Patents by Inventor Douglas RIDGWAY

Douglas RIDGWAY has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11860329
    Abstract: A method for locating a buried casing stub may include a) identifying a target region, b) providing at each of a plurality of survey points in the target region a casing stub locator that includes a vector magnetometer, c) measuring the magnetic field at each of the survey points using the vector magnetometer so as to generate a plurality of magnetic field measurements, d) using the magnetic field measurements to generate a model of the magnetic field of the target region, e) fitting the model generated in step d) to a selected model of a magnetic anomaly created by the casing stub so as to generate model fit information (MFI), and f) locating the casing stub using the MFI. At each survey point, an expected Earth magnetic field can be subtracted from the measured magnetic field. A total station can measure the position and/or the azimuth of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton Moss, Douglas Ridgway
  • Publication number: 20230407705
    Abstract: A magnetic ranging system for use with a drilling assembly in a borehole in a formation, the drilling assembly including a drill string, a drill bit and a bottomhole assembly (BHA) connected to the drill bit, the BHA including a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system, a bi-directional MWD telemetry interface, and a steerable component, may comprise at least one ranging magnetometer incorporated into the BHA. The ranging magnetometer may be configured to collect ranging measurements from behind the drill bit and the ranging magnetometer may be configured to transmit measurement data. The magnetic ranging system may include at least two ranging magnetometers, with one ranging magnetometer positioned above the MWD system and one ranging magnetometer positioned below the MWD system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Ben HAWKINSON, Jamie DOREY, Douglas RIDGWAY
  • Patent number: 11761264
    Abstract: A magnetic ranging system for use with a drilling assembly in a borehole in a formation, the drilling assembly including a drill string, a drill bit and a bottomhole assembly (BHA) connected to the drill bit, the BHA including a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system, a bi-directional MWD telemetry interface, and a steerable component, may comprise at least one ranging magnetometer incorporated into the BHA. The ranging magnetometer may be configured to collect ranging measurements from behind the drill bit and the ranging magnetometer may be configured to transmit measurement data. The magnetic ranging system may include at least two ranging magnetometers, with one ranging magnetometer positioned above the MWD system and one ranging magnetometer positioned below the MWD system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Hawkinson, Jamie Dorey, Douglas Ridgway
  • Patent number: 11634950
    Abstract: A magnetic ranging system for use with a drilling assembly in a borehole in a formation, the drilling assembly including a drill string, a drill bit and a bottomhole assembly (BHA) connected to the drill bit, the BHA including a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system, a bi-directional MWD telemetry interface, and a steerable component, may comprise at least one ranging magnetometer incorporated into the BHA. The ranging magnetometer may be configured to collect ranging measurements from behind the drill bit and the ranging magnetometer may be configured to transmit measurement data. The magnetic ranging system may include at least two ranging magnetometers, with one ranging magnetometer positioned above the MWD system and one ranging magnetometer positioned below the MWD system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Hawkinson, Jamie Dorey, Douglas Ridgway
  • Publication number: 20220243535
    Abstract: A magnetic ranging system for use with a drilling assembly in a borehole in a formation, the drilling assembly including a drill string, a drill bit and a bottomhole assembly (BHA) connected to the drill bit, the BHA including a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system, a bi-directional MWD telemetry interface, and a steerable component, may comprise at least one ranging magnetometer incorporated into the BHA. The ranging magnetometer may be configured to collect ranging measurements from behind the drill bit and the ranging magnetometer may be configured to transmit measurement data. The magnetic ranging system may include at least two ranging magnetometers, with one ranging magnetometer positioned above the MWD system and one ranging magnetometer positioned below the MWD system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Ben HAWKINSON, Jamie DOREY, Douglas RIDGWAY
  • Publication number: 20220170323
    Abstract: A magnetic ranging system for use with a drilling assembly in a borehole in a formation, the drilling assembly including a drill string, a drill bit and a bottomhole assembly (BHA) connected to the drill bit, the BHA including a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) system, a bi-directional MWD telemetry interface, and a steerable component, may comprise at least one ranging magnetometer incorporated into the BHA. The ranging magnetometer may be configured to collect ranging measurements from behind the drill bit and the ranging magnetometer may be configured to transmit measurement data. The magnetic ranging system may include at least two ranging magnetometers, with one ranging magnetometer positioned above the MWD system and one ranging magnetometer positioned below the MWD system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Ben HAWKINSON, Jamie DOREY, Douglas RIDGWAY
  • Publication number: 20220120929
