Automatic Control For Production Patents (Class 166/250.15)
  • Patent number: 11962957
    Abstract: A method for wellsite control includes, at a computing device, receiving sensor information from one or more sensors; determining at least one notification option based at least partially on the sensor information; selecting at least one notification option based at least partially on the sensor information; and sending a notification to a notification destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Julien Converset, Emmanuel Coste, Graeme Paterson
  • Patent number: 11933150
    Abstract: A side pocket mandrel is configured for use within a gas lift system deployed in a well that has an annular space surrounding the gas lift system. The side pocket mandrel includes a central body that includes a central bore, a gas lift valve pocket, and a gas lift valve installed within the gas lift valve pocket. The side pocket mandrel may also include a motorized choke valve assembly to selectively cover some or all of an internal tubing port extending between the central bore and the gas lift valve pocket. The side pocket mandrel may also include an automatic closing valve assembly configured to automatically close the gas lift valve port when the gas lift valve is removed from the side pocket mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield
    Inventors: Donavan Brown, Tyler Shirk, Stephen Bisset
  • Patent number: 11859490
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in fracturing wells includes a body defining and coupled to a wellhead of a well extending through a subsurface formation with the flow path being in communication with a wellbore of the well. The apparatus includes a flow meter in communication with the flow path and configured to measure a flow attribute of fluid from the wellbore along the flow path. The apparatus further includes a computing device communicatively coupled to the flow meter. The computing device is operable to receive a flow attribute measurement from the flow meter and to transmit an indicator in response to determining that the flow attribute measurement indicates interaction of a fracture in the subsurface formation with the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Devon Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle L. Haustveit, Brett J. Green
  • Patent number: 11850639
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11808253
    Abstract: A metering unit for the controlled supply of a substance inside an aquarium tank comprises a containment box and a dosimetric pump which is actuated by an electric motor, both being associated with the containment box. The containment box has at least a first connection element and at least a second connection element which is suitable for being connected to a corresponding first connection element of an additional similar metering unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SEACHEM LABORATORIES, INC.
    Inventors: Paolo Pettenon, Marco Pierobon, Federico Carraro, James A Rogers
  • Patent number: 11773700
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling gas lift in at least one production well, which determine a quadratic function that relates flow rate or value of oil produced from a production well to gas flow rate for gas injected into the production well based on flow rate measurements for gas injected into the production well and corresponding flow rate measurements of oil produced from the production well. The quadratic function is used to determine an optimal flow rate for gas injected into the production well. The optimal flow rate for gas injected into the production well is used to control the flow rate of gas injected into the production well, and an oil flow rate produced from the production well is measured at the optimal gas flow rate for iterative processing to refine the quadratic function and determination of optimal gas flow rate if need be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terizhandur S. Ramakrishnan, William J. Bailey, Kashif Rashid
  • Patent number: 11762117
    Abstract: Downhole tools and methods for detecting a downhole obstruction within a wellbore. The downhole tools include a positioning mechanism, which is configured to facilitate positioning of the downhole tool within a target region of a wellbore of a hydrocarbon well, an acoustic pulse generator, which is configured to generate an acoustic pulse within a wellbore liquid that extends within the wellbore and fluidly contacts the downhole tool, and a sensor assembly, which is configured to detect a reflected acoustic pulse within the wellbore liquid. The methods include positioning a downhole tool within a target region of a wellbore, generating an acoustic pulse, propagating the acoustic pulse within a wellbore liquid, and reflecting the acoustic pulse from a downhole obstruction. The methods also include propagating a reflected acoustic pulse within the wellbore liquid, receiving the reflected acoustic pulse, and characterizing the downhole obstruction based upon the reflected acoustic pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Timothy G. Benish, Rami Jabari
  • Patent number: 11762825
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media of which the method includes obtaining a knowledge graph comprising elements and relationships that connect together the elements, receiving a raw oilfield data, generating structured oilfield data based on the raw oilfield data, wherein the structured oilfield data represents information about the raw oilfield data, and generating unstructured oilfield data based on the raw oilfield data, the structured oilfield data, and the knowledge graph. The unstructured data includes data about the raw oilfield data, and one or more of the elements, one or more of the relationships, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy Dorrington, Chiao-Fang Hsu
