Gregory L Gilbert

US Patent:

6446720, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Oct 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/971248

Inventors:

Paul David Ringgenberg - Carrolton TX
Mark Anton Proett - Missouri City TX
Michael T. Pelletier - Houston TX
Michael L. Hinz - Houston TX
Gregory N. Gilbert - Missouri City TX
Harold Wayne Nivens - Runaway Bay TX
Mehdi Azari - Dallas TX

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

E21B 4700

US Classification:

16625017, 166186, 166264

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided which permit well testing operations to be performed downhole in a subterranean well. In various described methods, fluids flowed from a formation during a test may be disposed of downhole by injecting the fluids into the formation from which they were produced, or by injecting the fluids into another formation. In several of the embodiments of the invention, apparatus utilized in the methods permit convenient retrieval of samples of the formation fluids and provide enhanced data acquisition for monitoring of the test and for evaluation of the formation fluids.

US Patent:

6964206, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Aug 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/648977

Inventors:

Paul D. Ringgenberg - Frisco TX, US
Gregory N. Gilbert - Sugar Land TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N001/00

US Classification:

7386461, 7315223

Abstract:

A single phase sampling apparatus and method for retrieving a formation fluid sample at or above the bubble point of the sample. The apparatus utilizes a gas charge contained between a sample piston and a charging piston to maintain a formation sample at the desired pressure. The charging piston utilizes the hydrostatic pressure present at the depth of the desired formation sample to compress and therefore increase the gas charge to the appropriate pressure necessary to maintain the formation sample at the desired pressure. The utilization of hydrostatic pressure to increase the pressure of the gas charge allows the use of a low pressure gas charging system to prepare the apparatus prior to sampling, thereby increasing the safety and ease of use of the device.

US Patent:

7021405, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

May 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/837764

Inventors:

Mark A. Proett - Houston TX, US
Gregory N. Gilbert - Sugar Land TX, US
David E. Ball - Stafford TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

175 65, 73155, 702 1

Abstract:

Methods for operating multi-probed formation testers to determine a fluid density gradient in the formation. The probes of the multi-probed formation tester are connected to a pressure gauge through a flowline that establishes a differential height between the probes. In some embodiments, a gradient of the fluid density in the flowline is determined as a function of the gradient of fluid density in the wellbore. The flowline fluid density gradient is then used to determine a formation fluid density gradient as a function of the flowline fluid density gradient.

US Patent:

7155990, Jan 2, 2007

Filed:

Dec 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/023335

Inventors:

Gregory N. Gilbert - Sugar Land TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 1/00

US Classification:

7386462, 7315226

Abstract:

A formation test tool for obtaining a downhole fluid sample from a formation of interest and returning the sample to the surface of a well includes a cylinder forming a fluid sample chamber therein, and a piston sealingly movable within the cylinder and separating the fluid sample from a cushioning fluid. A fluid line connects the formation of interest to the fluid sample chamber, and a valve controls fluid flow along the fluid line. In one embodiment, a magnet supported on the piston outputs signals indicative of the position of the piston and thus the volume of the fluid sample within the cylinder. A meter is movable along the exterior of the cylinder for determining the position of the magnet within the cylinder, such that the volume of sampled fluid in the cylinder can be determined at the surface.

US Patent:

7191672, Mar 20, 2007

Filed:

Aug 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/648977

Inventors:

Paul D. Ringgenberg - Frisco TX, US
Gregory N. Gilbert - Sugar Land TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 1/00

US Classification:

7386461, 7315223

Abstract:

A single phase sampling apparatus and method for retrieving a formation fluid sample at or above the bubble point of the sample. The apparatus utilizes a gas charge contained between a sample piston and a charging piston to maintain a formation sample at the desired pressure. The charging piston utilizes the hydrostatic pressure present at the depth of the desired formation sample to compress and therefore increase the gas charge to the appropriate pressure necessary to maintain the formation sample at the desired pressure. The utilization of hydrostatic pressure to increase the pressure of the gas charge allows the use of a low pressure gas charging system to prepare the apparatus prior to sampling, thereby increasing the safety and ease of use of the device.

US Patent:

7204309, Apr 17, 2007

Filed:

May 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/440835

Inventors:

Pedro R. Segura - Austin TX, US
Mark A. Sitka - Richmond TX, US
Gregory N. Gilbert - Sugar Land TX, US
Preston N. Weintraub - The Woodlands TX, US
Tony T. Vu - Pearland TX, US
Kristopher V. Sherrill - Humble TX, US
David M. Welshans - Damon TX, US
James E. Stone - Porter TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 49/10

US Classification:

166264, 166 50, 166100, 175 59, 7315217, 7315226

Abstract:

A formation testing tool is described herein, including a formation probe assembly having an extendable sampling probe surrounded by a cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve is configured to engage a metal skirt having an elastomeric seal pad coupled thereto. The skirt and seal are configured to be field replaceable. The elastomeric pad has a non-planar outer surface which engages a borehole wall in preparation for formation testing. The seal pad may be donut-shaped, having an aperture through the middle of the seal pad. The seal pad and its surface may include numerous different embodiments, including having a curved profile. The seal pad may also include numerous different embodiments of means for coupling the seal pad to the metal skirt. The formation testing tool also includes formation probe assembly anti-rotation means, a deviated non-circular flowbore, and at least one closed hydraulic fluid chamber for balancing fluid pressures.

US Patent:

7216533, May 15, 2007

Filed:

May 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/132475

Inventors:

Malcolm D. McGregor - The Woodlands TX, US
Gregory N. Gilbert - Sugar Land TX, US
Mark A. Proett - Missouri City TX, US
James M. Fogal - Houston TX, US
David Welshans - Damon TX, US
Glenn C. Gray - Austin TX, US
Svetozar Simeonov - Houston TX, US
Laban M. Marsh - Houston TX, US
Jean Michel Beique - Katy TX, US
James E. Stone - Porter TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 21/08
E21B 47/06

US Classification:

7315227, 7315251

Abstract:

A method of testing a downhole formation using a formation tester on a drill string. The formation tester is disposed downhole on a drill string and a formation test is performed by forming a seal between a formation probe assembly and the formation. A drawdown piston then creates a volume within a cylinder to draw formation fluid into the volume through the probe assembly. The pressure of the fluid within the cylinder is monitored. The formation test procedure may then be adjusted. The test procedure may be adjusted to account for the bubble point pressure of the fluid being monitored. The pressure may monitored to verify a proper seal is formed or is being maintained. The test procedure may also be performed by maintaining a substantially constant drawdown rate using a hydraulic threshold or a variable restrictor.

US Patent:

7395879, Jul 8, 2008

Filed:

Apr 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/735901

Inventors:

Pedro Segura - Austin TX, US
Mark A. Sitka - Richmond TX, US
Gregory N. Gilbert - Sugar Land TX, US
Preston N. Weintraub - The Woodlands TX, US
Tony T. Vu - Pearland TX, US
Kristopher V. Sherrill - Humble TX, US
David M. Welshans - Damon TX, US
James E. Stone - Porter TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 49/10

US Classification:

175 50, 175 59, 166100, 7315222, 7315226

Abstract:

An apparatus including a drill collar having an outer surface, an assembly for interaction with an earth formation coupled to the drill collar, the assembly including a first member to extend beyond the drill collar outer surface and a second member to extend beyond the first member and toward the earth formation to receive formation fluids. An apparatus including an MWD tool having an outer surface, a formation testing assembly coupled to the MWD tool, the formation testing assembly recessed beneath the outer surface in a first position and including a piston to extend beyond the outer surface to a second position and an inner sampling member to extend beyond the piston to a third position.