Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Applied Research Associates, Inc.

James W Babineau

Klaus B Huber

A Glen Edwards

Steven W Henderson

Charles Van Petegm

James Garfield Shinn, Ii

Scott E Blouin

A tool for initiating a downhole function in a subsurface well, such as a cased well. The tool has memory adapted to store a well-specific reference pattern of one or more downhole well characteristics as a function of position along the well, one or more sensors responsive to the downhole well characteristics, and a clocked processor. The processor is adapted to receive well characteristic signals from the sensors, determine, from the signals and the reference pattern in memory, the position of the tool along the well, and automatically initiate a downhole function at a preprogrammed position along the well while the tool is moved at a substantially constant rate along the well. The tool may be configured in a string of tools for performing multiple downhole functions. In some embodiments the reference pattern is the known spacing of discrete downhole features, such as casing collars. In some other embodiments the reference pattern is a log of a geophysical parameter, such as a natural gamma log. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Downhole depth correlation

A circulation valve is disclosed for use in a tubing-conveyed tool string. The valve is adapted to be open as the tool string is run into the well, enabling circulation flow from the tubing into the well bore. To close the valve, the circulation flow rate is increased. The valve has a housing with an inner bore and defining both a passage in hydraulic communication with the tubing and a side port for hydraulic communication between the passage and the well. A piston disposed within the inner bore of the housing is adapted to be moved along the inner bore of the housing by elevated tubing pressure to block the side port of the housing. A set of shear pins retain the piston in its initial position until broken by the elevated tubing pressure. The piston defines a side port for hydraulic communication between the passage and the side port of the housing with the piston in its initial position, the size of the side port being selected to cause a sufficient pressure buildup within the tubing at a predetermined flow rate to shear the pins and move the piston. Some embodiments have an air chamber between the piston and housing. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Pressure-actuated circulation valve

A shut-off valve is disclosed for use in a downhole string of tools in a well. The valve has a housing adapted to be connected between adjacent tools of the string, defining a bore and a passage for hydraulic communication between the adjacent tools. The passage is arranged to intersect the bore, and a piston is slidably disposed within the bore and arranged to block hydraulic communication between the passage and the piston bore. The piston is further arranged to, in a first position, permit hydraulic communication along the passage, and to, in a second position, block hydraulic communication along the passage. The piston also has a bore for ballistic communication between the adjacent tools, such that it can be employed between a firing head and a gun, for instance. Some embodiments also permit circulation flow from the tubing to the well bore after the valve has closed. Methods of use and tool strings containing such valves are also disclosed.

Mechanical shut-off valve

An apparatus for obtaining subterranean soil samples includes an elongated housing having a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough, a tip assembly movable through the passageway, and a locking device for releasably preventing the tip assembly from moving from a first portion of the passageway to a second portion of the passageway. The sampling method includes the steps of inserting the sampling apparatus into the ground, unlocking the tip assembly, pulling the tip assembly through the passageway and retaining the tip assembly in the second portion of the passageway. A device is provided for creating a vacuum pressure above the sample material as the tip assembly is retracted and for retaining the sample material in a sample chamber.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, MA, United States of America

James W Babineau