Patents by Inventor Luis E. San Martin

Luis E. San Martin 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: 9958567
    Abstract: In one example of rotational ranging in a wellbore in which a wellbore component having an axis of rotation is disposed, a wellbore ranging sensor is disposed on a circumferential area surrounding the axis of rotation. The sensor is moved on the circumferential area to multiple distinct sensing positions. At each sensing position, a magnetic field from another wellbore that is apart from the wellbore is measured resulting in multiple magnetic field measurements at the multiple distinct sensing positions. The multiple magnetic field measurements are provided to determine a position of the wellbore relative to the other wellbore using at least a subset of the multiple magnetic field measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Golla, Randal T. Beste, Svetozar Simeonov, Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9910180
    Abstract: Various systems and methods for implementing and using a full tensor micro-impedance downhole imaging tool that includes downhole emitters that induce, at azimuthally-spaced positions on a borehole wall, fields having components in three different non-coplanar directions within a formation and directionally sensitive downhole sensors that sense the components caused by each emitter. The tool further includes a downhole controller that processes signals received from the directionally sensitive downhole sensors to provide a set of measurements representative of a 3×3 impedance tensor at each position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Ferhat T. Celepcikay, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9897715
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are disclosed for implementing and using a multi-axial induction borehole imaging tool that includes emitters that induce, at azimuthally-spaced positions on a borehole wall, a plurality of fields having components in three non-coplanar directions within a formation. The tool also includes directionally sensitive inductive sensors that sense the components caused by each of the one or more inductive emitters, and a downhole controller that processes signals received from the directionally sensitive inductive sensors to provide a set of measurements representative of an impedance tensor at each position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Ferhat T. Celepcikay, Luis E. San Martin
  • Publication number: 20170254921
    Abstract: Fast-changing dip formation resistivity estimation methods and systems, including a formation resistivity estimation method that includes estimating an initial horizontal resistivity based upon acquired formation logging data and determining an initial value set of one or more value sets. The method further includes determining each additional value set of the one or more value sets using a 1-dimensional inversion initialized with a previously determined value set of the one or more value sets, and displaying a final value set of the one or more value sets. Each of the 1-dimensional inversions is performed using a cross-bedded formation model, and each of the one or more value sets includes one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of a horizontal resistivity, a vertical resistivity, a formation dip angle, a formation azimuth angle, a tool inclination angle, a tool azimuth angle and a depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Dagang WU, Luis E. SAN MARTIN, Burkay DONDERICI
  • Publication number: 20170218752
    Abstract: A method of monitoring electromagnetic properties of a sub-surface formation may include: obtaining a resistivity distribution in the subsurface formation; identifying sensor positions along a borehole; determining an effective resistivity of each region around a sensor position; deriving from the effective resistivities of regions associated with each sensor position an optimum resonance frequency; tuning an array of sensors to provide each sensor with the optimum resonance frequency; deploying the sensor array in the borehole; and collecting electromagnetic field measurements. Each sensor may include: a coil antenna positioned in a subsurface formation having a resistivity, the coil antenna generating a induced voltage signal from an electromagnetic field in the subsurface formation; and a resonant modulation circuit that converts the induced voltage signal into a telemetry signal, the resonant modulation circuit having a resonance frequency optimized for said formation resistivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin, Tasneem A. Mandviwala
  • Patent number: 9702240
    Abstract: Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to land a well in a target zone with minimal or no overshoot of a target zone. The well may be directed to a target in the target zone based on the separation distance between a transmitter sensor (212) and a receiver sensor (214) being sufficiently large to detect a boundary of the target zone from a distance from the boundary of the target zone such that collected received signals from activating the transmitter sensor (212) can be processed in a time that provides minimal or no overshoot of a target zone. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Baris Guner, Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin
  • Publication number: 20170111112
    Abstract: A gravitational logging method includes optically obtaining gravitational field measurements from one or more downhole or subsea sensor units. The method also includes inverting the gravitational field measurements as a function of position to determine a formation property. A related system includes one or more downhole or subsea sensor units to optically obtain gravitational field measurements. The system also includes a processing unit that inverts the gravitational field measurements as a function of position to determine a formation property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Luis E. San Martin, Etienne M. Samson, Satyan G. Bhongale
