Patents by Inventor Ronald van Petegem

Ronald van Petegem 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: 20140202694
    Abstract: A borehole completion method treats a formation surrounding a borehole with a chemical treatment that alters how formation particulates interact. A standalone screen deploys downhole in the borehole (either before or after the treatment) on a downhole string. When fluid is produced, formation particulates treated with the chemical treatment agglomerate in the annulus surrounding the screen in permeable structures. This can be especially when the standalone screen is useful in a cased hole having perforations. The chemical treatment includes an inner salt adapted to neutralize the zeta potential (i.e., electrokinetic potential) of the formation particulates so they aggregate into one or more permeable structures in the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald van Petegem
  • Patent number: 8770290
    Abstract: A gravel pack assembly gravel packs a horizontal borehole. Operators wash down the borehole using a tool in a first position by flowing fluid from the tool through the apparatus' toe. Operators then gravel pack by moving the tool to a first flow port between a screen and the toe. Slurry flows into the borehole from the first flow port, and returns from the borehole flow through the screen. The gravel in the slurry can pack the borehole in an alpha-beta wave from toe to heel. When the tool has a sleeve, operators can break any bridges by flowing fluid from the passage of the assembly into the tool. In another condition, operators can move the tool to a second flow port. Slurry can flow into to the borehole through a shunt extending from the second flow port. Meanwhile, returns can flow from the borehole through a bypass in the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, John Broussard
  • Publication number: 20140116693
    Abstract: A device and method allows a bore valve in the washpipe and in certain instances a port valve or sliding sleeve to open or close upon command from the surface so that gravel slurry may be placed in a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Christopher A. Hall, Ronald van Petegem
  • Publication number: 20140102702
    Abstract: A borehole completion method treats a formation surrounding a borehole with a chemical treatment that alters how formation particulates interact. A standalone screen deploys downhole in the borehole (either before or after the treatment) on a downhole string. When fluid is produced, formation particulates treated with the chemical treatment agglomerate in the annulus surrounding the screen in permeable structures. This can be especially when the standalone screen is useful in a cased hole having perforations. The chemical treatment includes an inner salt adapted to neutralize the zeta potential (i.e., electrokinetic potential) of the formation particulates so they aggregate into one or more permeable structures in the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald van Petegem
  • Publication number: 20130014953
    Abstract: A multi-zone screened frac system combines screens with integrated check valves, frac valves, and optional shunt tubes for slurry dehydration. The system can also include fiber optic technology. In particular, the system uses sliding sleeves and flow devices for each section. The sliding sleeves open with dropped balls or a service tool, and the flow devices have screens and act as check valves. Dehydration tubes can also be used. The system does not require a crossover tool, and in some implementations, the system does not even require a complete service tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventor: Ronald van Petegem
  • Publication number: 20130008652
    Abstract: An apparatus and method allow gravel pack slurry to be placed in a borehole annulus from the toe towards the heel to reduce the pressure acting upon the heel of the borehole during the gravel placement operation. By reducing the pressure on the heel, the gravel pack slurry may be placed in longer sections of the borehole in a single operation. Additionally, excess slurry in the inner string can be disposed in the borehole annulus around the shoe track of the apparatus, and fluid returns can flow up the apparatus through a bypass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Christopher A. Hall, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Brian J. Ritchey, Ronald van Petegem
  • Publication number: 20130000899
    Abstract: A gravel packing assembly gravel packs a horizontal borehole. Operators wash down the borehole using an inner string in a first position by flowing fluid from the inner string through the apparatus' toe. Operators then gravel pack by moving the inner string to one or more flow ports between a screen and the toe. Slurry flows into the borehole from the flow ports, and returns from the borehole flow through the screen. The gravel in the slurry can pack the borehole in an alpha-beta wave from toe to heel. In another condition, operators can move the inner string to a second flow port so slurry can flow into the borehole through a shunt extending from the second flow port. When gravel packing is done, operators move the inner string to a port collar in a liner of the assembly to cement the liner in the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Christopher Hall, Ronald van Petegem, Alvaro J. Arrazola
  • Publication number: 20120103631
    Abstract: A downhole assembly, such as a toe-to-heel gravel pack assembly, has a body with a body passage, outlet ports for slurry, and screens for fluid returns. An inner string deploys in the body to perform the toe-to-heel gravel packing. A telescoping adjustment device allows the inner string to space out properly when deployed to the toe of the assembly. Sealing surfaces or seats of a locating device in the body separate a sealable space and seal against seals on the inner string movably disposed therein. Fluid pumped in the string produces a pressure buildup when the string's port communicates with the sealable space. The pressure buildup indicates that the tool is positioned at a first location in the assembly, and other positions for placement of the tool can then be calculated therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Ronald van Petegem, Christopher Hall, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Brian Ritchey, Rockni Van Clief
  • Publication number: 20120103608
    Abstract: A gravel pack operation disposes slurry from an inner string into the annulus around a shoe track. A valve on the shoe track can open and close flow through a port, and seats around the port allow an outlet of the tool to seal with the port. When the valve is open and the outlet sealed with the port, the slurry in the string is pumped into the borehole around the shoe track by flowing the slurry from the outlet into the borehole through the flow port. As this occurs, gravel collects around the shoe track, and fluid returns in the borehole flow back into the shoe track through a screen disposed toward the track's toe. Once inside the shoe track, the fluid returns communicate through a bypass on the shoe track around the sealed outlet and port. At this point, the fluid returns can pass uphole in the gravel pack assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, John P. Broussard, Christopher Hall, Patrick J. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20120103603
