| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7196517 |
Combining NMR and density measurements for determining properties of reservoir fluid |
March 27, 2007 |
| A method for evaluating formation fluids includes measuring a nuclear magnetic resonance property related to a total volume of the formation fluids, measuring a dielectric property related to an electromagnetic wave travel time, measuring a bulk density, and solving a set of linear r |
| 7196041 |
Surfactant comprising alkali metal salt of 2-methyl oleic acid or 2-ethyl oleic acid |
March 27, 2007 |
| A surfactant has the formula (R.sub.1--X).sub.nZ, where R.sub.1 is an aliphatic group comprising a C.sub.10 C.sub.25 principal straight chain bonded at a terminal carbon atom thereof to X, and comprising at least one C.sub.1 C.sub.6 side chain. X is a charged head group, Z is a count |
| 7195063 |
Downhole sampling apparatus and method for using same |
March 27, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus for sampling formation fluid includes drawing formation fluid from the subterranean formation into the downhole tool and collecting the formation fluid in a sample chamber. An exit flow line is operatively connected to the sample chamber for selectively removing a |
| 7194902 |
Apparatus and method for formation evaluation |
March 27, 2007 |
| A viscometer-densimeter for a down hole tool positionable in a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation is described. The formation contains at least one fluid therein. The down hole tool is adapted to convey at least a portion of the fluid to the viscometer-densimeter. The vis |
| 7193525 |
Methods and apparatus for downhole inter-tool communication |
March 20, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus for communicating between downhole tools without the necessity of routing the communication through a surface module. Communications sent by downhole tools are examined and extracted downhole. If the communications are intended for other downhole tools, the com |
| 7193420 |
Insulated sleeve with conductive electrodes to reduce borehole effects for an induction tool |
March 20, 2007 |
| A well logging tool and method are disclosed comprising a conductive mandrel, an antenna array disposed around the conductive mandrel, wherein the antenna array comprises a plurality of antennas disposed on insulating supports and at least one contact spacer, the at least one contact |
| 7192908 |
Composition and method for treating a subterranean formation |
March 20, 2007 |
| An aqueous oilfield treatment fluid containing a chelating agent and an HF source is described. This fluid is effective at dissolving siliceous materials such as clays and keeping the dissolved materials in solution. In particular it is effective at preventing re-precipitation of ini |
| 7191842 |
Collapse resistant expandables for use in wellbore environments |
March 20, 2007 |
| A technique utilizes blocking members to resist contraction of expandables in wellbore environments. The technique comprises an expandable having a wall with a plurality of expandable cells. A plurality of blocking members cooperate with at least some of the cells to resist contraction |
| 7191831 |
Downhole formation testing tool |
March 20, 2007 |
| Embodiments of the invention relate to a wireline assembly that includes a coring tool for taking coring samples of the formation and a formation testing tool for taking fluid samples from the formation, where the formation testing tool is operatively connected to the coring tool. In |
| 7190365 |
Method for navigating in a multi-scale three-dimensional scene |
March 13, 2007 |
| A method for navigating a 3D scene in a viewing area includes associating a point of interest with a reference shape, which is related to the shape of the 3D object, and displaying a scene according to a user-requested action, while keeping the point of interest within the reference shap |
| 7187620 |
Method and apparatus for borehole sensing |
March 6, 2007 |
| The present invention provides an apparatus and method for sensing subsurface data. One embodiment of the invention comprises a shuttle attached to a conveyance where the conveyance and shuttle are adapted to be spooled downhole into a borehole for sensing seismic data. The shuttle c |
| 7187297 |
Methods for sealing openings in tubulars |
March 6, 2007 |
| Systems and methods for downhole communication and measurement utilizing an improved metallic tubular having an elongated body with tubular walls and a central bore adapted to receive a run-in tool. The tubular including slotted stations to provide through-tubular signal transmission |
| 7186033 |
Fiber optic booster connector |
March 6, 2007 |
| An apparatus includes a housing, a first connection interface and an optical amplifier. The housing receives a fiber optic line and an electrical line. The first connection interface is located at least partially inside the housing and is exposed outside of the housing to couple the |
| 7185709 |
Expandable tubing and method |
March 6, 2007 |
| An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The devi |
| 7185699 |
Water compatible hydraulic fluids |
March 6, 2007 |
| A composition for use in an oil chamber of a tool includes a hydraulic oil; and a surfactant, wherein the surfactant is present at an amount sufficient to form micelles in the hydraulic oil. The composition may further include an amphiphilic copolymer. A method includes providing a h |
| 7183778 |
Apparatus and method to measure fluid resistivity |
February 27, 2007 |
| An apparatus for measuring fluid resistivity includes a flow line adapted to be in fluid communication with formation fluids, wherein the flow line includes a first section comprising a first conductive area, a second section comprising a second conductive area, and an insulating section |
| 7182584 |
Motor protector |
February 27, 2007 |
