fluid within the annular space, and/or producing a reservoir fluid from the subterranean formation and through both the existing perforations and the re-completion perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: RANDY C. TOLMAN, RENZO M. ANGELES BOZA, KRIS J. NYGAARD, CHRISTIAN MAYER, ABDEL WADOOD M. EL-RABAA
  • Publication number: 20150292293
    Abstract: Fluid plugs as downhole sealing devices and methods include providing a stimulating fluid to a casing conduit that is defined by the production casing to stimulate a portion of a subterranean formation within which the production casing extends. The methods further may include providing a sealing fluid to the casing conduit, providing a sealing device to the casing conduit, and flowing the sealing fluid and the sealing device to a perforated section of the production casing. The methods further may include locating the sealing device on a perforation, generating a fluid plug within the perforated section of the production casing by increasing a viscosity of the sealing fluid, and retaining the sealing device proximate the perforation with the fluid plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. TOLMAN, Timothy G. BENISH, Geof STEINER
  • Publication number: 20150285030
    Abstract: Flow control assemblies comprise a housing that includes a housing body that defines a housing conduit, an injection conduit that extends through the housing body, and a ball sealer seat. The ball sealer seat defines a portion of the injection conduit, is defined on an inner surface of the housing, and is sized to receive a ball sealer to restrict fluid flow from the casing conduit through the injection conduit. The flow control assemblies further include a sliding sleeve that is located within the housing conduit and defines an isolation ball seat. The flow control assemblies also include a retention structure that is configured to retain the sliding sleeve in a first configuration and to selectively permit the sliding sleeve to transition from the first configuration to a second configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. TOLMAN, Timothy G. BENISH, Geoffrey STEINER
  • Publication number: 20150285029
    Abstract: Flow control assemblies for downhole operations and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The systems include a flow control assembly that is configured to control a fluid flow between a casing conduit and a subterranean formation. The flow control assembly includes a housing that includes a housing body that defines at least a portion of the casing conduit. The housing also includes an injection conduit, which extends between the casing conduit and the subterranean formation, and a ball sealer seat, which defines a portion of the injection conduit. The flow control assembly further includes a hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve that controls a fluid flow through the injection conduit. The methods include pressurizing a portion of the casing conduit, transitioning the hydraulically actuated sliding sleeve from a closed configuration to an open configuration, stimulating the subterranean formation, and receiving a ball sealer on the ball sealer seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Timothy G. Benish, Geoffrey F. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20150285052
    Abstract: Methods for stimulating a subterranean formation comprising providing a stimulating fluid stream to a casing conduit that is defined by a production casing that extends within the subterranean formation to increase a fluid pressure within the casing conduit. The methods further include locating an isolation device on an isolation sleeve to fluidly isolate a downhole portion of the casing conduit from an uphole portion of the casing conduit and opening an injection port that is associated with the isolation sleeve to permit an injection port fluid flow into the subterranean formation. The methods also include sealing the injection port and creating an uphole perforation in the uphole longitudinal section of the production casing responsive to the fluid pressure exceeding the threshold perforating pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. TOLMAN, Timothy G. BENISH, Geoffrey STEINER, Kris J. NYGAARD
  • Publication number: 20150275633
    Abstract: Selectively actuated plungers and systems and methods including the same are disclosed herein. The methods include flowing a wellbore fluid stream in fluid contact with a plunger and in an uphole direction within a wellbore conduit while the plunger is located within a target region of the wellbore conduit. The methods further include maintaining the plunger in a low fluid drag state while a variable associated with the wellbore fluid stream is outside a threshold range and transitioning the plunger to a high fluid drag state responsive to the variable associated with the wellbore conduit being within the threshold range. The methods further include conveying the plunger in the uphole direction within the wellbore conduit. The systems include the plungers and/or hydrocarbon wells that include the plungers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Federico A. Tavarez, Pavlin B. Entchev, Krishnan Kumaran, Michael C. Romer
  • Publication number: 20150247376
