Patents by Inventor Stephane Vannuffelen

Stephane Vannuffelen 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: 20230279774
    Abstract: Methods for interpreting pressure transient tests and predicting future production for a well are provided. In one embodiment, a method for predicting future production includes beginning a pressure transient test within a well at a wellsite and obtaining pressure measurements of well fluid during the pressure transient test. The method can also include using the obtained pressure measurements to determine probabilistic estimates of input parameters of a pressure transient reservoir model while continuing the pressure transient test. Future production from the well can then be estimated based on the probabilistic estimates of the input parameters. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Nikita Chugunov, Sukru Sarac, Kirsty Morton, Fikri Kuchuk, Terizhandur S. Ramakrishnan, Stephane Vannuffelen
  • Patent number: 11603740
    Abstract: Methods for interpreting pressure transient tests and predicting future production for a well are provided. In one embodiment, a method for predicting future production includes beginning a pressure transient test within a well at a wellsite and obtaining pressure measurements of well fluid during the pressure transient test. The method can also include using the obtained pressure measurements to determine probabilistic estimates of input parameters of a pressure transient reservoir model while continuing the pressure transient test. Future production from the well can then be estimated based on the probabilistic estimates of the input parameters. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nikita Chugunov, Sukru Sarac, Kirsty Morton, Fikri Kuchuk, Terizhandur S. Ramakrishnan, Stephane Vannuffelen
  • Patent number: 11293281
    Abstract: Combined wireline and wireless apparatus and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a tool string including a tool bus and a first acoustic repeater coupled to the tool string. The first acoustic repeater is to communicate with a second acoustic repeater to exchange data. The second acoustic repeater is communicatively coupled to a first tool. The first tool is not communicatively coupled to the tool bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Palma Giordano, Stephane Vannuffelen, Arnaud Croux
  • Patent number: 11149544
    Abstract: A technique facilitates communication in a subsea well application. The technique involves deployment of a blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system to a subsea location proximate a wellbore. The blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system is coupled to both a blowout preventer system and a wireless telemetry system. The wireless telemetry system has a plurality of repeaters deployed along the wellbore. The blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system is used both to collect data from the wireless telemetry system and to control operation of the blowout preventer system. For example, the blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system may receive control signals from a surface system and also relay data to the surface system through a common communication line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benoit Deville, Arnaud Croux, Stephane Vannuffelen
  • Publication number: 20210131277
    Abstract: Combined wireline and wireless apparatus and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a tool string including a tool bus and a first acoustic repeater coupled to the tool string. The first acoustic repeater is to communicate with a second acoustic repeater to exchange data. The second acoustic repeater is communicatively coupled to a first tool. The first tool is not communicatively coupled to the tool bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Palma Giordano, Stephane Vannuffelen, Arnaud Croux
  • Patent number: 10900352
    Abstract: Wireless acoustic communication apparatus and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first rod and a second rod. The first rod and the second rod are to form a rod string. The example apparatus includes a first acoustic repeater mechanically coupled to the first rod. The first acoustic repeater is to communicate with a second acoustic repeater to convey data via the rod string. The second acoustic repeater is to receive the data from a first tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stephane Vannuffelen, Christophe M. Rayssiguier, Arnaud Croux
  • Patent number: 10711601
    Abstract: A system and method to automate data acquisition in a wireless telemetry network optimizes data acquisition to best match a target data set that the user desires given the performance limitations of the telemetry network. The user defines the target data set by providing inputs regarding a target quality of the target data set relative to a data set that has been produced and stored by a communication node in the network. The performance limitations of the network are defined in a system operating envelope. A data acquisition cycle is then automatically initiated and propagated in the network to acquire an actual data set that is an optimal match for the user's target given the system operating envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sukru Sarac, Clement Probel, Stephane Vannuffelen, Andriy Gelman, Arnaud Croux, Elias Temer, Khaled Mouffok
  • Patent number: 10708869