  • Patent number: 11753910
    Abstract: A variable flow resistance system for use with a subterranean well includes a first flow path configured to receive a fluid, a sensor configured to measure a property of the fluid received into the first flow path, and an actuator configured to control an inflow rate of the fluid received into the first flow path based upon the property of the fluid measured by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jules Frosell, Michael Linley Fripp, Zahed Kabir, Zachary Ryan Murphree
  • Patent number: 11753913
    Abstract: A method of unloading and producing liquids from a well uses a plurality of gas injection valves installed on a production tubing. The injection valves are controlled by pressure signals transmitted through a single fluid control line. A first pressure signal is applied to the control line to open the plurality of injection valves. Gas is pumped into the annulus at an injection pressure until a first pressure drop occurs in the injection pressure, the first pressure drop being indicative of gas flowing through a first, upper one of the injection valves. Pumping of gas is continued until a second pressure drop occurs in the injection pressure, the second pressure drop being indicative of gas flowing through a second, lower one of the injection valves. A second, lower pressure signal then is applied to close the first injection valve while leaving the second injection valve open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KHOLLE Magnolia 2015, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen W. Turk, Michael S. Juenke, E. Lee Colley, III
  • Patent number: 11746645
    Abstract: A virtual sensor system includes one or more electric submersible pumping systems deployed in a reservoir and a computer system that receives data from the one or more electric submersible pumping systems. Field data is provided to computerized statistical models for predicting whether individual electric submersible pumping systems and the reservoir have undergone changes in condition. The statistical models are established with reference data obtained by running electric submersible pumping systems of known working condition in test wells under a variety of controlled conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer Vittal, Renee He, Mark Andrew Sporer, Michael Franklin Hughes
  • Patent number: 11708749
    Abstract: A downhole device for installation in a petroleum well, comprising a sensor, a controller and a power source. The device further comprises an acoustic speaker configured to output a sound signal from the downhole device to a fiber optic cable in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Petroleum Technology Company AS
    Inventor: Erling Kleppa
  • Patent number: 11675320
    Abstract: A method for controlling equipment includes grouping a plurality of granular assets to form one or more general assets and generating models of the general assets based on the granular assets that form the general assets. Each model corresponds to a general asset and defines a relationship between resources produced by the general asset and resources consumed by the general asset. The method includes performing a first control process using the models of the general assets to determine a first allocation of resources among the general assets. The first allocation defines amounts of the resources to be consumed, produced, or stored by each of the general assets. The method includes operating the equipment to consume, produce, or store the resources in accordance with the first allocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: John H. Burroughs, Andrew J. Przybylski, Michael J. Wenzel, Matthew J. Ellis
  • Patent number: 11674366
    Abstract: A method of predicting hydrocarbon production from one or more artificial lift wells is disclosed. Measurements and/or well test data are obtained from one or more artificial lift wells representing well performance at more than one time period. A statistical model, representing well performance, is generated. Using the statistical model and the measurements and/or well test data, real-time production of the one or more artificial lift wells is predicted and a measure of confidence is generated. Potential optimization opportunities are identified for well performance based on the predicted real-time production of the one or more artificial lift wells. The optimization opportunities are outputted. Hydrocarbon production activities are modified using the optimization opportunities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Sumeet Trehan, Damian N. Burch, Amr S. El-Bakry, Peeyush Bhargava, Curtis J. Holub, Jose F. Zapata Usandivaras
  • Patent number: 11649837
    Abstract: A controller and related system and method for controlling a choke for choking fluid flow are configured to take into account non-linear behaviors of the choke, to allow more accurate and effective control of the choke. To obtain a desired pressure drop across a choke valve, the controller is configured to monitor the position of a choke actuator coupled to the choke valve and the pressure at the inlet of the choke valve. The controller calculates an adaptive proportional gain coefficient, and optionally adaptive integral and derivative coefficients, based on the choke actuator position, to help mitigate the effects of non-linear behaviors of the choke and, where necessary, based on the inlet pressure, the controller calculates an augmentation correction to address any instability in the choke. The controller then commands the choke actuator accordingly to adjust the flow area through the choke valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Opla Energy Ltd.