    Abstract: A method for locating a buried casing stub may comprise a) identifying a target region, b) providing at each of a plurality of survey points in the target region a casing stub locator that includes a vector magnetometer, c) measuring the magnetic field at each of the survey points using the vector magnetometer so as to generate a plurality of magnetic field measurements, d) using the magnetic field measurements to generate a model of the magnetic field of the target region, e) fitting the model generated in step d) to a selected model of a magnetic anomaly created by the casing stub so as to generate model fit information (MFI), and f) locating the casing stub using the MFI. At each survey point, an expected Earth magnetic field can be subtracted from the measured magnetic field. A total station can measure the position and/or the azimuth of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Clinton MOSS, Douglas RIDGWAY
  • Patent number: 11243323
    Abstract: A method for locating a buried casing stub may comprise a) identifying a target region, b) providing at each of a plurality of survey points in the target region a casing stub locator that includes a vector magnetometer, c) measuring the magnetic field at each of the survey points using the vector magnetometer so as to generate a plurality of magnetic field measurements, d) using the magnetic field measurements to generate a model of the magnetic field of the target region, e) fitting the model generated in step d) to a selected model of a magnetic anomaly created by the casing stub so as to generate model fit information (MFI), and f) locating the casing stub using the MFI. At each survey point, an expected Earth magnetic field can be subtracted from the measured magnetic field. A total station can measure the position and/or the azimuth of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton Moss, Douglas Ridgway
  • Patent number: 11086043
    Abstract: A method comprises a) positioning a passive magnetic ranging (PMR) tool in a drilling well that is near a target well that includes a ferromagnetic casing, b) measuring with each of the magnetometers a local magnetic anomaly created by the ferromagnetic casing of the target well so as to generate a plurality of magnetometer readings corresponding to the positions of the magnetometers; c) receiving the plurality of magnetometer readings with the controller; and d) using the received measurements to calculate ranging information, the ranging information including the range and direction from the PMR tool to the target well. The PMR tool may include a ranging collar, a longitudinal array of magnetometers extending along the length of the ranging collar, and a controller, the controller operatively connected to the plurality of magnetometers. The PMR tool may further comprise a radial array of magnetometers positioned radially about the ranging collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton Moss, Douglas Ridgway, Troy Martin
  • Patent number: 10837273
    Abstract: A system includes a surface coil positioned at a known surface position, the surface coil including at least one loop of a conductor. The system also includes a coil controller coupled to the surface coil and adapted to inject a current into the surface coil such that the surface coil generates an electromagnetic field. In addition, the system includes a sensor package positioned within a wellbore adapted to detect the electromagnetic field and determine the position of the wellbore relative to the surface coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton Moss, Douglas Ridgway, Troy Martin
  • Publication number: 20200041681
    Abstract: A method for locating a buried casing stub may comprise a) identifying a target region, b) providing at each of a plurality of survey points in the target region a casing stub locator that includes a vector magnetometer, c) measuring the magnetic field at each of the survey points using the vector magnetometer so as to generate a plurality of magnetic field measurements, d) using the magnetic field measurements to generate a model of the magnetic field of the target region, e) fitting the model generated in step d) to a selected model of a magnetic anomaly created by the casing stub so as to generate model fit information (MFI), and f) locating the casing stub using the MFI. At each survey point, an expected Earth magnetic field can be subtracted from the measured magnetic field. A total station can measure the position and/or the azimuth of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Clinton MOSS, Douglas RIDGWAY
  • Publication number: 20200041684
    Abstract: A method comprises a) positioning a passive magnetic ranging (PMR) tool in a drilling well that is near a target well that includes a ferromagnetic casing, b) measuring with each of the magnetometers a local magnetic anomaly created by the ferromagnetic casing of the target well so as to generate a plurality of magnetometer readings corresponding to the positions of the magnetometers; c) receiving the plurality of magnetometer readings with the controller; and d) using the received measurements to calculate ranging information, the ranging information including the range and direction from the PMR tool to the target well. The PMR tool may include a ranging collar, a longitudinal array of magnetometers extending along the length of the ranging collar, and a controller, the controller operatively connected to the plurality of magnetometers. The PMR tool may further comprise a radial array of magnetometers positioned radially about the ranging collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Clinton MOSS, Douglas RIDGWAY, Troy MARTIN
  • Patent number: 10494916
    Abstract: A method may include drilling a section of a first wellbore and casing a section of a first wellbore. The method may include lowering a downhole receiving system into the first wellbore to a first wellbore depth and drilling at least one section of a second wellbore. In addition, the method may include positioning an EM telemetry system in the at least one section of the second wellbore and transmitting an EM telemetry signal from the EM telemetry system. The method may include receiving the EM telemetry signal with the downhole receiving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew A. White, Brian Gleason, Stephen D. Morrow, Peter Smidth, Larry J. Schoennauer, Douglas Ridgway