| A system and method is provided for reducing the wear on a motor protector, particularly when used in an abrasive environment. The motor protector comprises an outer housing having an internal shaft. The motor protector further comprises a head section having an abrasives exclusion m |
| 7182153 |
Methods of casing drilling |
February 27, 2007 |
| The present invention provides a method and apparatus for casing while drilling without the use of an underreamer. In one aspect, the invention provides a flexible drill collar that enables drilling of a large enough borehole for passage of the casing string therethrough. |
| 7182139 |
System and method for controlling downhole tools |
February 27, 2007 |
| A system and method is provided for integrated control of multiple well tools. Predetermined pressure levels are utilized in independently actuating specific well tools from a plurality of well tools. The number of well tools independently controlled may be greater than the number of |
| 7182138 |
Reservoir communication by creating a local underbalance and using treatment fluid |
February 27, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus for improving reservoir communication includes, in one arrangement, causing creation of tunnels in surrounding formation of a well interval, and applying treatment fluid to the tunnels. A local transient underbalance condition is created in the well interval after |
| 7182134 |
Intelligent well system and method |
February 27, 2007 |
| An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment |
| 7180288 |
Downhole NMR flow and formation characterization while sampling fluids |
February 20, 2007 |
| A method of measuring characteristics of a flowing fluid is described including: (a) providing a flowing fluid; (b) applying a static field gradient to the flowing fluid; (c) applying a series of nuclear magnetic resonance pulses to the flowing fluid; (d) detecting signals from the f |
| 7178608 |
While drilling system and method |
February 20, 2007 |
| A while drilling system and method for determining downhole parameters is provided. The system includes a retrievable while drilling tool positionable in a downhole drilling tool, a sensor chassis and at least one sensor. The while drilling tool is positionable in the downhole drilli |
| 7178607 |
While drilling system and method |
February 20, 2007 |
| A while drilling system and method for determining annular pressure while drilling is provided. The system is positioned in a drilling tool suspended from a drilling rig via a drill string. The system includes at least one drill collar, a while drilling tool and at least one external |
| 7178591 |
Apparatus and method for formation evaluation |
February 20, 2007 |
| Techniques for reduced contamination formation evaluation are provided. The techniques relate to drawing fluid into a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation having a virgin fluid and a contaminated fluid therein. Fluid is drawn into at least two inl |
| 7178392 |
Determining the pressure of formation fluid in earth formations surrounding a borehole |
February 20, 2007 |
| A method for determining formation fluid pressure in earth formation surrounding a borehole wall uses a downhole probe coupled to a variable-volume cavity. The probe is driven into contact with formation at the borehole wall. The method includes expanding the volume of the cavity dur |
| 7171851 |
Temperature compensated strain measurement |
February 6, 2007 |
| The present invention provides methods and apparatus for measuring subterranean strain. The methods and apparatus use fluid expansion principles to compensate for temperature variations and increase the accuracy of the strain measurements. The methods and apparatus contemplate the us |
| 7171309 |
Downhole tool controller using autocorrelation of command sequences |
January 30, 2007 |
| The present invention provides for an apparatus and method of use to control a downhole tool remotely based on the autocorrelation of command sequences. Repeating signals of a priori unknown or undefined shape can be correlated to themselves to reliably distinguish intentional changes |
| 7168510 |
Electrical transmission apparatus through rotating tubular members |
January 30, 2007 |
| The present invention provides an apparatus for the communication of power or data signals across the rotating gap of two tubular members, such as the stator and rotor of a mud motor, and between said rotating members of a drill string through inductive couplers located axially along the |
| 7168507 |
Recalibration of downhole sensors |
January 30, 2007 |
| In downhole drilling tools, a first set of inexpensive and/or relatively small sensors that typically have lower accuracy and higher drift than conventional downhole sensors are located in the drill string adjacent to the bit. A second set of highly accurate sensors is located in a more |
| 7168487 |
Methods, apparatus, and systems for obtaining formation information utilizing sensors attached t |
January 30, 2007 |
| Methods, apparatus, and systems for obtaining information regarding a formation, a casing, or fluid within the casing are provided which utilize an interrogator and one or more sensing devices attached to a casing in a wellbore. The interrogator is located within and may be movable i |
| 7168486 |
Apparatus comprising expandable bistable tubulars and methods for their use in wellbores |
January 30, 2007 |
| A technique for connecting expandable tubulars. The technique comprises an expandable connector system that facilitates the connection of tubular components, such as tubulars used in wellbore environments. |
| 7168485 |
Expandable systems that facilitate desired fluid flow |
January 30, 2007 |
| An expandable device, such as a sand screen, is used in a wellbore. The expandable device comprises an expandable base pipe and a filter layer that facilitates expansion of the device while maintaining filtering capability. |
| 7166560 |
Generating Acid Downhole in Acid Fracturing |
January 23, 2007 |