    Inventors: Hossein Khorshidian, Skyler Lowe, Saied Afshari
  • Patent number: 11639656
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon gas capture from a well stream can involve recovering light hydrocarbon gases from liquids and solids via a multiphase separator that is upstream of a sand removal system. Pressure is controlled in the multiphase separator to facilitate hydrocarbon gas capture. The light hydrocarbon gases can be recovered for sale or can be used on-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: TOTAL GAS RESOURCE RECOVERY, LLC
    Inventors: Nick Welch, Tracy Turner
  • Patent number: 11591884
    Abstract: A technique provides a desired control over incremental actuation of hydraulic devices. A hydraulically actuated tool is combined with a control module. The hydraulically actuated tool has an actuator piston positioned in a piston chamber and movable between operating positions. The control module comprises a hydraulic indexing circuit arranged to enable incremental movement of the actuator piston in a first direction and full stroke movement in a second direction based on hydraulic input delivered via control lines. The hydraulic indexing circuit comprises an indexing piston system and at least one check valve working in cooperation with the indexing piston system to enable the incremental and full stroke movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Clayton, Jerome Prost, Brad Swenson, Michael Jasper, Gabriel Isaicu, Emrah Gokdag, Ron Perez, Julia Huynh
  • Patent number: 11585330
    Abstract: Systems and methods for harvesting geothermal energy use temperature-based flow control to optimize the extraction of thermal energy from a geothermal reservoir. In one example, a thermal transport fluid is flowed into a wellbore traversing a thermal reservoir of a formation. Flow of the thermal transport fluid into and out of the thermal reservoir is dynamically controlled at each of a plurality of injection and/or return locations in response to a downhole parameter such as temperature. For example, flow may be controlled so that the flow into the thermal reservoir is greater at the injection locations where the temperature is hotter and that the flow out of the thermal reservoir is greater at the return locations where the temperature is hotter. The thermal transport fluid produced from the return locations is then conveyed to surface to extra the thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David Joe Steele
  • Patent number: 11577337
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control the acoustic properties of optical cables used as in-well oil and gas probes for acoustic monitoring, such as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). One example aspect provides a solid path for the acoustic wave to propagate from an outside armor layer of the cable to the sensing optical waveguide embedded therein. Another example aspect offers ways to spatially dispose the optical sensing elements to create response delays indicative of the propagation speed and/or direction of an acoustic wave. Yet another example aspect provides ways to utilize additional spectral interrogation to increase ultimate spatial resolution. Yet another example aspect provides ways to locally vary the acoustic properties along the length of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Andre R. Vincelette, Christopher S. Baldwin, Paul Lefebvre, Hongbo Li, Domino Taverner, James R. Dunphy
  • Patent number: 11519260
    Abstract: A method of operating a reciprocating system including a rod pump for pumping liquids from a wellbore. The method includes determining rod position of the rod pump using a wave-based technology detector, the rod pump comprising a rod string carrying a down hole pump and a drive system including a drive motor coupled to the rod string through a transmission unit; communicating rod position to a data acquisition system receiving one or more other measurements of rod pump operation to determine rod pump performance; and adjusting at least one operating parameter to enhance rod pump performance. A method of determining operating parameters and optimizing performance of an oil or gas production rod pump, and a system for determining rod position of an oil or gas production rod pump are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Tony W. Hord
  • Patent number: 11480039
    Abstract: A motor of an electric submersible pump (ESP) is positioned in a wellbore. Measured data is received from one or more sensors. A first deep learning model running on a motor controller of the ESP determines first operating parameters or first operating conditions for the ESP based on the measured data. The motor controller sends the first operating parameters or first operating conditions to a centralized computer system. A second deep learning model running on the centralized computer system determines second operating parameters or second operating conditions associated with the ESP based on the first operating parameters or first operating conditions. The centralized computer system sends the second operating parameters or second operating conditions to the motor controller. The motor controller adjusts operation of the motor of the ESP based on the second operating parameters or second operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Beck, Luke Golden Janger, Donn J. Brown
  • Patent number: 11454738
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for developing a reservoir. In one implementation, a reservoir model is received. The reservoir model includes a static model and a dynamic model. The static model includes one or more clusters of a three-dimensional volume of the reservoir and an uncertainty quantification generated using a neural network. The dynamic model includes pressure values and fluid saturation values propagated across the three-dimensional volume through a nodal connectivity of neighboring clusters. A set of input features is generated from the static model and the dynamic model. The set of input features is related to a drilling attractiveness of a target region of the reservoir using a set of rules executed by a fuzzy inference engine. A quantification of the drilling attractiveness is generated. A recommendation for drilling in the reservoir is output based on the quantification of the drilling attractiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Beyond Limits, Inc.
