Hybrid wellbore resistivity measurement tool earns patent for Cypress man

A Cypress man received a U.S. patent last week for a new tool he and a team developed for measuring electrical resistivity in boreholes, such those used for oil and natural gas wells.

Electrical resistivity is one of several attributes that oil and gas companies like to measure when planning what to do next with their wells. According to the patent, previous technologies relied upon either a signal conveyed between two electrodes or an inductive measurement tool like an antenna. The new method is a hybrid of the two, which the inventors say should keep the tool functioning even when dealing with adverse conditions such as highly conductive mud.

All of the members of the team credited with the device live in the Houston area. They are Randy Gold of the Memorial area, Rashi W. Khokkhar of the Alief area, Alexandre Bespalov of Spring, Leonty A. Tabarobsky of Cypress and Gregory B. Itskovich, who lives in an area of Houston near Katy.

The official patent number for the new device is 7,876,102. The patent was originally filed on Sept. 10, 2007. The filers were represented by Houston-based intellectual property firm Mossman Kumar & Tyler; its offices are located at 2000 W. Sam Houston Parkway S. The patent is owned by Baker Hughes Inc.

Baker Hughes specializes in technologies designed to help petroleum companies get the greatest value from their wells, and offers integrated operations and reservoir consulting. Its global headquarters is located in the River Oaks area at 2929 Allen Parkway, Suite 2100. The company's U.S. division also has offices in the Aldine area at 17015 Aldine Westfield Road.