| An acid fracturing method is provided in which the acid is generated in the fracture by hydrolysis of a solid acid-precursor selected from one or more than one of lactide, glycolide, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, a copolymer of polylactic acid and polyglycolic acid, a copolymer of |
| 7165618 |
Inductively coupled method and apparatus of communicating with wellbore equipment |
January 23, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus that allows communications of electrical power and signaling from downhole component to another downhole component employs an inductive coupler assembly. In one arrangement, one portion of the inductive coupler assembly is attached to a production tubing section an |
| 7165613 |
Propped fracture with high effective surface area |
January 23, 2007 |
| Propped fractures in formations from which fluids are produced are described that have wormholes extending out into the formations from the faces of the fractures at locations distant from boreholes. Methods are given for creating such propped fractures having wormholes in which eith |
| 7164990 |
Method of determining fluid flow |
January 16, 2007 |
| A method of determining fluid flow in a volume containing two or more fluid components, including determining a pressure field for the volume. One or more streamlines are determined from the pressure field, and the fluid composition is solved for the fluid composition along the, or each, |
| 7159657 |
Shaped charge loading tube for perforating gun |
January 9, 2007 |
| The loading tube comprises cups forming cup cavities for enclosing an explosive charge within each of the cups. The loading tube has ridges and valleys providing longitudinal and lateral strength to the loading tube. The loading tube is constructed of a formed material such as paper pulp |
| 7158887 |
Fluids chain-of-custody |
January 2, 2007 |
| A method of assuring the collection of reliable and quality fluid sample includes the steps of acquiring a fluid sample at a point of acquisition, analyzing physical and chemical properties of the fluid sample at the point of acquisition; recording the point of acquisition sample pro |
| 7158049 |
Wireless communication circuit |
January 2, 2007 |
| The invention includes a wireless communication circuit and a method of communicating with wireless signals that feature a tank circuit having an inductor connected in parallel with a capacitor circuit. The capacitor circuit includes a pair of capacitors coupled in series. Each of the |
| 7156180 |
Expandable tubing and method |
January 2, 2007 |
| An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The devi |
| 7156177 |
Scale dissolver fluid |
January 2, 2007 |
| A scale dissolver fluid for dissolving scale in a subterranean hydrocarbon-bearing formation comprises an effective amount of a scale dissolver formulation and an effective amount of a surfactant for controlling the viscosity of the fluid. In use, formation hydrocarbons act on the su |
| 7155967 |
Formation testing apparatus and method |
January 2, 2007 |
| A method and apparatus for testing formations surrounding an earth borehole. The method includes the following steps: providing a tool movable through the borehole; providing a flow line in the tool; establishing fluid communication between the formations and the flow line of the too |
| 7155101 |
Manufacturing method for high temperature fiber optic accelerometer |
December 26, 2006 |
| A method of making a fiber optic accelerometer includes (a) drawing an optical fiber through a resin; (b) winding the resin coated fiber onto a disc mounted on an assembly having a central shaft; and (c) curing the resin-coated fiber. The optical fiber may be drawn through a resin by |
| 7154413 |
Fused and sealed connector system for permanent reservoir monitoring and production control |
December 26, 2006 |
| A connection system is provided for facilitating a downhole electrical reservoir monitoring and/or control system operated by a surface system. The connector system includes a set of fuses and a fuse blowing circuit for isolating a short circuit event and restoring functionality to the |
| 7154411 |
Reservoir management system and method |
December 26, 2006 |
| A remote sensing unit for sensing subsurface formation is provided. The remote sensing unit is an active device with the capability of responding to control commands to determine subsurface formation characteristics, and transmitting corresponding data values. Some embodiments of the |
| 7152689 |
System and method to seal by bringing the wall of a wellbore into sealing contact with a tubing |
December 26, 2006 |
| The invention is a system and method used to seal between an open wellbore and a tubing by bringing the wellbore wall inwardly so as to enable sections of earth from the wellbore wall to create the required seal against the tubing. The earth sections that make up the seal can be crea |
| 7152677 |
Method and gravel packing open holes above fracturing pressure |
December 26, 2006 |
| The present invention provides a method for gravel packing a open-hole wellbore having a filter cake, comprising pumping a gravel slurry into a first portion of an annulus between the wellbore and a screen, at a sufficient rate and pressure to form at least a first fracture and diver |
| 7152676 |
Techniques and systems associated with perforation and the installation of downhole tools |
December 26, 2006 |
| A technique to install a tool in a well includes running the tool into the well and fixing the tool to the well with a fixing agent without pumping the fixing agent through a central passageway of the tool. The tool may be a perforating gun that includes a casing body that includes a |
| 7152466 |
Methods and apparatus for rapidly measuring pressure in earth formations |
December 26, 2006 |
| Methods and apparatus for rapidly measuring pressure in earth formations are disclosed. According to a first embodiment of the apparatus, a probe is provided with a movable piston having a sensor built into the piston. According to a second embodiment of the apparatus, the pressure senso |