    Abstract: A downhole assembly, such as a toe-to-heel gravel pack assembly, has a body with a body passage, outlet ports for slurry, and screens for fluid returns. An inner string deploys in the body to perform the toe-to-heel gravel packing. A telescoping adjustment device allows the inner string to space out properly when deployed to the toe of the assembly. Sealing surfaces of a locating device in the body separate a sealable space and seal against seals on the inner string movably disposed therein. Fluid pumped in the string produces a pressure buildup when the string's port communicates with the sealable space. The pressure buildup indicates that the tool is positioned at a first location in the assembly, and other positions for placement of the tool can then be calculated therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Ronald van Petegem, Christopher Hall, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Brian Ritchey, Rockni Van Clief
  • Publication number: 20120103606
    Abstract: A gravel pack assembly gravel packs a horizontal borehole. Operators wash down the borehole using a tool in a first position by flowing fluid from the tool through the apparatus' toe. Operators then gravel pack by moving the tool to a first flow port between a screen and the toe. Slurry flows into the borehole from the first flow port, and returns from the borehole flow through the screen. The gravel in the slurry can pack the borehole in an alpha-beta wave from toe to heel. When the tool has a sleeve, operators can break any bridges by flowing fluid from the passage of the assembly into the tool. In another condition, operators can move the tool to a second flow port. Slurry can flow into to the borehole through a shunt extending from the second flow port. Meanwhile, returns can flow from the borehole through a bypass in the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, John Broussard
  • Publication number: 20110290499
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing deepwater completions and performing well intervention from a vessel that can perform other duties while not running completions or performing interventions. The system for installing deepwater completions and performing well intervention may comprise a surface pipe handling and deployment package including a horizontally operated rig that may also be operated in a slanted mode. Deepwater completions may be deployed from the vessel via a buoyant horizontal riser (BHR), which may be supported by a submerged buoyant tensioning system (BTS). In this manner, the cost of performing completion or intervention operations may be significantly reduced compared to such operations run from a drilling rig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald Van Petegem, Kevin Quick, Egill Abrahamsen, Brian Michael Carline, Karsten Heidecke, Doyle Frederick Boutwell, JR.
  • Patent number: 8011431
    Abstract: A system and method for cavitating a producible formation is disclosed to improve hydrocarbon production and to increase a production rate without an concurrent co-production of formation particulate. The method and system include conglomerating the producible formation using a conglomerating composition. Once the producible formation is conglomerated, the conglomerated, producible formation is produced above its critical draw down pressure to form a cavity surrounding the wellborn in the conglomerated, producible formation and placing the cavitated, conglomerated, producible formation on production below a higher maximum sand free rate (MSFR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Clearwater International, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Barry Ekstrand
  • Publication number: 20100212905
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for well completion and/or production, where an aggregating, agglomerating or conglomerating composition is injected into a producible formation, zone or interval thereof to alter an aggregation or zeta potential of formation surfaces and particulate to increase a maximum sand free production rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Sarkis R. Kakadjian, Frank Zamora
  • Publication number: 20100181071
    Abstract: A system and method for cavitating a producible formation is disclosed. The method include conglomerating the formation, producing the formation above its critical draw down pressure resulting in cavitation of the formation and producing the cavitated formation below a higher maximum sand free rate (MSFR).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Barry Ekstrand
  • Patent number: 6497284
    Abstract: A well completion system and associated methods of completing wells provides enhanced convenience in well completions involving well treatment operations. In a described embodiment, a single trip perforating and fracturing/gravel packing method permits a well completion assembly including a well screen and a perforating gun to be installed in a well, the well to be perforated and treated, and the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well in a single trip. Retrieval of the perforating gun permits multiple zone completions in the well without the perforating guns remaining in the well thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Colby M. Ross
  • Patent number: 6494260
    Abstract: A well completion system and associated methods of completing wells provides enhanced convenience in well completions involving well treatment operations. In a described embodiment, a single trip perforating and fracturing/gravel packing method permits a well completion assembly including a well screen and a perforating gun to be installed in a well, the well to be perforated and treated, and the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well in a single trip. Retrieval of the perforating gun permits multiple zone completions in the well without the perforating guns remaining in the well thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Colby M. Ross
  • Patent number: 6286598
    Abstract: A well completion system and associated methods of completing wells provides enhanced convenience in well completions involving well treatment operations. In a described embodiment, a single trip perforating and fracturing/gravel packing method permits a well completion assembly including a well screen and a perforating gun to be installed in a well, the well to be perforated and treated, and the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well in a single trip. Retrieval of the perforating gun permits multiple zone completions in the well without the perforating guns remaining in the well thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Colby M. Ross
  • Publication number: 20010015275
    Abstract: A well completion system and associated methods of completing wells provides enhanced convenience in well completions involving well treatment operations. In a described embodiment, a single trip perforating and fracturing/gravel packing method permits a well completion assembly including a well screen and a perforating gun to be installed in a well, the well to be perforated and treated, and the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well in a single trip. Retrieval of the perforating gun permits multiple zone completions in the well without the perforating guns remaining in the well thereafter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Colby M. Ross
  • Publication number: 20010001984
    Abstract: A well completion system and associated methods of completing wells provides enhanced convenience in well completions involving well treatment operations. In a described embodiment, a single trip perforating and fracturing/gravel packing method permits a well completion assembly including a well screen and a perforating gun to be installed in a well, the well to be perforated and treated, and the perforating gun to be retrieved from the well in a single trip. Retrieval of the perforating gun permits multiple zone completions in the well without the perforating guns remaining in the well thereafter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald van Petegem, Colby M. Ross