    Inventors: Zackary H. Nolan, Shahram Farhadi Nia
  • Patent number: 11414987
    Abstract: Disclosed are perturbation signaling systems and methods for use in a downhole well. Such systems can include a downhole tool configured to hang from a wellbore anchoring mechanism. The tool can have or associate with an energy harvesting system, a power management system, a sensing system, and a wireless communication system. A turbine generator can encode signals into flowing fluid through electric load and related changes in hydraulic energy, transmitting information through the fluid. A receiver station positioned at another well location can decode and or relay the signals. Signals can bypass impediments such as noise zones by inducing signals in adjacent parallel well environments such as an annulus. The receiver station can accumulate energy from repeated redundant signaling over time to enhance communication and signal resolution. An additional wireless communication system can receive and/or relay data to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: WiDril AS
    Inventors: Jarl André Fellinghaug, Vegard Fiksdal, Anton Kulyakhtin
  • Patent number: 11414954
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrocarbon well choke system that includes a choke valve and a choke control system adapted to obtain production data from production sensors of the well (e.g., including flowrate, wellhead pressure, wellhead temperature, water cut and gas-oil-ratio (GOR) data obtained by way of respective sensors of the well), generate (based on the data) a well profile that is indicative of the flow of production from the well for different settings of the valve, receive (from a well control system) a target production rate, determine (based on the well profile) whether the rate is obtainable, in response to determining that the rate is obtainable, determine (based on the well profile) a choke setting that corresponds to the rate, and control the choke valve to operate at the setting, and, in response to determining that the rate is not obtainable, communicate (to the well control system) a corresponding alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Abdulrahman Ahmari
  • Patent number: 11332986
    Abstract: A packoff pressure prevention system includes an internal pressure sensor to measure fluid pressure within a drillstring. The system further includes an annular vent to, when open, enable fluid to escape from within the drillstring into an annulus. The system further includes a processor coupled to receive pressure measurements from the internal pressure sensor and coupled to signal the annular vent to open if the fluid pressure within the drillstring rises a first threshold amount over a second threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Erevik Riise, Helge Rorvik
  • Patent number: 11320565
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program product may evaluate a field by receiving a dataset including well measurements collected from a plurality of wells in a field, generating a synthetic dataset from the received dataset by computing a plurality of synthetic samples from the received dataset using a self-organized may (SOM), and propagating one or more models generated from the synthetic dataset to the plurality of wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvain Wlodarczyk, Florent D'Halluin
  • Patent number: 11306573
    Abstract: A frac tree coupled to a wellhead is connected to either flowback equipment or zipper modules using a single straight-line connection of pipes, valves, and/or frac iron that define a straight-line pathway for fluid, gas, or flowback materials. The disclosed single straight-line connections referenced herein may be used in pressure pumping operations to deliver hydraulic fracturing fluid (“frack fluid”) to a frac tree for delivery to a wellhead or for carrying flowback from the wellhead to a flowback-collecting equipment. Using the single straight-line connections referenced herein dramatically reduces the complexity of connections needed to deliver frack fluid to or carry flowback away from a well, thereby reducing the cost, improving the efficiency, and increasing the safety of pressure-pumping and flowback operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas PC LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Thomas Robinson Webster
  • 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: 11295048
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a method for use by at least one machine learning classifier. The method comprises the machine learning classifier obtaining one or more recent results from at least one geomechanical simulation; the machine learning classifier comparing the recent results to stored historical data; and, based on the comparing, the machine learning classifier deciding at least one reservoir model for use by at least one reservoir simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Borrel, Matthias Kormaksson, Carmen Nilda Mena Paz
  • Patent number: 11255169
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for controlling flow in a well bore, comprising: a housing defining a fluid passage; a flow control device sealing an outlet of said fluid passage; an actuator for manipulating said flow controller control device to an open condition to permit fluid flow through said outlet; a controller for selectively activating said actuator; an acoustic receiver in communication with said controller, said acoustic receiver configured to receive acoustic signals comprising programming instructions for said controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: NCS MULTISTAGE INC.