  • Patent number: 10458227
    Abstract: A system for guiding a well comprises a current source, a ground terminal electrically connected to the current source and grounded at the surface of the Earth, a reference wellbore comprising an intermediate casing (IC) that includes an IC electrical discontinuity and is electrically conductive between that the IC discontinuity and the IC bottom hole, a reference conductor electrically connected to the current source, a tubular that includes a tubular string electrical discontinuity (TSED), is electrically conductive between the TSED and the tubular bottom hole end (TBHE), and is inserted into the reference wellbore through the IC. Electrical connections exist between the tubular, the reference conductor, and the reference wellbore between the TSED and the TBHE, whereby current flowing through the reference conductor produces a magnetic field; magnetic sensors to sense the magnetic field and a guided wellbore is steered in response to the sensed magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton Moss, Douglas Ridgway, Troy Martin
  • Patent number: 10422198
    Abstract: A method for determining the direction and/or range from a drilling well to a target well may include positioning a magnetic source in the target well and a magnetic sensor in the drilling well. The method may include activating the magnetic source in the target well and moving one or both of the magnetic source and magnetic sensors until a location in which the magnetic sensor is not saturated is identified. The method may include determining the direction and/or range to the target well at that location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Ridgway, Clinton Moss
  • Publication number: 20180313202
    Abstract: A system for guiding a well comprises a current source, a ground terminal electrically connected to the current source and grounded at the surface of the Earth, a reference wellbore comprising an intermediate casing (IC) that includes an IC electrical discontinuity and is electrically conductive between that the IC discontinuity and the IC bottom hole, a reference conductor electrically connected to the current source, a tubular that includes a tubular string electrical discontinuity (TSED), is electrically conductive between the TSED and the tubular bottom hole end (TBHE), and is inserted into the reference wellbore through the IC. Electrical connections exist between the tubular, the reference conductor, and the reference wellbore between the TSED and the TBHE, whereby current flowing through the reference conductor produces a magnetic field; magnetic sensors to sense the magnetic field and a guided wellbore is steered in response to the sensed magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Clinton MOSS, Douglas RIDGWAY, Troy MARTIN
  • Patent number: 10041345
    Abstract: A well completion system includes a current source, a ground terminal, and a reference conductor. The reference conductor is electrically connected to the current source, and is inserted into a reference wellbore having a tubular therein. The tubular has a tubular bottom hole end, and the tubular is electrically conductive between an electrical discontinuity and the bottom hole end. The tubular between the tubular string electrical discontinuity and the tubular bottom hole end is electrically connected to the reference conductor. The tubular between the tubular string electrical discontinuity and the tubular bottom hole end is electrically connected to the reference wellbore. Magnetic sensors are located outside the reference wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton Moss, Douglas Ridgway, Troy Martin
  • Publication number: 20180142547
    Abstract: A system may include a surface coil positioned at a known surface position, the surface coil including at least one loop of a conductor. The system may also include a coil controller coupled to the surface coil and adapted to inject a current into the surface coil such that the surface coil generates an electromagnetic field. In addition, the system may include a sensor package positioned within a wellbore adapted to detect the electromagnetic field and determine the position of the wellbore relative to the surface coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Clinton MOSS, Douglas RIDGWAY, Troy MARTIN
  • Patent number: 9938819
    Abstract: An artificial toolface reference system includes a power supply providing current to a ground lead and a reference lead. A ground point is coupled to the ground lead and in electrical connection with the ground. A reference wellbore includes a reference conductor in electrical connection with the ground. The reference conductor is in electrical connection with the reference lead. The reference conductor includes an uninsulated portion and an insulated portion having an insulating layer positioned thereabout. A guidance sensor positioned outside the reference wellbore includes at least one magnetometer. The power supply may be used to provide a current through the reference conductor, into the ground through the uninsulated portion, and the ground point such that a reference magnetic field is generated along the reference conductor. The guidance sensor may measure the reference magnetic field with a magnetometer. An artificial magnetic toolface may be calculated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Clinton Moss, Douglas Ridgway, Troy Martin
  • Publication number: 20170322013
    Abstract: A method for determining the direction and/or range from a drilling well to a target well may include positioning a magnetic source in the target well and a magnetic sensor in the drilling well. The method may include activating the magnetic source in the target well and moving one or both of the magnetic source and magnetic sensors until a location in which the magnetic sensor is not saturated is identified. The method may include determining the direction and/or range to the target well at that location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Douglas RIDGWAY, Clinton Moss