Patents Examined by Kenneth L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11661819
    Abstract: A valve including a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a piston disposed in the housing, the piston having a first end and a second end, the piston movable between a position blocking fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet and a position allowing fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet, a pressure balance pathway through the housing porting the same pressure to both first and second ends of the piston, an actuator responsive to applied pressure on the valve, the actuator attached to the piston and a biasing arrangement configured to bias the actuator toward a closed position of the valve. A method for injecting a sequestration fluid including maintaining the fluid at a supercritical phase upstream of a valve, opening the valve by increasing pressure of the fluid, delaying phase change of the fluid from supercritical to gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Donavan Brown, Stephen Bisset
  • Patent number: 11649724
    Abstract: A fluid sampling tool and method for fluid sampling in an ultra-tight or tight formation. The tool may include a packer assembly that includes one or more inflatable packers and one or more exhaust ports, a multi-chamber section that includes one or more sample chambers, and at least two storage sections that each contain a storage tank, wherein each storage tank holds a stimulation fluid. A method for performing a stimulation operation that includes disposing a fluid sampling tool into a well, moving the fluid sampling tool to a zone of interest, and isolating the zone of interest with a packer assembly on the fluid sampling tool. The method may further include performing a first pressure draw down and a first pressure build up, performing an injectivity test, and performing a sampling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Wael Soliman Elhawary, Mustapha Berkane, Ghulam Jeelani, Colin Douglas Tisdale, Mahmoud Eid Selim, Endurance Oziegbe Ighodalo
  • Patent number: 11649710
    Abstract: Downhole tools, systems, and methods for electric-based fracturing are disclosed. A downhole tool for electric-based fracturing may include an outer enclosure, an insulator chamber disposed at least partially within the enclosure, and an electrode disposed at least partially within the insulator chamber. The electrode may extend out from the insulator chamber and the enclosure, and may be configured to transfer electric energy to an exterior environment surrounding the downhole tool. The insulator chamber may be configured to thermally and electrically insulate at least a portion of the electrode from the exterior environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Eden GeoPower, Inc.
    Inventors: Ammar Alali, Mehrdad Mehrvand
  • Patent number: 11643913
    Abstract: System and methods for simulating fluid flow during downhole operations are provided. Measurements of an operating variable at one or more locations within a formation are obtained from a downhole tool disposed in a wellbore within the formation during a current stage of a downhole operation being performed along the wellbore. The obtained measurements are applied as inputs to a hybrid model of the formation. The hybrid model includes physics-based and machine learning models that are coupled together within a simulation grid. Fluid flow within the formation is simulated, based on the inputs applied to the hybrid model. A response of the operating variable is estimated for a subsequent stage of the downhole operation along the wellbore, based on the simulation. Flow control parameters for the subsequent stage are determined based on the estimated response. The subsequent stage of the operation is performed according to the determined flow control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Srinath Madasu, Keshava Prasad Rangarajan
  • Patent number: 11629562
    Abstract: A system can provide for determining characteristics loss in a wellbore. The system can include a processor and a non-transitory memory with instructions that are executable by the processor for causing the processor to execute operations. The operations can include receiving, from sensors in a wellbore, data corresponding to loss indicators. The operations can include determining a loss probability for each loss indicator. The operations can include determining a total loss probability of fluid loss in the wellbore based on the loss probabilities. The operations can include outputting the total loss probability to be used in a drilling operation in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Robello Samuel, Rishi Adari
  • Patent number: 11624326
    Abstract: Methods and systems for supply of fuel for a turbine-driven fracturing pump system used in hydraulic fracturing may be configured to identify when the supply pressure of primary fuel to a plurality of gas turbine engines of a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units falls below a set point, identify a gas turbine engine of the fleet of hydraulic fracturing units operating on primary fuel with highest amount of secondary fuel available, and to selectively transfer the gas turbine engine operating on primary fuel with the highest amount of secondary fuel from primary fuel operation to secondary fuel operation. Some methods and systems may be configured to transfer all gas turbine engines to secondary fuel operation and individually and/or sequentially restore operation to primary fuel operation and/or to manage primary fuel operation and/or secondary fuel operation for portions of the plurality of gas turbine engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11624266