    Abstract: Corrodible wellbore plugs, systems and methods are disclosed herein. The methods include flowing a corrodible wellbore plug that is at least partially formed from a corrodible metal to a downhole location within a wellbore conduit and retaining the corrodible wellbore plug at the downhole location by operatively engaging an engagement structure with a wellbore tubular that defines the wellbore conduit. The methods include pressurizing a portion of the wellbore conduit uphole from the corrodible wellbore plug and flowing a corrosive reservoir fluid from the subterranean formation into contact with the corrodible metal to release the corrodible wellbore plug from the downhole location. The methods also may include removing the wellbore plug without utilizing a drill-out process. The systems include a corrodible wellbore plug that includes a plug body and a retention mechanism, which includes a slip ring formed from the corrodible metal and that includes the engagement structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Timothy J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20150247372
    Abstract: Drag-enhancing structures for downhole operations are included in a downhole assembly that further includes a tool string, extends past a maximum transverse perimeter of the tool string, and increases resistance to fluid flow past the downhole assembly when the downhole assembly is pumped in a downhole direction within a wellbore conduit. The systems and methods include conveying the downhole assembly in the downhole direction within the wellbore conduit. The systems and methods further may include decreasing the resistance to fluid flow past the downhole assembly after the downhole assembly is located within a target region of the wellbore conduit and/or flowing a sealing material past the downhole assembly while the downhole assembly is located within the wellbore conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Renzo M. ANGELES BOZA, Randy C. TOLMAN, Abdel Wadood M. EL-RABAA, Christian S. MAYER, Pavlin ENTCHEV, Jonathan L. HOLLETT
  • Publication number: 20150176388
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating a subterranean formation. The methods may include flowing, with a carrier fluid stream, an autonomous perforation device within a casing conduit that is defined by a casing string that extends within a subterranean formation. The methods further may include retaining the autonomous perforation device within a target region of the casing conduit, flowing a stimulant fluid within the casing conduit and past the autonomous perforation device, and/or stimulating, with the stimulant fluid stream, a portion of the subterranean formation that is downhole from the autonomous perforation device. The systems may include the autonomous perforation device, which may include a perforation assembly, a motion-arresting assembly, and a fluid flow conduit. The systems also may include a hydrocarbon well that includes a wellbore, the casing string, and the autonomous perforation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Timothy I. Morrow, Eric R. Grueschow
  • Publication number: 20150090453
    Abstract: Systems and methods for secondary sealing of a perforation present within a wellbore casing associated with a primary sealing agent. The wellbore casing defines a casing conduit present within a wellbore that extends between a surface region and a subterranean formation. The systems and methods include a sealing apparatus that retains a charge of sealing material with a secondary sealing agent and is conveyed within the casing conduit to within a threshold distance of the perforation. The systems and methods further include selectively releasing the charge of sealing material from the sealing apparatus, such as by a release mechanism, to deliver the charge of sealing material to the perforation, to supplement the primary sealing agent (and/or a seal formed thereby), and/or to decrease a flow rate of a fluid from the casing conduit through the perforation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Kris J. Nygaard, Christian S. Mayer, Pavlin B. Entchev
  • Publication number: 20150060055
    Abstract: Systems and methods for artificial lift via a downhole positive displacement pump are disclosed herein. The methods include methods of removing a wellbore liquid from a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and/or methods of locating the downhole positive displacement pump within the wellbore. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the wellbore, a casing, a rotary electric motor, the downhole positive displacement pump, and a liquid discharge conduit, and the systems may be utilized with and/or configured to perform the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Michael C. Romer
  • Publication number: 20150060056
    Abstract: Systems and methods for restricting fluid flow in a casing conduit, including a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation, a casing string that extends within the wellbore and defines a portion of the casing conduit, a plurality of motion-arresting structures that project from an inner surface of the casing string to define a plurality of reduced-area regions of the casing conduit, and an autonomous sealing device that defines a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. The methods include conveying the autonomous sealing device through the casing conduit, determining that the autonomous sealing device is located within a target portion of the casing conduit, expanding the autonomous sealing device to the expanded configuration, retaining the autonomous sealing device on a selected motion-arresting structure, and restricting fluid flow within the casing conduit with the autonomous sealing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Krishnan Kumaran, Randy C. Tolman, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Timothy I. Morrow, Eric R. Grueschow
  • Publication number: 20150060083
