David E Malone

US Patent:

6341652, Jan 29, 2002

Filed:

Sep 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/660906

Inventors:

David L. Malone - Sugar Land TX
Christophe M. Rayssiguier - Houston TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 4312

US Classification:

166133, 166145, 166325

Abstract:

A system for preventing backflow of a fluid from one zone to another, e. g. from a lower wellbore zone to an upper wellbore zone. The system is deployed in cooperation with a tube, such as a tube utilized to protect electrical or optical signal transfer lines. A one-way check valve is deployed in the fluid flow path created by the tube to prevent the backflow of an undesired fluid along the tube. A separate feed-through allows for passage of the signal transfer lines.

US Patent:

6582145, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Sep 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/661088

Inventors:

David L. Malone - Sugar Land TX
Christophe M. Rayssiguier - Houston TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Rosharon TX

International Classification:

E21B 1700

US Classification:

403 31, 1662421

Abstract:

A connector system for protecting the transmission of signals from and/or to a tool in a high pressure environment. The system includes a connector through which a signal transmission line, such as an electrical cable or optical fiber extends. The connector is coupled to a protective tube, and includes an internal chamber in communication with the interior of the tube. A fluid, such as a liquid, is disposed within the connector and the tubing at a pressure higher than the environmental pressure. In the event of a leak at, for instance, the connector, the high pressure fluid flows outwardly rather than allowing the inflow of deleterious fluid from the environment.

US Patent:

6684952, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

May 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/859944

Inventors:

Mark W. Brockman - Houston TX
Herve Ohmer - Houston TX
David L. Malone - Sugar Land TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corp. - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 4712

US Classification:

16625003, 166 651, 166373, 166 50, 1662426, 3408548

Abstract:

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 and the other portion of the inductive coupler assembly is attached to a casing or other liner section. The production tubing inductive coupler portion is electrically connected to a cable over which electrical power and signals may be transmitted. Such power and signals are magnetically coupled to the inductive coupler portion in the casing or liner section and communicated to various electrical devices mounted outside the casing or liner section. In other arrangements, inductive coupler assemblies may be used to couple electrical power and signals from the main bore to components in lateral branches of a multilateral well.

US Patent:

6727828, Apr 27, 2004

Filed:

Sep 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/660693

Inventors:

David L. Malone - Sugar Land TX
Christophe M. Rayssiguier - Houston TX
Alexandre G. E. Kosmala - Houston TX
Michael R. Johnson - Sugar Land TX
Joseph P. Varkey - Missouri City TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

G01V 122

US Classification:

3408549, 3408545, 3408551

Abstract:

A system for protecting the transmission of signals from and/or to a tool in a high pressure environment. The system includes a tool connected to a signal transmission line, such as an electrical cable or optical fiber. The signal transmission line is surrounded by a protective tube that is connected to the tool by a connector having a hollow chamber in communication with the interior of the tube. A fluid, such as a dielectric liquid, is disposed within the connector and the tubing at a pressure higher than the environmental pressure. In the event of a leak at, for instance, the connector, the high pressure fluid flows outwardly rather than allowing the inflow of deleterious fluid from the environment.

US Patent:

7165618, Jan 23, 2007

Filed:

Nov 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/701325

Inventors:

Mark W. Brockman - Houston TX, US
Herve Ohmer - Houston TX, US
David L. Malone - Sugar Land TX, US

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 43/00

US Classification:

166313, 166 651, 166 50

Abstract:

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 and the other portion of the inductive coupler assembly is attached to a casing or other liner section. The production tubing inductive coupler portion is electrically connected to a cable over which electrical power and signals may be transmitted. Such power and signals are magnetically coupled to the inductive coupler portion in the casing or liner section and communicated to various electrical devices mounted outside the casing or liner section. In other arrangements, inductive coupler assemblies may be used to couple electrical power and signals from the main bore to components in lateral branches of a multilateral well.

US Patent:

20020049575, Apr 25, 2002

Filed:

Sep 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/952178

Inventors:

Younes Jalali - Sugar Land TX, US
Allyson Gajraj - Katy TX, US
Soraya Betancourt - Ridgefield CT, US
David Malone - Sugar Land TX, US

International Classification:

G06G007/48
G06G007/50

US Classification:

703/010000, 703/009000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for performing well planning and design includes several phases, including a screening phase, a design phase, and an operating phase. The screening phase selects or categorizes candidate wells in addition to performing a general-level design. The general-level design process provides a framework in which a detailed or specific design can be performed. Once a completion system for a selected well has been designed, the operating phase is performed in which measurements taken during operation are fed back to a controller. The controller has access to a conceptual model of the completion system. The measured data is compared to an expected performance based on the model. If adjustments of settings are needed, then the controller issues commands to cause various components of the completion system to be adjusted. If adjustment of settings is not sufficient to achieve the desired level of performance as indicated by the model, then an adjustment of the model may be performed.

US Patent:

20020177955, Nov 28, 2002

Filed:

Feb 28, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/085808

Inventors:

Younes Jalali - Sugar Land TX, US
Shekhar Sinha - Cambridge, GB
Allyson Gajraj - Katy TX, US
Soraya Betancourt - Ridgefield CT, US
Rintu Kalita - Cambridge, GB
David Malone - Sugar Land TX, US

International Classification:

G01V003/00

US Classification:

702/009000, 166/255200, 175/045000, 340/853100

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for performing well planning and design includes performing a general-level design. The general-level design involves generating a proposed well configuration based on inputs from a user. The proposed configuration, generated by a software module, includes a well trajectory, the reservoir-wellbore interface, and completion equipment. The proposed configuration is refined by an optimizer based on a performance measure or a target constraint.

US Patent:

20030135429, Jul 17, 2003

Filed:

Jan 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/043856

Inventors:

Jean-Luc Pous - Houston TX, US
David Malone - Sugar Land TX, US
Ian Schuur - Houston TX, US
Peter Goode - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16

US Classification:

705/027000

Abstract:

A system and method for providing custom engineered products. A customer may select from identified unavailable products, attributes, or variances stored in a memory or may input a desired specification. The processor may then be used to compare the customer selection to available products for alternative suggestions and for advanced material ordering among other uses. The processor may also be used to determine the cost of the resources required to provide the custom engineered product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).