    Inventors: Ramin Tajallipour, Lyle Laun, Michael Werries, Roman Vakulin
  • Patent number: 11236592
    Abstract: A valve system for use in a wellbore, comprising a side pocket mandrel having a main bore for alignment with a wellbore tubular and a laterally offset side pocket bore separated from the main bore by an internal wall, the laterally offset side pocket bore comprising a first receptacle for a first device and a second receptacle for a second device, the internal wall having an opening through which each of the first device and the second device is independently retrievable. There is also provided a side pocket mandrel, a hydrocarbon well and a method of operating a hydrocarbon well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AS
    Inventor: Kristian Korbøl Josefsen
  • Patent number: 11236751
    Abstract: A method for monitoring operation of an electric submersible pump. The method includes receiving data signals indicating values for a plurality of parameters regarding operation of the electric submersible pumping system; establishing, for at least some of the plurality of parameters, an associated reference signal; and detecting a deviation of one of the parameters from the reference signal associated with that parameter. As a result of the deviation having a rate of change below a predetermined threshold, the method includes updating the value of the reference signal to reflect the deviation. As a result of the deviation having a rate of change above the predetermined threshold, the method includes detecting an event and generating an indication of the event. The indication of the event further depends on a type of the parameter and a direction of the deviation from the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Sensia LLC
    Inventors: Nam Nguyen, Yves-Marie Clet Robert Subervie, Emmanuel Coste
  • Patent number: 11238379
    Abstract: A method for optimizing oil production includes receiving historical production data for one or more wells. A first model is generated based at least partially upon the historical production data. The production in the one or more wells is predicted based at least partially upon the first model. A second model is generated based at least partially on the predicted production. A production allocation is determined in the one or more wells to maximize production based at least partially upon the second model. The production allocation is then implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Supriya Gupta, Satya Deepthi Gopisetti
  • Patent number: 11199088
    Abstract: A method includes activating a first electromagnetic source at a first frequency, acquiring a first set of electromagnetic measurements from a first fiber optic electromagnetic sensor in a first well, wherein the first fiber optic electromagnetic sensor is in electromagnetic communication with the first electromagnetic source. The method also includes acquiring a second set of electromagnetic measurements from a second fiber optic sensor in a second well, wherein the second fiber optic sensor is in electromagnetic communication with the first electromagnetic source. The method also includes determining a formation property based on the first set of electromagnetic measurements and the second set of electromagnetic measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Glenn Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 11156080
    Abstract: An embodiment a monitoring and control system that includes an instrumented top sub configured to obtain drilling data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: APS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Bryant, William Evans Turner, John Martin Clegg
  • Patent number: 11143789
    Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for developing a reservoir. In one implementation, observed data points in a volume along a well trajectory and well logs corresponding to observed data points are received at a neural network. Feature vectors are generated using the neural network. The feature vectors are defined based on a distance between each of the observed data points and randomly generated points in the volume. A 3D populated log is generated by propagating well log values of the feature vectors across the volume. Uncertainty is quantified by generating a plurality of realizations including the 3D populated log. Each of the realizations is different and equally probable. core values are generated from the realizations, and a static model of the reservoir is generated by clustering the volume into one or more clusters of rock types based on the core values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Beyond Limits, Inc.
