Patents by Inventor Robert Utter

Robert Utter 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: 11840909
    Abstract: A technique for providing a fluid conduit between a main bore and a substantially non-producing region of a fracture at a horizontal section of the bore. The technique includes forming a micro-tunnel from a location of the bore adjacent the fracture. The micro-tunnel may be directed at the non-producing region with a angled deflector or in a steerable manner. Additionally, the well may be configured with micro-tunneling at the outset or retrofitted with micro-tunnels as a manner of restoring production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitriy Ivanovich Potapenko, William Batzer, Robert Utter, Donald W. Lee, George Alan Waters, Douglas Pipchuk, Ryan Rodgers
  • Patent number: 11725486
    Abstract: A downhole tool system may include one or more containers to hold waste product and a tractor to convey the one or more containers to a storage location within a wellbore. The downhole tool system may also include an anchor to seal against the wellbore and secure the containers at the storage location. Additionally, the downhole tool system may include a disconnect tool to separate the tractor from the containers such that the tractor may be removed from the wellbore while leaving the containers at the storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Utter, Rod Shampine, Dmitriy Potapenko, Yu Wang, Iain Cooper
  • Patent number: 11726228
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore traversing a subterranean formation includes making electromagnetic resistivity measurements along a lateral section of the wellbore. The resistivity measurements are evaluated to estimate a water content of the subterranean formation along the lateral section. The formation is fractured at selected regions along the lateral section at which the water content is below a threshold and avoiding regions at which the water content is above the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Modhar Khan, Robert Utter, Irlan Amir, Dmitriy Potapenko, Joseph Gremillion
  • Publication number: 20220035063
    Abstract: A method for completing a wellbore traversing a subterranean formation includes making electromagnetic resistivity measurements along a lateral section of the wellbore. The resistivity measurements are evaluated to estimate a water content of the subterranean formation along the lateral section. The formation is fractured at selected regions along the lateral section at which the water content is below a threshold and avoiding regions at which the water content is above the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Modhar Khan, Robert Utter, Irlan Amir, Dmitriy Potapenko, Joseph Gremillion
  • Publication number: 20220010656
    Abstract: A downhole tool system may include one or more containers to hold waste product and a tractor to convey the one or more containers to a storage location within a wellbore. The downhole tool system may also include an anchor to seal against the wellbore and secure the containers at the storage location. Additionally, the downhole tool system may include a disconnect tool to separate the tractor from the containers such that the tractor may be removed from the wellbore while leaving the containers at the storage location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Utter, Rod Shampine, Dmitriy Potapenko, Yu Wang, Iain Cooper
  • Publication number: 20210102452
    Abstract: A technique for providing a fluid conduit between a main bore and a substantially non-producing region of a fracture at a horizontal section of the bore. The technique includes forming a micro-tunnel from a location of the bore adjacent the fracture. The micro-tunnel may be directed at the non-producing region with a angled deflector or in a steerable manner. Additionally, the well may be configured with micro-tunneling at the outset or retrofitted with micro-tunnels as a manner of restoring production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Dmitriy Ivanovich Potapenko, William Batzer, Robert Utter, Donald W. Lee, George Alan Waters, Douglas Pipchuk, Ryan Rodgers
  • Patent number: 10533408
    Abstract: In drilling into a subterranean formation, several factors influence the rate of penetration, including, but not limited to, the type of formation being drilled, the weight on bit, and the rotational speed of the drill bit. Disclosed are a system and method for controlling the rotational speed of a drill bit based on regulation of fluid flow to the motor driving the bit, while maintaining at least a minimum flow of fluid to the annulus to clear debris from downhole during drilling. Regulation of fluid flow to the motor and to the annulus may be accomplished utilizing a flow diverter configured to adjust a flow ratio depending on drilling conditions in order to maximize efficiency of the motor downhole during drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Luis Manuel Ochoa Perez, Robert Utter
  • Publication number: 20190226282