    Abstract: Systems and methods for artificial lift via a downhole piezoelectric pump are disclosed herein. The methods include methods of removing a wellbore liquid from a wellbore that extends within a subterranean formation and/or methods of locating the downhole piezoelectric pump within the wellbore. The systems include hydrocarbon wells that include the wellbore, a casing, the downhole piezoelectric pump, and a liquid discharge conduit and the systems may be utilized with and/or configured to perform the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Federico A. Tavarez, Randy C. Tolman
  • Publication number: 20150034325
    Abstract: A system for removing liquids from an inclined wellbore includes a plug member positioned within a heel section of the inclined wellbore, the plug member including an orifice therethrough; a first tubular member having a first end for providing fluid flow from the first portion of the wellbore to the second portion of the wellbore, a second end positioned at least partially within the second portion of the wellbore and providing fluid flow from the first portion of the wellbore to the second portion of the wellbore; a second tubular member positioned within the second portion of the wellbore, the second tubular member having a first end for receiving fluid from the second portion of the wellbore, the second end positioned adjacent the surface of the inclined wellbore; and a pump for pumping fluid from the second tubular member to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Federico A. Tavarez
  • Patent number: 8899339
    Abstract: Isolation systems for use in a wellbore include two or more tubular segments and at least one coupling assembly. The at least one coupling system is adapted to couple the first and second tubular segments together. The at least one coupling system is further adapted to block at least a portion of the wellbore annulus. The at least one coupling system is further configured as a leaky isolation assembly to separate the wellbore annulus into at least two isolated zones when disposed in the wellbore. At least one isolation zone has at least two outlets including a first outlet through an opening into the tubular and a second outlet past the leaky isolation assembly. The isolation system is configured to provide the isolation with hydraulics during well operation that preferentially drives fluids through the first outlet and at least substantially prevents fluid from passing the isolation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Timothy G. Benish
  • Publication number: 20140131035
    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: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Pavlin B. Entchev, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Randy C. Tolman, George R. King, Robert C. Stanton, Elton Winemiller, Jason Z. Gahr, Peter W. Sauermilch
  • Publication number: 20130255939
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool in wellbore includes acquiring a CCL data set or log from the wellbore that correlates recorded magnetic signals with measured depth, and selects a location within the wellbore for actuation of a wellbore device. The CCL log is then downloaded into an autonomous tool. The tool is programmed to sense collars as a function of time, thereby providing a second CCL log. The autonomous tool also matches sensed collars with physical signature from the first CCL log and then self-actuates the wellbore device at the selected location based upon a correlation of the first and second CCL logs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Krishnan Kumaran, Niranjan A. Subrahmanya, Pavlin B. Entchev, Randy C. Tolman, Renzo Moises Angeles Boza
  • Publication number: 20130248174
    Abstract: A tool assembly is provided that includes an actuatable tool such as a valve or a setting tool. And includes a location device that senses the location of the tool assembly within a tubular body based on a physical signature. The tool assembly also includes an on-board controller 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 actuatable tool, the location device, and the on-board controller are together dimensioned and arranged to be deployed in the wellbore as an autonomous unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Bruce A. Dale, Randy C. Tolman, Pavlin B. Entchev, Renzo Moises Angeles Boza, Chris E. Shuchart, Eric R. Grueschow, Charles S. Yeh
  • Patent number: 8490685
    Abstract: A method and apparatus associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, the method describes connecting multiple wells to a stimulation fluid pumping system via a pumping system manifold. The pumping system manifold is adjusted to provide a first well flow path from the stimulation fluid pumping system to a first well. Then, a first stimulation treatment is pumped into the first well. Concurrently with the pumping of the first stimulation treatment, a second well is prepared for a second stimulation treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, William A. Sorem, Kris J. Nygaard, Jeff W. Simons, Curtis W. Kofoed
  • Publication number: 20130062055
    Abstract: Autonomous units and methods for downhole, multi-zone perforation and fracture stimulation for hydrocarbon production. The autonomous unit may be a perforating gun assembly, a bridge plug assembly, or fracturing plug assembly. The autonomous units are dimensioned and arranged to be deployed within a wellbore without an electric wireline. The autonomous units may be fabricated from a friable material so as to self-destruct upon receiving a signal. The autonomous units include a position locator for sensing the presence of objects along the wellbore and generating depth signals in response. The autonomous units also include an on-board controller for processing the depth signals and for activating an actuatable tool at a zone of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Randy C. Tolman, Pavlin B. Entchev, Renzo M. Angeles Boza, Dennis H. Petrie, Kevin H. Searles, Abdel Wadood M. El-Rabaa