    Inventors: Azarang Golmohammadizangabad, Shahram Farhadi Nia
  • Patent number: 11136876
    Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole in a subsurface formation includes receiving measured values indicative of operations performed by drilling equipment while drilling. The measured values include hookload values. The hookload values are analyzed to identify hookload values acquired while connecting a drill pipe, and a block weight value is set based on such a hookload value. The block weight value is subtracted from the hookload values to produce rebased hookload values. A rig state model produces a value for a state of the drilling equipment based on the measured values and the rebased hookload values. Responsive to the state of the drilling equipment, an operation performed to drill the subsurface formation is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventor: Christopher J. Coley
  • Patent number: 11125079
    Abstract: A method for using flow rate signals for wireless downhole communication comprises generating a first flow rate signal within a wellbore by altering the flow rate of a first fluid in the well bore, wherein the first flow rate signal comprises at least two detectable characteristics; detecting the first flow rate signal at a first downhole tool disposed within the wellbore; and actuating the first downhole tool in response to detecting the first flow rate signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Fripp, Zachary William Walton, Matthew Merron, Thomas Frosell
  • Patent number: 11118447
    Abstract: A transmitter is carried proximate to an inground tool for sensing a plurality of operational parameters relating to the inground tool. The transmitter customizes a data signal to characterize one or more of the operational parameters for transmission from the inground tool based on the operational status of the inground tool. A receiver receives the data signal and recovers the operational parameters. Advanced data protocols are described. Pitch averaging and enhancement of dynamic pitch range for accelerometer readings are described based on monitoring mechanical shock and vibration of the inground tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Loc Viet Lam, Scott Phillips
  • Patent number: 11078758
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to provide one or more control signals to cause supply of electric power from a power supply to one or more electric actuators. The one or more electric actuators are configured to adjust one or more components of a cable pressure control equipment (PCE) stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas Arteaga, Emmanuel Guilhamon, Erwan Olliero, Silvestre Meza, Vikas Rakhunde
  • Patent number: 11047208
    Abstract: A technique facilitates both actuation of a well tool and chemical injection at a corresponding well zone or well zones. In a multi-zone operation, the well system may comprise a plurality of operating modules coupled with corresponding actuators and chemical injection devices. The well system is deployed downhole to a desired location in a borehole, e.g. a wellbore. The operating modules may be selectively shifted via electrical input to enable a desired chemical injection and/or actuation of the actuator (and thus the well tool) at desired well zones. In some embodiments, the operating modules may comprise contingency circuits to enable the chemical injection without electrical input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Soufiane Halily, Emrah Gokdag, Jerome Prost, Richa Bansal, Parvesh Singh
  • Patent number: 11035209
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a downhole pumping system is disclosed. The apparatus is capable of detecting motor operating conditions and pump operating conditions thereby and includes control systems for utilizing the motor operating conditions to control the operation of the downhole pumping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Inventors: Ramez Guindi, Georgios Orfanoudakis, Michael Yuratich
  • Patent number: 11035203
    Abstract: A completion section includes a base pipe defining a central flow passage, an injection port, and a production port. A fracturing assembly includes a frac sleeve positioned within the central flow passage adjacent the injection port, a sensor that detects a wireless signal, a first frac actuator actuatable in response to the wireless signal to move the frac sleeve and expose the injection port, and a second frac actuator actuatable based on the wireless signal to move the frac sleeve to occlude the injection port. A production assembly is axially offset from the fracturing assembly and includes a production sleeve positioned within the central flow passage adjacent the production port, a filtration device arranged about the base pipe, and a production actuator actuatable based on the wireless signal or an additional wireless signal to move the production sleeve to an open position where the production ports are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew James Merron, Zachary William Walton, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 11025188
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining proper phase rotation in a linear motor that may be used in an ESP system, where the phase rotations associated with power and return strokes are initially unknown. The method includes providing power to the motor for multiple cycles and monitoring the load (e.g., by monitoring current drawn by the motor) on the motor to determine in which direction (phase rotation) the load on the motor increases. This direction corresponds to the power stroke of the motor. The direction of increasing load is then associated with the power stroke and the motor is operated normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, a GE company, LLC
