Patents by Inventor Walter Aldred

Walter Aldred 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: 10108155
    Abstract: A changepoint detector for modeling data received from at least one sensor in a process in the hydrocarbon industry. The data is segmented into a plurality of segments and for each segment a model is assigned and the data corresponding to the segment fit to that model. A plurality of segmentations are thus provided and these segmentations are evaluated and assigned weights indicative of the fit of the models of the segmentation to the underlying data. The segmentation models are further used to calculate a result that may be input to a process control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Jonathan Dunlop, James Belaskie
  • Patent number: 9598904
    Abstract: A drill string suitable for use in directional drilling of a borehole, comprising a rotatable shaft at the leading end of which is a drill bit, and wherein the shaft comprises a variable friction inducing member, which provides rotational friction by physical contact with an inside face of the borehole, the friction inducing member being arranged to exert a first rotational frictional force when the shaft in the vicinity of the member is substantially rotating and a second rotational frictional force when the shaft in the vicinity of the member is substantially not rotating, wherein the first rotational frictional force is less than the second rotational frictional force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Ashley Johnson, Dean Gardner, Maurice Ringer, Devi Putra
  • Publication number: 20160244654
    Abstract: A drilling fluid for use when drilling a borehole includes solid polymeric objects as a lost circulation additive. The objects have an overall size extending at least 0.5 mm in each of three orthogonal dimensions have a shape such that each object has one or more edges, points or corners and/or comprises a core portion with a plurality of projections which extend out from the core portion. The objects may be moulded, 3D-printed or chopped from larger pieces of polymer by granulating machinery. Shapes with edges, points, corners or projections assisting the objects in lodging within and bridging a fracture encountered or formed while drilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Paul WAY, David SNOSWELL, John Mervyn COOK, Louise BAILEY, Gokturk TUNC, Elizabeth Alice Gilchrist JAMIE, Walter ALDRED
  • Publication number: 20160237767
    Abstract: A fluid used in a borehole containing suspended solid objects made by an additive manufacturing process. An additive process of solidifying a liquid composition at a succession of selected locations within a workspace, in accordance with a digital design allows a wide variety of shapes to be made. The fluid may be a drilling fluid or a borehole treatment fluid used prior to cementing and the objects may act, possibly in conjunction with other solids, to block loss of fluid into fractures in the formation around the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: DAVID ROBERT EVAN SNOSWELL, PAUL WAY, JOHN COOK, LOUISE BAILEY, GOKTURK TUNC, ELIZABETH ALICE GILCHRIST JAMIE, WALTER ALDRED
  • Patent number: 9238964
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for compressing a variety of signals, such as measured signals from a hydrocarbon operation, that may be stored and/or transmitted in compressed form. Segmentation tools and techniques are used to compress the signals. Segmentation techniques include breaking a signal into segments and representing the data samples of the signal as segment boundary points, which may reflect where changes occur in the signal, and segment parameters, which may be utilized to model the segmented data. Embodiments can be used in real-time or in batch modes. New data samples can influence previous segment boundary points and/or segment parameters in some cases. Systems may modify what has already been stored or displayed as a result in revising segmentation information based on analysis utilizing the new data samples. Embodiments may utilize different Bayesian analysis techniques including the use of prior probability distributions and maximum a posteriori analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Maurice Ringer, Walter Aldred, Jonathan Dunlop
  • Publication number: 20140343694
    Abstract: A changepoint detector for modeling data received from at least one sensor in a process in the hydrocarbon industry. The data is segmented into a plurality of segments and for each segment a model is assigned and the data corresponding to the segment fit to that model. A plurality of segmentations are thus provided and these segmentations are evaluated and assigned weights indicative of the fit of the models of the segmentation to the underlying data. The segmentation models are further used to calculate a result that may be input to a process control program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Jonathan Dunlop, James Belaskie
  • Patent number: 8838426
    Abstract: A changepoint detector for modeling data received from at least one sensor in a process in the hydrocarbon industry. The data is segmented into a plurality of segments and for each segment a model is assigned and the data corresponding to the segment fit to that model. A plurality of segmentations are thus provided and these segmentations ar evaluated and assigned weights indicative of the fit of the models of the segmentation t the underlying data. The segmentation models are further used to calculate a result that may be input to a process control program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Jonathan Dunlop, James Belaskie
  • Patent number: 8544560
    Abstract: A drive mechanism is described for moving/controlling objects/mechanisms/systems coupled with a drillstring and/or pipe. The drive mechanism may be axially arranged on a drillstring or pipe, compact, capable of fine control and delivering high torque or the like and may be electrically and/or hydraulically powered. The drive mechanism may comprising a driving member comprising a plurality of drivers linearly translatable with respect to the driving member, each driving member having at their ends a male engaging portion and an associated driven member, comprising a plurality of female receiving portions adapted to receive a male engaging portion, the arrangement being such that linear translation of a driver causes its engaging portion to engage with a female receiving portion and the action of the engaging portion produces a reaction in the receiving portion causing displacement of the driven member in a direction other than that of the translatable driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William Bertram, Walter Aldred, Ashley Johnson, Frank Espinosa, Michael Barrett, Carlos Delgado
  • Publication number: 20130135114
