Patents Examined by Kenneth L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11377937
    Abstract: A system, method, and device for monitoring a parameter downhole. The system comprises a conveyance string locatable in the wellbore, a sensor and a recorder located on the conveyance string, and a processor in communication with the recorder. The recorder comprises a sampler in communication with the sensor, and the sampler is operable to sample the measured parameter at a sampling rate of 150 kHz to 10 MHz. The recorder also comprises an information storage device in communication with the sampler and operable to store the samples acquired by the sampler. The processor is operable to monitor the parameter based on the samples collected by the sampler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Albert Hrametz, Rachel Zhou
  • Patent number: 11371335
    Abstract: A fracture geometry mapping method includes determining a value of a diffusive tortuosity in a first direction in a first rock sample from a subterranean formation with one or more hardware processors; determining a value of a diffusive tortuosity in a second direction in the first rock sample from the subterranean formation with the one or more hardware processors, the second direction orthogonal to the first direction in the first rock sample; determining a value of a diffusive tortuosity in third direction in the first rock sample from the subterranean formation with the one or more hardware processors, the third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction in the first rock sample; comparing the values of the diffusive tortuosities in the in the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction; and based on the comparison, generating a first fracture network map of the subterranean formation, the first fracture network map including a first plurality of anisotrop
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: Hyung Tae Kwak, Mahmoud Elsayed, Ammar El-Husseiny, Mohamed Mahmoud
  • Patent number: 11371304
    Abstract: An example liner hanger system includes a casing for lining a wellbore and a collar configured for connection to a part of the casing within the wellbore. The collar has a first shape and a liner hanger has a second shape that is based on the first shape. The liner hanger is configured to fit within, and to be supported by, the collar. The system also includes a screen connected to the liner hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Syed Muhammad Ali, Yassar Kamal Zia
  • Patent number: 11365602
    Abstract: A Programmable plug system for accessing and isolating formations during hydraulic fracturing, consisting of a Programmable Plug and plurality of Sliding Sleeve Valves installed in the casing string of a wellbore, wherein Programmable Plug travels, downwards or upwards through the casing and Sliding Sleeve Valves, wherein during its travel the Programmable Plug detects and counts each sleeve using on-board sensors, electronics and software and wherein the Programmable Plug utilizes detected information to locate, activate and engage itself into the Sliding Sleeve Valves, one at a time, from the top or from the bottom, without locking in, according to programmed sequence (to open, close or bypass) stored in the on-board memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventors: Jovan Vracar, Vladimir Jorgic
  • Patent number: 11359452
    Abstract: The present disclosure is for an inverted diffuser usable in wellheads and other wellsite equipment. The inverted diffuser includes at least one first section having a first vertical inner surface, a first inclined inner surface relative to the first vertical inner surface, and one or more channels supporting one or more releasable fasteners between the at least one first section and a wall of a wellhead or of a wellsite equipment. At least one second section is press-fitted or fastened adjacent to the at least one first section. A method for application of the inverted diffuser in a wellhead and in other wellsite equipment is also disclosed, along with a method of manufacture of the inverted diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fabio O. Tanaka, Jonathan Powell, Mahesha Udipi, Timothy D. Fuller, Bryan Leach
  • Patent number: 11359479
    Abstract: Embodiments of determining a hydraulic fracture completion configuration for a wellbore that extends through a subterranean formation are provided herein. Embodiments of performing a hydraulic fracturing operation on a wellbore that extends through a subterranean formation are also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Amit Kumar Singh, Matthew C. Jones, Sahil Malhotra, Clyde Dean Wehunt, Sarvesh J. Naik, Xinghui Liu
  • Patent number: 11359456
    Abstract: A plug with a closure member including a body defining a flow bore and a closure member seat, a closure assembly connected to the body, the assembly including a closure member, and a hold open feature to hold the closure member in an open position, the hold open being configured to release the closure member upon a selected hydrodynamic force upon the closure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene Stolboushkin, YingQing Xu, Terry Bussear
  • Patent number: 11346196
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of oil production, in particular, to a method for extracting high-viscosity, heavy oil or bitumen. The equipment package includes a ground frequency generator combined with a power and control unit and 2 downhole instruments. One downhole device is an electrohydraulic downhole device with a plasma discharger (hereinafter referred to as DEHDPD) of directional action, designed to create microcracks in the oil reservoir. The second well device has a long length (up to 50 meters) and consists of alternately alternating microwave and acoustic emitters (hereinafter DDMWAE), which simultaneously or alternately affect the oil reservoir. Downhole devices are lowered into the well, their movement along the horizontal well and power supply to them is carried out using a umbilical cable. Oil production from the well is carried out using a pump fixed between the umbilical cable and the DDMWAE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ILMASONIC-SCIENCE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Alexeevich Saltykov, Yuriy Alexeevich Saltykov, Anatoly Antonovich Olshevskiy