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for drilling and stimulating a subterranean formation. The method may comprise drilling a wellbore comprising a deviated wellbore portion extending through a subterranean formation, forming a plurality of lateral tunnels extending from the deviated wellbore portion through the subterranean formation such that at least a portion of each of the plurality of lateral tunnels extends along a plane of maximum horizontal stress of the subterranean formation, and performing stimulation operations of the subterranean formation via the plurality of lateral tunnels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Dmitriy Ivanovich Potapenko, Robert Utter, Douglas Pipchuk
  • Publication number: 20180066508
    Abstract: In drilling into a subterranean formation, several factors influence the rate of penetration, including, but not limited to, the type of formation being drilled, the weight on bit, and the rotational speed of the drill bit. Disclosed are a system and method for controlling the rotational speed of a drill bit based on regulation of fluid flow to the motor driving the bit, while maintaining at least a minimum flow of fluid to the annulus to clear debris from downhole during drilling. Regulation of fluid flow to the motor and to the annulus may be accomplished utilizing a flow diverter configured to adjust a flow ratio depending on drilling conditions in order to maximize efficiency of the motor downhole during drilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Luis Manuel Ochoa Perez, Robert Utter
  • Patent number: 9512680
    Abstract: A coring system and method enable a single-trip operation for setting a deflector assembly, deploying a coring assembly and obtaining a core sample from a borehole drilled in a wellbore. The coring assembly has a barrel with a bore for collecting the core sample and has a coring bit coupled to an end portion of the barrel. The deflector system is arranged to deflect the coring bit into a side wall of the wellbore to drill the borehole therein. The deflector system includes a deflector and a collar. The collar, coupled to the deflector, restricts upward movement of the coring assembly relative to the deflector assembly. The collar may also be used as a retrieval device to engage the coring assembly and permit removal of the coring assembly and the deflector assembly as well as the core sample after the core sample has been obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Campbell, Shantanu N. Swadi, Charles Dewey, Robert Utter, Praful C. Desai
  • Publication number: 20160032710
    Abstract: A downhole tool is disclosed for measuring wellbore geometry. The downhole tool may include a body with a bore extending at least partially therethrough. The body may include a radial recess. An arm may be movably coupled to the body at a first end portion of the arm. The arm may be within the radial recess in a retracted position and be pivotable in a radially-outward direction relative to the body to an expanded position. A measurement device coupled to the body may measure the pivoting motion of the arm. A piston coupled to the body may be movably coupled to a second end portion of the arm, and the piston may respond to changes in hydraulic pressure to pivot the arm between the retracted position and the expanded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Jianbing Hu, James Layne Larsen, Tommy G. Ray, Dwayne P. Terracina, Rui Gao, Jennifer L. Pereira, Weixiong Wang, Ming Zhang, Zhenbi Su, Baozhong Yang, Siqi Xu, Sudarsanam Chellappa, Vishal Saheta, Robert Utter
  • Patent number: 9238963
    Abstract: A method detects at least one phase of multiphase borehole fluids within a borehole. The method has a step of providing coiled tubing connected to a top end of a bottom hole assembly having a sensor configured to detect a property associated with the multiphase borehole fluids. Further, the method has a step of positioning the sensor adjacent to a first phase of the multiphase borehole fluids by rotating the bottom hole assembly or a portion of the bottom hole assembly. Moreover, the method has the steps of detecting a first measurement with the sensor as the sensor rotates and determining a fractional amount of at least one phase of the multiphase borehole fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mark T. Frey, Keith A. Moriarty, Devin Rock, Robert Utter
  • Patent number: 9022144
    Abstract: A drill bit assembly for measuring reservoir formation properties comprises a bit head and a pin body, and an electrically insulated gap joint between two conductive parts of the drill bit assembly. The bit head has a cutting end and an opposite connecting end with an engagement section. The pin body comprises a connecting end with an engagement section. The pin connecting end is connected to the bit head connecting end such that the engagement sections overlap. The electrically insulating gap joint can fill a gap between the bit head and pin body engagement sections such that the bit head and pin body are mechanically connected together at the connecting ends but electrically separated. Alternatively or additionally, the pin body can have two pieces which are separated by an electrically insulating gap joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Clark, Reza Taherian, Derek W. Logan, Garry Holmen, Anthony R. Dopf, Aaron Logan, Robert Utter