    Inventor: Renato L. Pichilingue
  • Patent number: 11015441
    Abstract: A transmitter is carried proximate to an inground tool for sensing a plurality of operational parameters relating to the inground tool. The transmitter customizes a data signal to characterize one or more of the operational parameters for transmission from the inground tool based on the operational status of the inground tool. A receiver receives the data signal and recovers the operational parameters. Advanced data protocols are described. Pitch averaging and enhancement of dynamic pitch range for accelerometer readings are described based on monitoring mechanical shock and vibration of the inground tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Loc Viet Lam, Scott Phillips
  • Patent number: 10975678
    Abstract: A production well apparatus for underground coal gasification and an underground coal gasification method using same. The production well apparatus comprises a well head apparatus, a sleeve (8), a product pipe (1), a coolant pipe (3), and a monitoring meter system (7). Coolant is injected, during underground coal gasification, to be in contact and mixed with product gas, and the product gas is discharged after cooled, such that the operation is safer and more controllable. Moreover, most of the components of the production well apparatus can be completely or partially recycled and reused after the gasification is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: ZHONGWEI (SHANGHAI) ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD
    Inventors: Casper Jan Hendrik Burger, Zhenhua Min, Yuanli Wang
  • Patent number: 10968728
    Abstract: A method includes generating kth, (k+1)th, . . . , (kfinal)th control inputs for actuating flow control devices of a production well and/or an injection well of a well system during corresponding sampling steps k, (k+1), . . . , kfinal, actuating the flow control devices during the kth step using the kth control input, measuring a position of a fluid front and a dynamic state of the well system during the kth step; predicting a dynamic state of the well system at each step (k+1), . . . , kfinal using a state predictor, updating the (k+1)th, . . . , (kfinal)th control inputs based on the predicted dynamic states, optimizing the (k+1)th, . . . , (kfinal)th control inputs using a desired cost function, actuating the flow control devices during the (k+1)th step using the optimized value for the (k+1)th step, and measuring the position of the fluid front and a dynamic state of the well system during the (k+1)th step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason D. Dykstra, Xingyong Song, Yiming Zhao, Fanping Bu
  • Patent number: 10907442
    Abstract: Systems and methods for thru-tubing completion including a sub-surface completion unit (SCU) system including a SCU wireless transceiver for communicating with a surface control system of a well by way of wireless communication with a down-hole wireless transceiver disposed in a wellbore of the well, one or more SCU anchoring seals having an un-deployed position (enabling the SCU to pass through production tubing disposed in the wellbore of the well) and a deployed position (to seal against a wall of the target zone of the open-hole portion of the wellbore to provide zonal isolation between adjacent regions in the wellbore) and one or more SCU centralizers having an un-deployed position (enabling the SCU to pass through the production tubing disposed in the wellbore of the well) and a deployed position (to position the SCU in the target zone of the open-hole portion of the wellbore).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Muhammad Arsalan, Mohamed N. Noui-Mehidi
  • Patent number: 10876383
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for maximizing production of a well with a gas assisted plunger lift. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of measurements associated with operation of the well from sensors associated with various components of the well. The method further comprises determining set points for operation of the production valve and the injection valve based on one or more of the plurality of measurements. The set points may be determined by the controller or by a SCADA system. Optionally, one or more of the set points may be modified according to a comparison of current and optimal values of plunger velocity and gas and liquid production. In addition, the method comprises coordinating the operation of the production valve and the injection valve is coordinated based on the set points and the stage in operation cycle by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Nareshkumar Nandola, Niket Kaisare, Arun Gupta
  • Patent number: 10838101
    Abstract: An example method includes introducing a solution into at least part of a reservoir. The solution includes a contrast agent and a fluid. The contrast agent includes a polymer having a dielectric constant that may be greater than a predefined value. The example method also includes using at least one EM transmitter antenna to direct a first electromagnetic (EM) signal into the reservoir. The first EM signal passes through the at least part of the reservoir into which the solution was introduced. The first EM signal is received using at least one EM receiver antenna following passage through the at least part of the reservoir. Data is determined that represents a difference between a first travel time of the first EM signal transmitted through the contrast agent in the reservoir and a second travel time of a second EM signal transmitted through water-saturated reservoir rock. Information about a physical feature of the at least part of the reservoir is generated based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Erika Shoemaker Ellis, Howard Khan Schmidt, Jason Cox, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin