Baker Hughes Corporation

Other

Exploration Logging, Inc.

Darien Management Co., Inc.

Steven C Owens

John Lindley Baugh

James V Leggett, Iii

Louis H Rorden

Michael W Holcombe

David E Rothers

Frank Lindsay Gibbons

Ashok Patel

Brett W Bouldin

Kevin R Jones

Richard P Rubbo

Richard J Ross

Paul Andrew Reinhardt

Dave E Rothers

Brett W Boundin

Dan Bangert

David A Close

Trevor K Pugh

Gary L Sizenbach

A transducer is described especially for use in providing acoustic transmission in a borehole. The transducer includes a multiple number of magnetic circuit gaps and electrical windings that have been found to provide the power necessary for acoustic operation in borehole while still meeting the stringent dimensional criteria necessitated by boreholes. Various embodiments conforming to the design are described. Moreover, the invention includes transition and reflector sections, as well as a directional coupler and resonator arrangement particularly adapted for borehole acoustic communication.

Method and apparatus for communicating data in a wellbore and for detecting the influx of gas

Method and apparatus for actuating one or more downhole well tools carried by a production or workstring conduit having an imperforate wall and for blocking fluid communication between an activating fluid body and a second fluid source within said well across dynamic seals between actuating members of the well tool, by producing selective signals through the conduit wall detectable by a member to produce an activating signal for actuating the downhole well tool by a downhole energy source.

Subsurface well apparatus

An apparatus and method of dropping a pumpdown plug or ball is revealed. The assembly can be integrally formed with a plug-dropping head or can be an auxiliary feature that is mounted to a plug-dropping head. The release mechanism is actuated by remote control, employing intrinsically safe circuitry. The circuitry, along with its self-contained power source, actuates a primary control member responsive to an input signal so as to allow component shifting for release of the pumpdown plug or ball. Multiple plug-dropping heads can be stacked, each responsive to a discrete release signal. Actuation to drop the pumpdown ball or plug is accomplished even while the components are rotating or are moving longitudinally. Using the apparatus and method of the present invention, personnel do not need to climb up in the derrick to actuate manual valves. There is additionally no need for a rig floor-mounted control panel with hydraulic lines extending from the control panel to remotely located valves for plug or ball release.

Remote control for a plug-dropping head

A transducer is described especially for use in providing acoustic transmission in a borehole. The transducer includes a multiple number of magnetic circuit gaps and electrical windings that have been found to provide the power necessary for acoustic operation in a borehole while still meeting the stringent dimensional criteria necessitated by boreholes. Various embodiments conforming to the design are described. Moreover, the invention includes transition and reflector sections, as well as a directional coupler and resonator arrangement particularly adapted for borehole acoustic communication. An acoustic communication system is described especially designed for use in providing acoustic transmission of information in a borehole. The communication system comprises a surface transceiver and at least one downhole transceiver. The surface transceiver operates in conjunction with a host computer that sends commands to the downhole transceiver. Subsequently, the downhole transceiver transmits encoded data from subsurface, borehole sensors to the surface transceiver. The preferred embodiment uses Minimum Shift Keying (MSK) modulation for both transmitting commands to the downhole unit and for transmitting data to the surface transceiver. To facilitate operation of a coherent communication system in the inhospitable environment of a borehole, the acoustic channel is characterized to enable the system to choose the best possible frequency and bandwidth for communication transmission. Additionally, the system achieves synchronous operation by transmitting synchronization signals between the downhole transceiver and the surface transceiver prior to the units exchanging commands and data.

Method and apparatus for communicating data in a wellbore and for

An apparatus and method of dropping a pumpdown plug or ball is revealed. The release mechanism is actuated by remote control, employing intrinsically safe circuitry. The circuitry, along with its self-contained power source, actuates a primary control member responsive to an input signal so as to allow component shifting for release of the pumpdown plug or ball. Multiple plug-dropping heads can be stacked, each responsive to a discrete release signal. Actuation to drop the pumpdown ball or plug is accomplished even while the components are rotating or are moving longitudinally.

Remote control for well tool

A well control system for providing surface control of downhole production tools in a well. The well control system is capable of detecting well conditions and of generating command signals for operating one or more well tools. An electric conductor transmits electric signals, and a hydraulic line containing pressurized hydraulic fluid provides the power necessary to operate downhole tools. The invention provides a unique system for providing redundant conductors and redundant hydraulic lines to the well tool to continue operation if an electric conductor or hydraulic line becomes disabled. The well control tool also permits the selective operation of multiple production zones in a producing well.

Surface controlled reservoir analysis and management system

Actuation of downhole tools is accomplished by inducing motion in the wireline. The downhole tool monitors such motion for predetermined patterns. Detection of a predetermined pattern actuates performance of a desired function. The pattern selected is sufficiently unique to avoid random or premature actuation. The tool may thus be actuated using ordinary nonconducting cable. In like fashion the tool can transmit stored information to the surface by a mechanical means such the resonant frequency of a mechanical signal in the cable.

Downhole signal conveying system

Method and apparatus for providing controlled force transference to a

The present invention is a moisture stabilization control system used to prevent structural damage to foundations resulting from forces exerted by the expansion and contraction of underlying soil. Stress sensors are employed to monitor the stress applied against the foudnation. When abnormal amounts of stress are sensed by the system, it compensates for the decreased support of the foundation by injecting water into the soil supporting that foundation until the level of stress is equalized and at the proper amount. The present invention is designed such that it can provide water to the soil in specified zones, thereby relieving localized depletions and preventing substantial structural damage to any foundation.

Moisture stabilization control system for foundations

Apparatus for monitoring vibration of a bottom hole assembly used to drill a well includes at least one accelerometer mounted in the bottom hole assembly to generate data in the form of electrical signals corresponding to the acceleration experienced by the assembly. The computer in the assembly is programmed to collect data from the accelerometer and compute magnitude of the assembly acceleration. Means are provided for selecting from the collected data a value which exceeds a preset level. In one form, when the collected data has a value above a preset level, an alarm signal is sent to the surface so corrective measures can be taken to prevent damage to downhole equipment.

Growing community of inventors

Katy, TX, United States of America

Steven C Owens