Patents by Inventor Scott A. Grubb

Scott A. Grubb 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: 11242744
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure confirm a leak and determine a depth of the leak in a well of a drilling system. The drilling system include a circulating fluid and a fluid caliper having a density contrast relative to a density of the circulating fluid. Fluid mass flow and fluid density data are continually collected by an inlet and outlet side flow measurements. A measured surface pressure, a measured downhole pressure, a user-defined managed depth window, and a target equivalent circulating density at the user-defined managed depth window are inputted to a microprocessor. The microprocessor adjusts the fluid density data for temperature and pressure; calculates a mass flow balance and a wellbore pressure; compares the measured density and mass flow in with the measured density and mass flow out; and determines, based upon the comparing, the presence of the leak and the depth of the leak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: WellWorc, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Smith, David P. Smith, Michael B. Smith, Scott A. Grubb
  • Publication number: 20210310995
    Abstract: The invention relates to very precisely measuring changes in thickness of pipe walls to determine corrosion rate prior to any significant corrosion loss. The thickness is determined by ultrasonic testing where many measurements of the wall thickness are taken at the same spot by a fixed sensor and errors associated with noise and temperature changes are substantially eliminated. A highly sensitive receiver converts each reflected pulse to waves that are averaged with other pulse measurements. The resulting average wave is analyzed so that each waveform is analyzed to identify the extrema and inflection points of each reflected pulse. The resulting analysis provides a far more accurate determination of the time between reflected pulses. As a result, a far more accurate picture of corrosion at the location of the wall of the pipe can be determined within weeks with a high degree of confidence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Scott A. GRUBB, David J. BLUMER
  • Patent number: 10941647
    Abstract: A matrix production logging tool for measuring the temperature of produced fluids in a wellbore is described. Accurate production allocation to the pathways between the oil/gas well and the reservoir provides required data for the economic optimization of the techniques and procedures used to complete future wells and optimize the existing well. The low maintenance tool provides precise uphole, downhole and inflow temperature measurements of produced fluids within the wellbore. These are obtained at a plurality of locations along the oil/gas well as the tool is withdrawn, thus providing a matrix of temperature measures along the length of the well. From the temperature traces, inflow as well as up and downhole temperature, can be determined, and mass contribution at each inlet determined. With this method, a production profile along the entire well can be determined as used in further well optimization efforts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott A. Grubb, Kyle Friehauf
  • Patent number: 10738551
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method of this disclosure continually determine a mass balance of a drilling or circulating system, using mass flow and density data adjusted for temperature and pressure. The system and method may be used to continually monitor and control wellbore pressures to achieve over-balanced managed pressure drilling (“MPD”). In some embodiments, the system and method may be used as a fluid tracking engine. In other embodiments, the system and method may be used to accurately track a fluid caliper intended to survey the well to determine string volumes or borehole volumes; an example is determining the volume of cement needed to circulate the cement or bring the cement up to desired height. The system and method may be used to track the effects of mixing. The system and method may also be used as a viscometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: WellWorc, Inc
    Inventors: Bruce E. Smith, David P. Smith, Michael B. Smith, Scott A. Grubb
  • Publication number: 20200116011
    Abstract: A matrix production logging tool for measuring the temperature of produced fluids in a wellbore is described. Accurate production allocation to the pathways between the oil/gas well and the reservoir provides required data for the economic optimization of the techniques and procedures used to complete future wells and optimize the existing well. The low maintenance tool provides precise uphole, downhole and inflow temperature measurements of produced fluids within the wellbore. These are obtained at a plurality of locations along the oil/gas well as the tool is withdrawn, thus providing a matrix of temperature measures along the length of the well. From the temperature traces, inflow as well as up and downhole temperature, can be determined, and mass contribution at each inlet determined. With this method, a production profile along the entire well can be determined as used in further well optimization efforts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Scott A. GRUBB, Kyle FRIEHAUF
  • Publication number: 20160090804
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce flow in front of the drill bit while milling improve milling debris size. Reducing flow on the drill bit face while milling allows the drill cuttings to remain at the drilling surface longer and reduce the size of the cuttings. The smaller cuttings increase the ease and speed of cutting removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Scott A. GRUBB, Jason M. SKUFCA, David D. HEARN
  • Publication number: 20160003032
    Abstract: A matrix production logging tool for measuring the temperature of produced fluids in a wellbore. Accurate production allocation to the pathways between the oil/gas well and the reservoir provides required data for the economic optimization of the techniques and procedures used to complete future wells. The low maintenance tool provides precise upstream, downstream and inflow temperature measurements of produced fluids within the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Scott A. GRUBB, Kyle FRIEHAUF
  • Publication number: 20150328712
    Abstract: A method for joining coiled tubing is described. Coiled tubing joints using a magnetic pulse welder are described that retain the strength of the original tubing. This type of joint is useful for joining multiple coiled tubing sections or for removing and repairing damaged coiled tubing. Because the joint is as strong as the original tubing, these types of joints may be used when placing tubing in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventor: Scott A. GRUBB
  • Patent number: 8806944
    Abstract: The invention relates to very precisely measuring changes in thickness of pipe walls to determine corrosion rate prior to any significant corrosion loss. The thickness is determined by ultrasonic testing where many measurements of the wall thickness are taken at the same spot by a fixed sensor and errors associated with noise and temperature changes are substantially eliminated. A highly sensitive receiver converts each reflected pulse to waves that are averaged with other pulse measurements. The resulting average wave is analyzed so that each waveform is analyzed to identify the extrema and inflection points of each reflected pulse. The resulting analysis provides a far more accurate determination of the time between reflected pulses. As a result, a far more accurate picture of corrosion at the location of the wall of the pipe can be determined within weeks with a high degree of confidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Scott A. Grubb, David J. Blumer
  • Publication number: 20110067497
    Abstract: The invention relates to very precisely measuring changes in thickness of pipe walls to determine corrosion rate prior to any significant corrosion loss. The thickness is determined by ultrasonic testing where many measurements of the wall thickness are taken at the same spot by a fixed sensor and errors associated with noise and temperature changes are substantially eliminated. A highly sensitive receiver converts each reflected pulse to waves that are averaged with other pulse measurements. The resulting average wave is analyzed so that each waveform is analyzed to identify the extrema and inflection points of each reflected pulse. The resulting analysis provides a far more accurate determination of the time between reflected pulses. As a result, a far more accurate picture of corrosion at the location of the wall of the pipe can be determined within weeks with a high degree of confidence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Scott A. Grubb, David J. Blumer