  • Publication number: 20170090063
    Abstract: A gravitational logging method includes obtaining gravitational field measurements from a permanent array of downhole or subsea sensor units. The method also includes inverting the gravitational field measurements as a function of position to determine a reservoir property. A related system includes a permanent array of downhole or subsea sensor units to obtain gravitational field measurements. The system also includes a processing unit that inverts the gravitational field measurements as a function of position to determine a reservoir property.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Luis E. San Martin, Etienne M. Samson, Satyan G. Bhongale
  • Patent number: 9568634
    Abstract: A logging tool and method for winding a multi-component induction (MCI) antenna is presented. The method eliminates unwanted dipole signals that are created by the voltage drop that takes place in the transmitter. The antenna is made of at least two parts physically separated, one on each side of the mandrel. The winding method is performed in a way that creates at least four windings arranged to eliminate dipole signals attributable to an asymmetric voltage distribution. The midpoint of the conductive wire that for is the antenna windings may be electrically attached to the tool body. This method is suitable for the winding of the cross-components X and Y of the MCI coil arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Evan L. Davies, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9562987
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are multicomponent borehole radar tools and methods. At least some tool embodiments employ at least two antennas that receive reflections of electromagnetic pulses transmitted from the tool. A processor processes the receive signals to identify reflection signals and to determine a direction and/or distance to the sources of the reflection signals. Possible sources include formation boundaries, fluid boundaries, cased wells, and other features that cause contrasts in electromagnetic properties. In addition to reflection signals, the measured responses may include direct signal measurements that are useful for determining formation resistivity and permittivity. Each of the antennas may transmit and receive, and they may be collocated to reduce tool size and reduce processing complexity. Disclosed logging tool examples employ both electric and magnetic dipole antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Baris Guner, Burkay Donderici, Michael S. Bittar, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9547100
    Abstract: Multi-array laterolog tool systems and methods acquire a set of array measurements sufficient to provide laterolog tool measurements of differing array sizes. Such systems and method offer multiple depths of investigation while offering greater measurement stability in borehole environments having high resistivity contrasts. In at least some system embodiments, a wireline or LWD tool body has a center electrode positioned between multiple pairs of guard electrodes and a pair of return electrodes. The tool's electronics provide a current from the center electrode to the pair of return electrodes and currents from each pair of guard electrodes to the pair of return electrodes. Each of the currents may be distinguishable by frequency or distinguishable by some other means. This novel arrangement of currents provides a complete set of measurements that enables one tool to simultaneously emulate a whole range of laterolog tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Shanjun Li, Luis E San Martin, Michael S Bittar, Jing Li
  • Publication number: 20160370488
    Abstract: Direct field cancelation with optional receive antenna compensation is provided in at least some gradient induction logging tool embodiments. Illustrative embodiments include a spatial gradient antenna arrangement having multiple spatially-separated multi-component coil antennas and a multi-component coil antenna having bucking coils that cancel the effects of both the direct field and the gradient of the direct field on the receive signal. Other tool embodiments include a multi-component coil antenna and a spatial gradient antenna arrangement having spatially separated multi-component coil antennas with bucking coils that cancel the effects of both the direct field and the gradient of the direct field on the receive signal. Those embodiments employing a spatial gradient antenna arrangement for receiving may further be configured to provide compensated measurements by combining measurements from rotated orientations of the spatial gradient antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis E. San Martin, Burkay Donderici
  • Publication number: 20160327676
    Abstract: Illustrative logging methods, systems, and software, provide for correction of cross-coupling error via a complex-plane extrapolation technique. Frequency-dependent measurements at each given borehole position will trace out a dependence of a quadrature signal component on the in-phase component. With linear or curve-fit extrapolation to the real axis, the cross-coupling error is readily compensated, enabling more accurate formation property logs to be derived over greater range of operating environments. The technique is particularly suitable for use with laterolog resistivity tools, where cross-coupling between current and voltage conductors might otherwise be problematic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Luis E. San Martin, Bill Schaecher, Burkay Donderici
  • Publication number: 20160299247
    Abstract: A resistivity logging tool includes a plurality of excitation electrodes, at least one return electrode, and a plurality of monitor electrodes. The resistivity logging tool also includes a controller that determines a set of independent currents to be emitted by at least some of the plurality of excitation electrodes during an excitation cycle based on at least one measured downhole parameter and at least one predetermined constraint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Viassolo, Abdul Qadir Shabbir, Joni Polili Lie, Alberto Quintero, Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin
  • Publication number: 20160290124
    Abstract: Device, system, and method embodiments provide fluid front monitoring via permanent, casing-mounted electromagnetic (EM) transducers. One or more casing strings have one or more transmit antennas that each encircle a casing string and one or more receive antennas that similarly encircle the casing string, with at least one receive antenna oriented differently from at least one transmit antenna to provide sensitivity to at least one cross-component signal. A processor unit derives an estimated distance to a fluid front, and may further determine a direction and orientation of the fluid front for display to a user. Signals from an array of transmit and receive antennas may be combined, optionally with signals from other boreholes, to locate and track multiple points on the fluid front. In response to the determined location and progress of the front, the processor unit may further provide control settings to adjust injection and/or production rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Roland E. Chemali, Dagang Wu, Burkay Donderici, MIchael S. Bittar, Luis E. San Martin
  • Publication number: 20160223702
    Abstract: Various logging tools, systems, and methods are disclosed. An example method includes obtaining multi-component induction (MCI) measurements from a logging tool conveyed along a borehole through a formation. The method also includes comparing a plurality of the MCI measurements to determine one or more data quality indicators for the formation property based at least in part on a predetermined inequality pattern. The method also includes displaying the one or more data quality indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Junsheng Hou, Luis E. San Martin, Burkay Donderici
  • Publication number: 20160216396
    Abstract: In one example of rotational ranging in a wellbore in which a wellbore component having an axis of rotation is disposed, a wellbore ranging sensor is disposed on a circumferential area surrounding the axis of rotation. The sensor is moved on the circumferential area to multiple distinct sensing positions. At each sensing position, a magnetic field from another wellbore that is apart from the wellbore is measured resulting in multiple magnetic field measurements at the multiple distinct sensing positions. The multiple magnetic field measurements are provided to determine a position of the wellbore relative to the other wellbore using at least a subset of the multiple magnetic field measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher A. GOLLA, Randal T. BESTE, Svetozar SIMEONOV, Burkay DONDERICI, Luis E. SAN MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20160131791
    Abstract: Formation properties may he more efficiently derived from measurements of multi-frequency, multi-component array induction tools, by emphasizing the measurements associated with shorter spacings/lower frequencies in certain regions and short-to-middle spacings/higher frequencies in other regions. In at least one embodiment, a disclosed logging system includes a logging tool that when conveyed along a borehole through a formation obtains multi-component transmit-receive antenna coupling measurements with multiple arrays having different antenna spacings; and a processing system that operates on the measurements. The processing system derives from said measurements one or more formation parameter estimates; determines measurement weight coefficients for a cost function based on said one or more formation parameter estimates; and inverts said measurements with said cost function to obtain one or more enhanced parameter estimates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Dagang Wu, Junsheng Hou, Burkay Donderici, Luis E. San Martin
  • Patent number: 9291740
    Abstract: Sensors, systems and methods for downhole electromagnetic field detection, including a downhole micro-opto-electro-mechanical system (MOEMS) electromagnetic field sensor that includes a first surface that is at least partially reflective, a second surface that is at least partially reflective and suspended by one or more flexible members to define an optical cavity having a variable distance between the first and second surfaces, and a first conductive layer attached to the second surface and having a first electric charge. An electric field passing through the optical cavity interacts with the first electric charge and displaces the second surface to alter the variable distance and cause a spectrum variation in light exiting the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis E. San Martin, Michel Joseph LeBlanc, Etienne M. Samson
  • Publication number: 20160054467
    Abstract: Improved algorithm for estimating anisotropic formation resistivity profile using a multi-component induction tool are disclosed. A method for estimating anisotropic formation resistivity profile of a formation comprises obtaining borehole corrected log data and determining at an azimuth angle of the formation. One or more formation bed boundaries are located and initial formation properties are calculated. One of a plurality of inversion windows is sequentially selected and a one-dimensional inversion of each of the sequentially selected one of the plurality of inversion windows is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Shanjun Li, Dagang Wu, Luis E. San Martin, Yumei Tang