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for compressing a variety of signals, such as measured signals from a hydrocarbon operation, that may be stored and/or transmitted in compressed form. Segmentation tools and techniques are used to compress the signals. Segmentation techniques include breaking a signal into segments and representing the data samples of the signal as segment boundary points, which may reflect where changes occur in the signal, and segment parameters, which may be utilized to model the segmented data. Embodiments can be used in real-time or in batch modes. New data samples can influence previous segment boundary points and/or segment parameters in some cases. Systems may modify what has already been stored or displayed as a result in revising segmentation information based on analysis utilizing the new data samples. Embodiments may utilize different Bayesian analysis techniques including the use of prior probability distributions and maximum a posteriori analyses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maurice Ringer, Walter Aldred, Jonathan Dunlop
  • Publication number: 20130105220
    Abstract: A drill string suitable for use in directional drilling of a borehole, comprising a rotatable shaft at the leading end of which is a drill bit, and wherein the shaft comprises a variable friction inducing member, which provides rotational friction by physical contact with an inside face of the borehole, the friction inducing member being arranged to exert a first rotational frictional force when the shaft in the vicinity of the member is substantially rotating and a second rotational frictional force when the shaft in the vicinity of the member is substantially not rotating, wherein the first rotational frictional force is less than the second rotational frictional force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Ashley Johnson, Dean Gardner, Maurice Ringer, Devi Putra
  • Patent number: 8181510
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for automatically correcting for depth errors in measurements taken from a drillstring during the drilling phase of the construction of a hydrocarbon wellbore. The correction is based on a stress profile which in turn is based on the states of the drilling rig, drill string description length spec, borehole description trajectory, friction factor and weight on bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Maurice Ringer
  • Publication number: 20110220410
    Abstract: A changepoint detector for modeling data received from at least one sensor in a proces in the hydrocarbon industry. The data is segmented into a plurality of segments and fo each segment a model is assigned and the data corresponding to the segment fit to tha model. A plurality of segmentations are thus provided and these segmentations ar evaluated and assigned weights indicative of the fit of the models of the segmentation t the underlying data. The segmentation models are further used to calculate a result tha may be input to a process control program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Jonathan Dunlop, James Belaskie
  • Publication number: 20100294569
    Abstract: A method of removing cuttings from a workfront of a lateral borehole hole being drilled from a main borehole by a drilling tool is provided. The drilling tool comprising a tool body including a motor, an axial drive mechanism for advancing the tool body in the well, and a drill bit powered by the motor for drilling the underground formation at the workface and producing cuttings as the tool is advanced. The drilling tool is preferably connected to the surface by means of a cable extending through the lateral borehole and main borehole. The method independently comprising transporting the drilled cuttings from the workface to the part of the lateral borehole immediately behind the drilling tool. Transporting the drilled cuttings from immediately behind the drilling tool to the junction of the lateral borehole and the main well. And transporting the cuttings from the junction to a place of disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Walter Aldred, Iain Cooper, Paul Hammond
  • Patent number: 7578350
    Abstract: A system for controlling gas in a subsea drilling operation is disclosed in one embodiment. The system includes a subsea blow-out preventer, riser coupled to the blow-out preventer, a gas sensor, a controller, and a signal pathway. The gas sensor is configured for placement below the riser and configured to contact wellbore fluids during normal drilling operation. The controller configured to automatically cause manipulation the blow-out preventer based upon information from the gas sensor. The signal pathway couples the gas sensor with the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Iain Cooper, Walter Aldred
  • Publication number: 20080123470
    Abstract: A system for controlling gas in a subsea drilling operation is disclosed in one embodiment. The system includes a subsea blow-out preventer, riser coupled to the blow-out preventer, a gas sensor, a controller, and a signal pathway. The gas sensor is configured for placement below the riser and configured to contact wellbore fluids during normal drilling operation. The controller configured to automatically cause manipulation the blow-out preventer based upon information from the gas sensor. The signal pathway couples the gas sensor with the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Iain Cooper, Walter Aldred
  • Publication number: 20070029112
    Abstract: The disclosure has application for use in conjunction with an operation of drilling an earth borehole using: a drilling rig, a drill string having its generally upper end mechanically coupleable with and suspendable from the drilling rig, and a bottom hole assembly adjacent the lower end the drill string, the bottom hole assembly including a drill bit at its lower end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Qiming Li, Brian Clark, Shyam Mehta, Remi Hutin, Christopher Reed, David Santoso, Lise Hvatum, Raghu Madhavan, Jean-Marc Follini, Geoffrey Downton, Walter Aldred
  • Publication number: 20050189142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling at least one wellbore from an offsite location is provided. Each wellbore is located at a wellsite having a drilling rig with a downhole drilling tool suspended therefrom. The downhole drilling tool is selectively advanced into the earth to form the wellbore. The downhole drilling tool is operated according to a wellsite setup. Wellsite parameters are collected from a plurality of sensors positioned about the wellsite. The wellsite parameters are transmitted to an offsite control center. The offsite control center performs an analysis of the wellsite parameters and automatically adjusts the wellsite setup from the offsite control center based on the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ernesto Garcia, Dimitrios Pirovolou, Walter Aldred, Reinhart Ciglenec, Jacques Tabanou