  • Patent number: 11339630
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recovery of hydrocarbons in a geological reservoir by injection of a low-salinity aqueous solution. A representative model of the evolution of the flow parameters as a function of the aqueous solution salinity is calibrated by use of laboratory measurements performed on a rock sample from the reservoir for at least two salinity values. Then, by use of a flow simulator including the calibrated model, the injection of aqueous solutions into the sample is simulated, with and without capillary effects, for at least the two salinity values with a microscopic residual oil saturation being determined for each salinity value. Then, from the flow simulator including the calibrated model and the microscopic residual oil saturation values, a reservoir development scheme is determined with hydrocarbons of the reservoir being exploited according to the development scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Bernard Bourbiaux, Quang Long Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11319801
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting or monitoring treatment fluids in subterranean formations are provided. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise: providing an enhanced treatment fluid that comprises at least a base fluid and one or more contrast enhancement agents selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic material; a dispersive material; and any combination thereof, wherein the enhanced cementing fluid comprises one or more micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors; and introducing the enhanced treatment fluid into at least a portion of a well bore penetrating a portion of a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Roberson, Scott Goodwin
  • Patent number: 11319802
    Abstract: One or more remote-operated sleeve valves are placed along a tubular string downhole. The sleeves can be opened and closed wirelessly, and in embodiments over and over again. Differential pressure between wellbore fluid pressure and an accumulator chamber enable repeated shifting. Each sleeve can have a unique actuation code removing constraints regarding sequence of operation and need for well intervention to access the sleeves. Hydraulic fracturing can be achieved without wellbore obstructions, and other operations benefit for reduced expense in service rigs and the ability or selectively shut off problem zones. Remote signals received downhole include those generated by percussive and seismic, distinguishable from background noise including during pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: KOBOLD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Andreychuk, Per Angman, Allan Petrella
  • Patent number: 11319807
    Abstract: Treatment fluid may be injected into a wellbore of a geological formation to stimulate fracturing of the geological formation. A plurality of measurements may be received from one or more sensors on a surface of the geological formation or downhole which measures an indication of change of the geological formation based on the stimulation. A fracture configuration of a fracture in the geological formation may be determined based on an Kalman gain and the plurality of measurement data. Injection of the treatment fluid into the wellbore may be adjusted based on the fracture configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric James Davis
  • Patent number: 11306572
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for controlling a hydraulic fracturing job. A fracturing completion model can be applied to identify a plurality of possible fracturing completion plans for completing one or more wellbores at a target completion. The plurality of possible fracturing completion plans can include varying values of fracturing completion parameters and/or reservoir parameters. Completion characteristic data of the one or more wellbores can be gathered in response to application of at least a portion of a fracturing completion plan of the possible fracturing completion plans. Further, the completion characteristic data can be used to determine whether to apply a different fracturing completion plan of the possible fracturing completion plans. In turn, if it is determined to apply the different fracturing completion plan, then the method can include facilitating switching to the different fracturing completion plan in completing the one or more wellbores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: William Owen Alexander Ruhle, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft, Ajish Potty, Joshua Lane Camp
  • Patent number: 11308409
    Abstract: A method for quantifying frac hits within a few days using a novel pressure-transient analysis technique called differential pressure-transient analysis (DPTA). Unlike pressure transient analysis (PTA) methods, focused on single-well analyses, DPTA evaluates pressure response from two or more wells simultaneously to (1) determine the existence of frac hits, and (2) determine the degree of interference, defined as the ratio of inter-connected to total number of primary fractures from a given well. The output from (2) can be subsequently used to accurately predict oil and/or gas production rates for infill and offset wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: ENOVATE CORP.