  • Patent number: 8851178
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a formation while drilling a wellbore. The method includes providing a bottomhole assembly (“BHA”) having a reamer positioned above a pilot hole assembly, connecting the BHA to a drill string, actuating the BHA to drill a first wellbore section with the reamer and to drill a pilot hole with the pilot hole assembly, hydraulically sealing the pilot hole from the first wellbore section, and fracturing the formation proximate the pilot hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William Lesso, Robert Utter
  • Publication number: 20140166366
    Abstract: A coring system may be used to create a lateral section or borehole off a wellbore, and obtain a core sample therefrom. The coring system may include a coring assembly connected to a deflector assembly to enable a single-trip coring operation. The coring assembly may include a coring bit and an outer barrel for extracting a core sample. A deflector of the deflector assembly may direct the coring bit to drill a lateral section in the borehole and extract a core sample therefrom. The coring assembly and deflector may include mating surfaces to collectively retrieve the deflector assembly and coring assembly in a single trip. A collar of the coring assembly may engage against a stop surface of a shoulder or sleeve of the deflector assembly. By pulling upwardly, the engaged collar may release the anchored deflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Utter, Shantanu N. Swadi, Praful C. Desai
  • Publication number: 20140166367
    Abstract: A coring system and method enable a single-trip operation for setting a deflector assembly, deploying a coring assembly and obtaining a core sample from a borehole drilled in a wellbore. The coring assembly has a barrel with a bore for collecting the core sample and has a coring bit coupled to an end portion of the barrel. The deflector system is arranged to deflect the coring bit into a side wall of the wellbore to drill the borehole therein. The deflector system includes a deflector and a collar. The collar, coupled to the deflector, restricts upward movement of the coring assembly relative to the deflector assembly. The collar may also be used as a retrieval device to engage the coring assembly and permit removal of the coring assembly and the deflector assembly as well as the core sample after the core sample has been obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Campbell, Shantanu N. Swadi, Charles Dewey, Robert Utter, Praful C. Desai
  • Patent number: 8720608
    Abstract: A directional drilling system, a drilling hammer and a fluid flow telemetry modulator use a plurality of magnets arranged to convert rotational motion into reciprocating linear motion. Various types of motor can provide rotational motion to a part of the magnets and various linkages and other devices can cause steering or operation of a modulator valve. A torsional drilling hammer uses a plurality of magnets arranged to convert reciprocating linear motion into reciprocating rotational motion. A motor and linkage drives the linearly moving part of the magnets, and the rotating part provides torsional impact be striking the linearly moving part of the magnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Downton, Iain Cooper, Mike Williams, Robert Utter
  • Patent number: 8695731
    Abstract: A drilling system comprising a rotatable drill pipe 12 connected to a tractor unit 10, and a steerable drilling system 18, 20, 22, connected to and movable by the tractor unit 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Downton, Sami Iskander, Robert Utter
  • Publication number: 20140083177
    Abstract: A well logging while casing instrument system includes a segment of pipe having at least one window therein corresponding to selected well logging instrument sensors. The segment of pipe has at least one of a float collar, a reaming shoe or a casing drill bit attached to one end thereof. At least one well logging instrument is disposed inside the segment of pipe. The at least one well logging instrument includes at least one sensor disposed at longitudinal position corresponding to the at least one window. The at least one well logging instrument includes a fishing neck at one longitudinal end thereof to enable retrieval of the at least one well logging instrument from the interior of the segment of pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Utter, Gbenga Onadeko, Alexis Husser
  • Patent number: D838188
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Fres-co System USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Joshua Robert Utter