    Abstract: A gun tube for a downhole perforating gun assembly includes a body having a cavity and one or more weights in the cavity. Gravity acts on the weights, which causes the tube body to rotate around its longitudinal axis so the weights are adjacent the lower part of the wellbore in which the gun assembly is positioned when oriented horizontally. This position shape charges in the gun tube in a desired position prior to the shape charges being fired. The gun tube may also include one or more end connectors with electrical contacts having a first, extended position, and a second, contracted position, and/or end connectors that can be assembled by hand without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SWM International, LLC
    Inventors: Dawna Mauldin, Sidney W. Mauldin
  • Patent number: 11624273
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of oil-gas field development, and discloses a shale oil fracturing synchronous energizing simulation experimental device and method. The shale oil fracturing synchronous energizing simulation experimental device comprises a liquid supply system, a confining pressure loading system, a fracturing system, an energizing system and a recovery system, wherein the liquid supply system is used for storing fluid and can inject the fluid into the fracturing system; the fracturing system can bear a test piece, receive the fluid injected by the liquid supply system and serve as seepage space of the fluid; the confining pressure loading system is used for providing simulated confining pressure for the test piece; the energizing system is used for simulating an energizing effect on a test piece after fracturing liquid is injected; and the recovery system is used for collecting discharged liquid and separating and metering the discharged liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Sen Wang, Qihong Feng, Yichun Wang, Xianmin Zhang, Jiyuan Zhang, Xian Shi
  • Patent number: 11624277
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a fracture driven interaction include identifying pressure response data from one or more pressure sensors that are in direct fluid communication with a fluid at least partially enclosed within one or more monitor wellbores formed from a terranean surface to one or more subterranean formations; calculating at least one pressure response value from the pressure response data; determining the fracture driven interaction between the treatment wellbore and at least one of the one or more monitor wellbores based at least in part on the calculated at least one pressure response value; and preparing a graphic representation of the determined FDI for display on a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Reveal Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Erica Wilhelmina Catharina Coenen
  • Patent number: 11624023
    Abstract: Catalyst particles and methods for making same are disclosed herein. The catalyst particles can include a ceramic support containing silica and alumina. The ceramic support can have a macropore concentration of about 15% to about 45%, a mesopore concentration of about 20% to 50%, and a micropore concentration of about 8% to about 30% based on the total pore volume of the ceramic support. The ceramic support can also have a surface area of about 0.5 m2/g to about 50 m2/g. The catalyst particles can have a long term permeability at 7,500 psi of at least about 10 D in accordance with ISO 13503-5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: CARBO CERAMICS INC.
    Inventors: Steve Savoy, Daniel R. Mitchell, Byron Zollars, Chad Cannan, Todd Roper
  • Patent number: 11619121
    Abstract: A method for forming a sleeve for wrapping around and insulating a joint of a downhole tubing string is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a mold, applying insulation around the mold, winding an interfacing material around the insulation; and applying a polymer onto the interfacing material to bind to the interfacing material to form the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Pro-Pipe Service & Sales Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel Porodo
  • Patent number: 11613930
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems and methods to improve downhole drilling. In one embodiment, a method to improve downhole drilling includes receiving a well plan, where the well plan is indicative of a well path to form a borehole of a hydrocarbon well is provided. The method also includes receiving measurements indicative of a previously-drilled section of the borehole. The method further includes generating, based on the measurements, a trajectory of the borehole, where the trajectory is a function of a depth. The method further includes providing the trajectory of the borehole to a Model Predictive Controller. The method further includes steering a tool towards the well path based on an output of the Model Predictive Controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Yiming Zhao, Umut Zalluhoglu, Julien Marck, Robert Darbe
  • Patent number: 11613942
    Abstract: A method for building a dual-member drill string comprising an inner drill string and an outer drill string. Inner pipe sections are connected using non-threaded connections, while outer pipe sections are connected using threaded connections. A new inner pipe section is rotated in a first direction until the inner pipe section applies torque to the existing inner pipe string. If the magnitude of the torque applied to the inner pipe string exceeds a pre-determined threshold value, the inner pipe section is automatically rotated in an opposite second direction. The inner pipe section rotates between opposite directions, once torque is sensed in each direction, until the inner pipe section is coupled to the inner pipe string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg L. Slaughter, Jr., Aleksander S. Wolfe, Kyle D. James