    Abstract: An acoustic network is located in a formation traversed by a borehole having a pipe contained therein. The acoustic network includes a backbone network having a number of backbone modems engaging the pipe and acoustically communicating along the pipe using a first modulation technique. A number of end node modems acoustically communicate using a second modulation technique orthogonal to the first modulation technique. At least one of the backbone modems is a bridge hub modem that is coupled to both the backbone network and an end node modem and communicates with the backbone network using the first modulation technique and with the end node modem using the second modulation technique. The end node modems may have a hibernation mode defined by low energy usage with no transmission or receipt of data, and a transmission mode defined by transmission of data by the end node modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Arnaud Croux, Julius Kusuma, Stephane Vannuffelen
  • Publication number: 20200116017
    Abstract: A technique facilitates communication in a subsea well application. The technique involves deployment of a blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system to a subsea location proximate a wellbore. The blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system is coupled to both a blowout preventer system and a wireless telemetry system. The wireless telemetry system has a plurality of repeaters deployed along the wellbore. The blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system is used both to collect data from the wireless telemetry system and to control operation of the blowout preventer system. For example, the blowout preventer subsea control and telemetry system may receive control signals from a surface system and also relay data to the surface system through a common communication line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: Benoit Deville, Arnaud Croux, Stephane Vannuffelen
  • Publication number: 20200088027
    Abstract: Wireless acoustic communication apparatus and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first rod and a second rod. The first rod and the second rod are to form a rod string. The example apparatus includes a first acoustic repeater mechanically coupled to the first rod. The first acoustic repeater is to communicate with a second acoustic repeater to convey data via the rod string. The second acoustic repeater is to receive the data from a first tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Stephane Vannuffelen, Christophe M. Rayssiguier, Arnaud Croux
  • Publication number: 20190316464
    Abstract: A system and method to automate data acquisition in a wireless telemetry network optimizes data acquisition to best match a target data set that the user desires given the performance limitations of the telemetry network. The user defines the target data set by providing inputs regarding a target quality of the target data set relative to a data set that has been produced and stored by a communication node in the network. The performance limitations of the network are defined in a system operating envelope. A data acquisition cycle is then automatically initiated and propagated in the network to acquire an actual data set that is an optimal match for the user's target given the system operating envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Sukru Sarac, Clement Probel, Stephane Vannuffelen, Andriy Gelman, Arnaud Croux, Elias Temer, Khaled Mouffok
  • Patent number: 10337321
    Abstract: A system and method to automate data acquisition in a wireless telemetry network optimizes data acquisition to best match a target data set that the user desires given the performance limitations of the telemetry network. The user defines the target data set by providing inputs regarding a target quality of the target data set relative to a data set that has been produced and stored by a communication node in the network. The performance limitations of the network are defined in a system operating envelope. A data acquisition cycle is then automatically initiated and propagated in the network to acquire an actual data set that is an optimal match for the user's target given the system operating envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sukru Sarac, Clement Probel, Stephane Vannuffelen, Andriy Gelman, Arnaud Croux, Elias Temer, Khaled Mouffok
  • Publication number: 20190186260
    Abstract: A system and method to automate data acquisition in a wireless telemetry network optimizes data acquisition to best match a target data set that the user desires given the performance limitations of the telemetry network. The user defines the target data set by providing inputs regarding a target quality of the target data set relative to a data set that has been produced and stored by a communication node in the network. The performance limitations of the network are defined in a system operating envelope. A data acquisition cycle is then automatically initiated and propagated in the network to acquire an actual data set that is an optimal match for the user's target given the system operating envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Sukru Sarac, Clement Probel, Stephane Vannuffelen, Andriy Gelman, Arnaud Croux, Elias Temer, Khaled Mouffok
  • Publication number: 20190017352
    Abstract: Methods for interpreting pressure transient tests and predicting future production for a well are provided. In one embodiment, a method for predicting future production includes beginning a pressure transient test within a well at a wellsite and obtaining pressure measurements of well fluid during the pressure transient test. The method can also include using the obtained pressure measurements to determine probabilistic estimates of input parameters of a pressure transient reservoir model while continuing the pressure transient test. Future production from the well can then be estimated based on the probabilistic estimates of the input parameters. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Nikita Chugunov, Sukru Sarac, Kirsty Morton, Fikri Kuchuk, Terizhandur S. Ramakrishnan, Stephane Vannuffelen