    Inventor: Oscar Mauricio Molina Ortiz
  • Patent number: 11299986
    Abstract: A method for assessing an optimal acid injection rate in the process of hydrocarbon formation stimulation. The method comprises evaluating an anisotropic diffusion coefficient by pulsed gradient NMR, introduction of a semi-empirical correction based on comparison of the downhole conditions with the library of laboratory experiments where such corrections were measured, extrapolation of the library data to the real downhole conditions. The improved values of the diffusion coefficients are applied in determining wormhole regime conditions that are optimal in terms of acid consumption per a unit of stimulated yield of the hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Mahmoud Elsayed, Mohamed Mahmoud, Ammar El-Husseiny, Muhammad Shahzad Kamal, Karem Al-Garadi
  • Patent number: 11293228
    Abstract: An intelligent blast-hole drill bit that includes a housing embedded into a cavity in a bit body. A controller is disposed in the housing. An external antenna is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller. An internal antenna is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller. A wear transducer is disposed in the housing and coupled to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: REI, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Brunner, Randy Richardson, Robert Koontz, Randall Lee Johnson, Alex Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11293269
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery are presented. One example system generally includes a first tool and a first control device mounted on the first tool and configured to operate the first tool. The first control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing. The system further includes a second tool and a second control device mounted on the second tool and configured to operate the second tool. The second control device includes an explosion-proof housing and a processor disposed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Wiedecke, Bjoern Thiemann, Carlo Hoelterling, Frank Wern
  • Patent number: 11293279
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a plurality of geological subsurface electrical line sensors spaced apart from each other proximate a predetermined geological subsurface region of interest, with at least one of the electrical line sensors situated as a line source to produce a multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography source signal, and with at least one of the electrical line sensors situated as a line detector to receive the multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography response signal associated with the source signal that propagates through the predetermined geological subsurface region of interest, and a controller including a processor and a memory configured with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine an electrical mapping over the predetermined geological subsurface region of interest based on the multi-frequency electrical impedance tomography source signal, response signal, and the spatial positions of the geological subsurface electrical line sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Satish Karra, Hari S. Viswanathan, Maruti Kumar Mudunuru, Vamshi Krishna Chillara, Dipen N. Sinha
  • Patent number: 11280172
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for evaluating and preventing creep damage to conductivity of hydraulic fracture in gas reservoirs, comprising: (1) selecting a rock sample of target reservoir for creep experiment, and plotting ?-t curve of the rock sample during creep; (2) fitting the fractional Kelvin model with the ?-t curve of the rock sample during creep; (3) calculating the conductivity and permeability of hydraulic fracture considering creep damage; (4) numerically solving the productivity model, calculating the cumulative gas production of the gas well produced up to time t, and calculating the creep damage rate for cumulative production of the gas well; (5) repeating Steps (3) to (4), calculating the creep damage rate for cumulative production for the cases of hydraulic fracture sanding concentration N of 5 kg/m2, 7.5 kg/m2, 10 kg/m2, 12.5 kg/m2 and 15 kg/m2 respectively, plotting the creep damage chart of cumulative production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yu Peng, Ang Luo, Yongming Li, Qing Yin, Hu Jia, Xiyu Chen
  • Patent number: 11280171
    Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include an axial-field multi-armature alternator system, mechanically driven by a turbine; a pulse-generating circuit electrically coupled to the axial-field multi-armature alternator system, the pulse-generating circuit receiving power from the axial-field multi-armature alternator system to provide an electric pulse; and a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive the electric pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagaraja K. Pai