  • Patent number: 11608696
    Abstract: Providing electric power distribution for fracturing operations comprising receiving, at a transport, electric power from a mobile source of electricity at a first voltage level and supplying, from the transport, the electric power to a fracturing pump transport at the first voltage level using only a first, single cable connection. The first voltage level falls within a range of 1,000 V to 35 kilovolts. The transport also supplies electric power to a second transport at the first voltage level using only a second, single cable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Typhon Technology Solutions (U.S.), LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Morris, Adrian Benjamin Bodishbaugh, Neal Jensen
  • Patent number: 11608740
    Abstract: A method and a system to determine fracture properties during standard operations and injection tests. Fracture compliance, fracture closure pressure, and perforation friction can be determined using a combination of acoustic data, pressure decay data, and wellbore models. A method of automating and adjusting fracture design in real-time. A method and system to recover active, single active pulse data from a background noise dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Seismos, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Moos, Youli Quan, Junwei Zhang, Eric M. Dunham
  • Patent number: 11608715
    Abstract: A frac dart including a pressure housing, a mechanical sensor disposed through the pressure housing, a contactor inside the pressure housing and in operable communication with the mechanical sensor, and an electrical counter disposed in the pressure housing and responsive in increments to movement of the mechanical sensor that closes the contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Stolboushkin, YingQing Xu, Daniel M. Cousin
  • Patent number: 11608713
    Abstract: A frac sleeve system includes a well casing with a tubular wall having a frac port defined there through for hydraulic fracturing. A sleeve within the well casing includes a sleeve body. The sleeve is mounted for axial movement relative to the tubular wall of the well casing among three positions including: a closed position in which the sleeve body blocks the frac port, a frac position in which the sleeve body clears the frac port so the frac port is open for hydraulic fracturing there through, and a production position in which the sleeve at least partially blocks the frac port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Stephen Michael Greci, Richard Decene Ornelaz, Zachary William Walton
  • Patent number: 11591901
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory. The processing device is configured to obtain time-series temperature data from respective temperature sensors arranged at respective different subsurface depths, and for each of a plurality of pairs of the temperature sensors, to compute a cross-correlation of their corresponding time-series temperature data, to compute a time derivative of the cross-correlation, and to generate an estimate of at least one reservoir property based at least in part on the time derivative of the cross-correlation. At least one automated action is performed based at least in part on the generated estimate, such as, for example, controlling an amount of fluid flow into or out of a particular subsurface region. The generated estimates illustratively comprise estimates of subsurface hydraulic diffusivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignees: Cornell University, The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Patrick Fulton, Emily Brodsky
  • Patent number: 11585212
    Abstract: A DAS VSP technique is used to determine the induced fracture height and fracture density of an induced fracture region. The DAS VSP technique obtains pre-hydraulic fracturing DAS VSP survey time-lapse data to establish a baseline reference for the direct acoustic wave travel time. The DAS VSP technique obtains one or more time-lapse data corresponding to the subsequent monitor surveys conducted after each hydraulic fracturing stage along the well. Forward modeling is used to determine a theoretical acoustic wave travel time difference. The forward modeling uses seismic anisotropy to describe the behavior of seismic waves traveling through the induced fracture regions. An inversion scheme is then used to invert for the induced fracture height and the fracture density using the forward modeling. The two extracted induced fracture characteristics may then be used to determine optimal hydraulic fracturing parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhao, Mark Elliott Willis
  • Patent number: 11585197
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to well operations. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a systems and methods for independently and/or simultaneously treating multiple wells from a centralized location using a split flow pumping system configuration. The split flow pumping system configuration may comprise one or more blenders, one or more boost pumps, a pumping system comprising one or more pumps, a component storage system, and a fluid storage system for treatment of two or more wells using two or more treatment compositions. The split flow pumping system configuration may comprise one or more controllers for controlling the one or more blenders, the one or more boost pumps, the pumping system comprising one or more pumps, the component storage system, and the fluid storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehdi Mazrooee, Timothy Holiman Hunter, Stanley V. Stephenson, Mark A. Adams