Thomas M Ritter

US Patent:

6378364, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Jan 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/482793

Inventors:

Michael T. Pelletier - Houston TX
Mark A. Proett - Missouri City TX
James Robert Birchak - Spring TX
Thomas Edward Ritter - Katy TX

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

E21B 4400

US Classification:

7315247, 73861355

Abstract:

A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity and a reference cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, a reference flow tube, vibration sources and detectors mounted on the tubes, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The reference flow tube is filled with a reference fluid having well-characterized properties. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in both tubes. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detectors on the tubes to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example. To measure the sample fluid density, the measurement module determines the difference between resonance frequencies of the sample flow tube and the reference flow tube.

US Patent:

6412354, Jul 2, 2002

Filed:

Dec 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/464728

Inventors:

James R. Birchak - Spring TX
Mark A. Proett - Missouri City TX
Thomas E. Ritter - Katy TX
Vimal V. Shah - Houston TX
Curtis M. Vickery - Duncan OK

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Duncan OK

International Classification:

G01F 184

US Classification:

73861356, 7386127

Abstract:

A fluid property monitor includes a transducer assembly to impart multiple frequency energy to a conduit in one or more modes and to receive resonant frequency energy from the conduit. The resonant frequency energy is responsive to the imparted energy, the conduit and a fluid in the conduit. The fluid property monitor can also be defined as including: a frequency signal generator connected to cause multiple frequency energy to be transferred to a conduit having a fluid to be monitored; and a spectral analysis signal processor connected to receive and process electrical signals generated in response to vibrations propagated through the conduit and the fluid in the conduit in response to transferred multiple frequency energy. Particular implementations can be adapted as a densitometer, a coherent flow detector, and other particular fluid parameter detectors. A method of monitoring a fluid includes: imparting multiple frequency vibration-inducing energy to a conduit and fluid system; and sensing a plurality of frequency signals from the conduit and fluid system responsive to at least part of the imparted multiple frequency vibration-inducing energy.

US Patent:

6543281, Apr 8, 2003

Filed:

Apr 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/134258

Inventors:

Michael T. Pelletier - Houston TX
Mark A. Proett - Missouri City TX
James Robert Birchak - Spring TX
Thomas Edward Ritter - Katy TX

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

E21E 4400

US Classification:

7315247, 73861357

Abstract:

A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity and a reference cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, a reference flow tube, vibration sources and detectors mounted on the tubes, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The reference flow tube is filled with a reference fluid having well-characterized properties. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in both tubes. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detectors on the tubes to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example. To measure the sample fluid density, the measurement module determines the difference between resonance frequencies of the sample flow tube and the reference flow tube.

US Patent:

6672163, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Mar 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/803850

Inventors:

Wei Han - Missouri City TX
James R. Birchak - Spring TX
Thomas E. Ritter - Katy TX

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G01V 128

US Classification:

73597

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for in-situ characterization of downhole fluids in a wellbore using ultrasonic acoustic signals. Measurements of the speed of sound, attenuation of the signal, and acoustic back-scattering are used to provide qualitative and quantitative data as to the composition, nature of solid particulates, compressibility, bubble point, and the oil/water ratio of the fluid. The tool generally comprises three sets of acoustic transducers mounted perpendicular to the direction of the flow. These transducers are capable of operating at different frequencies so that the spectrum of the acoustic signal can be optimized. The apparatus is capable of operating downhole to provide real time information as to conditions in the well.

US Patent:

6755079, Jun 29, 2004

Filed:

Mar 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/536840

Inventors:

Mark A. Proett - Missouri City TX
Michael T. Pelletier - Houston TX
Wei Han - Missouri City TX
Roger L. Schultz - Aubrey TX
Thomas E. Ritter - Katy TX

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Dallas TX

International Classification:

G01N 1104

US Classification:

7315218, 73 5404

Abstract:

A downhole tool and method for determining the viscosity of a reservoir fluid, the tool including a passage having entry, intermediate and exit regions, in which the reservoir fluid flowing through the passage will have a lower Reynolds number in the intermediate region as compared to the entry region, the tool also including differential pressure gauge for measuring the differential pressure across the intermediate region, and either a velocity controller or fluid velocity meter, for either setting or measuring the fluid velocity.

US Patent:

6817229, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 7, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/384030

Inventors:

Wei Han - Missouri City TX
James R. Birchak - Spring TX
Thomas E. Ritter - Katy TX

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73 6453, 7315247

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for in-situ characterization of downhole fluids in a wellbore using ultrasonic acoustic signals. Measurements of the speed of sound, attenuation of the signal, and acoustic back-scattering are used to provide qualitative and quantitative data as to the composition, nature of solid particulates, compressibility, bubble point, and the oil/water ratio of the fluid. The tool generally comprises three sets of acoustic transducers mounted perpendicular to the direction of the flow. These transducers are capable of operating at different frequencies so that the spectrum of the acoustic signal can be optimized. The apparatus is capable of operating downhole to provide real time information as to conditions in the well.

US Patent:

7213681, May 8, 2007

Filed:

Feb 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/059214

Inventors:

James R. Birchak - Spring TX, US
Thomas E. Ritter - Katy TX, US
Ali I. Mese - Houston TX, US
Diederik van Batenburg - Delft, NL
William Trainor - Houston TX, US
Wei Han - Missouri City TX, US
Kwang Yoo - Houston TX, US
Daniel P. Kusmer - Sugar Land TX, US
Mark A. Proett - Missouri City TX, US
Ferdinand van der Bas - Vlaardingen, NL
Peter van der Sman - Heemstede, NL
Jeroen Groenenboom - The Hague, NL
Pedro Zuiderwijk - Delft, NL

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Duncan OK
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. - Rijawijk

International Classification:

G01V 1/02
G01V 1/112
G01V 1/143

US Classification:

181121, 181101, 181106, 181113, 367157

Abstract:

An apparatus for generating acoustic waves, the apparatus having: a support structure; two tines extending from the support structure so that proximal ends of the two tines are attached to the support structure so that distal ends of the two tines are positioned with standoffs relative to a dimension of the support structure and the distal ends of the two tines are uninhibited, wherein the two tines each comprise a moment arm; and an oscillator in mechanical communication with the two tines.

US Patent:

7216738, May 15, 2007

Filed:

Feb 16, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/059215

Inventors:

James R. Birchak - Spring TX, US
Thomas E. Ritter - Katy TX, US
Ali I. Mese - Houston TX, US
Diederik van Batenburg - Delft, NL
William Trainor - Houston TX, US
Wei Han - Missouri City TX, US
Kwang Yoo - Houston TX, US
Daniel P. Kusmer - Sugarl Land TX, US
Mark A. Proett - Missouri City TX, US
Ferdinand van der Bas - Vlaardingen, NL
Peter van der Sman - Heemstede, NL
Jeroen Groenenboom - The Hague, NL
Pedro Zuiderwijk - Delft, NL

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Duncan OK
Shell International Exploration and Production B.V. - Rijswijk

International Classification:

G01V 1/02
G01V 1/112
G01V 1/143

US Classification:

181121, 181101, 181106, 181113, 367157

Abstract:

A method for generating acoustic waves, the method having the steps of: extending a tine from a support structure so that a proximal end of the tine is attached to the support structure and a distal end of the tine is uninhibited; positioning an oscillator so as to be supported by the support structure and to mechanically communicate with the tine; and oscillating the tine with the oscillator.