  • Publication number: 20180220380
    Abstract: An acoustic network is located in a formation traversed by a borehole having a pipe contained therein. The acoustic network includes a backbone network having a number of backbone modems engaging the pipe and acoustically communicating along the pipe using a first modulation technique. A number of end node modems acoustically communicate using a second modulation technique orthogonal to the first modulation technique. At least one of the backbone modems is a bridge hub modem that is coupled to both the backbone network and an end node modem and communicates with the backbone network using the first modulation technique and with the end node modem using the second modulation technique. The end node modems may have a hibernation mode defined by low energy usage with no transmission or receipt of data, and a transmission mode defined by transmission of data by the end node modem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Arnaud Croux, Julius Kusuma, Stephane Vannuffelen
  • Patent number: 9790786
    Abstract: A network management system for a wireless communications network adaptively selects wireless modems to use in communicating messages between a control system and downhole equipment. The wireless modems are selected based on a monitored signal to noise ratio. The network management system may be centralized within the network or within a surface control system or can be decentralized so that a plurality of the wireless modems can adaptively determine routing in the network. The network management systems can be used in conjunction with a backbone network architecture to achieve further efficiencies in network throughput.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arnaud Croux, Stephane Vannuffelen
  • Publication number: 20170219455
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a flexible pipe, including an inline sensor system coupled to the annulus of the flexible pipe to detect corrosion of the flexible pipe. Also disclosed are method and system for monitoring an amount of water being accumulated in an annulus of a flexible pipe, including locating a pressure measurement system proximate to the annulus for measuring pressure of gas inside the annulus; controlling a flow of vent gas with a vent gas valve; positioning a flow measurement system upstream or downstream of the vent gas valve for measuring the flow of the vent gas when the vent gas valve is opened; and collecting with a microprocessor pressure and flow measurement data from the pressure and the flow measurement systems for determining the amount of water accumulated in the annulus based on the collected pressure and flow measurement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Nicolas Mangal, Stephane Vannuffelen, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos, Ricardo R. Vasques, Michel V. Berard, Dominique Dion
  • Publication number: 20170023435
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a flexible pipe, including an inline sensor system coupled to the annulus of the flexible pipe to detect corrosion of the flexible pipe. Also disclosed are method and system for monitoring an amount of water being accumulated in an annulus of a flexible pipe, including locating a pressure measurement system proximate to the annulus for measuring pressure of gas inside the annulus; controlling a flow of vent gas with a vent gas valve; positioning a flow measurement system upstream or downstream of the vent gas valve for measuring the flow of the vent gas when the vent gas valve is opened; and collecting with a microprocessor pressure and flow measurement data from the pressure and the flow measurement systems for determining the amount of water accumulated in the annulus based on the collected pressure and flow measurement data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Lars Nicolas Mangal, Stephane Vannuffelen, Rogerio Tadeu Ramos, Ricardo R. Vasques, Michel V. Berard, Dominique Dion
  • Patent number: 9534494
    Abstract: Optical window assemblies are provided. An example apparatus includes a first fixture defining a fluid flow passageway. The example apparatus also includes a second fixture defining an aperture. The second fixture is coupled to the first fixture. A first optical window is disposed in the aperture. The first optical window has a first end and a second end. The first end is to be in contact with fluid in the fluid flow passageway, and a cross-sectional size of the first optical window decreases from the first end toward the second end along a portion of the first optical window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kamiya, Stephane Vannuffelen, Kamal Kader, Hua Chen, Hisatoshi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20160356152
    Abstract: A network management system for a wireless communications network adaptively selects wireless modems to use in communicating messages between a control system and downhole equipment. The wireless modems are selected based on a monitored signal to noise ratio. The network management system may be centralized within the network or within a surface control system or can be decentralized so that a plurality of the wireless modems can adaptively determine routing in the network. The network management systems can be used in conjunction with a backbone network architecture to achieve further efficiencies in network throughput.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Arnaud Croux, Stephane Vannuffelen